The Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita cover
Good Books rating 4.46
Technical
  • ID: 251
  • Added: 2025-09-06
  • Updated: 2025-10-23
  • ISBN: 9781420976205
  • Published: 1973-01-01
  • Formats: 63
  • Reviews: 4

The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred Hindu scripture that takes the form of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. Set on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the text delves into profound philosophical and spiritual questions, offering guidance on righteousness, duty, and the nature of the self. It is a cornerstone of Hindu philosophy and has influenced countless seekers of wisdom throughout history. Beyond its religious significance, the Bhagavad Gita is celebrated for its universal teachings on ethics, self-realization, and the path to inner peace. Its verses provide timeless insights into the human condition, making it a source of inspiration and contemplation for people of all backgrounds.

Reviews
Reddit - Indianbooks · 2025-10-24
recommended 4.00

The Gita Press Version is recommended for its easy-to-read English translation, which stands out among other versions. The reviewer appreciates the clarity and accessibility of this translation, making it a preferred choice for readers.

The reviewer on Reddit highly recommends the Gita Press Version for its straightforward and easy-to-read English translation. They find this version to be more accessible compared to others, such as the ISKCON Version, which they stopped reading early on. The clarity and simplicity of the Gita Press Version make it a preferred choice for those looking to engage with the Bhagavad Gita's teachings. The reviewer's positive experience with this translation highlights its effectiveness in conveying the text's message in a manner that is both accurate and approachable.


Quick quotes

    The Gita Press Version is the best, (I stopped the ISKCON Version in the beginning itself)

    but the english translation is easy enough to read

    The Gita Press Version is the best

Amazon · 2025-10-24
practical 4.60

Eknath Easwaran's translation is praised for its clarity and accessibility, making it a valuable resource for modern readers. The translation is noted for its ability to convey the essence of the Gita in a way that is both accurate and engaging.

The reviewer highlights Eknath Easwaran's translation as a standout version of the Bhagavad Gita, particularly for its clarity and readability. They appreciate how Easwaran's work makes the ancient text accessible to contemporary readers without losing its depth and spiritual significance. The translation is commended for its accuracy and its ability to engage readers, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the Gita's teachings. The reviewer also notes the high customer ratings, which reflect the widespread appreciation for this translation.


Quick quotes

    Eknath Easwaran (1910-1999) is one of the twentieth century's great translators.

    The reason for this universal appeal is that it is basically practical.

    Customer Reviews, 4.6 out of 5 stars 326 Reviews.

Vedanta Students · 2023-01-01
insightful 4.75

The text is praised for its profound spiritual guidance on duty, devotion, selfless action, and knowledge, emphasizing surrender to God for liberation and peace.

This review highlights the Bhagavad Gita as a deeply spiritual dialogue that addresses fundamental human dilemmas through the teachings of Krishna to Arjuna. The key takeaway is its emphasis on surrendering fully to God to achieve ultimate peace and liberation, showcasing the text's timeless relevance in guiding moral and spiritual decisions. The review also underlines the Gita's comprehensive approach to life’s challenges by exploring concepts such as duty (dharma), devotion (bhakti), selfless action (karma), and knowledge (jnana), making it a cornerstone of spiritual philosophy.


Quick quotes

    Krishna asks Arjuna to surrender fully to Him for ultimate peace.

    Krishna promises freedom from all sins and guarantees liberation (moksha).

    The Bhagavad Gita consists of 18 chapters and 700 verses, forming a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield.

LitCharts · 2023-01-01
philosophical 4.50

The Gita is presented as a philosophical and spiritual dialogue that explores righteousness, duty, and devotion, stressing the importance of selfless action and fulfilling one’s prescribed role.

This interpretation reflects on the Bhagavad Gita as a sophisticated synthesis of Indian religious thought, focusing on the ethical and spiritual struggles faced by individuals. It emphasizes Krishna’s teachings on acting without attachment to results and fulfilling one’s dharma, even if imperfectly, which purifies the self. The review also notes the metaphorical depth of the Krishna-Arjuna dialogue, portraying it as an eternal conversation about the self and the divine, with a strong call to devotion and spreading the spiritual message.


Quick quotes

    Krishna emphasizes the distinction between renouncing all action and acting without attachment to consequences.

    Dharma often follows one’s position in the caste system—which reflects people’s inner nature.

    Arjuna is charged with spreading the Gita’s message to those disciplined and devoted to properly receive this highest, hidden truth.