First of all, as many as you may know, if I was in a "You can only have one book" sort of scenario, for whatever reason, that one book would definitely be Bhagavad GIta, and in my personal case, Bhavad Gita As It Is, the 1972 version by my spiritual master, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in part, as it not only includes the Devanagari script, but also Roman transliteration, word for word translations, and extensive commentary or 'Purports' by Srila Prabhupada. It's actually the book I initially used to teach myself to read the Sanskrit script. I can't recommend it enough - as long as it's the 1972 version, and NOT the later edited one after Srila Prabhupada's passing.
After more than 50 years, I couldn't even guess how many times I've read it, not only this version, but many others as well. I have editions representing a variety of schools. I probably have at least a dozen different versions around here. Another favorite, for it's Sanskrit grammar, is the one by Winthrop Sargeant with goes in depth for each verse, giving not only word by word translations, but also the declension and conjugations of the words! The actual verse translations are 'okay', but perhaps a little dry - I like it for it's grammar, not it's poetry in this case. I seem to remember hearing that it took him 18 years to complete it.
The beauty of Bhagavad Gita is that it's not just a "Hindu" bible, but a philosophical masterpiece that helps you to see God everywhere and in all things.
For those who are relatively innocent of Gita knowledge, it is an 18 chapter conversation between Lord Sri Krishna who is acting as the charioteer for his friend and cousin, Arjuna. Arjuna is one of the five Pandava brothers, who the eldest of which, Yudhisthira, should have ruled the kingdom of Bharata (India), but due to an odd gambling game, and other treacheries, was instead ruled by the Pandava's cousins, the Kauravas - the eldest of which was Duryodhana. The Gita is a short section in the 100,000 verse Mahabharata which describes the many happenings and how they ended up - Krishna and Arjuna - on this chariot between the two armies on what is about to become an epic battle lasting 18 days in which millions will lose their lives.
Many see the Bhagavad GIta which takes place on a battlefield, as more of an allegory representing the daily battles with which we all must deal. Others, like myself, appreciate that, but also believe it is an actual history of something that took place appoximately 5,000 years ago. I've just started reading it again, and everytime I do, I am struck by the names of the many heroic warrior on both sides who have dedicated themselves to fight for their truth, and literally willing to give up their lives for it. Knowing some of their stories, as I read their names, I'm often nearly brought to tears. And who amongst us, these days, is willing to fight for any level of truth that we'd be willing to give our lives for it?
An important aspect of the Gita is that on both sides of the army are many relatives. Remember, the Pandavas are cousins to the currently ruling Kauravas. The oldest and most distinguished fighter amongst them all is 'Grandfather' Bhishma, honored by all the warriors on both sides. But nearly every person there literally has cousins, brothers, father, grandfathers, children etc on the other side. The general of the Kauravas was the martial arts teacher to both sides, the great Dronacharya. The general of the Pandavas, is the SON of Dronacharya, Drupada!
So, this is how the Bhagavad Gita (which means Song of God) begins. The blind father of the Kauravas, Dhritarashtra, is asking his saintly assistant, Sanjaya, who is blessed with psychic vision, what is happening on the battlefield where the armys of his sons and his nephews are currently gathering. Sanjaya, who has been blessed with clairvoyance, can see the battlefield within his heart and thus can relate to the blind king exactly what is happening there.
An early verse is Dhritarashtra's son, Duryodhana questioning his guru and general, Dronacharya -
"O my teacher, behold the great army of the sons of Pandu, so expertly arranged by your intelligent disciple, the son of Drupada." 1.3
Let that sink in for a moment. You are on one side of an army as it's general, and your SON is leading the other. You will be using your knowledge of the other to develop strategies to kill them. And Duryodhana, is making a point of reminding you that your son is also an expert milltary stragetist. How committed are you to winning this war? Can you put aside your love for your family members to slaughter close relatives in battle?
A few verses on, Arjuna requrests Krishna to drive his chariot between the two armies so that he can directly see who are the members of the opposing forces who he will soon be trying to kill. It is at this point that Arjuna, recognizing that the other side has not only his Grandfather and cousins, but his own Guru, as well as many warriors who were childhood friends. Arjuna sees them all and is struck by the immensity of the situation. He drops his bow. His body is trembling. His hairs are standing on end, and his skin is burning. Arjuna is confused, filled withs compassion and facing a moral dilemma. He is certainly not afraid, as he is considered by many to be the supreme archer in the world. But these are friends and family members, and he knows he must fight and kill them! The actual name of the first chapter is 'Arjuna Vishada Yoga" or the Yoga of Arjuna's Despondency. What would you do?
After opining on the situation with Krishna, and suggesting, for one thing, that he'd be better off begging as a living, rather than kill all these friends and relatives simply for an earthly kingdom, he ultimately says, "Krishna, I will not fight!"
Then Arjuna turns to Lord Sri Krishna and says...
"Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me clearly what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me." 2.7
So this is Bhagavad Gita. Fortunately, few of us have such deep traumas to deal with. But whatever dilemmas we do have can be faced with the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.
But what IS it, and why should I read it?
At the end of every chapter of the Gita, there is a Sanskrit prayer which states:
iti shrīmadbhagavadgītāsūpanishatsu brahmavidyāyām yogashāstre shrīkrushṇārjunasamvāde’ .....
"In this way, within the Upanishad-like Shrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā, which is brahmavidyā and a sacred text on yoga, and in the dialogue between Shrī Krishna and Arjuna..."
Bhagavad Gita is considered the Essence of all the Upanisads, and sacred knowledge. It explains the five truths of 1.God, 2. the living beings, 3. Nature, 4. Time, and 5. Action. It explores in depth the nature of life itself and how to understand it, from the basic concept that we're not this body, to the intricate science of the modes of nature and how they effect everything. It explains the science of yoga, nature vs spirit, when to leave the body and how to do so properly. And ultimately, directs one toward Liberation or Moksha.
Many people use it something like an oracle - making a prayer, asking a question and opening up randomly and seeing what wisdom it offers. Others read it systematically, chapter by chapter, as it progresses through from despondency to total surrender to the Absolute. If you're dealing with a specific problem - anger, fear, greed, etc. - there are verses to explain and/or comfort you. After, it IS the Song of God! It is the wisdom directly from Lord Krishna.
But it is also a meditation within itself. Like any book, you can read it. But with Bhagavad Gita, you can go beyond that. Sometimes people wonder why I've read it so many times. Because every time you read it, you go deeper. You start by reading it. Then you meditate on it. You begin to FEEL the verses, and later become them. You could say that I practice the 'Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita'.
Although there are many brilliant quotes about the Bhagavad Gita, one of my favorites has always been the one by Mahatma Gandhi, who said, "When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day."
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