hinduism

I have been reading this book for 1 1/2 years now, and have almost finished it. The cover and first pages have been ripped off from wear when I fall asleep on it. Countless times I have lost my place (and my bookmark) and started reading at the page on which it opened -- it always seems relevant to something I or a family member is going through at that time. Just the other day I was upset with the children for spilling sunflower seeds all over, and that night read a passages about the author's two nieces spilling ice cream on him. He did not bring it up to them because he chose not to put a damper on their enjoyment of the ice cream. He made it clear that putting little children first is paramount, which has helped me to be more patient with them.

Not being an eastern scholar, I cannot vouch for the authenticity of the translation. Seems "true" to me, in that it reveals the underlying oneness of all and the battles and challenges we face to get to that actualization. This book is excellent for those looking for nightstand reading, and those trying to get an understanding of the Gita's analogy. Heck, it's excellent for anyone! n.b. I also love looking at the sanskrit letters above each stanza.

This is the most influential book in my life. It delivers common sense, practical insights about why and how to overcome preocupation with self. This great spiritual classic has survived for a reason. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It has gotten me through 2 decades of life's trials.

I began reading the Gita in 1968 while in college. The book has been the one steady beacon in a live long quest for personal enlightenment. There are two outstanding Gita commentaries that I have come across. One is that of Swami Sivanda I found in a used bookstore in the early '70's (still available at sivanadadlshq.org). The other is this one. I discovered Eknath Eswaran's wonderful translation and commentaries in the mid-80's and though I have read several others, it is the one I keep on my nightstand, I take on trips, and give to friends. Eswaran's commentaries are by far the most helpful to the contemporary American. He is fully fluent in English, lives in the Bay area, and is from India where the Gita guided his life and the lives of his family and ancestors. He is not promoting a specific yogic school as most commentaries do, but is interesting in making the Gita ans useful and universal as possible. He does a great job. Reading Eknath Eswaran's translation is like gazing at the original Gita's spirit through clear, unruffled water. He also has a single volume version, without extensive commentary, that I also recommend highly (along with his volume of Upanishad translations and his translation of Buddha's Dhammapada).