I'm going to start with editors of ancient works of literature and their pompous, self-gratifying nature. Yeah! I'm coming out swinging.
Let's crunch some numbers. The edition of the Bhagavad Gita I purchased has 276 pages. The introduction has 62 pages. Each chapter has a mini-introduction by Diana Morrison. "Mini-introduction" just doesn't carry the right meaning, because sometimes the introduction is twice as long as the very chapter it proceeds to explain. These mini-introductions take up 80 pages of the book, plus 24 pages of notes and a Glossary. This leaves roughly 110 pages for the Bhagavad Gita itself. That's 39.85% of the book is the book's topic itself. 60.15% of the rest of the book is editors and writers mouthing off their knowledge on the Bhagavad Gita.
The chapter introductions are so expletive, that by the time I'm done reading it, I more or less don't need to read the text itself. It became so redundant, I felt I read the book twice, once I was finished.
I find it annoying when books are edited with such useless nonsense. I thought French translation of philosophical text was flooded with a lot of dialogue set up to make its editor sound like he wrote the book himself. I stopped reading French translations because of the pompous arrogant nature of editors, and their excessive use of extravagant and pedantic words. But this was once again the story here. Everybody has to put their word in. Although this doesn't top the latest translation and edition of The Tibetan Book of the Dead, which kept all the previous editions' introductions inside, giving you three introductions to read.
Dare I continue with my review? Of course I dare.
Considered by most as the authority and seminal scripture relaying together all schools of Hindu philosophy, the Bhagavad Gita, a part of the Mahabharata, is simply one big epic poem (by Western standards), where Sri Krishna reveals himself to Arjuna, a warrior on the eve of a great war with his own family to restore the throne to its rightful heir. This epic serves as metaphor for The Path the spiritual aspirant must take to attain illumination and become one with Krishna. Now perhaps, being a student of Buddhist philosophy, I feel like I've heard this before. Because since Buddhism's roots are in Hindu culture and lore, the message is very similar, with some distinct differences, but the goal remains the same, transcending samsara, the cycle of rebirth. I felt the Gita was shortchanging the canons by having Krishna posturing and shooting his mouth off about how great he is. What he is isn't a being, but the intelligent universe in which we live; he only takes form to reveal himself to aspirants like Arjuna and give goodness a kick-start in the world. With so many enumerations of what he is and who takes part in the wheel of life, it gets long-winded pretty fast. When Krishna starts talking smack about how he created the castes, you want to slap him around for it—but I digress.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
Good stuff - enjoyed the critical look at the book and the text itself
2 - JELIEL
Thank you.
3 - bhattathiri
To motivate him the Bhagavad Gita is preached in the battle field Kurukshetra by Lord Krishna to Arjuna as a counseling to do his duty while multitudes of men stood by waiting . It has got all the management tactics to achieve the mental equilibrium and to overcome any crisis situation. The Bhagavad Gita can be experienced as a powerful catalyst for transformation. Bhagavad gita means song of the Spirit, song of the Lord. The Holy Gita has become a secret driving force behind the unfoldment of one's life. In the days of doubt this divine book will support all spiritual search.This divine book will contribute to self reflection, finer feeling and deepen one's inner process. Then life in the world can become a real education"dynamic, full and joyful"no matter what the circumstance. May the wisdom of loving consciousness ever guide us on our journey. What makes the Holy Gita a practical psychology of transformation is that it offers us the tools to connect with our deepest intangible essence and we must learn to participate in the battle of life with right knowledge.
Bhattathiri
4 - bhattathiri
One of the greatest contributions of India to the world is Holy Gita which is considered to be one of the first revelations from God. The management lessons in this holy book were brought in to light of the world by divine Maharshi Mahesh Yogi , Sri Sri RaviShankar and Swami Bodhanandji, and the spiritual philosophy by the great Adi Sankaracharya the greatest philosopher of India and proud son of Kerala, and Sri. Srila Prabhupada Swami and humanism by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi and Satya Sai Baba. Maharishi calls the Bhagavad-Gita the essence of Vedic Literature and a complete guide to practical life. It provides "all that is needed to raise the consciousness of man to the highest possible level." Maharishi reveals the deep, universal truths of life that speak to the needs and aspirations of everyone. Swami Chinmayanandaji preached and educated the people and Swami Sandeep Chaitanyaji continuing the mission by keeping this lantern burning always knowing the wishes of the modern generations. Arjuna got mentally depressed when he saw his relatives with whom he has to fight.( Mental health has become a major international public health concern now). To motivate him the Bhagavad Gita is preached in the battle field Kurukshetra by Lord Krishna to Arjuna as a counseling to do his duty while multitudes of men stood by waiting. It has got all the management tactics to achieve the mental equilibrium and to overcome any crisis situation. The Bhagavad Gita can be experienced as a powerful catalyst for transformation. Bhagavad gita means song of the Spirit, song of the Lord. The Holy Gita has become a secret driving force behind the unfoldment of one's life. In the days of doubt this divine book will support all spiritual searches. This divine book will contribute to self reflection, finer feeling and deepen one's inner process. Then life in the world can become a real education"dynamic, full and joyful"no matter what the circumstance. May the wisdom of loving consciousness ever guide us on our journey? What makes the Holy Gita a practical psychology of transformation is that it offers us the tools to connect with our deepest intangible essence and we must learn to participate in the battle of life with right knowledge?. It shows us the path to handle the situation with equipoised mind irrespective of what comes our way and reminds us time and again, that what the right action is.
5 - Anan
I hear personal attacks are not allowed here.
How is this author allowed to attack Lord Krsna ?
Plz. explain or shut your website.
6 - anan
How does the author dare to say that he wants to slap Krsna ?
How can such foolish people be allowed to review such a sacred scripture ?
It is mind-boggling !
Lord Krsna is God Himself and hence when the author makes uncharitable comments about Him I am offended.
There are millions of Hindus like me who would likewise take offense.
Plz take this rubbish off your website.
7 - Christopher Rose
Personal attacks are not allowed amongst commenters but public figures and mythical creatures are open to criticism.
8 - DAVE ID
Hi! DAVE here, the author of the review. Also a die hard atheist. Supernatural being like Krishna are pure fantasy, just like the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
If I would have spoken of bitch slapping around Allah instead of Krishna you wouldn't be offended, you wouldn't care at all. You chose to be offended.
If your GOD is so supreme, he can handle my harsh criticism or send me to what ever hell of a thousand burning needles or whatever when I die.
I bid you good day.
9 - Ashwin
I think you need a proper translation of the gita. The best one you can find would be Bhagavad GIta as it is by an authorized spiritual teacher by the name of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
10 - krishna
Hello Dave, it was good to know that you at least got your hands on Gita. let me clear your mind --> 'you are not yet ready to understand Gita' and that is the whole truth. Not all people have the right mind or in a right state of mind to understand Gita properly. To understand Gita properly, you must understand the three fundamental powers i.e. creation, preservation and destruction and how these powers work all the time in universe. When I first read Gita, I was enlightened, a shiver of energy sparked within me as I was able to understand the true meaning behind Gita.
Dear Dave, i am sure that you will never understand Gita as people like you who, after single reading of Gita, attach hateful words like slapping etc. are nothing more than non-believers. You think of yourself having a great mind and whatever you judge is final for you, but ask those people around who understood Gita and how it changed their lives forever. any person having 'hatred' in his mind can never understand Gita and it is also mentioned in Gita
I would say only one thing at the end. Gita is the essence of Vedas and anyone trying to understand it in one sitting is a person with cramped mind. If something doesn't spark in your mind after reading Gita, you are not ready for it yet and this is the whole truth.