A Complete Modern English Translation
with
Introduction, Guide
for the Beginners
and Daily Reading.
By
Dr. Ramananda Prasad, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2005 by
the
International Gita
Society
Phone (510) 791
6953, 6993
Email:
Visit: www.gita-society.com
All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may be copied in any form only for non-commercial
use provided
the credit is given to the
International/American
Gita Society
Library of Congress
Catalog
Card Number:
88-72192
ISBN 0-9621099-1-6
A Simple Method of God-realization:
The one who shall help
propagation of this supreme secret philosophy shall be performing the
highest devotional service to Me
and
shall certainly come to Me. No
one on the earth shall be
more dear to Me.
(Gita 18.68-69)
This Gita distributed Free of
First printing,
2000, 5,000
Second printing, 2001, 10,000
Third printing,
2002, 10,000
Fourth
printing, 2003, 10,000
Fifth printing, 2004, 10,000
Sixth printing, 2005, 20,000
Total 65,000
==========================
PREFACE
I have not met brother Ramananda Prasad up to the time of writing but this
determined soul has been revealed to us by his translation of this religious
classic and his goal to see the knowledge of Gita spread globally. We should
all assist in this noble endeavor.
Lust, anger, and greed, are
to be avoided if one wants to a
If this little book can influence minds like those of Thoreau,
Emerson, Gandhi, and Swami Vivekananda, then we as Hindus must consider it our
duty to ensure that all have access to its prescriptions for spiritual,
cultural, and intellectual success.
I regret not having been exposed to this literary masterpiece
as a young student, but then su
We can honor our ancestors and prepare posterity for the
Ramnarine Sahadeo,
Barrister and Solicitor
ramji@gita-society.com, Phone: 905-671-9233
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRES
Hindu Sevā Sangh
Contact: Omesh Sharma 905-677-7080
Chandan Persaud 416-754-2382
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Contact: omo@globalspectruminc.com
GUYANA
Saraswati Vidyā Niketan
Cornelia Ida, W.C.D.
Contact: Swami Aksharananda ph.
626-4521
Email: Swami_aksharananda@hotmail.com
S. AMERICA (BRAZIL)
Sociedade Internacional Gita do
Brasil
Porto Alegre, RS,
Brasil
Contact: krishna@gita-society.com
California, USA:
Chicago, IL: ravicana@gmail.com
Phone: 314 709 9028
CONTENTS
Preface................................................
i
Table of Contents …………………………... ii
Introduction ....................................... iii
Review Comments............................ .. iv
About Gita Society........................... ....iv
1. Arjuna’s Dilemma …........................... 1
Arjuna
wants to inspect the army………….1.20
Arjuna's
dilemma………………………… 1.27
Arjuna gets deluded ………………………1.45
2.
Transcendental Knowledge ................ 1
The spirit is eternal, body is
transitory.. 2.16
Death and transmigration of soul......... 2.22
Theory and practice of KarmaYoga.... 2.47
Dangers of unrestrained senses ……….….
2.60
Sense control and Self-knowledge ……….
2.64
3.
Path of KarmaYoga ............................... 4
Why
one should serve others?............ 3.07
The first commandment of Hinduism... 3.10
All works are the works of nature....... 3.27
Two stumbling blocks on the path........ 3.34
Origin and control of sin or lust........... 3.36
4.
Path of Renunciation with Knowledge 5
Why God incarnates?........................ 4.07
Atta
A KarmaYogi
is not bound by Karma. 4.20
A simple method of Self-realization..... 4.24
The gift of knowledge is the best gift... 4.33
A KarmaYogi
obtains Self-knowledge. 4.38
Need for both Self-knowledge and Sevā 4.42
5.
Path of Renunciation ........................... 6
KarmaYoga leads to Samnyāsa
…………..5.06
The saint and sinner is same for the
wise…5.18
6.
Path of Meditation .............................. 7
A KarmaYogi
is a renunciant............. 6.02
Mind is both a friend and an enemy..... 6.05
Who
is the best yogi?......................... 6.32
Two methods to subdue the mind........ 6.35
Destination of unsuccessful yogi.......
6.44
7.
Self-knowledge and Enlightenment .... 9
Matter, consciousness, and spirit......... 7.05
Who
seeks God?................................ 7.16
Everything is His manifestation........... 7.19
God has a transcendental form............ 7.24
8.
The Eternal Being (Brahma) ............ 10
Spirit,
individual soul, and Karma ........ 8.03
A simple
method of God-realization..... 8.07
How to attain salvation....................... 8.12
Paths of departure from world............ 8.26
Self-knowledge leads to salvation........ 8.28
9.
Supreme Knowledge and Big Mystery 11
The
theory of evolution and involution.. 9.07
The ways of the wise and of the
ignorant 9.11
God takes care of His devotees.......... 9.22
The Lord accepts the offering of love.. 9.26
There
is no unforgivable sinner........... 9.30
10.
Manifestation of the Absolute ........ 12
God gives knowledge to His devotees 10.10
Nobody can know the Reality........... 10.15
Everything is His manifestation......... 10.32
Creation is a small fraction of Māyā.. 10.42
11.
Vision of the Cosmic Form ............. 13
The vision of God is the aim of a
seeker 11.03
Lord
We are only a divine instrument........ 11.33
One may see God in any form........... 11.54
12.
Path of Devotion ............................. 14
Worship a personal or impersonal God? 12.02
The four paths to God....................... 12.08
KarmaYoga is the best way.............. 12.12
One should develop divine qualities.... 12.20
13.
Creation and the Creator................. 15
The theory of creation...................... 13.05
The fourfold noble truth ................... 13.08
God can be described only by parables 13.13
14.
Three Modes of Nature................... 16
Three modes bind the soul................ 14.05
Three modes and transmigration........ 14.14
Rising above the three modes............ 14.26
15.
The Supreme Person....................... 17
Creation is like a tree of Māyā.......... 15.01
How to attain salvation..... ….....……15.05
The supreme spirit, spirit, and beings.. 15.18
16.
Divine and the Demonic Qualities .. 18
A list of major divine qualities............ 16.01
There are only two types of humans.. 16.06
Three gates to hell............................ 16.21
Follow the scriptural injunctions …..…16.24
17.
Threefold Faith ............................... 19
Where
there is a will, there is a way.. 17.03
Three
types of sacrifices.................. 17.11
Austerity of thought, word, and deed. 17.14
Three types of
18.
Liberation Through Renunciation .. 20
Definition of renunciation and
sacrifice 18.02
The four goals of human life............. 18.34
Three types of pleasure.................... 18.38
The ultimate path to God................... 18.66
The highest service to God................ 18.68
The Grace of Gita............................ 18.70
THE BHAGAVAD-GITA
(The Sacred Song)
Fourth Revised
Edition
With Introduction, Original
Sanskrit Text and
Roman
Transliteration, A Lucid English
Rendition in two
colors, Paragraph
Headings, Guide for the Beginners
and Daily
with
Verses from Other
Religious Scriptures,
and
Index, 382
pages.
This hardcover edition may be pur
www.barnesandnoble.com (ISBN 0962 1099 24)
By Ramananda Prasad, Ph.D.
Published by the
International Gita Society
Worldwide
Acclaim for This Rendition
"....Just beautiful, so simple and clear. The universal
principles of the philosophy are filled with poetic grace and style. The or
---Swami Satyananda Devi Mandir,
"......Prasad’s deft renderings are elegantly simple,
easy to understand, and unencumbered by commentary. An ambitious work that will
be appreciated by all who study the Gita….’’
--- Hinduism Today
"....Explanations of the theory and philosophy of
selfless service has been so beautifully expounded…."
---Prof. S. Tilak,
" .... Judicious use of Sanskrit in the translation conveys
its majestic beauty to the reader. It is marked by simplicity, terseness, and
clarity and is devoid of superfluity. This book is refreshingly free from any
sectarian slant....."
--- Vedanta Kesari,
"....I personally find many translations tedious because
of complex structure and lack of brief definitions of certain Sanskrit words.
This translation is simply beautiful because it is beautifully simple."
--- Rev.
“…. every sincere translator of the Universal Gita should have Dr. Ramananda Prasad’s translation for constant reference. This rendition of Gita is original and authoritative. It is a concise reference tool for every seeker, and every translator. The Eternal Truth is plainly brought forward, and, at the same time the best and most easily read translation in English ....”
¾ Gsibbery,
“ …. American Gita Society now offers a
translation, rendering thought provoking delicacy for the s