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Perennial Psychology of the Bhagavad-Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most influential spiritual texts of ancient India. In Perennial Psychology of the Bhagavad Gita, Swami Rama makes this classic scripture accessible to all students by vividly drawing out the psychological concepts found within. The teachings in this book are based on the understanding that the outside world can be mastered only when one's inner potentials are systematically explored and realized. With the guidance and commentary of Himalayan Master Swami Rama, you can explore the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, which allows one to be vibrant and creative in the external world while maintaining a state of inner tranquility. This commentary on the Bhagavad Gita is a unique opportunity to see the Gita through the perspective of a master yogi, and is an excellent version for practitioners of yoga meditation. Spiritual seekers, psychotherapists, and students of Eastern studies will all find a storehouse of wisdom in this volume.
- GenresSpiritualityReligion
492 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 30, 2023
In one score years and ten, I have had the opportunity to study a number of commentaries, for instance by Swami Tapasyananda, Swami Aurobindo, Swami Chinmayananda, Srila Prabhupada, Swami Sivananda maharaj of Divine Life Society, and Paramahansa Yogananda, on the Bhagavad Gita; I should say, amongst all, Swami Rama's commentary on the scripture is one of the most accessible, and one that Western aspirants, who may not be acquainted with the Hindu philosophy, would love the most.
That, however, does not suggest that the rest of the other illustrious mahatmas' commentaries on the work do not measure up to the standard. All of them, save Srila Prabhupada's commentary, have an exalted and indispensable place in the Gita exegesis, without doubt. [Note: Srila Prabhupada's commentary on and translation of the Song of God (as Bhagavad Gita is commonly referred to) are not only, in my considered view, a shade bigoted but also quite inaccurate, unfortunately].
Swami Rama, the author of the celebrated work called "Living with the Himalayan Masters", in his Introduction to Perennial Psychology of the Bhagavad Gita, makes it clear to the reader that the Gita is not just a philosophy or spiritual book that can be "read" to acquire intellectual understanding and appreciation of the conversation between God and a man (in the work). E contra, it is a textbook of and for life that answers every question that crops up in the minds of simpletons, speculative thinkers, and people of all ages, notwithstanding whether they are psychotherapists, psychologists and people in the fields of modern sciences.
While the philosophy of the Occident is largely speculative and principally an intellectual pursuit, the Oriental philosophy is concerned only with the goal of human, and the ways to attain it, reasons Swami Rama in the Introduction. Expatiating upon this, he says, the Gita provides practical guidance for humanity in all ages.
I find the commentator's views in Chapter 12 very useful, informative and most important of all valuable. People who keep asking the rather pedestrian question "Why is there evil in this world?" should peruse Chapter 16:6-20, and Swami Rama's comments on the verses. The author's commentaries on 17:14-19, 18:37-39, 18:41-44, 18:47-48, 18:51, 18:56, 18:71 prove that Swami Rama is not some common-or-garden academician like Max Muller, or a sectarian like the Hare Krsnas; instead, a sage who had lived his life according to the dictates of the Gita.
The above verses have the answers to other perennial questions like:
1. What is happiness? [17:14-19]
2. What is the nature of things in life? [18:37-39]
3. How do we choose a job that suits us? [18:47-48]
4. Whom should we select for public offices? [18:47-48]
5. How to live in this world that has everything to contradict the words of sages and saints? [18:56]
6. If the Gita is such a valuable textbook why is it not everyone who reads it benefits from it? [18;71]
7. Division of Labour. [18:47-48]
8. Giving up and giving in [18:51]
Anyone who studies and peruses this commentary by a sage, who was an erstwhile Sankaracharya, will gain the confidence to take the bull of life by the horns.
That, however, does not suggest that the rest of the other illustrious mahatmas' commentaries on the work do not measure up to the standard. All of them, save Srila Prabhupada's commentary, have an exalted and indispensable place in the Gita exegesis, without doubt. [Note: Srila Prabhupada's commentary on and translation of the Song of God (as Bhagavad Gita is commonly referred to) are not only, in my considered view, a shade bigoted but also quite inaccurate, unfortunately].
Swami Rama, the author of the celebrated work called "Living with the Himalayan Masters", in his Introduction to Perennial Psychology of the Bhagavad Gita, makes it clear to the reader that the Gita is not just a philosophy or spiritual book that can be "read" to acquire intellectual understanding and appreciation of the conversation between God and a man (in the work). E contra, it is a textbook of and for life that answers every question that crops up in the minds of simpletons, speculative thinkers, and people of all ages, notwithstanding whether they are psychotherapists, psychologists and people in the fields of modern sciences.
While the philosophy of the Occident is largely speculative and principally an intellectual pursuit, the Oriental philosophy is concerned only with the goal of human, and the ways to attain it, reasons Swami Rama in the Introduction. Expatiating upon this, he says, the Gita provides practical guidance for humanity in all ages.
I find the commentator's views in Chapter 12 very useful, informative and most important of all valuable. People who keep asking the rather pedestrian question "Why is there evil in this world?" should peruse Chapter 16:6-20, and Swami Rama's comments on the verses. The author's commentaries on 17:14-19, 18:37-39, 18:41-44, 18:47-48, 18:51, 18:56, 18:71 prove that Swami Rama is not some common-or-garden academician like Max Muller, or a sectarian like the Hare Krsnas; instead, a sage who had lived his life according to the dictates of the Gita.
The above verses have the answers to other perennial questions like:
1. What is happiness? [17:14-19]
2. What is the nature of things in life? [18:37-39]
3. How do we choose a job that suits us? [18:47-48]
4. Whom should we select for public offices? [18:47-48]
5. How to live in this world that has everything to contradict the words of sages and saints? [18:56]
6. If the Gita is such a valuable textbook why is it not everyone who reads it benefits from it? [18;71]
7. Division of Labour. [18:47-48]
8. Giving up and giving in [18:51]
Anyone who studies and peruses this commentary by a sage, who was an erstwhile Sankaracharya, will gain the confidence to take the bull of life by the horns.
November 1, 2015
The best commentary on the Bhagavad Gita that I've encountered. It needs close reading, but repays the effort generously.
May 28, 2013
Bhagavad-Gita has many fragrance to offer and this is one of them :):):):):):)
October 5, 2024
I'm an athiest. But I wanna say that this is the best book I've read in my entire life, and I'm sure I will read this once every few years.
I usually feel fearless, but after reading this book, this makes you emotional strong enough to face anything!
Sorry if this feels like exaggeration, but I think I'm understating this.
Read this and FOLLOW this, you have nothing and no one to be afraid about!
I usually feel fearless, but after reading this book, this makes you emotional strong enough to face anything!
Sorry if this feels like exaggeration, but I think I'm understating this.
Read this and FOLLOW this, you have nothing and no one to be afraid about!
May 7, 2022
HUGE book - in volume & in depth. It may be a long read but totally worth it, for anyone who's on the path of self-discovery, and aiming to live a good life and deepen their spirituality. It was recommended to me by my mentor and yoga teacher, and I'm glad I took the courage to open it, and finish it, one page at a time. May want to re-read it as it's dense. Enjoy!
June 27, 2018
A solid interpretation, relevant for modern times
A timely and relevant translation of this classic, Swami Rama does an excellent job expressing Sanskrit in a modern context. The result is an easy to follow and highly relatable text. Enjoy!
A timely and relevant translation of this classic, Swami Rama does an excellent job expressing Sanskrit in a modern context. The result is an easy to follow and highly relatable text. Enjoy!
December 26, 2023
This commentary on the Bhagavad Gita is one I plan to read many times over. Herein lies a great wealth of insight and wisdom into this sacred text.
July 20, 2025
this book changed the whole perspective of my life and the way I approach
July 22, 2008
This book is an excellent translation and annotated version of the Bhagvad Gita. The psychology of religion is carefully described by Swami Rama as he takes a few verses at a time and helps to expand and clarify the text through his interpretation of this timeless wisdom. I read this throughout college, and then continued to draw on it in my first few years of teaching to relax and ground myself.
March 22, 2019
The best commentary on the Bhagavad Gita that I have ever read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews