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8th out of 29 books
—
11 voters
Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi(tr)
Presented to his disciples at prayer meetings over a nine-month period in 1926, Mahatma Gandhi's commentaries on the Gita are regarded in India as among the most important of the century. In them Gandhi addresses the issues he felt most directly affected the spiritual lives of common people.
Paperback, 400 pages
Published
September 28th 2000
by Berkeley Hills Books
(first published 1946)
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Gandhi's translation and interpretation of this classic Hindu poem is unique in the way it emphasizes the need for hard work, constant striving, and determined effort in the pursuit of our social obligations, moral strengthening, and spiritual fulfillment.
"Yoga means nothing but skill in work," he claims, and the background to his religious and political beliefs revealed in these lectures gives deeper meaning to his attempts to establish schools, factories, and communities in rural India with th...more
"Yoga means nothing but skill in work," he claims, and the background to his religious and political beliefs revealed in these lectures gives deeper meaning to his attempts to establish schools, factories, and communities in rural India with th...more
Mar 30, 2011
Erik Graff
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Erik by:
no one
Shelves:
religion
Prince Arjuna has qualms at the prospect of fighting his friends and relatives while awaiting the charge on the battlefield. Lord Krishna, disguised as his charioteer, talks him out of his hesitation.
"What an unlikely text for the exegetical efforts of the world's most famous pacifist, M.K. Gandhi!" I thought upon seeing it on the shelves of the Grinnell College library. I'd read the Gita previously and a substantial amount of material by and about Gandhi, but this was new and intriguing. I ch...more
"What an unlikely text for the exegetical efforts of the world's most famous pacifist, M.K. Gandhi!" I thought upon seeing it on the shelves of the Grinnell College library. I'd read the Gita previously and a substantial amount of material by and about Gandhi, but this was new and intriguing. I ch...more
This is not only a translation, but a transcript of talks on the Gita that Gandhi gave at Satyagrah Ashram in Ahmedabad, India in 1926. He boasts that this translation is designed for "women, the commerical class, the so-called Sudras [the lowest of the four castes], and the like, who have little or no literary equipment." In other words, it is not a scholarly interpretation, and is therefore a perfect introduction; it reads like a lesson, with Gandhi teaching the reader how to interpret the ver...more
This was the first time I've read the Gita. I'm glad I happened to read this version which includes Gandhi's comments--without them I don't think I would have gotten a whole lot from it, with them, I found it to be a beautiful and peaceful book.
One of the problems I've had with my limited attempts at understanding Eastern philosophy is how to reconcile the Eastern idea non-striving with the Western values of action and ambition. Both, in their proper context, seem appealing and right. The Bhagav...more
One of the problems I've had with my limited attempts at understanding Eastern philosophy is how to reconcile the Eastern idea non-striving with the Western values of action and ambition. Both, in their proper context, seem appealing and right. The Bhagav...more
This is Book #4 in 2012's survey of holy shit (#3 was Hinduism's Upanishads).
(note: i said to myself before i started typing, "I'm gonna try to be a real straightshooter in this review"; rereading for typos before posting, i see that i strayed from that narrow path)
Synopsis of the Gita, as distinct from the commentary
Arjuna is prince of the good guys (the Pandavas) and he's slated to lead his troops against the forces of evil (the Kauravas). The combatants are as closely related to each other as...more
(note: i said to myself before i started typing, "I'm gonna try to be a real straightshooter in this review"; rereading for typos before posting, i see that i strayed from that narrow path)
Synopsis of the Gita, as distinct from the commentary
Arjuna is prince of the good guys (the Pandavas) and he's slated to lead his troops against the forces of evil (the Kauravas). The combatants are as closely related to each other as...more
This is another book which, if read at an early enough age (early 20's) would form a solid foundation for moving forward well in life. When combined with readings of the Bible, Koran, Dhammapda and other texts of ancient wisdom traditions, we see the commonalities for peace and nonviolence are much greater than the differences which people ignorantly use to foment violence and fear.
Having Gandhi's commentary is illuminating.
I recommend reading a stand-alone text first, drawing your own views and...more
Having Gandhi's commentary is illuminating.
I recommend reading a stand-alone text first, drawing your own views and...more
I've never read a religious text other than the Bible before. It was truly interesting to get a new perspective on the world, especially in how Gandhi applied it to his own life. I made several connections to the book, but there were also aspects I disagreed with on a fundamental level. Part of this was naturally from how I've been raised and how I've come to look at the world. Yet I appreciated the challenge and the opportunity to reexamine my own beliefs.
It seems that Gandhi tried to use the Bhagavad Gita to mold his philosophy of non-violence. The interpretations of Gandhi didn't follow the true teachings of the Gita; however is a good read if you'd like to find out more about Gandhi's insight and religious view, as well as giving you an opportunity to learn about the maxims of the Gita.
This is a very down to earth discussion of the meaning of this text; the focus is on non-violence. Whether this is what Gandhi got out of the text, or something he read back in after he cemented his philosophy is beyond me. Still, it's inspirational and very readable.
simply awesome. i'm not sure what to say, though. i think i really read this about three times, reading and rereading...
I'm not sure you can rate a spiritual text...
Interesting, but I love the Holy Bible Best
Liked the book
Less accessible to western audiences thereby highlighting, if not necessarily illuminating, fundamental differences between eastern and western cultures. I left with some new insight regarding Gandhi, and some new thoughts about the Gita, but above all a feeling that there are some things that I, being from New York City, will probably never understand about the east.
A lot of interesting thoughts have been presented to me. I enjoyed the comment by Ghandi on many of the failures we face in life: "Failure is not due to want of effort but is in spite of it." Also, "Knowledge w/o devotion will be like a misfire," as we must have devotion and then knowledge will more clearly follow.
The Bhagavad Gita is certainly not an easy book to read, but Gandhi's interpretation makes it much more accessible to the casual reader. At times his interpretation of the Gita is a bit strained toward his own political leanings, but otherwise it's a great spiritual work.
This is my first stab at reading the Gita, and I just got stuck. I think I'll be able to manage all the commentary more effectively after reading a different translation first.
Gandhi's own translation and commentary on the Gita are must-reads for spiritual and political practitioners everywhere.
This wasn't a real page turner, but getting to learn about the faith that shaped Gandhi's life is very inspirational.
Beautiful, I would suggest readomg Stephen Mitchell's first, however. Much easier to engage with and absorb
Great explanation and commentary. Wonderful text.
May 09, 2011
Kat
marked it as incomplete
I can't do it. I'm getting a different translation.
wonderful!
May 22, 2013
Mahmoud Jadadi
marked it as to-read
May 20, 2013
Kashyap
marked it as to-read
May 21, 2013
Scott Meneely
marked it as to-read
May 19, 2013
Laldinthari Siakêng
marked it as to-read
May 18, 2013
Kelly Coyle DiNorcia
marked it as to-read
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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.
The son of a senior government official, Gandhi was born and raised in a Hindu Bania community in coastal Gu...more
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The son of a senior government official, Gandhi was born and raised in a Hindu Bania community in coastal Gu...more
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“I might be ready to embrace a snake, but, if one comes to bite you, I should kill it and protect you.”
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