Philosophy
The Bhagavad Gita
Translated by Juan Mascaro
Of
the three translations of the Bhagavad Gita on this site,
this is my personal favorite. It is closest to the old hard bound
copy by Annie
Besant, written in archaic English, that I carried for years, everywhere I
went and if I had this volume at that time I think I would have loved the Gita all
the more. What is common to both versions is that they are clear translations
unadorned by commentary. They present the beauty and insight of this deep
spritual text in a way that let's the reader experience it with fresh eyes,
like they
are discovering the Gita, not studying it. My teacher often said that there
are passages in the scriptures that you will ponder for years and then one
day, when the meaning becomes clear you have an "aha!" moment.
This translation, gives you room to generate your own beautiful understanding
of
this great work, immediately for some parts and later on with others.
There is some commentary at the front of the book
where you can learn what others got out of the Gita as well as much
about the history of Indian spiritual literature and Indian history. This part
is offered as a guide to help you develop your own relationship to the text that
follows. Like a setting for a diamond that presents the stone without competing
with its lustre.
According to the publisher, "The eighteen
chapters of The Bhagavad Gita (c. 500 b.c.), the glory of Sanskrit literature,
encompass the whole spiritual struggle of a human soul. Its three central themes—love,
light, and life—arise from the symphonic vision of God in all things and
of all things in God." This translation makes this beautful song available
to the contemporary Western reader. |
