Subtitled "The Ethics of Decision-Making" this is a clear and inspiring translation of the classic spiritual text The Bhagavad Gita.
The book is divided into 18 chapters plus a chapter titled Pronunciation of Sanskrit Words, and a very useful Glossary.
The Gita is seven hundred stanzas of the epic Mahabharata, which is two hundred thousand lines making up chapters 23 to 40 of the Bhisma-Parvam.
The author of this translation is well-credentialed. Antonio T. de Nicolás is Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, SUNY at Stony Brook, and The Bio-Cultural Research Institute, St. Augustine, Florida.
To give you an ideas about the relevance of The Bhagavad Gita in today's world I'd like to quote from the Preface: "The text of The Bhagavad Gita has always been ahead of its time. It understands philosophy as a practice in moments of crisis - which is every moment of our life - and demonstrates how to overcome it. "
Though the story running through the verses takes the form of the master and student, it is to show us the relationship between our own body-mind-soul. And what a drama is portrayed - with all the challenges we face in the ultimate quest in life - mastering our own selfishness and realizing our true nature of bliss and harmony. Yes, indeed, for each it can sometimes feel like a battle during our personal struggles before self-realization.
There is so much to say that this short review cannot possibly tell much about the scope of this important work for personal evolution, but I will relate a portion to apply to your time in meditation from a quote in Chapter 12. The Yoga of Devotion:
"4. Who restrain all their senses, are even-minded,
Who take delight in the welfare of every being,
They also obtain me."
And, dear readers, my opinion about devotion in meditation is to keep caring and kind thoughts near and dear to your heart; that upon rising from sitting and stillness, you use those qualities in practical daily living.
Highest recommendation!
Details - 160 page paperback; Publisher - Nicolas-Hays (March 2004); English; 9 by 6 inches; ISBN: 0892540907
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The Bhagavad Gita translated by Antonio T. de Nicolas
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