As It Is: Bhagavad-gita (Hardcover)

It comes in both english and sanskrit with roman transliteration to assits with pronunciation, which proves extremely useful in helping to understand the text and allows you to appreciate the flow and delivery of the text, and purports after each verse help to build an image of the proceedings of the battle while giving key historical references that help your understanding of the Gita.

The translation is somewhat literal and lacks an aspect of poetry, but the meanings are clear and easy to appreciate and this version clearly deserves 5 stars.

There is also a very useful glossary in the back to help you understanding of the terms used in the Gita and some of the historical references. It is well worth looking up some of these references as there are striking similarities in some scientific findings and the hindu mythology.

After reading the Gita every other book seems mundane. You just seem to want more and more from the author. Bhagavad Gita is great but this author really tells us in simple and straight forward language. He seems to be selfless and very sincere in his writing. I have read it once and am on my second round. And I find something new each time. I can see myself reading this book all my life again and again. Sometimes when I need an answer its in this book. And I feel more spiritual and happier too. There are so many books out there which claim to do so much to help make us happy and understand ourselves, life etc. But book seems to do everything. With so much going on in the world..so many changes..terrorism...crime, depression etc this book really opens your eye into what is going on and how we can stay afloat of all such problems and anxieties. It teaches us the essence of Yoga. Who we are. Who is God. Our relationship with each other and our relationship with God. It has done so much for me and for millions of others. I can go on for ages talking about it. Not just how it has helped me and how much I like it but just discussing the phylisophy and book itself. WOW. Go ahead and try this book.

Here is a breakdown of all the chapters.

1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra
2: Contents of the Gita Summarized
3: Karma-yoga
4: Transcendental Knowledge
5: Karma-yoga--Action in Krsna Consciousness
6: Sankhya-yoga
7: Knowledge of the Absolute
8: Attaining the Supreme
9: The Most Confidential Knowledge
10:The Opulence of the Absolute
11:The Universal Form
12:Devotional Service
13:Nature, the Enjoyer, and Consciousness
14:The Three Modes Of Material Nature
15:The Yoga of the Supreme Person
16:The Divine And Demoniac Natures
17:The Divisions of Faith
18:Conclusion--The Perfection of Renunciation

After buying this book I looked into other books from this author. All look great so I went and purchased them all (Including the 18 Volume Srimad Bhagavatam). Anyway, read the Gita for now. I heard the editor wrote over 70 books in 11 years. Amazing work. Hope you enjoy reading this masterpiece.