The Bhagavad-Gita

by R.C. Zaehner

Book Overview

The most widely read and probably the most important of the Hindu Sacred Books for the understanding of religious mysticism.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195016661
• ISBN13: 9780195016666
• Release Date: February 1973
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

A true treasure that never stops yielding up gems of understanding

I have greatly enjoyed, and benefitted from, the late Professor R.C. Zaehner's wonderful translation of, and extensive commentary upon, The Bhagavad-Gita. The book was originally published in 1969, but is still in print (which is quite a testimonial in itself). I can't praise this book highly enough. The introduction alone is worth the price of the book, yet virtually every one of Dr. Zaehner's notes to his excellent translation brings a thrilling "Ah Ha!" of connection and understanding. I especially appreciate that, instead of interpreting the Gita in such a way as to buttress his own spiritual/religious point of view, Zaehner explores the deeper meaning of each chapter and verse of the Gita in reference to the rest of the text, and to the totality of the Mahabharata, and to the great commentators on the Gita, including Ramanuja and Shankara. His intention is to tease out what the Gita itself is trying to say, rather than imposing his own views upon it; I greatly respect that. And his commentary also benefits from his broad and deep understansing of Sanskrit and of the great spiritual teachings of India and Persia--and so, of course, his readers benefit as well. I am almost continually re-reading this book. Each time, I understand it a little more. It is a treasure.

The Bhagavad-Gita Galaxy Books by Robert Charles Zaehner

Robert Charles Zaehner does a nice job of translating the Sanskrit text. It's an in depth English translation.

One of the best.

I have read a couple other translations of this inspirational text, but I found R.C. Zaehner's to be a hidden treasure. A more literal and scholarly book than Barbara Stoler Miller's. He includes additional information from other classic Hindu writtings and transliteration of the sanskrit text. A very enjoyable read for those serious about philosophy and Hinduism.