Bhagavad-Gita: The Song of God
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Book Summary Information
Translator: Swami PrabhavanandaTranslator: Christopher Isherwood
Introduction: Aldous Huxley
Edition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-07-01
ISBN: 0451528441
Number of pages: 176
Publisher: Signet Classics
Book Reviews of Bhagavad-Gita: The Song of God
Book Review: My preferred edition...
Summary: 5 Stars
This edition of the Bhagavad Gita is my preferred edition, and has been for many years. The reason I prefer this is the uniqueness of the INTRODUCTION, written by none other than ALDOUS HUXLEY, and in which he expounds the PERENNIAL PHILOSOPHY, consisting of Four Tenets:
(1) "The phenomenal world of matter and of individual consciousness--the world of things and animals and men and even gods--is the manifestation of a Divine Ground within which all partial realities have their being, and apart from which they would be nonexistent. [ALL IS GOD]
(2) Human beings are capable not merely of knowing 'about' the Divine Ground by inference; they can also realize its existence by a DIRECT INTUITION, superior to discursive reasoning. This immediate knowledge unites the knower with that which is known. [WE CAN FEEL GOD]
(3) Man possesses a double nature, a phenomenal ego and an eternal Self, which is the inner man, the spirit, the spark of divinity within the soul. It is possible for a man, if he so desires, to identify himself with the spirit and therefore with the Divine Ground, which is of the same or like nature with the spirit. [WE CAN KNOW GOD]
(4) Man's life on earth has only one end and purpose: to identify himself with his eternal Self and so to come to unitive knowledge of the Divine Ground." --Aldous Huxley, Introduction to the "Bhagavad Gita" by Swami Prabhavananda.
[GOD IS THE ANSWER]
These four tenets, Huxley tells us, are common to the worlds major religions, and it sure simplifies theology, for which I am deeply grateful.
The Gita consists essentially, of a dialogue, between the warrior Arjuna, and Krishna, the Godhead. The questions and answers focus on Arjuna's reluctance to engage in a great battle between good and evil. Krishna expounds the principle of DUTY. The doing of our duty is the highest good. The dialogue expands to include all the reality of God, and how man should live.
Afterwards, in the dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna, the Lord of Heaven reveals his transcendent, divine form. The Gita describes it thusly: "Suppose a thousand suns should rise together into the sky: such is the glory of the Shape of the Infinite God." When reading of this, I am often reminded of the transfiguration of Jesus. The similarities are revealing. When the transcendant visions are further contrasted with the Revelation of St. John, and the vision of Ezekial, yet more is revealed.
Arjuna himself, upon seeing this vision of the transcendent divinity, cries out:
"You are all we know, supreme, beyond man's measure,
This world's sure-set plinth and refuge never shaken.
Guardian of eternal law, Life's soul undying.
Birthless, deathless; yours the strength titanic,
Million-armed, the sun and moon your eyeballs,
Fiery-faced, you blast the world to ashes, ..." p. 115
It has long been my belief that we can best understand our own religion by constrasting it with all others. I also have long felt that the same truth, the same God, is central to all the major religions. What Huxley tells us is key to our understanding concerning what we ought generally to do.
May God grant you peace.
Summary of Bhagavad-Gita: The Song of God
This timeless epic of Hindu faith is the source of daily inspiration for millions of people throughout the world. Its simple, vivid message is translated into clear, accessible English by the acclaimed novelist Christopher Isherwood and his teacher Swami Prabhavananda.
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