The Bhagavad Gita


Book Description

Part of the ancient Hindu epic The Mahabharata, The Bhagavad Gita is one of the enduring religious texts of the world The Bhagavad Gita is an early poem that recounts the conversation between Arjuna the warrior and his charioteer Krishna, a manifestation of God. In the moments before a great battle, Krishna sets out the important lessons Arjuna must learn to understand his own role in the war he is about to fight. Krishna reveals to Arjuna his true cosmic form and counsels the warrior to act according to his sacred obligations. Ranging from instructions on yoga to moral discussion, the Gita has served for centuries as an everyday, practical guide to living well. Translated with an introduction by Laurie L. Patton




Bhagavad Gita As Viewed By Swami Vivekananda


Book Description

Swami Vivekananda’s views on the Bhagavad Gita are scattered throughout 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda' published in nine volumes. The present book, published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication branch of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, is an extensive compilation of these insightful views of Swami Vivekananda on this sacred scripture of the Hindus. The reader is, as it were, taken through several verses of the Gita along with the Swami’s elevating and soul-stirring commentary. Note: This book has embedded fonts to display the verses in Devanagari. You may have to use the 'Original' Font option in Google Play Books app. "... The book is certainly not a commentary on the Gita, in the traditional sense. But, what is available is indeed a treasure house of wisdom. Swamiji was a living embodiment of the Gita. According to him, the Gita was ‘practical Vedanta’. He demonstrated this through his life. Reading through the book is indeed a rewarding experience. One is in holy company, imbibing the words of one who is speaking from his heart. ... Just as Swamiji himself used to carry a copy of the Gita with him always, one cannot do better than carry a copy of this book with one always..." - from a Review in the Vedanta Kesari, November 2010, p.441 published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. As of February 2017, the print book has undergone seven reprints and more than 27,000 copies have been sold.










Comparative Ethics in Hindu and Buddhist Traditions


Book Description

The exploratory volume in the new field of comparative ethics serves the diverse goals of groups variously interested in International law and morality, in comparative religious ethical ideals, or simply in cross-cultural literature and drama. The author draws moral ideals from primary Hindu sources--popular and formal, literary and spiritual. The same method is applied for Buddhist moral texts. Introducing method in comparative ethics with a synopsis of Hindu mystical tradition, the author diiscusses in detail ethics in the Rgveda, Upaniisads, Laws of Manu, Ramayana, Gita, other popular classics, poetry, drama, philosophers, and reformers. After summarizing pluralism in Hindu ethiics, the author sketches ethical thought in Mahayana Buddhiist texts. The book contains elaborate notes, two appendices, critical textual matter, a diagram of topical parallels, a bibliography, and an index.