Gita is/isn't sacred

[Gaura Priya]

The translation by Srila Prabhupada is way different then all the other translation that I have read. I have read translations from a Shakta Swami, two swamis from the Ramakrishna order, Smarta Swami, a Western Indianologist, and Western Yogi. All of them for the most part are the same and differ from Srila Prabhupada version of it. I am not familiar enough with the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition to know if he is on the mark from there point of view. I would not trash it but I will say I prefer other translations of this scripture.

I always feel that I have to defend his commentary, of which I myself do not follow, but anyways...

Srila Prabhupada's Gita-bhashya was good for its time. He elucidated much of his theology from traditional Vaishnava saints and theologians, namely from Baladeva Vidyabhushana in the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage, as well as quoting from both Smrti and Shruti to show that his opinion was also found in the Scriptures.

Yes, he does make comments that may be less endearing, but do remember that he was raised with very Victorian values. Putting that kind of English education along with Vaishnavism being generally more snobbish than the other sects of Hinduism, I can understand that some may be rubbed off negatively.

However, as a testament of Srila Prabhupada's time and historicity, as well as his traditional Gaudiya Vaishnava understanding, that Krishna is the Supreme Lord, etc. is completely accurate. The reason why he named it 'As It Is' is simply because Vaishnavism sees the Gita as essentially a Vaishnava Scripture eliciting the Supremacy of Vishnu/Krishna over all.

Personally? I follow more Srila Sridhar Maharaj's translation of the Gita: The Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute. http://www.scsmathglobal.com/media/CSM_PDF/gita.pdf

The introduction is very beautiful, and as a Vaishnava translation, I recommend it be given at least one read-through!

 

[Gaura Priya]

I agree with others when they say that translation makes the book. I have read Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching, and very much liked it, therefore I imagine that his translation of the Gita would also be good. The translation I have has been highly praised by various people, but it is in my car right now and I cant for the life of me remember the translators name. I just remember it was translated by a woman.

I don't like Stephen Mitchell's translations, as I have read both his Dao De Jing and the Gita from him.

I prefer reading a translation from those who have some reverence and appreciation for the Gita, since that in itself is reflected in the translator. Regardless of Srila Prabhupada's Vaishnava fundamentalism (regards to women particularly; the theology is still accurate in itself) reflected in his commentary, his *actual* translation is very beautiful.

 

[Jainarayan]

The translation by Srila Prabhupada is way different then all the other translation that I have read.

I have the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads by Eknath Easwaran. He was recommended as one of the best. I don't remember who my copy of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto X is by. Chances are the translation is by Srila Prabhupada. He seems to have the market cornered on translations of it.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Personally? I follow more Srila Sridhar Maharaj's translation of the Gita: The Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute. http://www.scsmathglobal.com/media/CSM_PDF/gita.pdf

The introduction is very beautiful, and as a Vaishnava translation, I recommend it be given at least one read-through!

Thanks I will look it over.

 

[chinu]

but it is a relief for me that I do not have to.

Thankyou...

 

[Jainarayan]

I have the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads by Eknath Easwaran. He was recommended as one of the best. I don't remember who my copy of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto X is by. Chances are the translation is by Srila Prabhupada. He seems to have the market cornered on translations of it.

For curiosity's and accuracy's sake I checked my copies:

Mahabharata & Ramayana - William Buck.
Bhagavad Gita & Upanishads - Eknath Easwaran.
Srimad Bhagavatam - Edwin Bryant.

 

[Gaura Priya]

For curiosity's and accuracy's sake I checked my copies:

Mahabharata & Ramayana - William Buck.
Bhagavad Gita & Upanishads - Eknath Easwaran.
Srimad Bhagavatam - Edwin Bryant.

I prefer Krishna Dharma's Mahabharata and Ramayana... it's more elaborate, and brings the spirit of Vaishavism into the texts. I've skimmed through other versions of the Ramayana, and they just don't do justice to it.

Eknath Easwaran is a nice writer and translator though. I do appreciate his style.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

For curiosity's and accuracy's sake I checked my copies:

Mahabharata & Ramayana - William Buck.
Bhagavad Gita & Upanishads - Eknath Easwaran.
Srimad Bhagavatam - Edwin Bryant.

I love the Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagavatam and Ramayana translated by Kamala Subramaniam.

They are very popular translations. Abridged, but includes more than enough detail from the long original epics. The Mahabharata is 781 pages long.

For any thing unabridged I like to go with anything from the Gita press. They are seen as having the highest standards.

Some stuff is on line for free. :clap
Online Hindu Spiritual Books,Hinduism Holy Books,Hindu Religious Books,Bhagwat Gita Books India

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

This is a great study Gita.

Bhagavad Gita: The Scripture of Mankind
translated by Swami Tapasyananda
533 pages, Indian paperback
ISBN 978-81-7823-096-2 $5.95

Bhagavad Gita | Books on Hinduism and Spirituality at Vedanta Press and Catalog

 

[Jainarayan]

I prefer Krishna Dharma's Mahabharata and Ramayana... it's more elaborate, and brings the spirit of Vaishavism into the texts. I've skimmed through other versions of the Ramayana, and they just don't do justice to it.

I haven't been exposed to enough yet to make any informed judgments or preferences. All I know is to stay away from anything by Wendy Doniger, even if it's a map of New Jersey.

Eknath Easwaran is a nice writer and translator though. I do appreciate his style.

Yes, I went with him because some other people recommended him, as well as Bryant and Buck.

When I quote the Gita on-line, however, I use Srila Prabhupada's on-line version The Bhagavad Gita with Commentaries of Ramanuja, Madhva, Shankara and Others. It's the only one that allows copy/paste. From what I've seen, the text is only slightly different from others.

Yet, in this commentary Bhagavad Gita 9.26 unless I am missing something I don't see a contradiction between Srila Prabhupada and Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur. They seem to be saying the same thing:

"Krishna accepts even a little flower from His pure devotee. He does not want any kind of offering from a nondevotee. He is not in need of anything from anyone, because He is self-sufficient, and yet He accepts the offering of His devotee in an exchange of love and affection." Srila Prabhupada

"I accept that which is offered by the process of devotion from whoever offers by the process of devotion." ... Thus, I do not accept what is offered by persons who are not my devotees with only some temporary devotion. But whatever my devotee gives, I enjoy in a suitable way (asnami). ... It is not given because someone told him to offer it, but it is given out of love." Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur

 

[Jainarayan]

I love the Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagavatam and Ramayana translated by Kamala Subramaniam.

They are very popular translations. Abridged, but includes more than enough detail from the long original epics. The Mahabharata is 781 pages long.

For any thing unabridged I like to go with anything from the Gita press. They are seen as having the highest standards.

Some stuff is on line for free. :clap
Online Hindu Spiritual Books,Hinduism Holy Books,Hindu Religious Books,Bhagwat Gita Books India

Thanks. :namaste I'll have to look into this link. I don't have any problem with having multiple copies of scriptures. To be perfectly confessional, I have been reading synopses of the Srimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharata and Ramayana on line. I think an abridged version or synopsis, as long as it's not butchered, is welcome. I don't know if I need to or want to read 100,000 verses that include every utterance of the participants, as long as the true spirit of the epic is there.

 

[DeviChaaya]

I haven't been exposed to enough yet to make any informed judgments or preferences. All I know is to stay away from anything by Wendy Doniger, even if it's a map of New Jersey.

Or her students. Stay away from that woman's disciples. Because everything in Sanatana Dharma is sex, sex, sex, dontcha know?

It's disgusting.

 

[Jainarayan]

I learned about her @ HDF. I was soundly and politely (shock, huh? ) dissuaded from reading her.

 

[Pineblossom]

I learned about her @ HDF. I was soundly and politely (shock, huh? ) dissuaded from reading her.

Just as an aside - I moved from HDF as some of the stuff there was highly questionable.

 

[Jainarayan]

Just as an aside - I moved from HDF as some of the stuff there was highly questionable.

Yes, I recognize your name from there. A few people have fled. I toy with the idea myself. This site is far more open and even light-hearted and downright fun and irreverent. It's probably not cool to dog another site, so I'l lleave it at that.

 

[Gaura Priya]

I haven't been exposed to enough yet to make any informed judgments or preferences. All I know is to stay away from anything by Wendy Doniger, even if it's a map of New Jersey.



Yes, I went with him because some other people recommended him, as well as Bryant and Buck.

When I quote the Gita on-line, however, I use Srila Prabhupada's on-line version The Bhagavad Gita with Commentaries of Ramanuja, Madhva, Shankara and Others. It's the only one that allows copy/paste. From what I've seen, the text is only slightly different from others.

Yet, in this commentary Bhagavad Gita 9.26 unless I am missing something I don't see a contradiction between Srila Prabhupada and Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur. They seem to be saying the same thing:

"Krishna accepts even a little flower from His pure devotee. He does not want any kind of offering from a nondevotee. He is not in need of anything from anyone, because He is self-sufficient, and yet He accepts the offering of His devotee in an exchange of love and affection." Srila Prabhupada

"I accept that which is offered by the process of devotion from whoever offers by the process of devotion." ... Thus, I do not accept what is offered by persons who are not my devotees with only some temporary devotion. But whatever my devotee gives, I enjoy in a suitable way (asnami). ... It is not given because someone told him to offer it, but it is given out of love." Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur

Meh. I'm not sure what the other sampradayas do, but in general bhasyas on shastra generally try to not change what the former acharyas write, and perhaps elaborate on the text for its applicableness in this age.

Srila Prahbupada's Gita bhashya is actually based on our earlier acharya, Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana, who was also quite stiff and full of emphasis on rules and regulations, lol. However, Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura tended to accent the hidden purports of madhurya-rasa (relationship of intimate love and affection with God). You will see, if you have a hard copy of Srila Prabhupada's Gita As It Is, you will see that in the beginning he gives a dedication to Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana.

If you want a beautiful, new Gita with a fresh and highly intellectual Gita translation, this would be it: Sri Caitanya Sanga store

Srimad Bhagavad Gita: Its Feeling And Philosophy, is translated and elucidated by Gaudiya Vaishnava guru, Tripurari Swami. He is in the traditional line of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, and is tolerant of all beings, whether woman or man, black or white, gay or straight. He has even given blessings to same-sex couples, and is a very intellectual and well-articulated.

 

[Jainarayan]

Meh. I'm not sure what the other sampradayas do, but in general bhasyas on shastra generally try to not change what the former acharyas write, and perhaps elaborate on the text for its applicableness in this age.

Srila Prahbupada's Gita bhashya is actually based on our earlier acharya, Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana, who was also quite stiff and full of emphasis on rules and regulations, lol. However, Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura tended to accent the hidden purports of madhurya-rasa (relationship of intimate love and affection with God). You will see, if you have a hard copy of Srila Prabhupada's Gita As It Is, you will see that in the beginning he gives a dedication to Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana.

If you want a beautiful, new Gita with a fresh and highly intellectual Gita translation, this would be it: Sri Caitanya Sanga store

Srimad Bhagavad Gita: Its Feeling And Philosophy, is translated and elucidated by Gaudiya Vaishnava guru, Tripurari Swami. He is in the traditional line of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, and is tolerant of all beings, whether woman or man, black or white, gay or straight. He has even given blessings to same-sex couples, and is a very intellectual and well-articulated.

Very interesting and enlightening. Thanks. :namaste

 

[Vinayaka]

Rule # 9 here.

 

[Jainarayan]

Rule # 9 here.

That's why I stopped where I did.

 

[ratikala]

Unfortunately my first encounter with the Gita was 'As It Is' and that has seriously tainted my view of it.

dear divine kala ,

I am sorry to hear that any encounter with such a precious book as the bhagavad gita has in any way been offputting for anyone .

Allthough I must say that I am not surprised ,
I my self fond some of prabhupadas purports went of in a direction that I had not quite expected , and one could say were in some respects hard line .
but I began to veiw the "bhagavad gita as it is " in a very different light when I did more reasearch into indian cultural history , and my understanding of the tradition of sanatana dharma had increased .

without wishing to be disrespectfull to the translator of any particular version, I have allways veiwed any rendition or attempt to explain each verse in isolation as simply a single aspect of the multi faceted meaning ,
however that does not mean that any discorse given is without worth , but that each is often very relevant to time place and circumstance .

I think that reading srila prabhupadas bhagavd gita without being given that transmition in the correct context , could without doubt be missleading , it is a translation for serious adherents , and it needs to be explained quite why he took the hard line approach that he did ,

While I have not read much of either, I also have the commentaries by Gandhi and Sri Aurobindo. From what I have read of both I like how they view it and dissect it.

from my perspective it is invaluable to keep many different translations as I find it facinating to compare the way in which they are presented , and if in doubt of any translation or sence of meaning infered I enjoy reading it from different understandings .

I do use "bhagavad gita as it is" quite a lot purely because I find it free from poetic licence , and having the sanskrit text with transliteration along side the translated verse I find very helpfull .

one thing that softens my feelings towards any apparent rigidity in srila prabhupadas writing is that he took the subject of the gitopanisad so seriously that he was ardently against any trivialisation of the gita , and vehemently against the promotion of the gita as a marvel of clasical literature , and objected strongly to the translation of such a sacred text by mere sanskrit schoolars insisting that the gita should be translated by devotees of the lord , and saw it his duty to translate and deliver the vedic knowledge to the west , and to this task he gave his life in service to the wish of his own guru , such dedication is something that goes beyond the understanding of most mortals .

however I hold to the opinion that all sincere renditions are of some value and are of use to different mindsets of person .



continuing later ....