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Does the Bhagavad Gita Justify War? Or Is It an Allegory?

Does the Bhavagad Gita Justify War? Doesn’t Arjuna, the Warrior Prince, Finally Agree to Fight? Yes, the Gita’s story turns out the same in every translation. But translators differ widely in their interpretations of this. The Gita can easily be told in just 70 pages. But translators’ spend an additional 200 to 300 pages giving their opinions! The Gita especially sparks the widest difference…

Does the Bhagavad Gita Justify War? Or Is It an Allegory?

Does the Bhavagad Gita Justify War? Doesn’t Arjuna, the Warrior Prince, Finally Agree to Fight? Yes, the Gita’s story turns out the same in every translation. But translators differ widely in their interpretations of this. The Gita can easily be told in just 70 pages. But translators’ spend an additional 200 to 300 pages giving their opinions! The Gita especially sparks the widest difference…

Does the Bhagavad Gita Justify War? Or Is It an Allegory?

Does the Bhavagad Gita Justify War? Doesn’t the Warrior Arjuna Finally Agree to Pick Up his Weapons and Fight? Yes, the Gita’s story turns out the same in every translation. But translators differ widely in their interpretations. For example, the Gita can easily be told in just 70 pages. However, translators’ commentaries run an additional 200 to 300 pages! Moreover, the Gita sparks the widest…

Some Differences in the Translations of Bhagavad Gita

There are some differences in translations of the Bhagavad Gita worth noting. The story is the same in most translations. But the translators’ commentaries differ considerably. And just because a translator is fluent in both English and Sanskrit, does not make for an accurate translation. There are about 300 English translations of the Bhagavad Gita. And as an Indian Shankaracharya…

From Christianity to the Bhagavad Gita

Due to my age, I’ve been thinning out my belongings. The fascinating part of this process is re-reading some of the most interesting titles of the books I’m unloading from my bookshelves. Right now I’m revisiting a thick 500-plus page book on mysticism. It’s been in print since 1898. I got my copy sometime in the late 1940s, shortly after my discharge from the Navy after WW II. Not many books…

Four Bhagavad Gita Translations I Recommend

Why I Recommend These Four Bhagavad Gita Translations I personally daily read portions of Eknath Easwaran’s version, Bhagavad Gita. Easwaran’s is the best all-round, easy to understand translation. And his 50-page introductory explanation of the Gita by itself is worth the price of the book. Plus I find commentaries on each chapter by Diana Morrison two be very useful guides to the text. It is a…

Translations of Three Key Concepts of the Bhagavad Gita – And Two That Might Be Useful

This post intends to clarify — — the three key concepts of the Bhagavad Gita — Atman, Prakriti, Brahman.  — and two more, while not basic are also useful — Samsara and Sanskara. They are introduced in Chapter Two, where Sri Krishna, begins his arguments to persuade Arjuna to do his duty as a warrior. He begins his dialog with Arjuna at verse 11 where he differentiates Arjuna’s inmost soul (Atman)…

Three Key Concepts of the Bhagavad Gita – And Two That Might Be Useful

I hope this post clarifies — — the three key concepts of the Bhagavad Gita pivotal to its message — Atman, Prakriti, Brahman.  — and two more, – while not basic, can also be useful — Samsara and Sanskara. They first are introduced in Chapter Two, where the divine sage, Sri Krishna, begins trying to persuade Arjuna to do his duty as a warrior. He begins his dialog with Arjuna at verse 11. And…

Three Basic Sanskrit Concepts in the Gita

There are a few Sanskrit concepts in the Bhagavad Gita essential to a clearer understanding of the story of the warrior, Arjuna’s, conflict — to fight or not to fight — in a historic battle for righteousness. This post will take a clearer look at them — Brahman, Maya, Atman. The Gita in Brief His conflict runs through the entire Gita. And his charioteer, Krishna, tries to persuade Arjuna to do…

WARNING: I’VE BEEN HACKED ON FACEBOOK

PLEASE BEWARE! I’VE BEEN HACKED ON FACEBOOK DO NOT SEND MONEY I’M NOT PROMOTING ANY PROGRAM OFFERING MONEY NOT PROMOTING ANYONE ASKING FOR MONEY I DON’T SEND MESSAGES ON FACEBOOK IT’S NOT ME SENDING ANY FACEBOOK MESSAGES IT’S SOMEONE POSING AS ME. REPORT THEM TO FACEBOOK IF YOU CAN I DON’T KNOW HOW TO GET FACEBOOK TO CORRECT IT IF YOU KNOW HOW AND CAN REPORT IT PLEASE DO AND LET ME KNOW THAT YOU…

Comparing Translations of the Bhagavad Gita – The Heart of the Gita in Two Verses?

It’s difficult for me to leave Chapter Two. There is so much in it. Some scholars say if you study but this one chapter, you will gain the essence of the entire Gita. The last eighteen verses, 54-72, tell us how to put the Gita’s teaching into action in our everyday life. Gandhi dwelt upon these verses during his prayers morning and evening for forty years. Before I even got that far, two other…

Comparing Translations of the Bhagavad Gita – 4 – Four Basic Concepts of the Gita

Four basic Sanskrit concepts are essential to a clearer understanding of the Bhagavad Gita, which is the story of the warrior, Arjuna’s, conflict — to fight or not to fight — in a battle for righteousness. His conflict spans the entire Gita. And while his charioteer, Krishna, tries to persuade Arjuna to do his duty to fight in the battle, Arjuna is increasingly enlightened about these four basic…

Geezers Now Trading Their Canes for Trekking Poles and Loving It!

Actress Maggie Smith persuaded a small group of seniors, with an average age of 75, to trade in their canes and walkers for trekking poles. This small group, after just two-and-a-half months, were enjoying the changes it brought about in their lives. Dame Maggie said, “The participants began walking with a more upright posture and their gait pattern went from the ‘walker shuffle’ to a more normal…

How Important Is the Translation of the Bhagavad Gita?

Does getting a better translation of the Bhavagad Gitareally matter? Isn’t the story the same in all translations? Yet translator’s commentaries differ substantially. While differences abound, the Gita’s story doesn’t change. The Gita sparks the widest difference among translators in the heart of its story. Whether the Gita, being set in the midst of a coming battle, justifies war or not! This…

Rudolf Steiner -Tells What Life’s Like Between Lives

William “Backpackerbill” Kemsley Jr

I’ve found a new teacher, Rudolf Steiner – who tells me what life’s like between lives. Finding a guru, they say, is really simple,

“When the student is ready, the guru appears.”

I know, for at times over the years, I’ve been both with, as well as without, a teacher. For the past few years I’ve been seeking one who can tell me what happens to me when I…