“Although a popular book, quite a mosnomer: "Gita as it is",is more like "as per A.C. Prabhuupada" . Not to find fault, but this is a general problem with nearly all BG translations and commentaries.The lineage and school A.C. Prabhupada belongs to is close to Dvaita (Dualism) doctrine, however, BG as such has no such distinction. Once cought on that bias, the translation and commentaries end up catering to that school, and true message of BG is side tracked and even lost. For example see thsi versein Chapter 7-24 or so: avyaktam vyaktimaapannammanyante maam abuddhayah|param bhaavamajaanantomamaavyayamanuttam ||Obviously, someone who has been instrumental or inspired construction of great temples, ends up mis-translating that verse to mean that the God with form is superior to onewithout form (exactly opposite of what shloka says). God with form may be easier to connect to,but one need to translate 7-24 as it is and not as we wish it to be. That is why, the title is a misnomer. ”
“ no match for this... Hail thousand times for the author.. Srila Prabhupada !A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE IRRESPECTIVE OF CASTE AND RELIGION !”
“This is not a book...this is a reaction and a stimulus at the same time...it did not happen 5000 years ago...it happened now...I find it to be more relevant to my proffessional & personal life than all self help books put together!!!”
“Hi All,I thank you all for your opinions and replies. God bless you all. Hare Krishna!Bhagavad Gita is NOT just like any other book on God/Religion. It encompasses the essence of the Vedas, the books which have no beginning and no end. It does not belong to any religion. Any layman with can have access to it. (I don't think God discriminates people) To argue that only ISKCON is the authority through which Gita can be learnt is blasphemous on the account that it means that there is no direct connection between God and a soul.The Gita is often described as the fifth Veda (to be precise, the Mahabharata is considered the fifth Veda) and it does not just talk about God. It contains everything; the mine of spiritual knowledge.What I was referring to in my earlier comment is about 'Gita As It Is' and NOT The Bhagavad Gita. Firstly, 'Gita As It Is' is authored by Sri Srila Prabhupada whereas Bhagavad Gita is a 700 verse poem that appears in the grand epic - The Mahabharata, written by Maharshi Ved Vyasa. There's a difference between the two.'Gita As It Is' is an excellent translation of The Gita. I refer to it almost everyday. The word to word translation is the best among all the other translations. The author's claim that it contains the original unalloyed teachings of Sri Krishna is appreciated. But to call other versions of The Gita as 'idiots and ignorants' translation is something which I can never accept.If ISKCON believes that their version of Gita is the ONLY authoritative guide to Gita, let it be so. But there is absolutely NO need for them to comment on other translations. Truth will always triumph. I suggest you all to read the other translations of the Gita as well (for eg, the one by The Gita Society). They do NOT differ in the content as everything in it is basically the same. What you perceive and comprehend from each verse, I think, there's no end to that as you'll always find a fresh meaning in each and every verse. It is just the purport in 'Gita As It Is' that gives this shade to it.I respect other people's opinions here. Maybe it is as seen through a devotee's mind. But I prefer to experience the same through my inner self. I prefer to have a version of The Gita that has just the translations and the meanings (and possibly purports minus those advertising claims) If that was the case why the purport was intended, then they can publish a separate book on that, say something like commentary on The Bhagavad Gita - As seen by the greatest devotee'. And on the other hand, just publish the 'Gita AS IT IS' (The block letters emphasised!)The other publishers such as The Gita Society, Gorakhpur whose mission is to spread the awareness of The Gita in the world without seeking profit is laudable in this regard. There are a lot of other Gita translations as well. Some of them even begin with an author's note detailing how some critics' translations have committed mistakes.My only question is why is it that the author has to condemn (that too by stooping to the lowest level by calling other's idiots and ignorants) other translations. If he's referring to the critic's translations, its well and good. But that also can be done separately in an index to the book.That was just an elaboration of what I have felt personally on reading this book. Seek the truth, it'll seek you. That's all I can say.And for those wishing to know what Bhagavad Gita is all about, I strongly suggest you all to read this book's translation as it is undoubtedly the best. Then you can refer the other translations. It's just the 'purport' section that worries me. Infact, it will be very grateful if ISKCON releases a concise 'Gita As It Is' without the purports.|| Hare Rama Hare Rama; Rama Rama Hare Hare |||| Hare Krishna Hare Krishna; Krishna Krishna Hare Hare ||”
“i just started reading this.it really is an eye opening.”
