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Bhavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita, "The Song of the Lord", is the best known of all the Indian scriptures, and Easwaran's reliable and accessible version has consistently been the best-selling translation. Easwaran's introduction places the Gita in its historical setting and brings out the universality and timelessness of its teachings. Chapter introductions give clear explanations of key concepts in that chapter. To listen to the scripture without the introductions, listeners should start at track 044. The Bhagavad Gita opens dramatically on a battlefield, as the warrior Arjuna turns in anguish to his spiritual guide, Sri Krishna, for answers to the fundamental questions of life. But as Easwaran points out, the Gita is not what it seems - it's not a dialogue between two mythical figures at the dawn of Indian history. "The battlefield is a perfect backdrop, but the Gita's subject is the war within, the struggle for self-mastery that every human being must wage" to live a life that is meaningful, fulfilling, and worthwhile. This audio recording is a complete and unabridged reading of Eknath Easwaran's book The Bhagavad Gita.
First published February 10, 2015
About the author
Eknath Easwaran
165 books580 followersEknath Easwaran (1910–1999) is the originator of passage meditation and the author of more than 30 books on spiritual living.
Easwaran is a recognized authority on the Indian spiritual classics. His translations of The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads, and The Dhammapada are the best-selling editions in the USA, and over 1.5 million copies of his books are in print.
Easwaran was a professor of English literature and well known in India as a writer and speaker before coming to the United States in 1959 on the Fulbright exchange program. In 1961, he founded the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, based in Tomales, California, which continues his work today through publications and retreats.
His 1968 class on the theory and practice of meditation at UC Berkeley is believed to be the first accredited course on meditation at any Western university. For those who seek him as a personal spiritual guide, Easwaran assured us that he lives on through his eight-point program of passage meditation.
"I am with you always”, he said. “It does not require my physical presence; it requires your open heart."
Please visit bmcm.org for a fuller biography.
Easwaran is a recognized authority on the Indian spiritual classics. His translations of The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads, and The Dhammapada are the best-selling editions in the USA, and over 1.5 million copies of his books are in print.
Easwaran was a professor of English literature and well known in India as a writer and speaker before coming to the United States in 1959 on the Fulbright exchange program. In 1961, he founded the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, based in Tomales, California, which continues his work today through publications and retreats.
His 1968 class on the theory and practice of meditation at UC Berkeley is believed to be the first accredited course on meditation at any Western university. For those who seek him as a personal spiritual guide, Easwaran assured us that he lives on through his eight-point program of passage meditation.
"I am with you always”, he said. “It does not require my physical presence; it requires your open heart."
Please visit bmcm.org for a fuller biography.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 26, 2014
Does one ever really "finish" reading the Gita?
May 5, 2020
This immerse in wisdom dialogue and all your connectomes will bathe in eternal freshness.
This directive will always guide:
“never be attached to the fruits of your action”
Gita embraces you and then you will easily take care of yourSELF
Thankful!
It offers you a good clean, consume it all.
This directive will always guide:
“never be attached to the fruits of your action”
Gita embraces you and then you will easily take care of yourSELF
Thankful!
It offers you a good clean, consume it all.
August 11, 2022
What I liked about this is that the author made it approachable and you come away understanding what you read through the introductions for each chapter.
As to the book itself; people will be reading it for another 3,000 years too, I’m sure.
As to the book itself; people will be reading it for another 3,000 years too, I’m sure.
December 31, 2022
Mr. Easwaren was such a wise and Gentle Soul--He really opened my eyes about the Gita--and how he saw Gandhi as a living embodiment of it---Every morning Gandhi would meditate on versus 54 thru 71 of Chapter 2 : "When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face; I turn to the Gita and I find a verse here and a verse there, and I begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming tragedies " Gandhi
Who is the Ascetic of secure understanding ? He is at peace with everyone, slow to anger, a fount of mercy, ever forgiving, a lover of Solitude, equidistant from both friend and foe, merciful, never slothful, does not go to pieces when people speak ill of him , energetic, as rivers flow into the Ocean and the Ocean never overflows, so flows angst and Lust and trash into the mind of the seer, but his mind remains unmoved " The Gita
"Every morning I bathe my mind in the wonderful cosmology of the Gita " Thoreau
"Learn to feel the Joy of a Soul Happy and Confident, lifted above every Circumstance " Seneca
"Just as the brightness of the Sun overcomes all clouds and darkness at sea, so does Virtue overcome all vexations, trials, tribulations, and all other disturbances " Seneca
In the way of Tao, every day subtract something, Less and less do you need to force things until you arrive at non-action
subtract and subtract again until nothing is left done, when nothing is left done, then everything is left undone---It is the SPACE inside the bowl that makes the bowl valuable " The Tao Teh Ching
Who is the Ascetic of secure understanding ? He is at peace with everyone, slow to anger, a fount of mercy, ever forgiving, a lover of Solitude, equidistant from both friend and foe, merciful, never slothful, does not go to pieces when people speak ill of him , energetic, as rivers flow into the Ocean and the Ocean never overflows, so flows angst and Lust and trash into the mind of the seer, but his mind remains unmoved " The Gita
"Every morning I bathe my mind in the wonderful cosmology of the Gita " Thoreau
"Learn to feel the Joy of a Soul Happy and Confident, lifted above every Circumstance " Seneca
"Just as the brightness of the Sun overcomes all clouds and darkness at sea, so does Virtue overcome all vexations, trials, tribulations, and all other disturbances " Seneca
In the way of Tao, every day subtract something, Less and less do you need to force things until you arrive at non-action
subtract and subtract again until nothing is left done, when nothing is left done, then everything is left undone---It is the SPACE inside the bowl that makes the bowl valuable " The Tao Teh Ching
November 6, 2020
The book is in two parts, the first one contains an introduction to each of the eighteen chapters of Bhagvad Gita. The second is supposed to be the translation of the Sanskrit text. However, I suspect that only selected slokas are translated.
The chief merit of Bhagavad Gita in the modern context is its philosophy of desireless action. Unfortunately, in addition to emphasizing the philosophical aspects of the book, the author cannot resist the temptation of interpreting some of the passages as anticipation of modern science like quantum mechanics. This obviously false claim mars this otherwise excellent book.
The chief merit of Bhagavad Gita in the modern context is its philosophy of desireless action. Unfortunately, in addition to emphasizing the philosophical aspects of the book, the author cannot resist the temptation of interpreting some of the passages as anticipation of modern science like quantum mechanics. This obviously false claim mars this otherwise excellent book.
November 28, 2018
I would give this a book a 4.5 because it is a very nice about life and family. It also tell’s you good and inspirational quotes about life. It help you understand how life works. I didn’t give the half point because it is not very well written in English but it is in Hindi and Gujarati. The English version of the book is not that well described as the Hindi one but it is still good to read the book in English.
December 15, 2018
Some argue that the Mahabharata, one of the longest/largest epic in history, was probably created to wrap this nugget of timeless wisdom inside it. It puts the lead character in a deep existential crisis and his subsequent conversation with a spiritual teacher helps him work through his doubts and find peace in his actions.
March 14, 2019
An amazing book, that i wished i read earlier in life. Even if you don't follow or practice Hinduism, the philosophies translated by the Author in a modern concept about the way to live life is literally life changing. I'm already reading it the second time and will probably ready it many more times.
April 10, 2018
This publication is perfect for someone who like me know only basics od hinduism and is interested in Indian Spirituality. Perfect way to educate yourself, it's easy to read and every chapter has its own introduction and explanation that really does help to read the book :)
May 26, 2017
The book could have been better. I mean verse by verse description of what Krishna said explained would have been a greater read. Still good if you want to understand the core essence of Gita.
September 20, 2018
Love the Gita. This translation is good but maybe not the best.
March 18, 2019
Best of life lessons
September 19, 2019
Eknath Eswaran's translation of the Gita is my favorite. It's a book I return to each year.
December 29, 2019
La religión es la misma en todos lados.
January 10, 2020
Worth reading if you are interested in the study of religion or just want some ancient inspiration on self improvement!
January 10, 2020
❤️🙏🏽♾
November 17, 2023
My favorite translation of this book.
December 12, 2023
Great explanation
January 20, 2024
Simple and gem
February 5, 2024
Great translation
February 22, 2017
Excellent book, one to keep for generations.
March 21, 2016
For those seeking to deepen their spiritual growth, this is a very intriguing work. I had read another Eswaran book and a compilation of Ghandhi's life, both of which referred to Bhaviad Gita and spurred my interest. While set in an entirely different culture and portrays a very different religious approach, the threads of this work reinforce tenets held dear by most religions. I recommend it for those wishing to understand a universal faith, without the boundaries of denominations.
September 7, 2014
Eknath Eswaran's annoatation and translation of this ancient text makes this spiritual wisdom accessible to the modern Western reader. Certain phrases, or concepts would be taken for granted by one who grew up in a Hindu culture. Eswaran explains their signifigance succinctly.
This presentation of the Bhagavad Gita is a compelling manual for fulfillment.
This presentation of the Bhagavad Gita is a compelling manual for fulfillment.
August 27, 2015
Bhagvad Gita - no amount of words or language can do justice to the wisdom that is packed in this philosophy. Eswaran, the narrator, has done a wonderful objective translation. A book that must be read at least once each year of ones life. Each time there'd be a different takeaway.
November 15, 2015
To be read over and over again throughout life.
March 6, 2016
Not my favorite translation.
Read
January 14, 2013love this story, great translation
December 21, 2015
The brief explanation before each chapter makes it easier to understand and appreciate.
August 19, 2016
Good read.
June 7, 2017
This was my first round and I intend to read Gita over and over for the rest of my life. How did I not read this book before!?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews