Talks on the Gita

by Vinoba Bhave, Kamlesh D. Patel (Foreword)

Vinoba Bhave's main interest was creating a spiritual foundation for the whole social system. He would say, "The world may forget all other services that I rendered, but will never forget these. I was in a state of complete absorption (Samadhi) while composing and giving the talks on Gita, hence I believe these creations will keep serving mankind." 

 Talks on the Gita has been translated into all Indian languages and many foreign languages. In these talks we find a spiritual approach to the practicalities of daily life, and thus they are very relevant today and will continue to transform lives in the future.

Genres: Philosophy, Religion, India, God, Spirituality, Mythology, Nonfiction

391 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

विनायक नरहरी भावे (आचार्य विनोबा भावे नावाने प्रसिद्ध) हे भारतीय स्वातंत्र्यसैनिक व भूदान चळवळीचे प्रणेते होते. महात्मा गांधींनी १९४० मध्ये 'वैयक्तिक सत्याग्रह' पुकारला, त्यावेळीही पहिले सत्याग्रही म्हणून त्यांनी आचार्य विनोबा भावे यांची निवड केली. ब्रिटिश राजविरोधी या आंदोलनाचे पर्यवसान १९४२ मध्ये 'छोडो भारत' आंदोलनात झाले. भावे पुढे सर्वोदयी नेते म्हणून प्रसिद्ध झाले.

Reviews

[SHON · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talks on Gita by Vinoba Bhave is authors interpretation of Bhagwad Gita. This talks were delivered by author while in Yerawada Jail during 1932, and the original notes were in Marathi, which were then translated into different languages and made into a book. Its a nice book, with simple and easy language for everyones understanding.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, Talks on the Gita sheds light on the preeminent classical work on kshatradharma and salvation in the service of arms. More than just a metaphor, The Gita is a Way out of PTSD, in my experience.

[Nilesh Oak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing.. any page (randomly selected is ok), anytime.

[Bhavesh Desai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read in Gujarati and not English. One of the most inspiring book on Shree Bhagvad Gita.
Interpretation will suit the new generation, fast-moving person who is looking for a connection between work and spirituality.
My take-home was the importance of Sawa Dharma, the immortality of Atma

[Swapnil Waikar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book when emotions are in full swing. Whether happy or sad it will help you to control and will help to react to situations.

[Sarthak Shrivastava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flabbergasting!! How a adaptation of a book 5000 year old is still relevant !!

[GS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly changed my life.

If you are looking at this review, you probably already know why you need to read the Bhagavad Gita; so I will limit this review to why read Vinoba's commentary of it. Bhagavad Gita has had many, many commentaries over the years. Like most other great Sanskrit works, the words themselves can be translated and read in various ways, and consequently Gita can also be interpreted in many ways. If you are not a Sanskrit pandit, you are invariably reliant on someone else to tell you what the Gita says (and no, there is no such thing as a simple word-by-word translation: the Sanskrit words are themselves open to interpretations; and there are no direct English translations for many words).

I was lost in the sea of commentaries, and not knowing where to turn or what to believe. I asked the elders in my family what to read; and they unanimously asked me to turn to Vinoba.

Vinoba's commentary of the Gita is lucid and incisive. He does not "try too hard" to interpret the Gita within any school of philosophy, but presents a rather holistic view. With many examples and penetrating logic, Vinoba makes the teachings of Gita come to life beautifully. As one of Gandhiji's disciples, the principles of morally-right struggle, and relentless service of the society that Vinoba held high shine through in many examples. As someone whose brand of Bhakti is more on the side of nirguna parabrahma (I have often wondered if I am an atheist), this commentary really resonated.

I have often felt that when I am lost in life, something comes along to show me the way. That is the way I feel about this book at this moment in my life. If you are like me, not knowing where to turn for answers on how to life a purposeful life; perhaps this is a good place to start.

Note: Some of the examples he has used may feel out of date today, but such instances are few. Also, I am not sure how much a non-Indian audience will jive with this book since most of Vinoba's stories are deeply rooted in Indian mythology and history; but hey, its worth a try :)

[Hemant24th S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grate book for all time!!!!
It explains with stories and in simple language of logic and experiments

[Basava Marulasidda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A best book by Vinoba on Geetha..

[Ramachandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

He depicted about swadharmha through out the book ! good book to get overview of Gita :)

[Ishaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know about the essence of the Gita from an action-oriented and spiritual viewpoint, this is a perfect one.

[Vishal · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books that I have read. On should re-read this book again and again as there are so much nuggets of wisdom stored in there.

[Vaibhav Gaikwad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talks on the GitaVinoba Bhave

Talks on the Gita by Acharya Vinoba Bhave is an impeccable introduction to our eternal wisdom of the Gita, Ved, Upanishads, and Darshan. Vedic literature's complex principles and concepts were precisely narrated and also with utmost clarity.

Wise people like Acharya Vinoba can persuade us to perform स्वधर्म, that is, acc. to the Gita, is nothing but कर्म. Acharya Vinoba teaches us that स्वधर्म is service to our Parents, teachers, neighbors, friends, Sants, Society, and Nation.

If anybody is on a quest to comprehend his/her Society, Nation, Culture, Civilization, and सनातन धर्म, then this book is MUST read and contemplate upon.

[Kalyani Gopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vinobhaji has redefined the phrase out-of-the-box thinking. If you are looking for a Geeta commentary with a difference, this is it. Took me through an amazing journey

[VKrm Chaudhary · Rating 5 out of 5]

🙏👌

[Mimansa Popat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The English translation wasn't all that great and hence four stars and not five.

[The Dude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't think I'd have been able to comprehend much of Gita if not for these beautiful talks that inspired so many prisoners including amche ladake Sane Guruji.

[Mohan Vaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book. must read for a person who wants to study Bhagwat Gita

[Manoj · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent commentary on Bhagwad Geeta!!

[S.Ach · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Book. Many interpretations. And each interpretation different from the other in its own accord. Beauty is in the harmony amongst contradictions.

Of all the many interpretations, this book by the famed scholar, teacher, philosopher and social activist Vinoba Bhave (considered to be the spiritual successor of Mahatma Gandhi), came as a highly recommended one.
These talks were delivered in jail before ordinary individuals from different walks of life. It is not an academic treatise on the Gita.

"Observing "Swadharma" while renouncing the result is the primary goal of life" - is his message. Vinoba tries to instill the values of non-violence, honesty and integrity, cleanliness, et al in people he believed would be responsible for nation building. The lessons of Gita are eternal.

In my pursuit of knowledge, I had presumed out of all the four yogas, Jnana Yoga is my path. However, Vinoba's these lines make me re-think my way of life -

"I cannot bear to see karma, jnana and bhakti separated. Some seekers are so inclined that they can think of nothing but karma, while some imagine bhakti as a distinct path and put exclusive emphasis on it. Some have disposition towards jnana only. But I am not an exclusivist; I do not believe that life means only karma or bhakti or jnana. I do not also subscribe to the doctrine that life is a combination of these three; nor do I subscribe to the utility-oriented view that life should have karma, bhakti as well as jnana in some measure. That karma, bhakti and jnana are the successive stages in sadhana, is also not acceptable to me. I do not also think that in life there should be harmony between karma, bhakti and jnana. I wish to experience complete identity between karma, bhakti and jnana. "

I seek the Gita to understand "What is", however the book emphasizes on "What should be". Vinoba focuses on the ethical and moral interpretations of life rather than the metaphysical aspects of existence.
Probably, that's why this book won't feature in my favourite list.

[Ranvir Desai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook च्या शोधात होतो, तेव्हा एका link वरून ह्याची recording भेटली. साने गुरुजी आणि विनोबा भावे नाव पाहून ठरवलं, ऐकून पाहूया काय आहे. तसे Narrator माधवी गणपुले चे उच्चार स्पष्ट आहेत, आणि आवाज पण, फक्त दोन वाक्यांमध्ये वेळच घेत नाही. तसेच एक खंड संपला कि लगेच पुढे. विनोबाजी जसं सांगत असतील तसं तर हे वाटत नाही पण narration पेक्षाही विषय खोल आहे आणि त्यामुळेच थोडाही वेळ मन वावरत नाही.

विनोबा जसे दाखले देतात त्यामुळे बऱ्याच गोष्टी चटकन लक्षात येतात. ज्यांना गीता वाचायला भेटली नसेल, काही कारणाने इच्छा असूनही शक्य झाले नसेल, त्या लोकांना हे ऐकणे सोपं पडेल. आणि सगळ्यात महत्वाचं म्हणजे समजेलही. हे परत वाचणार/ऐकणारच आहे मी, कोणीतरी चांगली professional recording करावी अशी इच्छा. चला आता पुस्तक कुठून जमवता येते का ते पाहतो.

[Manwinder Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound and widens the horizons of your mind like none other.

[Chandan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talks on Gita is excellent book for anyone interested in getting the essence of Bhagwat Gita. Recommend reading the shlokas ahead of each Chapter for better clarity on the religious script.