The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita: An Introduction to India's Universal Science of God-realization

by Paramahansa Yogananda

With penetrating insight, Paramahansa Yogananda sheds a clarifying light on the deeper meaning of the Bhagavad Gita's symbology, and the true intent of India's timeless and universal scripture. He shows how the warriors doing battle on the field of Kurukshetra represent the negative tendencies of the human ego pitted against the divine qualities of the soul, and how the science of Yoga can help us achieve the joy of material and spiritual victory on the battlefield of daily life. An inspiring and concise introduction to the spiritual truths of India's most beloved scripture, these selections from Yogananda's critically acclaimed two-volume translation of and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita ( God Talks With Arjuna ) explain the step-by-step methods of yoga meditation and right action to achieve union with Spirit and ultimate liberation. Features Paramahansa Yogananda's original translation of the Bhagavad Gita for the first time in sequential form. Topics include:
- Using self-analysis and introspection for continuous personal growth
- Yoga methods for creating a life of peace and inner harmony
- Understanding the psychological forces that help - and those that hinder - spiritual progress
- Creating an ideal balance of material and spiritual goals
- How to experience the deeper states of meditation and divine illumination.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, India, Hinduism, Theology

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Paramahansa Yogananda (Bengali: পরমহংস যোগানন্দ Pôromohôngsho Joganondo, Sanskrit: परमहंस योगानं‍द Paramahaṃsa Yogānaṃda), born Mukunda Lal Ghosh (Bengali: মুকুন্দ লাল ঘোষ Mukundo Lal Ghosh), was an Indian yogi and guru who introduced many westerners to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his book, Autobiography of a Yogi .

Reviews

[Mike S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third Yogananda book and every book is outstanding. I just started doing an exercise he taught and it works surprisingly well!!! Yogananda was an incredible man who was really spiritually developed and aware, and every question I had from reading the Bible, which I found very confusing, is answered in his books. And for me his books are a welcome breather from the concerns of the modern world. I recommend him for people who grew up Christian and confused - as I did, or for people who want a meditation practice that will really work for them.

[pemondelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

En este caso, Paramahansa Yogananda, el gran maestro espirtitual y yogi, nos hace un resumen de su extensa interpretación del Bhagavad Gita. Su (en castellano tres tomos) "Dios habla con Arjuna: el Bhagavad Gita" es una lectura obligada para todo amante de la religión, en especial de la religión hindú y de sus enseñanzas milenarias a través de los rishis, sabios iluminados.
Las enseñanzas contenidas en el Bhagavad Gita son imperecederas, pero la interpretación que el gran maestro hace de ellas nos llevan más allá, esclareciendo puntos, ideas y alegorías, desnudándolas hasta que nos queda un texto entendible y utilizable por el neófito.
Es una buena idea empezar por aquí si se quiere ahondar más profundo leyendo los tres tomos publicados.

[Fidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just speechless, it’s an AMAZING book! Definitely a must, it’s a book to have next to your bed for regular consultation. The whole spiritual path is written in the simplest way posible.

[Savan Vyas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but tough translation

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite translation of the Gita so far!

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A challenging read first time around. I'll read it again. I found the Eknath Easwaran translation a little easier.

[Zak Farrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

My introduction to the Bhagavad Gita - very eloquently translated - conveyed the love song in its beauty and esscence, while easily communicating the deeper concepts of the Self and Realization.

Before the actual Gita text begins, Paramahansa Yogananda covers many of the tenets of Yoga, Self-Realization and much of the allegory depicted in the War of Kurukshetra.

Highly recommended for anyone curious about Yoga, the nature of Reality, spirituality, eastern philosophy and genuine lovers of God.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book hard to read initially and have left it and returned to it a few times. I have now read it twice and the more my yoga journey unfolds the more I understand it. I think this is the essence of the Bhagavad Gita anyway and the more self realisation you uncover the more you understand of it.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very accessible and clear introduction to the Gita.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff. Interesting notes on translations here and there. Will read again and again, I'm sure.

[Brennan Macfarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Was good and really really good good good good good good good good good good good good good better best gratitude

[Guilherme M Porto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful commentary by master Paramahansa Yogananda, combining practical daily life perceptions, yoga concepts and basic hinduism to his own interpretation of the Gita.

[Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great translation. First time I've read it so has taken a while as I wanted to let each chapter sink in. Will come back to this, and will pursue other translations - a quote I heard the other day 'I have studied 38 different translations of the Gita - none of them were exactly the same'