Bhagavad Gita - good translation?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi everybody,

I want to purchase a translation (and maybe comment on) the Bhagavad Gita. However, as there is so many different translations out there with some very bad reviews (claiming they are severely biased) I am at a loss.
Can anyone suggest me a good translation with maybe a commentary or some form of interpretational guidance also?

Much appreciated…
oh… and if you also happen to be familiar with Eknath Easwaran’s translation of the Upanishads, I would very much be interested in your opinion on that, too. I am currently reading it and I wish I’d know whether it is considered a good translation or not.

Thanks a lot!
Namaste
Adisababa

#2

Abisababa,
You are quite correct that there are so many translations out there that it can be confusing to know which one to read.

For me, the most accessible modern translation of the Bhagavad Gita is found in Ramesh Menon's translation of the Mahabharata (in which the Bhagavad Gita is one part). There is no commentary but I like this version for its clarity and vividness.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mahabharata-Modern-Rendering-Ramesh-Menon/dp/8129104237/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231058547&sr=1-8

As for modern translations with commentary, I've been happy with The Living Gita: The Complete Bhagavad Gita with commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Gita-Complete-Bhagavad-Commentary/dp/0932040276/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

In any case, these are just my experiences which I hope you'll find helpful.

Namaste,

Kiran

#3

abisaba -
I am familiar with Eknath Easwarsn’s translation. I don’t know if its word for word a great translation but I have found that it is incredibly valuable in my life, as is the translation of the Gita that he has. I intend to do a study of the original sanskrit on the kathopanisad in the future and I will compare that with some other translations. I do love the way he has written it and made it accessible though - he is a beautiful man and all of his other works are beautiful too.

#4

[QUOTE=abisababa;15349]
I want to purchase a translation (and maybe comment on) the Bhagavad Gita. However, as there is so many different translations out there with some very bad reviews (claiming they are severely biased) [/QUOTE]

In India all the dualistic, quasi monistic & pure monistic schools refer to Bhagavad Gita to prove their standpoint & they have translated B.G. as per their views.

I’ll give you an example:

Chapter 13, Verse 13:

Dualist translation
"I shall now explain the knowable, knowing which you will taste the eternal. Brahman, the spirit, beginningless and subordinate to ME, lies beyond the cause and effect of this material world".

same verse translated by monists:
“I shall now explain that which is to be known, realizing which the nectar of immortality is attained; that reality is eternal having ME as the supreme, beyond cause, beyond effect and designated as Brahman the ultimate truth.”

How you perceive and interpret B.G. depends on your level of consciousness.

The coin example given by Neil in the thread happiness/duality will help you choose the right version.