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Bhagavad-gita As It Is is the largest-selling, most widely used edition of the Gita in the world. The Gita is revered as the essence of all spiritual knowledge, and serves as a practical guide to life. It offers insights that transcend time and culture. This book has changed lives and and hearts. I want to share it with you so I encourage you to donate what you can and I will happily send you a copy.
The suggested donation is $15 for the hardcover copy .
The Bhagavad Gita As It Is is a popular translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Published in 1972, this version of the Bhagavad Gita is distinctive because it emphasizes the devotional aspect of the text, interpreting it through the lens of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition, which Prabhupada followed.
In this edition, Prabhupada presents the teachings of the Gita with a focus on the personal relationship between the individual soul (jiva) and God, represented by Lord Krishna. He provides his own translation of the Sanskrit verses and offers detailed commentaries that explain the spiritual significance of each verse, often drawing from traditional commentaries by previous Vaishnava saints and philosophers.
The primary themes of Bhagavad Gita As It Is include:
1. Devotion to God: Emphasizing bhakti (devotion) as the supreme path to liberation (moksha).
2. Self-realization: Describing the importance of understanding one's true identity as the eternal soul, distinct from the physical body.
3. Dharma: Focusing on the concept of duty and righteousness, particularly the warrior Arjuna's dilemma on the battlefield, and how one should act according to one's dharma.
4. Detachment and Renunciation: Teaching how one should perform their duties without attachment to the results, thus achieving inner peace.
Prabhupada's commentary also stresses that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita are not merely philosophical but are meant to be lived and practiced as part of a spiritual life devoted to Krishna. The book has become a foundational text for millions of people seeking spiritual guidance based on devotion and service to God.