A beautiful story telling of ancient wisdomApril 20, 2008 This is definitely a great book, a great story, embedded with wisdom thousands of years old!
A beautiful translation that reads very nicelyAugust 7, 2007 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
You know Sanskrit? Then you should read the original text.
You don't know Sanskrit but you are very familiar with Hinduism, and the meaning of words like "Atma", "Vijnana", "Vibhutis", "Dharma" are common for you? Then you should read faithful translation of the Gita by authors like Eknath Easwaran.
For everyone else who is not ready yet to read a translation that is close to the original text, Hawley's version is a very excellent choice. This is not a literal translation: a single verse can be expanded, clarified an enriched to the point that it has become a paragraph. But Hawley did a wonderful job in making the Gita accessible while preserving the delicacy and the nuances of its teachings.
Warmly recommended for your first reading of the Bhagavad Gita.
An excellent readMay 12, 2007 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I found this version of the Gita to be very understandable. I read this book quickly and with great clarity. I feel like I could study one of the traditional versions of the Gita and it would flow more easily now. As I was reading this book, it was as if I became the text and the words. My being experienced a real transformation as a result of reading this story of Krishna(God) and Arjuna(God's best friend). Jack Hawley was able to capture this in his writing for all of us to experience on a very deep level. I can read this over and over and continue to see from new perspectives.
A brilliantly accessable commentary for non-IndiansApril 4, 2007 5 out of 5 found this review helpful
It has long been accepted that the Baghavad Gita should be at everyone's bedside and in their travel bag. Dr Hawley's 'Walkthrough' is a stunningly direct and accessible version for those not brought up in the Indian tradition and is the ideal constant companion. Although not as lyrical as Sir Edwin Arnold's version, it seems to speak more directly to the modern western heart. A gem, to be given to anyone who seriously desires to hear the truth, unencumbered by religious dogmatism.
What's Next? Bhagavad Gita for Dummies?November 25, 2006 5 out of 17 found this review helpful
I was curious to read this translation of one of the greatest religious scriptures in the world by yet another westerner to see what wisdom he might possibly have to add to the numerous excellent translations written by so many excellent Hindu scholars and the answer is: little, if anything!
It is a real shame that westerners often miss the entire point of the Gita which is devotion to The Lord, instead feeling more "comfortable" and "politically correct" with the impersonalist mayavadi philosophy propounded by translators who have absolutely no concept of its profound message. There is nothing to be gained by interpreting the Gita as some sort of psychological "inner struggle" or figurative mythology. That is merely mind-stuff and drivel. The Gita is exactly as it is written.
The Gita is not to be "walked through" casually - although that is a good start and hence the 2 star rating I have generously given this effort since it might encourage a reader to actually read a real translation of the Gita. However, rather than reading dumbed down versions like this, I would encourage "westerners" to take the time to study the Gita, learn the Roman transliterations of the actual Sanskrit words and stop being so lazy as to having to be constantly spoon-fed - it really is rather pathetic.
Unfortunately I have yet to read a worthwhile translation of the Gita by any westerner and this one is no exception.
What's next, Bhagavad Gita for Dummies? (Oh no, I can see it coming now...)
