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The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening: A Practical Commentary for Leading a Successful Spiritual Life
From Publisher's Weekly : "[Abbot George] Burke enthusiastically explores the story as a means for knowing oneself, the cosmos, and one's calling within it. His plainspoken insights often distill complex lessons with simplicity and sagacity. Those with a deep interest in the Gita will find much wisdom here."
Several thousand years ago in north-central India, two people sat in a chariot in the midpoint of a great battlefield. One of them, the yogi Arjuna, knew that it would be not be long before the conflict would begin. So he asked Krishna, the Master of Yoga (Yogeshwara), what should be his attitude and perspective in this moment. And above What should he do?There was no time to spare in empty words.
In a brief discourse, later turned into seven hundred Sanskrit verses by the sage Vyasa, Krishna outlined to Arjuna the way to live one's entire life so as to gain perfect self-knowledge and self-mastery.
The Bhagavad Gita tells us that we can attain a Knowing beyond even what it tells us. And it shows us the way.
With penetrating insight, Abbot George Burke illumines the Bhagavad Gita's practical value for spiritual seekers, and the timelessness of India's most beloved scripture. With a unique perspective of a lifetime of study and practice of both Eastern and Western spirituality, Abbot George mines the treasures of the Gita and presents them in an easily intelligible fashion for those wishing to put these priceless teachings into practice.
Drawing from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Jesus, Paramhansa Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Papa Ramdas, and other spiritual masters and teachers, as well as his own experiences, Abbot Burke illustrates the teachings of the Gita with stories which make the teachings of Krishna in the Gita vibrant and living.
While Yogananda in his commentary on the Gita, God Talks with The Bhagavad Gita , focuses on the valuable symbolism contained in the Gita, Abbot Burke dwells primarily on the practical aspects, and what aspirants can put into practice here and now on a daily basis.
Any student of the Bhagavad Gita will find The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening an essential companion in their studies. At times general principles found in the Gita are illumined, and in other places the deeper meanings found in the Sanskrit text are explained word by word so that seekers will have and in-depth understanding of the religion, practices, and culture that those familiar with Indian religion and philosophy take for granted.
"A must read for anyone on a spiritual quest for the truth!" --Sailaja Kuruvadi
Several thousand years ago in north-central India, two people sat in a chariot in the midpoint of a great battlefield. One of them, the yogi Arjuna, knew that it would be not be long before the conflict would begin. So he asked Krishna, the Master of Yoga (Yogeshwara), what should be his attitude and perspective in this moment. And above What should he do?There was no time to spare in empty words.
In a brief discourse, later turned into seven hundred Sanskrit verses by the sage Vyasa, Krishna outlined to Arjuna the way to live one's entire life so as to gain perfect self-knowledge and self-mastery.
The Bhagavad Gita tells us that we can attain a Knowing beyond even what it tells us. And it shows us the way.
With penetrating insight, Abbot George Burke illumines the Bhagavad Gita's practical value for spiritual seekers, and the timelessness of India's most beloved scripture. With a unique perspective of a lifetime of study and practice of both Eastern and Western spirituality, Abbot George mines the treasures of the Gita and presents them in an easily intelligible fashion for those wishing to put these priceless teachings into practice.
Drawing from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Jesus, Paramhansa Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Papa Ramdas, and other spiritual masters and teachers, as well as his own experiences, Abbot Burke illustrates the teachings of the Gita with stories which make the teachings of Krishna in the Gita vibrant and living.
While Yogananda in his commentary on the Gita, God Talks with The Bhagavad Gita , focuses on the valuable symbolism contained in the Gita, Abbot Burke dwells primarily on the practical aspects, and what aspirants can put into practice here and now on a daily basis.
Any student of the Bhagavad Gita will find The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening an essential companion in their studies. At times general principles found in the Gita are illumined, and in other places the deeper meanings found in the Sanskrit text are explained word by word so that seekers will have and in-depth understanding of the religion, practices, and culture that those familiar with Indian religion and philosophy take for granted.
"A must read for anyone on a spiritual quest for the truth!" --Sailaja Kuruvadi
547 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 5, 2026
From Christian to Hinduism…Hmmm
What the Bhagavad Gita has shown me, reinforced, is that I’m neither, but a child of God and ‘One’ with all things.
Swami Nirmalananda Giri’s in-depth explanation/interpretation of the Sanskrit is most helpful.
If your desire is to continue your journey of enlightenment, if you’re looking for profound insight, look no further.
My deepest desire has been the continuation of my spiritual growth and I’ve ached for a likeminded individual to share it with, the Bhagavad Gita has filled that need, breaking the bindings that have held me and given me the freedom to grow.
Buy this book in either hard copy or Kindle.
May your journey continue.
Namaste
What the Bhagavad Gita has shown me, reinforced, is that I’m neither, but a child of God and ‘One’ with all things.
Swami Nirmalananda Giri’s in-depth explanation/interpretation of the Sanskrit is most helpful.
If your desire is to continue your journey of enlightenment, if you’re looking for profound insight, look no further.
My deepest desire has been the continuation of my spiritual growth and I’ve ached for a likeminded individual to share it with, the Bhagavad Gita has filled that need, breaking the bindings that have held me and given me the freedom to grow.
Buy this book in either hard copy or Kindle.
May your journey continue.
Namaste
February 8, 2026
The best translated GITA for a novice YOGI
Simple but profound explanations of all the verses in the GITA with relevance to today’s world . A manual for how to live in today’s complicated world.
Simple but profound explanations of all the verses in the GITA with relevance to today’s world . A manual for how to live in today’s complicated world.
October 20, 2020
This is a true must for the bookshelf of all Yogis
April 17, 2022
This book is not a translation of the Gita; rather, Burke examines the Gita, but lots of other reflection. I think this book would be very good for non-devotees.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews