ABQmom Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 This is on the rhetoric list for TOG year 1, and I've never heard of it. I can get copies of different translations from my library, but not the one TOG recommends. Any ideas here on a good translation? And, is this book worth trying to read? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 It's one of the sacred texts of Hinduism. It's a conversation between Krishna and a mortal, Arjuna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 It is an absolutely wonderful book, IMO. My favourite translation (which is not a direct translation but a modern, readable version of a direct translation) which is very readable, is Stephen Mitchell's. amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-Translation-Stephen-Mitchell/dp/0609810340 It is a foundational text IMO. It is like a Bible to the Hindus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymommy Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 As matroyshka already mentioned, it is one of Hinduism's sacred texts. An online version can be found here: http://gitapress.org/Download_Eng_pdf.htm and here http://www.chinmayauk.org/Resources/Downloads.htm Swami Chinmayananda's and Swami Chidbhavananda's translations are very easy to understand. I've not read the one translated by Eknath Easwaran, but I've heard it is good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymommy Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 And, is this book worth trying to read? Definitely worth reading, but for one that is not familiar with Vedanta, a version with commentary (such as the one by Chinmayananda) is essential to understanding the language. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABQmom Posted May 28, 2010 Author Share Posted May 28, 2010 It is an absolutely wonderful book, IMO. My favourite translation (which is not a direct translation but a modern, readable version of a direct translation) which is very readable, is Stephen Mitchell's. amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-Translation-Stephen-Mitchell/dp/0609810340 It is a foundational text IMO. It is like a Bible to the Hindus. Thanks for the information everyone. And Peela, thanks for the recommendation--my library has this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymommy Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Thanks for the information everyone. And Peela, thanks for the recommendation--my library has this one! I hope you enjoy the reading! I just wanted to note, as Peela had touched on, that Mitchell's version of the BG does not go into the depths of the meaning of the BG as his Sanskrit knowledge is elementary as well his knowledge of Vedanta. It should still be a good read, but should not be viewed as an authoritative translation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ummto4 Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Bhagavadgita is part of Mahabharata, a Hindu epic. It's a conversation between Khrisna (a man-god; thought to be the man form of Vishnu, I think) and Arjuna, just before the great war. Since the conversation discusses many teaching aligned with HIndu belief, it's also regarded as Hindu sacred text. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenbrdsly Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 We are reading a version of the Bhagavad-gita for children right now with my six year old. Here's a bit about our experience so far: http://teachingmybabytoread.blog.com/2011/07/05/the-bhagavad-gita-for-children/ Any thoughts or suggestions from the other side of the globe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I am planning on reading this later this year as part of my attempted ancient history studies. :) I found a version on Amazon that looks great: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0941524787/ref=mp_s_a_9?qid=1309878991&sr=8-9 (sorry, don't know how to hyperlink on my iPhone!). The reviews for this version are all great. I have thumbed through the book and the commentary is probably 3x longer than the actual text. I'm sure I will need all of the explanation since it's my first attempt at this type of literature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Wow, I literally started re-reading Mitchell's version today, and by coincidence this thread was resurrected the same day. The children's version looks like one of those common books you see in India for kids. I bought the Ramayana and read it to my kids and we loved it- they were older though and the book was quite long, although well illustrated. Since yoga and meditation and Indian spirituality are familiar around here, we didn't go there, but I can see that could be fun. The reason I like the Mitchell version is because a) I am not reading it for scholarly or academic reasons b) I can access the spiritual message of the story well through Mitchell's version. It touches my heart and helps me realise why it is so cherished by Hindus. c) It is an easy read deliberately, but I do not feel it is dumbed down- it just speaks for the essence. However, I am no scholar, nor am I Hindu. I rarely reread books but this one I have already- this is my 3rd time- because it is so beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Swami Chinmayananda's and Swami Chidbhavananda's translations are very easy to understand. I've not read the one translated by Eknath Easwaran, but I've heard it is good too. I have Swami Chinmayananda's Geeta for Children. It's annotated, but I do have to admit its annotation seems aimed at an educated Hindu parent that might have more background in Hinduism than I do. :tongue_smilie: It also has questions at the end of each chapter. I bought it at the local Chinmayananda Temple's bookstore, but it's also at the helpful link the PP posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenbrdsly Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Wow, I literally started re-reading Mitchell's version today, and by coincidence this thread was resurrected the same day. The children's version looks like one of those common books you see in India for kids. I bought the Ramayana and read it to my kids and we loved it- they were older though and the book was quite long, although well illustrated. Since yoga and meditation and Indian spirituality are familiar around here, we didn't go there, but I can see that could be fun. The reason I like the Mitchell version is because a) I am not reading it for scholarly or academic reasons b) I can access the spiritual message of the story well through Mitchell's version. It touches my heart and helps me realise why it is so cherished by Hindus. c) It is an easy read deliberately, but I do not feel it is dumbed down- it just speaks for the essence. However, I am no scholar, nor am I Hindu. I rarely reread books but this one I have already- this is my 3rd time- because it is so beautiful. That's interesting about the version I have looking like something that could be sold in India to kids. I've never been to India. Now I'm wondering what translation they had us read in college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLW2003 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 The movie The Legend of Bagger Vance is a modern retelling of the Gita. It is about a golfer that loses his swing. His caddy is the Krishna figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Actually, I don't remember the movie that well, but I seem to recall it didn't really reflect the Gita that well because they changed so much from the original source - but the book is a light take on it that does sort of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenbrdsly Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I just dragged out my old SLE copy of the Bhagavad-Gita and it was NOT the Mitchell version. But I think I was supposed to by that version and didn't because the version I bought (from Barnes and Noble), was cheaper. LOL! I think the part I'm missing in my discussion with my six year old, is the part about acting without wanting the results of your action. I'm not exactly sure how to explain that. Any ideas? For a follow up movie, we are going to watch the 1995 version of "Little Princess", because it has clips from the Ramayana in it. Of course, this will be after we read the kiddie version of the Ramayana. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I think the part I'm missing in my discussion with my six year old, is the part about acting without wanting the results of your action. I'm not exactly sure how to explain that. Any ideas? It's an interesting concept, isn't it? We in the West tend to be very fixated on results, and getting a result is the motivation for just about everything we do. Dh calls it end-gaming. The idea of acting and just being present to one's actions and doing what needs to be done, without focusing on the (future) result, is a little foreign to us I think, but its a more rewarding way to live. I think you could relate it to volunteer work. Working, giving, serving, without hope of a reward- just because its the right thing to do. (Not even the reward of going to heaven). It is about being selfless, learning not to be selfish. Putting oneself aside for the greater good. To me it also means being very present in what I do rather than just doing something because of the result. Such as housework. Just doing it, being present to it, rather than rushing through it for the result. Its a nicer way to live anyway and the most mundane tasks can become beautiful in one is paying attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenbrdsly Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 It's an interesting concept, isn't it? We in the West tend to be very fixated on results, and getting a result is the motivation for just about everything we do. Dh calls it end-gaming. The idea of acting and just being present to one's actions and doing what needs to be done, without focusing on the (future) result, is a little foreign to us I think, but its a more rewarding way to live. I think you could relate it to volunteer work. Working, giving, serving, without hope of a reward- just because its the right thing to do. (Not even the reward of going to heaven). It is about being selfless, learning not to be selfish. Putting oneself aside for the greater good. To me it also means being very present in what I do rather than just doing something because of the result. Such as housework. Just doing it, being present to it, rather than rushing through it for the result. Its a nicer way to live anyway and the most mundane tasks can become beautiful in one is paying attention. You've given me a lot to ponder. Thank you for the thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenbrdsly Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Now we are on to the Ramayana, in case anyone is interested: http://teachingmybabytoread.blog.com/classical-education/inspired-by-stanfords-sle-program-a-reading-list-for-children-part-1/ramayana-for-children/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.