the Bhagavad Gita is, without question, one of the seminal and most profound philosophical/spiritual works in human history. Let this thread be for the discussion of the Bhagavad Gita and it's myriad translations and interpretations.

What does the Gita mean to you?


Sri Aurobindo's translation of the gita can be found at http://intyoga.freeservers.com/bg_idx.htm . I don't agree fully with his translation, and think Stephen Mitchell's translation is superior (which unfortunately, is not available on the net). Nonetheless, I think Sri Aurobindo's translation is definitely worth reading, and I think it provides subtle clues into his manner of thinking, into his world-view, and into his possible states of mind.

I personally like the translation of the Bhagavad Ghita that was written by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The commentaries are written in relationship to the mechanical process of conscious evolution as translated from Krisna's conversation with Arjuna.
Even though he plugs Transcendental Meditation, the mechanical process of turning the mind inward is the same as with all vedic traditions.
The conversations with God or the Self are the beginning process of communication with the Self. The reaching towards and the meeting halfway of God and Man to reach union and Self Realization.
MSI's translation of the Yoga sutra's of Patanjali is another recommended read if you would like to understand the identifiable steps of conscious progression, from the awareness of the absolute to the minds acceptance and the hearts expansion after mental cognition and finally Union.
Although neither book contains the actual tools for the process. They remain in the hands of the Teacher who guides one through the process with the proper training and useful boundaries that are coupled with self discipline and the recognition of the Teachers experience.

it's important to point out, though, that the Gita, while being a testament to the greatness of human thought and spirituality, represent but a stepping stone unto higher Truths. And so it is, that with Einstein, I must concur that "All of mankind's thoughts have hitherto been but an insignificant reflection". We should not sell ourselves short. All that has been written and experienced by Man are but a glimpse of Truth, and are but the beginnings of wisdom. We are on the threshold of much greater things. It is up to us, here and now, to realize these greater Truths. This is our responsibility. We should not settle for anything less. And we should not sell ourselves, or our vast potentials, or our highest ideals, short.

chapter 12
6-7. But those who giving up all their actions to Me, and wholly devoted to Me, worship meditating on Me with an unswerving Yoga, those who fix on Me all their consciousness, O Partha, speedily I deliver them out of the sea of death-bound existence.
8. On Me repose all thy mind and lodge all thy understanding in Me; doubt not that thou shalt dwell in Me above this mortal existence.
9. And if thou art not able to keep the consciousness fixed steadily in Me, then by the Yoga of practice seek after Me, O Dhananjaya.

10. If thou art unable even to seek by practice, then be it thy supreme aim to do My work; doing all actions for My sake, thou shalt attain perfection.
10.If thou hast no ability even for practice,
Be wholly devoted to work for Me;
For My sake also actions
Preforming, thou shalt win perfection.
(trans by Frank Edgerton)

11. But if even this constant remembering of Me and lifting up of your works to Me is felt beyond your power, then renounce all fruit of action with the self controlled.
12. Better indeed is knowledge than practice, than knowledge, meditation is better; than meditation, renunciation of the fruit of action,
on renunciation follows peace.

im going for number 10

i really like you all who with a whole and holy heart mostly appreciated the contention " of bhagawad geetha"

it is originally written in sanskrit and well commented by various critiques in all indian languages as well in english.
people even now gather in hundreds to hear the discourses on the geetha. it is a song celestial. "swamy chinmayananda" used to give dicourses commenting on the slokas of the heetha. neverthless as mentionrd by many arabindo's translation in addition to that of viniba bhave[known for his land donation movement] added beauty the version.
every indian well versed in slokas[stanzas] will quote for himself or to uthers in course of delight or despair.
it is a path of life described in the holy book
i note to search for stephen mitchells translation. you can mend and amend your age old ways and views to suit the human taste
once you are in.
more to web
supani