Bhagavad Gita: Annotated & Explained

SkyLight Paths Publishing, 2001 - Religion - 165 pages

An ancient classic that can become a companion for your own spiritual journey.

Millions of people turn daily to India's most beloved holy book, the Bhagavad Gita ("Song of the Lord"), to instruct their spiritual practice. A Hindu classic, it has universal appeal for people of all faith traditions who turn to its inspirational support in the struggles of life, its consolation in times of grief and its deeply moving promise of God's love and guidance.

Composed in Sanskrit verse thousands of years ago, this timeless text tells the story of a distraught warrior on the verge of battle and the compassionate counsel he receives from Krishna--God in human form. In just seven hundred lines, the Gita presents concise teachings on such topics as the immortality of the soul, meditation and yoga, worship and sacrifice, the ideal of selfless action and the oneness of all life in the Divine.

Now you can read and understand the Gita with no previous knowledge of Hinduism required. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains references and philosophical terms, shares the inspiring interpretations of famous spiritual teachers and addresses questions such as the inner meaning of India's caste system and why this sublime discourse on inner peace is set against the background of a violent civil war.

Contents

• Samkhya Yoga: 10
• Karma Yoga: 24
• Jnana Yoga: 33
• The Renunciation of Action: 42
• Dhyana Yoga: 48
• Knowledge and Experience: 61
• The Supreme Spirit: 64
• The Sovereign Secret: 71
• The Divine Manifestations: 81
• The Cosmic Vision: 86
• Bhakti Yoga: 98
• Matter and Spirit: 107
• The Three Qualities: 112
• The Lord God: 121
• The Divine and Demoniac Civilizations: 127
• The Threefold Faith: 133
• The Spirit of Renunciation: 136
• Notes: 152
• Credits: 165

About the author

Kendra Crossen Burroughs is a book editor whose specialty is religions of the East and West. She compiled The Essential Ken Wilber and Entering the Tao: Master Ni's Guidance for Self-Cultivation. A long-time student of the Bhagavad Gita, she lives in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Bhagavad Gita: Annotated & Explained; G - Reference,Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series; SkyLight illuminations
• Translated by: Swami Purohit
• Contributor: Kendra Crossen Burroughs
• Edition: revised, annotated
• Publisher: SkyLight Paths Publishing, 2001
• ISBN: 1893361284, 9781893361287
• Length: 165 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Eastern; Religion / Hinduism / Sacred Writings