[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Re: Book on Bhagavad Gita
Gerald J. La Corte (l23@hopi.dtcc.edu) wrote:
>: >can anyone recommend a translation into
>: >English of the Bharagvad-Gita. I've seen
>: >many about, but which one captures ts message
>: >the best
>: The best book that I have seen is Gita translated by Swami Chidbhavananda.
>: It has an extensive commentary. You can get the book from the Ramakrishna-
>: Vivekananda Vedanta center in the UK. Their address and phone number are
>: given below.
>How well you appreciate Swami Chidbhavanada's book depends upon how much
>you like commentary. I, personnally, dislike commentary didn't like the
>Hari Krishna version and probably wouldn't like Swami C's. Its rather
>thick and is at least 95% commentary; my own version is between 1/4" and
>1/2" thick and has almost none.
Can a translation without too much commentary capture the message of
such a difficult book like the Gita? I was infact thinking of suggesting
both the Sankara and the Ramanuja commentary. Of course it is not possible
for everyone to do the ardous job of studying and comparing both these
attempts to convey the message of the Gita. That is why I suggested Swami C's
book as I found it to be very useful in my continuing attempt to comprehend
the Gita.
It is of course possible to disagree with a commentary. It seems to
me that the purpose of a commentary is to stimulate the mind so that you can
think about the message of the Gita. It is my opinion that Swami C's book
does so. It is entirely possible that you may disagree with my opinion after
you have read the book.
Best Wishes
Pradip
