THE BHAGAVAD GITA-A POETIC TRANSCREATION CUSTOMER REVIEWS

The Bhagavad Gita (The divine conversations)



Sipping as a humble bumble bee . . ., 13 Mar 2004
By Paula Marvelly (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews


Despite the fact that there are now 279 English translations of the 'Bhagavad Gita' in existence, Alan Jacob's own recently pubished edition is one of the most beautiful. A transcreation rather than a translation, the author has endeavoured to preserve the essence of the nondualist teachings (also known as Advaita Vedanta) interwoven in Hinduism's best known spiritual text as well as introduce his own poetic touch.
Literally meaning the 'Song of God', the 'Bhagavad Gita' recounts a key moment in the ancient Indian epic, the 'Mahabharata'. Set on the battlefield of Kurashetra between two rival royal households, Arjuna, leader of the Pandavas, is rendered impotent in the face of impending bloodshed. Krishna, Avatar and Arjuna's charioteer, thus takes the opportunity to deliver the Dharma or moral code. Indeed, the battle can be interpreted as an allegory of the inner warfare between dharma (harmony) and adharma (discord) within in all of us in the face of life's challenges and troubles.

Together with the author's 'Principal Upanishads', the profundity of this particular edition of the 'Bhagavad Gita' is owing to his accessible and yet exquisite poetry:

This epic Mahabharata
Is a bright blue water lily
Her Gita is the precious pollen;
Sipping as a humble bumble bee,
Relish her sweet nectar
And bathe yourself in her
Honey of Wisdom

Interspersed between the verses, the author offers interpretations of the text as well as cross references to other sages and writers of great wisdom. Jesus, Plato, Shakespeare and Schopenhauer amongst others reiterate the nondualist message - that ultimately, all is the Divine, all is One:

Why Arjuna should I reveal this!
It is enough to know
That upholding this Creation
With a piece
Of My Self, Consciousness,
Peace, Awreness,
I am That, I am.

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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
The bhagavad Gita, 12 Mar 2004
By A Customer

The most sublime and enlightening version ever published of this great spiritual work. Alan Jacobs can only be praised for his beautiful rendition of the Gita which takes the reader into the undersatnding and experience of non-duality.I would urge anybody to buy as many copies of this book as possible and give them to their friends. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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Inspirational, 6 Jul 2007
By Glyn Edwards - See all my reviews

I thought this translation of the Bhagavad Gita by Alan Jacobs was a beautiful poetic rendering of one of the great classics of spirituality. It was the sheer beauty of it that captured my mind. But I also enjoyed enormously the commentary, which was extremely insightful.

Jacob's commentary, which is not only based upon many of his own thoughts and reflections, but also those of Ramana Maharshi and Shankaracharya, made this translation delightful and inspiring, and brought out the devotional, philosophical and ultimate truths that the work aims to reveal.