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Basics of Bhagavad-gita: A Thematic Study of Bhagavad-gita
Unravel the philosophy of life and the spiritual essence of the Bhagavad Gita in a simplified and systematic manner with this introductory guide. Succinct text coupled with basic diagrams and colorful paintings illustrates abstruse concepts such as the soul, karma, destiny, God, Yoga, teacher and many more. This transcendental knowledge can be implemented in daily life to rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
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739 people want to read
About the author
A.C. Bhaktivedanta
814 books710 followersHis Divine Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (अभय चरणारविन्द भक्तिवेदान्त स्वामी प्रभुपाद)was born as Abhay Charan De on 1 September 1896 in Calcutta, India.
He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent devotional scholar and the founder of sixty-four branches of Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad, he became his formally initiated disciple.
At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita and in 1944, without assistance, started an English fortnightly magazine.
In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that have took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.
He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent devotional scholar and the founder of sixty-four branches of Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad, he became his formally initiated disciple.
At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita and in 1944, without assistance, started an English fortnightly magazine.
In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that have took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 18, 2020
I believe the most interesting thing about this book is how I got to own it and at this point, I feel like I must share the story.
About a year ago when I was walking home from work I spotted an unconscious man who fell off his bike on the ground next to the sidewalk. Of course, I called the ambulance but when they came, they said they couldn't take the bike with them so I gave them my phone number and took the bike with me to hold onto it. I knew it was going to get stolen if I would have just left it there. A few weeks pass and I finally get a call from a person saying they found my phone number in their jacket pocket and I asked them if he was the man I helped call an ambulance for. We met up, I returned his bike and as gratitude, he gave me this book. Now isn't that some kind of karma?
I'm always interested in reading about different beliefs and this book explores a religion I have not looked too much into previously. Interestingly it does not deny other belief systems but shrugs them off as being created for a certain time period and a certain type of civilization to help them cope.
I must say the book made me think about myself and the universe but as a modern reader, I detected many instances of manipulation throughout.
You are supposed to stop seeking knowledge as that is a thing of the material world, become a submissive listener, and hear about the religion from a bona fide representative or a spiritual master.
Knowledge, money, and work are no good because they are a thing of the material world which we essentially don't belong to and that's why we should all stop everything, meditate, accept the supreme god into our hearts, and upon death teleport to him.
We should not listen to bodies and their discomfort as they are not us. We are only the spirit residing in them.
If there's anyone out there reading this review who wants to correct me, please do. I'm always interested in hearing what other people have to say and how they think.
Still an interesting short read.
About a year ago when I was walking home from work I spotted an unconscious man who fell off his bike on the ground next to the sidewalk. Of course, I called the ambulance but when they came, they said they couldn't take the bike with them so I gave them my phone number and took the bike with me to hold onto it. I knew it was going to get stolen if I would have just left it there. A few weeks pass and I finally get a call from a person saying they found my phone number in their jacket pocket and I asked them if he was the man I helped call an ambulance for. We met up, I returned his bike and as gratitude, he gave me this book. Now isn't that some kind of karma?
I'm always interested in reading about different beliefs and this book explores a religion I have not looked too much into previously. Interestingly it does not deny other belief systems but shrugs them off as being created for a certain time period and a certain type of civilization to help them cope.
I must say the book made me think about myself and the universe but as a modern reader, I detected many instances of manipulation throughout.
You are supposed to stop seeking knowledge as that is a thing of the material world, become a submissive listener, and hear about the religion from a bona fide representative or a spiritual master.
Knowledge, money, and work are no good because they are a thing of the material world which we essentially don't belong to and that's why we should all stop everything, meditate, accept the supreme god into our hearts, and upon death teleport to him.
We should not listen to bodies and their discomfort as they are not us. We are only the spirit residing in them.
If there's anyone out there reading this review who wants to correct me, please do. I'm always interested in hearing what other people have to say and how they think.
Still an interesting short read.
December 17, 2021
Beyond the blatant misogyny, this short book basically promotes an uncareful, unquestioned faith, without offering any sort of foundational justification for anything that it says.
February 10, 2017
Are you happy in life?!! Why do you pursue something so hard and when you finally get it, you don't feel as happy as you hoped?!! Why do we all know that we are going to die someday but live like we never will?!! I have been told that life's like that. But is it really? Why are we born? Why do we die? What happens between death and birth? This quick-read book summarizes the Bhagavad Gita and answers these questions. A fantastic primer to the deep Sanathana Dharma philosophy.
June 9, 2022
A must read for all bhakti yogis.
February 21, 2023
Eye opening first read into Hinduism. Thanks random person on the streets of Brussels who gave me this one :)
February 17, 2020
Only read 3 pages so far but I can already see that this is Hindu dogmatic belief disguised as reasoning (which fails badly), mixed with a huge misunderstanding of an opposing force, Buddhism (the anti-dogma hipsters). Two stars because it lets me understand Hindu "reasoning" better, and there were one or two good arguments in there, too (Buddhism would agree with them btw).
Edit after 20 pages: This is a pure comedy now and I am going down to one star. Some arguments are actually terrifying and I am starting to really dislike Hindu belief. Sometimes I thought that it might even be worse than Christianity, or Islam (well, all religions suck in their own way). I guess Hindu men like to harass women because they want to "train" sex so they can associate with Krshna when they die.
Also, it seems like every second word in this book is "Krshna", and most of the other half of the words being "Hare".
Edit after I finished it: The more I read, the dumber I got, my mental evolution started reversing and I felt my intellect growing younger and younger (copying the author's reasoning) until I finally arrived at the point of my own birth... Is this rebirth? I guess it worked after all.
PS: One of my favourite quotes from the book (that sums it up nicely): "It is not that we have blind faith, but that we accept something that is recognized. The Bhagavad-Gita is recognized and accepted as scripture by all classes of men in India, and as far as outside India is concerned, many scholars, theologians, and philosophers accept the Bhagavad-Gita as a great, authoritative work. There is no question that the Bhagavad-Gita is authority. Even professor Albert Einstein, such a scientist, read the Bhagavad-Gita regularly."
..."Great" and authoritative, this somehow sounds familiar to my other ear turned to the West (*cough* Trump *cough*)...
Edit after 20 pages: This is a pure comedy now and I am going down to one star. Some arguments are actually terrifying and I am starting to really dislike Hindu belief. Sometimes I thought that it might even be worse than Christianity, or Islam (well, all religions suck in their own way). I guess Hindu men like to harass women because they want to "train" sex so they can associate with Krshna when they die.
Also, it seems like every second word in this book is "Krshna", and most of the other half of the words being "Hare".
Edit after I finished it: The more I read, the dumber I got, my mental evolution started reversing and I felt my intellect growing younger and younger (copying the author's reasoning) until I finally arrived at the point of my own birth... Is this rebirth? I guess it worked after all.
PS: One of my favourite quotes from the book (that sums it up nicely): "It is not that we have blind faith, but that we accept something that is recognized. The Bhagavad-Gita is recognized and accepted as scripture by all classes of men in India, and as far as outside India is concerned, many scholars, theologians, and philosophers accept the Bhagavad-Gita as a great, authoritative work. There is no question that the Bhagavad-Gita is authority. Even professor Albert Einstein, such a scientist, read the Bhagavad-Gita regularly."
..."Great" and authoritative, this somehow sounds familiar to my other ear turned to the West (*cough* Trump *cough*)...
May 9, 2012
I'm not into bhakti yoga or anything yet, I'm just interested in the other way of seeing world. It's interesting to find out more information about other religion, to see the way, that many people live and actually feel happy. Knowing that, made me things look logical and worth of attention.
I don't know why and how, but when I take this book I feel a little bit confused but in same time I can feel my dirty heart which I strongly want to clean by loving someone. Then you start to feel the little warmth.
I don't know why and how, but when I take this book I feel a little bit confused but in same time I can feel my dirty heart which I strongly want to clean by loving someone. Then you start to feel the little warmth.
Read
October 14, 2020This book can be summarized as an addendum to Bhaktivedanta's purports on the Bhagavad Gita. In other words, you have to read Bhagavad Gita As It Is before reading this, and you should have the mindset of "seeking further enlightenment." If you're not a spiritualist or transcendentalist, this book may not be for you. However, for me, I felt like even though it was short and to the point, it was quite informative and provided a lot of affirmations. I am glad that I read it and would recommend it to all whose interests lie in this area.
January 29, 2022
Absolutely brilliant. It may seem fantastical to many but read with the right context and it makes perfect sense. Often we have a lot of questions and doubts after reading such literature because it seems too much for our mind to accept that there can be something beyond what our primitive senses can perceive. Doubt is a good thing as long as it leads us to ask questions and seek answers to those questions.
It may also help while reading this book, to consider “Krishna” as being referred to as “God” in general so as to not think the book propagates a certain religion or ideology.
It may also help while reading this book, to consider “Krishna” as being referred to as “God” in general so as to not think the book propagates a certain religion or ideology.
June 10, 2011
This stellar transcendent book may change your outlook on life. Potentially, you will be taught that there is "nothing new under the Sun." Material gains are finite and we see them one moment, and the next they're gone. Really eye-opening. This commensurates that only the spiritual aspect of things is worth pursuing in life. Short read, shouldn't conflict with anything else you might have going on during your day. Well-worth it!
August 27, 2013
Very eye opening. A must read for anyone open to different views
November 16, 2019
"Así como un fuerte viento arrastra un bote que se encuentra en el agua, así mismo uno solo de los errantes sentidos en el que se concentre la mente, puede arrastrar la inteligencia del hombre."
Este libro trata sobre cómo entender tu cuerpo, cómo adentrarte a los universos espirituales y dejar atrás todo lo material.
Este libro, sin duda no me ha encantado, pero me hizo reflexionar sobre algunos temas por ejemplo: "el cuerpo está compuesto de sentidos, y estos siempre codician sus objetos. Los ojos ven a una persona hermosa y nos dicen: "¡Oh, ahí va una muchacha hermosa, un muchacho hermoso! ¡Vamos a ver!" Los oídos nos dicen: "¡Oh, qué buena música! ¡Vamos a oírla!" La lengua dice: "¡Oh, ahí hay un buen restaurante con platos sabrosos! ¡Vamos!". De esta manera los sentidos nos arrastran de un lugar a otro, y a causa de esto estamos perplejos."
Este libro trata sobre cómo entender tu cuerpo, cómo adentrarte a los universos espirituales y dejar atrás todo lo material.
Este libro, sin duda no me ha encantado, pero me hizo reflexionar sobre algunos temas por ejemplo: "el cuerpo está compuesto de sentidos, y estos siempre codician sus objetos. Los ojos ven a una persona hermosa y nos dicen: "¡Oh, ahí va una muchacha hermosa, un muchacho hermoso! ¡Vamos a ver!" Los oídos nos dicen: "¡Oh, qué buena música! ¡Vamos a oírla!" La lengua dice: "¡Oh, ahí hay un buen restaurante con platos sabrosos! ¡Vamos!". De esta manera los sentidos nos arrastran de un lugar a otro, y a causa de esto estamos perplejos."
June 25, 2023
my brother gave me this when he got back to nyc. idk why he wanted me to read it but it was interesting and i look forward to talking abt it with him
July 30, 2024
Sexist at time, repeating what was already said other times and not presenting their belief system in the best way with all logical fallacies but an occasional, and I mean occasional, gem of insight.
February 17, 2019
Очевидно (насколько это может и в действительности буквально быть обозримым), что негоже Ученику спорить с Учителем, но поскольку ни автор "рецензии", ни сам исповедующий, то бишь Ачарья, не находится в соответствующем положении по отношению один к другому, добавить не мешало бы следующее:
Свами Брапхупада на странице 6ой данного издания выдвигает положение (большей мерой даже в противовес будди(й)стам, что может рассматриваться, как излишняя для Ачарьи пристрастность суждения), согласно которому "имея в распоряжении все материальные элементы, мы тем не менее не можем ВОСПРОИЗВЕСТИ сознание"; вопрос заключается в том, что, собственно, Его Божественная Милость (как великодушно указывается на обложке), имеет в виду, используя данный глагол, а не родственный с ним движением корня, но оттеночно (и осмысляемо) различающийся "произвести"? Воспроизведение подразумевает уже существующий материал, в данном случае, Божественный Разум, отражением и отражателем коего служит Разум Человеческий, верно? В таком случае, наличие материальных элементов, их распределение и порядок возникновения не влияют будто на формирование сознания, НО - сознание подлежит оценке, то бишь понятийному осмыслению лишь при условии существования упомянутых элементов, в той же мере как и его "отсутствие" - таким образом, сознание имеет место быть лишь как средство материального мира к сотворению духовного, и наоборот, средство предположительно качественно отличной Сферы Бытия к претворению материального мира в соответствии с требуемой структурой - но не сознания ли элементарным законом является структурирование явлений и фактов? Таким путём мы можем достичь несколько спекулятивного разграничения "сознательного акта" и "акта, обладающего сознанием", но продолжим по тексту:
на следующей же странице мы видим вовсе неприемлемый литературный ход со стороны Многоуважаемого Свами, когда он прибегает, цитируя заметку на полях ( =) ), к "грубому соотношению законов физики и духовного мира (на что грешили и многие средневековые христиане) - ибо уже упомянув о том, что тело не есть душою" - как минимум, алогично и когнитивно диссонирующе в следующем абзаце отталкиваться от чисто материалистических (научных) положений, "даже в качестве сравнения";
на странице 9ой киевского издания, цитирую, "построить свою жизнь так, чтобы чувственные наслаждения не отвлекали нашего внимания" - далее, заметка на полях, "требуют ли внимания наслаждения или требует внимания поиск их? не должно ли поиску доставлять страдание, в случае чего наслаждение является завершением цикла? но если поиск несёт наслаждение, то не будет ли разрешение его нести страдание, в случае необходимости цикла?" - в частности, что касается так называемой "наркомании" - в какой мере поиск вещества доставляет удовольствие и в какой - страдание - не в такой ли же мере они обращаются своими "противоположностями"? И не будет ли противоречием индивидуальному разуму попытка вырваться из естественного цикла - ИЛИ же происходит таким путём лишь смена этого самого цикла, обнаруживающаяся в перенесении частного опыта на внешнюю сторону Колеса?
На странице 11ой (и на протяжении более, чем 3000 лет) Его Божественная Милость указывает вновь на тот с трудом оспоримый факт, что "все ищут наслаждения в материальном", но хочется задать конкретный вопрос конкретному человеку - "Может ли душа наслаждаться материальными объектами?"
Страница 13ая напоминает нам о том, что "сознание доставляющего наслаждение подчинено сознанию наслаждающегося", чем, по несколько непрозрачным причинам, пытаются оправдать теорию подчинения сознания дасы, как, собственно, дасы - Кришне; возвращаясь к любителям психотропного опыта, в таком случае, "сознание наслаждающегося подчинено наслаждение доставляющему, сознания лишённому, а значит - самое себе?" - отсюда и великая склонность к мифологизации веществ, наделению их антропоморфными чертами, якобы реципиенту не присущими (Опиум Джонс, к примеру) или животной, стихийной природой, обладающей мощью, но лишённой направленности (обезьяна на спине, оттуда же).
Позже, уже на 21ой странице, Свами (не будет ли чересчур фамильярным такое сокращение) пишет о том, что при слиянии с брахмаджьоти "поскольку имперсоналист НЕ ХОЧЕТ принимать личностную форму, он находится в этом сиянии в виде духовной искры" - рождается, казалось бы заслуженно, замечание относительно в очередной раз использованной части речи - "не есть ли желание явлением и принципом чисто материального порядка?" Если да, то в какой мере и по какой причине оно сохраняет свою действительность в условиях брахмаджьоти?
На странице 28ой автору "рецензии" пришло в голову прицепиться к слову "рождение", как одному из "страданий этого мира" с настойчивой просьбой поясниться, что подразумевается под оным актом - появление на свет (имперсонально) либо роды (пракрити - доставляющая наслаждение)?
39ая страница разражается едва разборчивым подчерком: "Если пуруша - мужское начало, то почему? Или пуруша лишь качество наслаждающегося?" - в основном в связи с феминными настроениями, что бродили в закипающей кофеварке с пересоленным напитком, полагаю.
42ая станица предлагает полюбоваться милостивым метанием камней благодушия в соседний будди(й)стский огород, где на особую тяжесть претендует комочек рыжей глины с табличкой "Философия пустоты только плодит атеистов"; хочется, в свою очередь, уточнить, по какому-такому праву образованные господа ВООБЩЕ намереваются "утверждать пустоту"? Не уместно было бы прибегнуть в данному случае к глаголу "водворять"? =)
...
В целом, книжица хорошая, но памфлет, однозначно и безапелляционно. Наибольшим недостатком следовало бы считать то, что автор его прибегает к той же методе, что и всякий отдающий отчёт в своих действиях теолог - он не указывает никогда прямо, ЧТО такое Сознание, а лишь предоставляет красноречивые (или лаконичные, в зависимости от настроения) качественные характеристики оного, являющие собой не более, чем отражение его нежнейшей индивидуальности в чистейших гранях бесценного камня, внутри коего и заключается, по воле писательской и натуре деятельной, Оно, Сознание, Товарищи.
Свами Брапхупада на странице 6ой данного издания выдвигает положение (большей мерой даже в противовес будди(й)стам, что может рассматриваться, как излишняя для Ачарьи пристрастность суждения), согласно которому "имея в распоряжении все материальные элементы, мы тем не менее не можем ВОСПРОИЗВЕСТИ сознание"; вопрос заключается в том, что, собственно, Его Божественная Милость (как великодушно указывается на обложке), имеет в виду, используя данный глагол, а не родственный с ним движением корня, но оттеночно (и осмысляемо) различающийся "произвести"? Воспроизведение подразумевает уже существующий материал, в данном случае, Божественный Разум, отражением и отражателем коего служит Разум Человеческий, верно? В таком случае, наличие материальных элементов, их распределение и порядок возникновения не влияют будто на формирование сознания, НО - сознание подлежит оценке, то бишь понятийному осмыслению лишь при условии существования упомянутых элементов, в той же мере как и его "отсутствие" - таким образом, сознание имеет место быть лишь как средство материального мира к сотворению духовного, и наоборот, средство предположительно качественно отличной Сферы Бытия к претворению материального мира в соответствии с требуемой структурой - но не сознания ли элементарным законом является структурирование явлений и фактов? Таким путём мы можем достичь несколько спекулятивного разграничения "сознательного акта" и "акта, обладающего сознанием", но продолжим по тексту:
на следующей же странице мы видим вовсе неприемлемый литературный ход со стороны Многоуважаемого Свами, когда он прибегает, цитируя заметку на полях ( =) ), к "грубому соотношению законов физики и духовного мира (на что грешили и многие средневековые христиане) - ибо уже упомянув о том, что тело не есть душою" - как минимум, алогично и когнитивно диссонирующе в следующем абзаце отталкиваться от чисто материалистических (научных) положений, "даже в качестве сравнения";
на странице 9ой киевского издания, цитирую, "построить свою жизнь так, чтобы чувственные наслаждения не отвлекали нашего внимания" - далее, заметка на полях, "требуют ли внимания наслаждения или требует внимания поиск их? не должно ли поиску доставлять страдание, в случае чего наслаждение является завершением цикла? но если поиск несёт наслаждение, то не будет ли разрешение его нести страдание, в случае необходимости цикла?" - в частности, что касается так называемой "наркомании" - в какой мере поиск вещества доставляет удовольствие и в какой - страдание - не в такой ли же мере они обращаются своими "противоположностями"? И не будет ли противоречием индивидуальному разуму попытка вырваться из естественного цикла - ИЛИ же происходит таким путём лишь смена этого самого цикла, обнаруживающаяся в перенесении частного опыта на внешнюю сторону Колеса?
На странице 11ой (и на протяжении более, чем 3000 лет) Его Божественная Милость указывает вновь на тот с трудом оспоримый факт, что "все ищут наслаждения в материальном", но хочется задать конкретный вопрос конкретному человеку - "Может ли душа наслаждаться материальными объектами?"
Страница 13ая напоминает нам о том, что "сознание доставляющего наслаждение подчинено сознанию наслаждающегося", чем, по несколько непрозрачным причинам, пытаются оправдать теорию подчинения сознания дасы, как, собственно, дасы - Кришне; возвращаясь к любителям психотропного опыта, в таком случае, "сознание наслаждающегося подчинено наслаждение доставляющему, сознания лишённому, а значит - самое себе?" - отсюда и великая склонность к мифологизации веществ, наделению их антропоморфными чертами, якобы реципиенту не присущими (Опиум Джонс, к примеру) или животной, стихийной природой, обладающей мощью, но лишённой направленности (обезьяна на спине, оттуда же).
Позже, уже на 21ой странице, Свами (не будет ли чересчур фамильярным такое сокращение) пишет о том, что при слиянии с брахмаджьоти "поскольку имперсоналист НЕ ХОЧЕТ принимать личностную форму, он находится в этом сиянии в виде духовной искры" - рождается, казалось бы заслуженно, замечание относительно в очередной раз использованной части речи - "не есть ли желание явлением и принципом чисто материального порядка?" Если да, то в какой мере и по какой причине оно сохраняет свою действительность в условиях брахмаджьоти?
На странице 28ой автору "рецензии" пришло в голову прицепиться к слову "рождение", как одному из "страданий этого мира" с настойчивой просьбой поясниться, что подразумевается под оным актом - появление на свет (имперсонально) либо роды (пракрити - доставляющая наслаждение)?
39ая страница разражается едва разборчивым подчерком: "Если пуруша - мужское начало, то почему? Или пуруша лишь качество наслаждающегося?" - в основном в связи с феминными настроениями, что бродили в закипающей кофеварке с пересоленным напитком, полагаю.
42ая станица предлагает полюбоваться милостивым метанием камней благодушия в соседний будди(й)стский огород, где на особую тяжесть претендует комочек рыжей глины с табличкой "Философия пустоты только плодит атеистов"; хочется, в свою очередь, уточнить, по какому-такому праву образованные господа ВООБЩЕ намереваются "утверждать пустоту"? Не уместно было бы прибегнуть в данному случае к глаголу "водворять"? =)
...
В целом, книжица хорошая, но памфлет, однозначно и безапелляционно. Наибольшим недостатком следовало бы считать то, что автор его прибегает к той же методе, что и всякий отдающий отчёт в своих действиях теолог - он не указывает никогда прямо, ЧТО такое Сознание, а лишь предоставляет красноречивые (или лаконичные, в зависимости от настроения) качественные характеристики оного, являющие собой не более, чем отражение его нежнейшей индивидуальности в чистейших гранях бесценного камня, внутри коего и заключается, по воле писательской и натуре деятельной, Оно, Сознание, Товарищи.
September 23, 2022
Bought this book in ISKCON temple, Chennai, India after attending a religious ceremony.
Was very curious to know more about Hinduism and the great speech of lord Khrisna to Arjuna in the Mahabharata.
But this book was a tremendous disappointment since it is just a plain out attack on science and free thought.
The author deviates from the great metaphorical speeches of the ancient scripts to spoon feed you his close minded ideology. Definitely do not recommend.
Was very curious to know more about Hinduism and the great speech of lord Khrisna to Arjuna in the Mahabharata.
But this book was a tremendous disappointment since it is just a plain out attack on science and free thought.
The author deviates from the great metaphorical speeches of the ancient scripts to spoon feed you his close minded ideology. Definitely do not recommend.
February 23, 2017
Indeed an eye opener.
The book gives us a feeling of calmness for the reason that we need not know Sanskrit to offer our prayings to the Almighty God. Also elaborates the need of chanting the God's name.
I liked the part which says we need to purify our soul by chanting hare Krishna mahamantra to abode supreme spiritual world but not wish for it.
The book gives us a feeling of calmness for the reason that we need not know Sanskrit to offer our prayings to the Almighty God. Also elaborates the need of chanting the God's name.
I liked the part which says we need to purify our soul by chanting hare Krishna mahamantra to abode supreme spiritual world but not wish for it.
January 26, 2023
All glories to His Divine Grace Sri Srimad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupad
When wind flows, we can't see it but feels it. We can communicate on smartphones through radio frequencies but we can't see them as well. So, is it not possible that God is here and regulating our life. We can't see Him but feel Him.
A practical guide or cure for the suffering of death.
When wind flows, we can't see it but feels it. We can communicate on smartphones through radio frequencies but we can't see them as well. So, is it not possible that God is here and regulating our life. We can't see Him but feel Him.
A practical guide or cure for the suffering of death.
February 12, 2020
The concept in Swamis books is always the same (develop bhakti for Krnsa). I don't mean this in a bad way. But Swami uses repetition as a way of reinforcing this point. I like in this book that he went into more detail about the lokas. How the different plenary portions are broken down.
November 23, 2018
As a hypochondria and having a huge fear of death, this book very much helped decimate it.
December 31, 2020
It is a good starting point, for further study. It was never meant to be anything more than a starting point.
July 22, 2021
Very insightful. Loved it.
December 4, 2024
Got this one free from this guy on campus who sits all day in a big, soft fishing hat behind a sign. "Past Lives and Soul Travel." Anyway we had a wonderful impersonal convo and he was very stern so I figured I wasn't joining a cult. Insisted I take three more books after he realized I had a little Vedic know-how, heyyy.
Anyway, book's iffy. The quotations: the Gita excerpts and devotional testimonies, are cool. Okay. But His Divine Grace's teachings.... Not addressing his source material, or reaching, or misogyny mayo. A thick, decadent spread, girl!
Plus, turns out A.C. caught a ton of flack for bigotry, misquoting scripture intentionally (maybe those quotes aren't so cool), starting a cult, etc. God bless a little Wiki peruse.
This is the shittiest review ever. Lesson is maybe read the real stuff from the university library the sketchy book man is sitting in front of. But also have fun and be inspired to chant a little when you need to, you know?
Anyway, book's iffy. The quotations: the Gita excerpts and devotional testimonies, are cool. Okay. But His Divine Grace's teachings.... Not addressing his source material, or reaching, or misogyny mayo. A thick, decadent spread, girl!
Plus, turns out A.C. caught a ton of flack for bigotry, misquoting scripture intentionally (maybe those quotes aren't so cool), starting a cult, etc. God bless a little Wiki peruse.
This is the shittiest review ever. Lesson is maybe read the real stuff from the university library the sketchy book man is sitting in front of. But also have fun and be inspired to chant a little when you need to, you know?
December 8, 2024
I feel like I just read someone's proudly and confidently presented, but correctly rejected, single-piece-portfolio for a job in a YA fantasy-scify ghost writing team.
Clearly thinking one idea should be enough, if it's this level of supremely awesome, deciding to hammer it home for a good while anyway, for "those not to be considered intelligent". (Not a great first impression aimed straight at your potential new boss/coworker)
Having intelligently identified a need for a decent word count, as to convince the team of their vocabulary... choosing not doing the work (thinking the word count itself would be enough) and instead to scam their way in by highlighting the main character's name, press "find and replace", and change even words containing the name with "main character's name x 14".
Glad it was short enough to be read without becoming an effort.
Clearly thinking one idea should be enough, if it's this level of supremely awesome, deciding to hammer it home for a good while anyway, for "those not to be considered intelligent". (Not a great first impression aimed straight at your potential new boss/coworker)
Having intelligently identified a need for a decent word count, as to convince the team of their vocabulary... choosing not doing the work (thinking the word count itself would be enough) and instead to scam their way in by highlighting the main character's name, press "find and replace", and change even words containing the name with "main character's name x 14".
Glad it was short enough to be read without becoming an effort.
December 20, 2020
I was roaming in a market when I encountered a group of foreigners dancing and chanting "Hare Krshna". A lady from Russia (who liked to associate herself with Vrindavan) showed me multiple books and I purchased this one (mind you it was very nominal) because it seemed most interesting.
I enjoyed the first half of the book. It made me think and rethink again and again. But same can't be said of other half as it is mostly composed of Bhakti-yoga. A yoga that I have never been found of - it just isn't my cup of tea. It isn't bad at all, actually I have a friend who I will be gifting this to (who is very devotional.) I liked the part on souls the most.
More importantly, can anyone tell if all/most of Swami Prabhupada's books are based on Bhakti yoga?
I enjoyed the first half of the book. It made me think and rethink again and again. But same can't be said of other half as it is mostly composed of Bhakti-yoga. A yoga that I have never been found of - it just isn't my cup of tea. It isn't bad at all, actually I have a friend who I will be gifting this to (who is very devotional.) I liked the part on souls the most.
More importantly, can anyone tell if all/most of Swami Prabhupada's books are based on Bhakti yoga?
Read
April 20, 2024I got this book from a Hari Krsna community.
I like the philosophy introduced in the first chapter, but after that it all became too spacey for me. They have some interesting theories but it’s more about how they present it that makes me doubt. They present their reality as “the answer” and tells you that the people who haven’t understood that “this is the real truth” are ignorant. So I got the feeling they think this philosophy is right and any other belief is wrong. That mindset itself just made me loose the trust of the book. The book is a very obvious try to convince you that you should follow this path by trying to make you feel bad if you don’t. I really don’t know if this was a good introduction for me to the Hari Krsna movement. It was just all too much.
I like the philosophy introduced in the first chapter, but after that it all became too spacey for me. They have some interesting theories but it’s more about how they present it that makes me doubt. They present their reality as “the answer” and tells you that the people who haven’t understood that “this is the real truth” are ignorant. So I got the feeling they think this philosophy is right and any other belief is wrong. That mindset itself just made me loose the trust of the book. The book is a very obvious try to convince you that you should follow this path by trying to make you feel bad if you don’t. I really don’t know if this was a good introduction for me to the Hari Krsna movement. It was just all too much.
October 29, 2017
Completed this during a time when it was tough to feel connected and not isolated, even while in the mountains. This inspired motor skills and the virtue of patience to present itself fully. Additionally, for this human's memory to kick in and remember recitation skills and cross-reference the learning of world reknowned philosophers' from other ages and remember when there was a time to recite the Colonial People's Ten Commandments, so that an individual could be fitting in within the frameworks of modern day social life, at a non-traditionally re-educated level, from an observational and theoretical standpoint.
January 13, 2022
This book focus on life beyond death. It states our real aim is not to attain any impersonal brahman but reach the spiritual sky (vaikunth planet). It also focuses how one's current activity decide our life after death. It also point about the importance and how to make ourselves free from continuous cycle of birth and death. It is a spiritual read if anyone wants to read about bhakti yoga or anyone curious to know what are some sayings about life after death. It holds some philosophy based on our Vedic literature and scriptures. Good for getting another perspective of life.
February 4, 2022
Best for Scientific Explanation
The Book is capable of blowing your mind when it actually talks about the pointless persuit of happiness when it's not derived out of the actual consciousness, Krishna Consciousness. A logical explanation of how our vedic knowledge is a forgotten science and not mythology. How the same things are represented in different holy scriptures of different religions, pointing to a world beyond this conscious world.
The Book is capable of blowing your mind when it actually talks about the pointless persuit of happiness when it's not derived out of the actual consciousness, Krishna Consciousness. A logical explanation of how our vedic knowledge is a forgotten science and not mythology. How the same things are represented in different holy scriptures of different religions, pointing to a world beyond this conscious world.
August 17, 2018
Highlights from the book:
- The way to knowledge is following some authority and never questioning it.
- It's possible to go to the moon by meditating. The author helpfully points out that this saves money on spaceships and space suits.
- In a couple, the husband enjoys the wife, not vice versa. The wife's joy is to please her husband.
- The way to knowledge is following some authority and never questioning it.
- It's possible to go to the moon by meditating. The author helpfully points out that this saves money on spaceships and space suits.
- In a couple, the husband enjoys the wife, not vice versa. The wife's joy is to please her husband.
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