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The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living #1-3
The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living: A Verse-by-Verse Commentary: Vols 1–3 (The End of Sorrow, Like a Thousand Suns, To Love Is to Know Me)
A comprehensive manual for living a spiritual life, based on a verse-by-verse commentary on India's timeless scripture - from the author of its best-selling translation. This ebook includes all three volumes in this series.
The Bhagavad Gita is set on the battlefield of an apocalyptic war between good and evil. Faced with a dire moral dilemma, the warrior prince Arjuna turns in anguish to his spiritual guide, Sri Krishna, for answers to the fundamental questions of life.
Easwaran points out that Arjuna's crisis is acutely modern. The Gita's battlefield is the struggle for self-mastery that every human being must wage. Arjuna represents each of us, and Sri Krishna is the Lord, instructing us in eighteen chapters of lofty wisdom as we face the social, environmental, and global challenges that threaten our world today.
Easwaran is a spiritual teacher and author of deep insight and warmth. His verse-by-verse commentary interprets the Gita's teachings for modern readers, explaining the Sanskrit concepts and philosophy and applying them with practicality, wisdom, and humor to every aspect of our work, our relationships, and our lives. With everyday anecdotes, stories, and examples, he shows that the changes we long to see in the world start with the transformation of our own consciousness.
The practical exercises recommended by Easwaran to achieve transformation are part of a spiritual program he developed for his own life. They are accessible to people from all backgrounds and cultures. Urging us to adopt a higher image of the human being, he assures us that peace and unity are within reach.
Each volume of this series covers six chapters of the Gita. Each may be read on its own, but all three volumes together form an in-depth, verse-by-verse explanation of this ancient scripture and its relevance today. Included are instructions in Easwaran's universal eight-point program of passage meditation.
Volume 1: The first six chapters of the Gita explore the concept of the innermost Self and source of wisdom in each of us. Easwaran explains how we can begin to transform ourselves, even as householders engaged in busy lives.
Volume 2: The next six chapters of the Gita go beyond the individual Self to explore the Supreme Reality underlying all creation. Easwaran builds a bridge across the seeming divide between scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom, and explains how the concept of the unity of life can help us in all our relationships.
Volume 3: The final six chapters put forth an urgent appeal for us to begin to see that all of us are one - to make the connection between the Self within and the Reality underlying all creation. Global in scope, the emphasis is on what we can do to make a difference to heal our environment and establish peace in the world.
Easwaran's commentary is for all students of the Gita, whatever their background, and for anyone who is trying to find a path to wisdom, love, and kindness in themselves and our troubled world. Written as an authoritative, accessible guide to a much-loved scripture, it is a handbook for finding peace and clarity within.
This second edition incorporates revisions made across all three volumes following the author's final instructions.
The Bhagavad Gita is set on the battlefield of an apocalyptic war between good and evil. Faced with a dire moral dilemma, the warrior prince Arjuna turns in anguish to his spiritual guide, Sri Krishna, for answers to the fundamental questions of life.
Easwaran points out that Arjuna's crisis is acutely modern. The Gita's battlefield is the struggle for self-mastery that every human being must wage. Arjuna represents each of us, and Sri Krishna is the Lord, instructing us in eighteen chapters of lofty wisdom as we face the social, environmental, and global challenges that threaten our world today.
Easwaran is a spiritual teacher and author of deep insight and warmth. His verse-by-verse commentary interprets the Gita's teachings for modern readers, explaining the Sanskrit concepts and philosophy and applying them with practicality, wisdom, and humor to every aspect of our work, our relationships, and our lives. With everyday anecdotes, stories, and examples, he shows that the changes we long to see in the world start with the transformation of our own consciousness.
The practical exercises recommended by Easwaran to achieve transformation are part of a spiritual program he developed for his own life. They are accessible to people from all backgrounds and cultures. Urging us to adopt a higher image of the human being, he assures us that peace and unity are within reach.
Each volume of this series covers six chapters of the Gita. Each may be read on its own, but all three volumes together form an in-depth, verse-by-verse explanation of this ancient scripture and its relevance today. Included are instructions in Easwaran's universal eight-point program of passage meditation.
Volume 1: The first six chapters of the Gita explore the concept of the innermost Self and source of wisdom in each of us. Easwaran explains how we can begin to transform ourselves, even as householders engaged in busy lives.
Volume 2: The next six chapters of the Gita go beyond the individual Self to explore the Supreme Reality underlying all creation. Easwaran builds a bridge across the seeming divide between scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom, and explains how the concept of the unity of life can help us in all our relationships.
Volume 3: The final six chapters put forth an urgent appeal for us to begin to see that all of us are one - to make the connection between the Self within and the Reality underlying all creation. Global in scope, the emphasis is on what we can do to make a difference to heal our environment and establish peace in the world.
Easwaran's commentary is for all students of the Gita, whatever their background, and for anyone who is trying to find a path to wisdom, love, and kindness in themselves and our troubled world. Written as an authoritative, accessible guide to a much-loved scripture, it is a handbook for finding peace and clarity within.
This second edition incorporates revisions made across all three volumes following the author's final instructions.
1436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2020
197 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Eknath Easwaran
214 books631 followersEknath Easwaran (1910–1999) is the originator of passage meditation and the author of more than 30 books on spiritual living.
Easwaran is a recognized authority on the Indian spiritual classics. His translations of The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads, and The Dhammapada are the best-selling editions in the USA, and over 1.5 million copies of his books are in print.
Easwaran was a professor of English literature and well known in India as a writer and speaker before coming to the United States in 1959 on the Fulbright exchange program. In 1961, he founded the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, based in Tomales, California, which continues his work today through publications and retreats.
His 1968 class on the theory and practice of meditation at UC Berkeley is believed to be the first accredited course on meditation at any Western university. For those who seek him as a personal spiritual guide, Easwaran assured us that he lives on through his eight-point program of passage meditation.
"I am with you always”, he said. “It does not require my physical presence; it requires your open heart."
Please visit bmcm.org for a fuller biography.
Easwaran is a recognized authority on the Indian spiritual classics. His translations of The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads, and The Dhammapada are the best-selling editions in the USA, and over 1.5 million copies of his books are in print.
Easwaran was a professor of English literature and well known in India as a writer and speaker before coming to the United States in 1959 on the Fulbright exchange program. In 1961, he founded the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, based in Tomales, California, which continues his work today through publications and retreats.
His 1968 class on the theory and practice of meditation at UC Berkeley is believed to be the first accredited course on meditation at any Western university. For those who seek him as a personal spiritual guide, Easwaran assured us that he lives on through his eight-point program of passage meditation.
"I am with you always”, he said. “It does not require my physical presence; it requires your open heart."
Please visit bmcm.org for a fuller biography.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 30, 2022
Listened to the audiobook from Audible.com
The commentary is very helpful to glean the most from the Bhagavad Gita.
The narrator's voice is calm and I enjoyed getting back to the book every day.
50 plus hours and I was not fed up with hearing the analysis by Mr Easwaran.
Gandhi is brought up in every chapter as a leading example of living by the terms of the Gita in his daily life. I will give Gandhi a 9/10 for his "experiments with truth."
His sleeping with his Grandniece, not letting his dying wife have modern medicine and eating soil and drinking urine at times make him shine less in my eyes.
I would welcome a Gandhi biography by Mr Easwaran to comment on these episodes and help clear up how exactly they were approved by the Gita.
Other than the 150 Gandhi references this book is brilliant.
I encourage any aspirers of truth to read it and any other books by Eknath Easwaran.
The commentary is very helpful to glean the most from the Bhagavad Gita.
The narrator's voice is calm and I enjoyed getting back to the book every day.
50 plus hours and I was not fed up with hearing the analysis by Mr Easwaran.
Gandhi is brought up in every chapter as a leading example of living by the terms of the Gita in his daily life. I will give Gandhi a 9/10 for his "experiments with truth."
His sleeping with his Grandniece, not letting his dying wife have modern medicine and eating soil and drinking urine at times make him shine less in my eyes.
I would welcome a Gandhi biography by Mr Easwaran to comment on these episodes and help clear up how exactly they were approved by the Gita.
Other than the 150 Gandhi references this book is brilliant.
I encourage any aspirers of truth to read it and any other books by Eknath Easwaran.
September 24, 2025
Finished reading 'The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living' (Volume I, II and III) by Eknath Easwaran. Words alone cannot convey the praise for the timeless wisdom the Holy book brings. A must read, and I must say it will transform your life and its purpose for good.
March 16, 2022
The best book with commentary to understand the Bhagavad Gita. The author uses common language, experiences to which the reader can relate and humor to convey the points being made in this epic tale of man vs himself. The fact that Easwaran is a well educated English professor helps. And as one of my book club friends shared, it does not matter your religious denomination, this book and the commentary will support the reader. Easwaran was blessed to have a Grandmother who served as his spiritual teacher, I can only hope to be such a Grandmother. Some of my take aways from this reading are as follows:
Chapter One, life is a battlefield, but we are not alone.
Chapter Two, our goal is to exhibit equanimity, to be unflappable, a word I have claimed for this year.
Chapter Three, my life is my messsage, I should stay in my lane, be myself and accept myself.
Chapter Four, all religions emphasize the truth of God's grace, all paths lead to God (this is the chapter I wrote my Level 4 YogaFit essay about, I reread the essay, and decided I was further along on my journey then than I realized)
Chapter Five, the supreme goal of life is to become aware of God, from whom we come, in whom we subsist, and to whom we return
Chapter Six, as if it has not been reiterated already, meditation is the key to reaching the supreme goal of life
The reader is reminded that while we may have teachers along the way we must do the work, whatever that work requires to become selfless and of service to others.
The humor in comparing us to an automobile in chapter two (page 130) and whether or not we should be given a driver's license or have our car recalled is spot on in describing our senses, the mind and our intellect and how they work together or not. Then again in chapter three when discussing unifying the senses, mind and intellect the writer suggests "we'd better wait for another incarnation to get these guys together." The work is hard but not impossible.
The author talks about reincarnation and I found this most comforting. We are not done but will have another opportunity to get it right. We do the best we can here in order to not have to replay it all over, only begin where we left off and fix what we got wrong. Not that it is that clear. According to the Tibetan tradition we may spend years or centuries in Bardo, the holding space, before returning to the earth. The authors comparisons to being readmitted to college after dropping out or waiting in a bus terminal for our number to be called bring this home. When we return, we have no memory of before, but some lessons may come quicker and easier based on our prior journey. Somehow I found all of this very reassuring. The author uses so many examples of Jesus (as well as other great teachers and mystics) and the Bible I also found myself growing closer to my Christian faith again.
The most troublesome passages for me had to do with the statement: in order to be free, I have to help others to be free (page 265). There are toxic people with whom we have to set boundaries. I was reminded of Patanjili and the Yoga Sutras 1:33: four attitudes for relating to people: friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and disregard toward the wicked.
One of the most inspirational passages is 6:33: it is completely within our power to reshape our mind, our conduct and our destiny. Eknath Easwaran provides an eight point path to operationalize a plan to help the reader do the work in order to win the battle of man vs himself and reveal his Atman.
OUTSTANDING book!
Chapter One, life is a battlefield, but we are not alone.
Chapter Two, our goal is to exhibit equanimity, to be unflappable, a word I have claimed for this year.
Chapter Three, my life is my messsage, I should stay in my lane, be myself and accept myself.
Chapter Four, all religions emphasize the truth of God's grace, all paths lead to God (this is the chapter I wrote my Level 4 YogaFit essay about, I reread the essay, and decided I was further along on my journey then than I realized)
Chapter Five, the supreme goal of life is to become aware of God, from whom we come, in whom we subsist, and to whom we return
Chapter Six, as if it has not been reiterated already, meditation is the key to reaching the supreme goal of life
The reader is reminded that while we may have teachers along the way we must do the work, whatever that work requires to become selfless and of service to others.
The humor in comparing us to an automobile in chapter two (page 130) and whether or not we should be given a driver's license or have our car recalled is spot on in describing our senses, the mind and our intellect and how they work together or not. Then again in chapter three when discussing unifying the senses, mind and intellect the writer suggests "we'd better wait for another incarnation to get these guys together." The work is hard but not impossible.
The author talks about reincarnation and I found this most comforting. We are not done but will have another opportunity to get it right. We do the best we can here in order to not have to replay it all over, only begin where we left off and fix what we got wrong. Not that it is that clear. According to the Tibetan tradition we may spend years or centuries in Bardo, the holding space, before returning to the earth. The authors comparisons to being readmitted to college after dropping out or waiting in a bus terminal for our number to be called bring this home. When we return, we have no memory of before, but some lessons may come quicker and easier based on our prior journey. Somehow I found all of this very reassuring. The author uses so many examples of Jesus (as well as other great teachers and mystics) and the Bible I also found myself growing closer to my Christian faith again.
The most troublesome passages for me had to do with the statement: in order to be free, I have to help others to be free (page 265). There are toxic people with whom we have to set boundaries. I was reminded of Patanjili and the Yoga Sutras 1:33: four attitudes for relating to people: friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and disregard toward the wicked.
One of the most inspirational passages is 6:33: it is completely within our power to reshape our mind, our conduct and our destiny. Eknath Easwaran provides an eight point path to operationalize a plan to help the reader do the work in order to win the battle of man vs himself and reveal his Atman.
OUTSTANDING book!
April 15, 2024
I started listening to THE BHAGVAD GITA FOR DAILY LIVING in September 2023 and finished it a few days ago. The Gita is a Hindu scripture and serves as a manual for life, in the old days and even today.
This particular book THE BHAGVAD GITA FOR DAILY LIVING is an expansive commentary by Eknath Eashwaran. It’s an excellent attempt at explaining a basic concept that’s so simple yet so elusive- like common sense being uncommon 😀. EE draws parallels between teachings of all religions, by quoting examples of saints from other religions, especially Christianity, to present the universal appeal of this holy book.
The Bhagwad Gita is excerpted from the grand epic Mahabharat, written by Muni Ved Vyas.
The teaching of the Gita is to do our duty, to the best of our ability without the thought of gain affecting our actions, in fact doing the right actions, regardless of the consequences. This is possible by surrendering the fruits of all actions and accepting them as God’s will and all that we have as God’s grace.
We all want to live our lives as best as we can. To lead life to the best of our ability, we need to act correctly in all situations. The Bhagvad Gita is a roadmap of life- for every living being, for each situation, for every era.
Eknath Eashwaran gives many examples and situations applicable to our daily challenges and questions, in his elaborate commentary of the 700 Sanskrit shlokas of God’s song- the Bhagwad Gita. The repetition of the simple principles with so many examples to examine every facet of any situation, is to address every kind of question and argument that may arise.
A person who understands and lives by the Gita will always be clear about their actions, won’t have any fears and anxiety in doing the right action and will ultimately get moksha and become one with the Bhraman- as taught by the Gita.
Each of us is Arjun. When we let our conscience be our guide, our Bhagwan be our sarthi or the one who leads the chariot of our life, reach our destination, we will.
The five horses are our five senses.
As we go through the journey of our life, we put aside fear, anxiety and tiredness and do what is our duty- It’s a life well lived.
This particular book THE BHAGVAD GITA FOR DAILY LIVING is an expansive commentary by Eknath Eashwaran. It’s an excellent attempt at explaining a basic concept that’s so simple yet so elusive- like common sense being uncommon 😀. EE draws parallels between teachings of all religions, by quoting examples of saints from other religions, especially Christianity, to present the universal appeal of this holy book.
The Bhagwad Gita is excerpted from the grand epic Mahabharat, written by Muni Ved Vyas.
The teaching of the Gita is to do our duty, to the best of our ability without the thought of gain affecting our actions, in fact doing the right actions, regardless of the consequences. This is possible by surrendering the fruits of all actions and accepting them as God’s will and all that we have as God’s grace.
We all want to live our lives as best as we can. To lead life to the best of our ability, we need to act correctly in all situations. The Bhagvad Gita is a roadmap of life- for every living being, for each situation, for every era.
Eknath Eashwaran gives many examples and situations applicable to our daily challenges and questions, in his elaborate commentary of the 700 Sanskrit shlokas of God’s song- the Bhagwad Gita. The repetition of the simple principles with so many examples to examine every facet of any situation, is to address every kind of question and argument that may arise.
A person who understands and lives by the Gita will always be clear about their actions, won’t have any fears and anxiety in doing the right action and will ultimately get moksha and become one with the Bhraman- as taught by the Gita.
Each of us is Arjun. When we let our conscience be our guide, our Bhagwan be our sarthi or the one who leads the chariot of our life, reach our destination, we will.
The five horses are our five senses.
As we go through the journey of our life, we put aside fear, anxiety and tiredness and do what is our duty- It’s a life well lived.
December 14, 2025
Thoughtful but Misaligned with Traditional Indian Philosophy
The book is well-organized, printed with excellent quality, and offers reasonably structured content. I purchased it with high expectations, given the author's reputation as an authority on Indian spiritual thought and philosophy.
However, I found the content disappointing. The narrative seems primarily directed toward a Western—particularly American—audience, and attempts to blend Christian theology with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gītā. While I understand the author's personal background—having left India at a young age, married a Christian American, and settled in the United States—this context appears to have shaped the interpretive approach in ways that may not align with traditional Indian philosophical frameworks.
As I read further, it became evident that the author lacks formal knowledge of Sanskrit. This is a significant concern, considering the Gītā is composed in that language. Many interpretations feel second-hand and occasionally inaccurate. For instance, the rendering of Hṛṣīkeśa as “one whose hair stands on end with joy” reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Sanskrit etymology and context. The book left me rather disappointed.
If you're seeking a deep, authentic engagement with Indian philosophical traditions rooted in the original texts, I would recommend exploring works by scholars with a strong grounding in Sanskrit and classical sources.
I do not recommend the book for serious Gita scholars as it is full of inaccuracies.
The book is well-organized, printed with excellent quality, and offers reasonably structured content. I purchased it with high expectations, given the author's reputation as an authority on Indian spiritual thought and philosophy.
However, I found the content disappointing. The narrative seems primarily directed toward a Western—particularly American—audience, and attempts to blend Christian theology with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gītā. While I understand the author's personal background—having left India at a young age, married a Christian American, and settled in the United States—this context appears to have shaped the interpretive approach in ways that may not align with traditional Indian philosophical frameworks.
As I read further, it became evident that the author lacks formal knowledge of Sanskrit. This is a significant concern, considering the Gītā is composed in that language. Many interpretations feel second-hand and occasionally inaccurate. For instance, the rendering of Hṛṣīkeśa as “one whose hair stands on end with joy” reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Sanskrit etymology and context. The book left me rather disappointed.
If you're seeking a deep, authentic engagement with Indian philosophical traditions rooted in the original texts, I would recommend exploring works by scholars with a strong grounding in Sanskrit and classical sources.
I do not recommend the book for serious Gita scholars as it is full of inaccuracies.
November 10, 2022
The only reason I picked up this book to read was to understand the Bhagvad Gita. Read the Volume II.
I have to say the start is good but somewhere in the middle it gets too philosophical and the author talk going everywhere but the point to be made. The book does offers some good insights about self will, god within us and about distraction.
Overall the emphasis or stressing too much about a point that could have been explained in simpler terms may have reduced the size of the book but would have stayed with the readers on being on point.
I skipped the last pages on a fast read as again the author need to make a point seems to be dragged for too long...
I have to say the start is good but somewhere in the middle it gets too philosophical and the author talk going everywhere but the point to be made. The book does offers some good insights about self will, god within us and about distraction.
Overall the emphasis or stressing too much about a point that could have been explained in simpler terms may have reduced the size of the book but would have stayed with the readers on being on point.
I skipped the last pages on a fast read as again the author need to make a point seems to be dragged for too long...
December 13, 2022
I’m not really in the business of reading 1500 page books, but every line of this text is true. It is a guide on how to live your life that just speaks love, and happiness and truth. It does validate that I’m on the right path, but I have a lot of work to do. And as soon as I finished it, I went right back to page one. I think this is one that you just read forever and hopefully get a few things right along the way.
November 3, 2025
Overall a great book that really does explain bhagavad gita, 2 stars off becuase the author yaps too much and keeps citing Ghandi as some perfect pious godly saint but ghandi was actually not a good person at all which just pissed me off so much. He doesn’t even mention Ghandi one he literally worships ghandi like every other chapter ew. Not just ghadi, but i also just didn’t agree with some of his takes and felt a bit far from what the bhagavad gita says.
April 11, 2022
A Western Guide To The Gita
This lengthy set of commentaries on the Gita bring a bridge from East to West. Eswaran’s teaching and writing style interweave Indian and Western interpretations and shows parallels between the Gita and Western religions and philosophy. A long read but one that really makes the Gita accessible to the Christian Western reader.
This lengthy set of commentaries on the Gita bring a bridge from East to West. Eswaran’s teaching and writing style interweave Indian and Western interpretations and shows parallels between the Gita and Western religions and philosophy. A long read but one that really makes the Gita accessible to the Christian Western reader.
June 12, 2024
This reading and reflecting is a life-changing experience. I will likely revisit in the near future and read this a second time. I wish everyone would read this. Very much enjoyed the authors commentary.🙏🙏🙏
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews