Books on Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad-Gita has the original Sanskrit text with Roman transliteration, and a lucid English rendition. Concise and to the point commentaries of two hundred twenty seven (227) selected key verses are provided. One hundred thirty three (133) verses are printed in red to enable the first-time readers to study these verses before delving deep into the vast ocean of transcendental knowledge. The teachings of saints and sages of major religious denominations as well as world leaders and scholars have been included. Quotations from the Vedas, Puranas, Upanisads, Smrtis, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhakti-sutras, Brahma-sutra, Yoga-surra, as well as other major scriptures of the world such as the Bible, Dhammapad and Koran have been incorporated to underline the basic unity of all religious thoughts and to promote the universal brotherhood of mankind. Epilogue, references, Sanskrit transliteration and pronunciation guide, glossary and index are provided. A guide to meditation, beautiful pictures and Gita Calisa are included for daily Sadhana.

Dr. Ramananda prasad, Engineering Graduate, IIT, Kharagur India; M.S., University of Toronto; Ph.D., University of Illinois, has published several papers in the Journals of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Dr. Prasad founded the American Gita Society, with an aim to serve the humanity through the teachings of the Bhagavad- Gita and other scriptures, and to establish harmony between all cultures, races, religions and faiths of the world through the immortal teachings of all great masters, and major scriptuees.

The Gita is a doctrine of universal truth, the Sanatana dharma, commonly knoum as Hinduism. It has the capacity to come down to the level of the reader and raise him to peace of mind.

The originality of the author/compiler lies in providing a suitable gloss all the important stanzas. While doing this, he has drawn upon authentic sources of Indian philosophy and history, and has juxtaposed quotes from the teachings of other religions.

The message of the Gita has an important and a practical bearing on the problems of the modern age. It shows a way out of the complexities of the mind to complete and unfettered freedom of the Super-Mind. This path is not meant only for the few, it can be trodden by all who seek freedom from life's entanglements. In an age where the individual is becoming more and more insignificant due to the impacts of political, economic and social forces, the Gita brings to man a message of hope and cheer, for it shows a way of life which leads to the regaining of his lost significance, and the spiritual regeneration of man is indeed the way to the creation of a happy society.

Introduction

The Great Scriptures of the world are beyond the limitations of time and space: they are Eternal and Universal. The Bhagavad Gita belongs to this category of scriptures and as such it is not a Book merely for the Hindus; its message has a universal application. It is as fresh today at it was when given to Arjuna many centuries ago. In fact modern man is in need of the message of the Bhagavad Gita if he is to find freedom from the tensions and anxieties brought into his life by the scientific and technological developments of today.

What indeed is the problem of the modern man ? The new advances in science and technology have brought about an utter confusion of values in the life of men and women living in the present-day civilization. There is increasing stress on quantitative rather than qualitative values. His inner life is poor and he is striving to free himself from the thralldom of this poverty by acquiring more and more of the material things that science and technology have made available. Man is seeking a physical solution to a problem which is fundamentally psychological. He thinks that science, being so powerful can solve the problem of speed, it can give no guidance as to the direction that one must follow. He has lost sight of the fact that while science can give comfort, it cannot give happiness; for happiness consists not in the possession of things, but in freeing the mind of all its inhibitions so that it is rendered pure and innocent. While the modern age has known the conquest over matter, it has yet to learn the secrets of conquering the mind – and without the latter the former is not only meaningless but positively dangerous. Man may have gained in knowledge, but he lacks wisdom. Unless he can transform knowledge into wisdom, his future and the future of the entire race is dark and dismal. In other words, man needs today, above everything else, a Right Philosophy of life.

The Geeta is an intimate dialogue between God and man. The God-incarnate is Lord Krishna and man is represented by the Mahabharata hero Arjuna. It is intimate because the esoteric wisdom imparted therein, says the Lords, is "is more secret than secrecy itself" (XVII. 63).

A great battle is to ensue between the two royal clans of Kauravas and Pandavas. Arjuna requests
Krishna, who is acting as his charioteer, to take him between the two standing armies so that he
may have a look at those who have gathered to fight with him. There Arjuna is overcome with grief and refuses to raise his bow against his respected gurus and elders, and other kith and kin. At this critical juncture Lord Krishna explains to him what is right and what is wrong, and how by adhering to dharma a person can earn the highest virtue.

Every human heart is like a battlefield of good and evil forces. At times a person is not able to
decide the right course of action. He is deluded and confused. When confronted with such a
situation, he can turn to the Geeta, it will not fail him. The book therefore is of universal appeal which offers satisfactory solution to basic human problems. Whatever page you turn, and whichever verse you read, it is bound to elevate and inspire. It is not the book of a particular race or religion but the common heritage of the entire mankind.

The general theme of the dialogue is the realization of the Supreme-Self through the constant practice of Yogic entity. Sri Krishna declares that those who strive, endowed with the spirit of selfless action, Yajna and Yoga, perceive the Lord dwelling in the self. Sri Krishna gives a
definite promise of His grace in the words, "Resigning all the Dharmas, seek refuge in Me
alone. I shall liberate you from all sins Grieve not."

About The Author

Prabha Duneja,founder and president of the Geeta Society, is also an active member of the Women’s Federation for World Peace and the United Nations Association, USA. She is also the chairwoman of the Women’s Interfaith Circle of Service/CC-URI and a recipient of the Global Citizen award, given by UNA-USA. She travels extensively and is frequent speaker at the Commonwealth Club San Francisco, the Parliament of World’s Religions, schools, universities, churches, mosques, and interfaith conferences.

Mrs. Duneja, a graduate from the Sanskrit University of Kurukshetra, is a well-known Vedic scholar and a devotee of Lord Krishna. She is the author of Hinduism: Scriptures and Practices, Mantra and the Modern Man, Bhagawad Geeta: The Gospel of Timeless Wisdom, and has also recorded several series of lectures on the science of yoga and meditation, the secret powers of mantra, and The Bhagawad Geeta.

Gita Sadhak Sanjivani

The book contains Hindi commentary,
special notes: principal subject and letters in bold type.
Its paper-book is also available in Gujarati, Oriya, Telugu, Kannada and Tamil.