What do you think?
Bhagavad Gita - Volume 1 By Acharya Prashant
The Bhagavad Gita is special because it is narrated in a very worldly, very practical setting.
Bhagavad Gita is not guru sitting under a shady banyan tree in the tranquil silence of a holy jungle, sermonising to some pliant, obedient, willing student. Neither is the setting tranquil at all, nor is the sermon academic at all, and least of all is the student pliant and willing. It's a real-life setting in which you do not have the luxury of a formal podium, a formal appointment, a formal code of conduct. It's the war chariot, not the temple. There are armies around, not silent idyllic trees and cute animals, and the one being spoken to is a biased, emotional and unwilling listener, not some keen student.
The outcome of the conversation would decide actively the fate of many million residents of the kingdom, not merely get entered academically in some pages of another holy book. Life and death depend on this discourse in the literal sense, not just figuratively. Literally, life and death depend on this discourse. Therefore, this discourse has so much potency.
Arjuna is a real-life student, not the ideal disciple. Therefore, Krishna’s persuasion has cutting-edge mastery. If you are preaching to the converted, how much forcefulness do you need? Nothing. But here, you see that Krishna has to be at his not merely godly, but actually tactical best. Arjuna is forcing Krishna to be at his best because Arjuna is such a reluctant listener. And therefore, that which is now proceeding from Krishna is extremely charged and potent. Nothing less than words of the highest intensity and highest potency would do because Arjuna is almost wrestling with Krishna; therefore, Krishna has to exercise and demonstrate all his power.
You very well know how at one point Krishna actually has to demonstrate his own immense form, Virāṭ-rūpa to Arjuna—why is that needed? Because Arjuna is one tough nut to crack, and that's why the Gita is special. It is spoken to someone who is caught in emotionality; it is spoken to someone who doesn't want to listen; it is spoken to someone who has to be convinced to fight and kill his own kith and kin. To fire on your own blood your own relatives is no easy job, or is it?
Therefore, it is no Aṣṭāvakra preaching to a Janaka; therefore, it is no Yājñavalkya-Gārgī Saṃvāda; therefore, it is not even Nāchiketa speaking to Yama! It is something that has an extra edge of intensity and quality to it. Krishna is facing a real-life challenge. Arjuna has to be convinced and converted in real time, right now! “Do it right now. Do it right now, else Duryodhana gets a walkover. Do you want to give that mean chap a walkover? Do you?” Look at the urgency of the situation. That's what makes the Gita special.
Bhagavad Gita is not guru sitting under a shady banyan tree in the tranquil silence of a holy jungle, sermonising to some pliant, obedient, willing student. Neither is the setting tranquil at all, nor is the sermon academic at all, and least of all is the student pliant and willing. It's a real-life setting in which you do not have the luxury of a formal podium, a formal appointment, a formal code of conduct. It's the war chariot, not the temple. There are armies around, not silent idyllic trees and cute animals, and the one being spoken to is a biased, emotional and unwilling listener, not some keen student.
The outcome of the conversation would decide actively the fate of many million residents of the kingdom, not merely get entered academically in some pages of another holy book. Life and death depend on this discourse in the literal sense, not just figuratively. Literally, life and death depend on this discourse. Therefore, this discourse has so much potency.
Arjuna is a real-life student, not the ideal disciple. Therefore, Krishna’s persuasion has cutting-edge mastery. If you are preaching to the converted, how much forcefulness do you need? Nothing. But here, you see that Krishna has to be at his not merely godly, but actually tactical best. Arjuna is forcing Krishna to be at his best because Arjuna is such a reluctant listener. And therefore, that which is now proceeding from Krishna is extremely charged and potent. Nothing less than words of the highest intensity and highest potency would do because Arjuna is almost wrestling with Krishna; therefore, Krishna has to exercise and demonstrate all his power.
You very well know how at one point Krishna actually has to demonstrate his own immense form, Virāṭ-rūpa to Arjuna—why is that needed? Because Arjuna is one tough nut to crack, and that's why the Gita is special. It is spoken to someone who is caught in emotionality; it is spoken to someone who doesn't want to listen; it is spoken to someone who has to be convinced to fight and kill his own kith and kin. To fire on your own blood your own relatives is no easy job, or is it?
Therefore, it is no Aṣṭāvakra preaching to a Janaka; therefore, it is no Yājñavalkya-Gārgī Saṃvāda; therefore, it is not even Nāchiketa speaking to Yama! It is something that has an extra edge of intensity and quality to it. Krishna is facing a real-life challenge. Arjuna has to be convinced and converted in real time, right now! “Do it right now. Do it right now, else Duryodhana gets a walkover. Do you want to give that mean chap a walkover? Do you?” Look at the urgency of the situation. That's what makes the Gita special.
- GenresSpiritualityPhilosophy
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 10, 2026
One of the most disappointing books I’ve bought. I couldn’t even finish the first chapter because the writing felt painfully repetitive, unnecessarily stretched, and exhausting to read. It seemed like simple ideas were being explained over and over instead of getting to the point.
I picked it up expecting something thought-provoking and engaging, but it came across as more of a lengthy monologue than a book that holds the reader’s attention. It felt like reading pages of explanation without enough substance to justify the length.
This book simply wasn’t for me, and I regret spending money on it. If you’re looking for a concise, accessible, and engaging read, I’d suggest reading a sample first before buying.
I picked it up expecting something thought-provoking and engaging, but it came across as more of a lengthy monologue than a book that holds the reader’s attention. It felt like reading pages of explanation without enough substance to justify the length.
This book simply wasn’t for me, and I regret spending money on it. If you’re looking for a concise, accessible, and engaging read, I’d suggest reading a sample first before buying.
June 21, 2026
I like the way he has written the gita and the focus on self realization. But some parts he has brought in controversial political topics and out an emphasis on it too much juest for flare and due to this being more of a spiritual book it seems more like broad thoughted. Also the informal language and blaming the person reading felt a bit strange, it also seems he has brought in western angry perspective on it a little as well. Overall the book was good since it covered all the topics hindu philsophy discuss but I'd still pick S Radhakrishnan's version anyday.
October 26, 2025
Bhagwad Geeta is said to be the essence of vedant but only after reading it I am now slowly understanding it.
January 20, 2026
Fabulous book!
April 5, 2023
Everything you know about spirituality is wrong. It has nothing to do with spirits, ghosts, energy or any other superstitions.
It is a must read And I am not adding "Must" just as a filler here. Read this book and you can skip everything in self-help section.
This is not to say that it is a self-help book, albeit an ultimate one. I want to be clear that book is not about self-improvement. Improvement might come as side-effect, but Gita’s focus is self-annihilation.
**How I came to this book:** Most of my life, I have identified myself as a rational skeptic. So most of the time, I remained averse to word "Spirituality" and even feel cringe when someone mentions it.
But then why did I pick this particular book?
I discovered Acharya Prashant through Twitter, and he was popping a lot on my timeline as a sponsored content. My initial impression was that he is just another Baba type of person, so I ignored it. But then I watched some of his videos and I realized that he seems a logical and knowledgeable person. So, I ordered this book and after reading the first chapter, I was mind blown.
**What is so special about this book?**
Everything I thought I knew about spirituality is wrong. Most of the time, spirituality is linked with something related to spirits, ghosts, or any other superstitions.
Let's discuss some of the ideas of psychology in this book. Considering this book is over a thousands years old, the relevance that you can see in its message is astonishing.
The first chapter is about the 1 verse 30. Arjuna says that he is not able to stand firmly, and his mind seems to be wearing. The meaning of 'wearing' refers to Arjuna feeling uncertain about fighting his own brothers.
The way this book discusses this is unique. Generally, we consider that for doing the right thing, we need to be in the right frame of mind. or we need to have certain talents. And we have a similar notion about the spirituality of spiritual gurus that they are all-powerful beings that can destroy all the evils in the world by moving a finger.
So, we put our hero in such a high regard and then declare that because he is a superhero, I cannot reach that level. It's like we create a superhero image that is so distant that no relationship is possible between you and the image, so you safely continue with your rotten ways.
"So, you are asking, is it possible to act rightly with trembling hands? Krishna says that you can act rightly only with trembling hands. It is the hallmark of right action that it would require all of your courage.
It's never easy for anyone, even for a prophet, saint, soldier, or scientist.
So, if someone asks whether I should wait to become perfect before taking the right action, my answer is no. Your resistance to the truth will drop only when you commit to yourself that you will stay with the truth, in spite of the resistance.
Cont.
It is a must read And I am not adding "Must" just as a filler here. Read this book and you can skip everything in self-help section.
This is not to say that it is a self-help book, albeit an ultimate one. I want to be clear that book is not about self-improvement. Improvement might come as side-effect, but Gita’s focus is self-annihilation.
**How I came to this book:** Most of my life, I have identified myself as a rational skeptic. So most of the time, I remained averse to word "Spirituality" and even feel cringe when someone mentions it.
But then why did I pick this particular book?
I discovered Acharya Prashant through Twitter, and he was popping a lot on my timeline as a sponsored content. My initial impression was that he is just another Baba type of person, so I ignored it. But then I watched some of his videos and I realized that he seems a logical and knowledgeable person. So, I ordered this book and after reading the first chapter, I was mind blown.
**What is so special about this book?**
Everything I thought I knew about spirituality is wrong. Most of the time, spirituality is linked with something related to spirits, ghosts, or any other superstitions.
Let's discuss some of the ideas of psychology in this book. Considering this book is over a thousands years old, the relevance that you can see in its message is astonishing.
The first chapter is about the 1 verse 30. Arjuna says that he is not able to stand firmly, and his mind seems to be wearing. The meaning of 'wearing' refers to Arjuna feeling uncertain about fighting his own brothers.
The way this book discusses this is unique. Generally, we consider that for doing the right thing, we need to be in the right frame of mind. or we need to have certain talents. And we have a similar notion about the spirituality of spiritual gurus that they are all-powerful beings that can destroy all the evils in the world by moving a finger.
So, we put our hero in such a high regard and then declare that because he is a superhero, I cannot reach that level. It's like we create a superhero image that is so distant that no relationship is possible between you and the image, so you safely continue with your rotten ways.
"So, you are asking, is it possible to act rightly with trembling hands? Krishna says that you can act rightly only with trembling hands. It is the hallmark of right action that it would require all of your courage.
It's never easy for anyone, even for a prophet, saint, soldier, or scientist.
So, if someone asks whether I should wait to become perfect before taking the right action, my answer is no. Your resistance to the truth will drop only when you commit to yourself that you will stay with the truth, in spite of the resistance.
Cont.
September 1, 2024
Very well explained...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews