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| Bhagavad-Gita As It Is | 
 enlarge | Author: A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Publisher: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95 (35.19 RON)
Buy New: $10.17 (23.94 RON)
You Save: $4.78 (11.25 RON) (32%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  103 reviews
Sales Rank: 53605
Media: Hardcover
Edition: Revised
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 904
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.9
ISBN: 0892131233
Dewey Decimal Number: 294
EAN: 9780892131235
ASIN: 0892131233
Publication Date: March 1, 1997
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 OK with a lot of caveats November 27, 2006
8 out of 12 found this review helpful
There are dozens of translations of the Gita available in the market, of which this translation is arguably the most popular. The main reason for its success has been slick packaging and marketing by ISKCON, something which they do admirably well. It is also an easy read, compared to some other dry translations.
Typical western readers are told the Gita is "THE" holy book of Hindus, and they perceive the text as the Hindu Bible. However, this is not true. Hinduism - unlike Semitic religions - is a bunch of different beliefs, which contradict one another on several points. In simple words, Hinduism is sectarian and for several sects the Gita is not a primary text. Among those sects treating the Gita as a primary text, the interpretations are different in every case.
Consequently, every translation of the Gita is limited in value due to the sectarian bias of the translator creeping in - knowingly or unknowingly. The "Gita as it is" is no exception. It is heavily sectarian and interprets certain verses with unbelievable twists. It would be reasonable to take this position: If in a certain verse, Krishna actually meant something else other than what is understood explicitly, then he would have simply spoken that implicit "something else" explicitly instead of creating ambiguity. Hence, a translation should be faithful to the text and leave the reader to judge and interpret or misinterpret based on personal preferences.
The best way out of this problem is to read several different translations which will enable the reader to see beyond the biases of the translators and get the real deal out of the Gita. The second best way is to learn Sanskrit and read the original.
Good for beginners, but cautiously recommended October 4, 2006
30 out of 40 found this review helpful
Several years back, this was one of the first few translations of the Bhagavad Gita that I read. Compared to other books I found the language of translation very simple to comprehend and I also loved the layout of the book. This book was certainly inspiring as any translation of Gita would be. However a word of caution!
People following the path of devotion or bhakti would find this book helpful. The Author beleives that Krishna is supreme god-head and in Kali yuga or dark age, worshipping krishna's form is the best and only path. However one is repeatedly distracted by the author's negative comments and attacks on those who meditate on the formless Brahman.
Not stopping with that the author would sometimes go to the extent of mis-translating the verses of the Gita if Krishna himself said anything positive about the absolute and formless conciousness i.e. Brahman.
For example for the verse 24, in chapter 4
The sanskrit verse is:
brahmarpanam brahma havir
brahmagnau brahmana hutam
brahmaiva tena gantavyam
brahma-karma-samadhina
The acceptable translation in most books is
"Brahman is the oblation,
Brahman is the clarified buttter,
The oblation is poured by Brahman into the fire of Brahman.
Brahman shall be realized by the one who considers everything
As an act of Brahman. "
(Meaning the actor, action, acted and act are all brahman, one who realizes this realizes brahman)
Whereas Prabhupada's Translation is
"A person who is fully absorbed in Krsna consciousness is sure to attain the spiritual kingdom because of his full contribution to spiritual activities, in which the consummation is absolute and that which is offered is of the same spiritual nature."
However the word-by-word translation by srila prabupada is closer to truth
"brahma--spiritual in nature; arpanam--contribution; brahma--the Supreme; havih--butter; brahma--spiritual; agnau--in the fire of consummation; brahmana--by the spirit soul; hutam--offered; brahma--spiritual kingdom; eva--certainly; tena--by him; gantavyam--to be reached; brahma--spiritual; karma--activities; samadhina--by complete absorption. "
Notwithstanding all of these shortcomings,a beginner might still benefit from reading of "Bhagavad-Gita as it is", as I myself did considering the very reasonable price, word-by-word meaning and simple language. So this is "cautiously recommended" for beginners.
 bhagwat gita as it is October 2, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book is really great with indepth description of bhagwat gita. This book also says about conditions before mahabharat and I found that description very helpfull understanding mahabharat.
Excellent Representation of the Tradition September 3, 2006
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
In 1967 I was honored to type the second chapter of the Swami's Gita manuscript just as it was being edited by Prof. Howard Wheeler (Hayagriva). Since then I've been a student of the Gita, particularly Prabhupada's. For someone new to the Gita, his translation is excellent. Prabhupada communicates the passion, philosophy, enjoyment, and enlightenment available in the Vishnu (Vaishnava) culture. Although wise, elderly, and saintly, Prabhupada humbly consults centuries old commentaries to offer his readers the proper perspectives. For someone who knows the tradition, it is a joy to read Prabhupada's translation, because he communicates the millenia old principles with clarity. To understand the ancient, classical, and modern Vedantic (Hindu) culture one should investigate it from within the tradition. For example, one of the Upanisads says, "A great soul is enlightened by the Gita discussions through expressing affection for the Lord and the guru (not by external, detached study and research)." Prabhupada is most definitely a guru who can enlighten the reader; it is also easy to have affection for him. An advanced reader may be happy that Prabhupada's comments clarify the many themes or threads in the Gita. Some scholars find the various threads difficult to follow and reconcile. Many people will appreciate that in a world where industrial and modern cultures have created a violent rift between humanity and nature, Krishna's exposition provides a breath of fresh air. The Vedantic perspective is wonderfully communicated by Satish Kumar (in Ranchor Prime's Vedic Ecology): "Hindus say 'Om shanti, shanti, shanti' ('peace, peace, peace') before every prayer. The first 'shanti' means peace with nature, ecological peace; the second means peace in society, between human beings, communities, nations and peoples; the third means shanti within oneself, spiritual peace." Therefore, Christians, scientists, and politicians should apply the Gita's principles in order to regain active respect for nature. Krishna's teachings are down to earth and practical. Along with principles and philosophy, Krishna emphasizes action as one of His central themes. He urges resistance to materialism by using the sword of active knowledge (jnana-asin), rather than weapons of steel. He describes a yati (spiritual struggler), who is similar to an Islamic mujahid (jihadist). Yet the yati is a college professor to the elementary school mujahid. Moslems should study Prabhupada's Gita to understand how to use the sword of knowledge instead of steel. Above all, every reader may benefit from the spiritual enjoyment that Krishna teaches in His yoga treatise, the Gita.
What to say? June 25, 2006
7 out of 11 found this review helpful
Reading the words of God, spoken to a friend, will change your life.
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