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    The Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata) Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of Krishna
    The Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata) Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of Krishna
    The Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata) Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of Krishna
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    The Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata) Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of Krishna

    By Edwin Arnold

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    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArchive Classics
    Release dateNov 27, 2013
    The Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata) Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of Krishna

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    Reviews for The Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata) Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of Krishna

    4/5

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    • 3/5
      I feel silly trying to give this a rating. Much as I'd feel silly about giving the Bible a rating. It's about beliefs that I haven't been brought up in, so it's hard to understand it all in one reading -- it's not even a faith I've done much research into before now. I suppose one could read it in a purely literary way, but I didn't, really. It was hard to focus on how good the translation was or whatever when I was trying to focus on understanding exactly what was being suggested. There were things I recognised from studying Buddhism, but for the most part it was quite new to me.

      The introduction (and translator's introduction) is reasonably helpful, giving some context. I should probably reread it now that I've actually read the main text, and see if it illuminates everything a bit more.

      Maybe I'll do a better review when I've thought about it some more. It's interesting, though, reading something outside of my own experience. It's worth reading something like this, to try and get to some new ideas. In itself, this isn't hard to read, and there are some lovely passages about Krishna.

      I might also try reading a different translation, at some stage.
    • 5/5
      If you are a seeker then you need to read this!
    • 4/5
      Very much like the other "wisdom collections" of the time. I kind of enjoyed the frame concept of it being a conversations between two characters, rather than the author talking at the reader, such as with other collections of wisdom, but at the same time, I kind of just wanted it to get on with it.
    • 4/5
      For me, this is the best Baghavad Gita translation. Van Buitenen does not seem to have as much of a philosophical agenda as many other translations. The Sanskrit is included (for those of you with a sanskrit dictionary) and the English on the facing page.
    • 3/5
      You really need to be interested and devoted to get something out of this text, but even if the material is not for you there are many wondrous scenes that can change the way you look at the world. So if you can stick with it and keep a clear head then this book has so much to offer, but if you can't then chances are it will just be confusing and you will think it is a waste of time. Definitely not for everyone.
    • 3/5
      I picked this up because it is one of the essential texts of Hindu culture and I enjoy learning the history of culture and religions. This particular text is a series of conversations between the Arjuna (a warrior/prince) and the god Krishna. There are some interesting sections on what is the basis of action is and how we should approach it mentally and overcome our physical desires.I don't like to rate books that can be viewed as religious texts, so I give them all 3 stars as a rule.3/5
    • 5/5
      "As a Seeker you must learn a much higher code of conduct then just those taught to you as a child. This requires your willingness to integrate many points of view. What wisdom list would be complete without at least a few perspectives about the divine? Start with your own then try the Bhagavad Gita. From the East. This version of the Bhagavad Gita is translated for easier reading for Westerners."
    • 2/5
      Religious bullshit that sanctions violence because, according to Lord Krsna, men have souls so what does it matter if you kill them?? No thanks. I neither approve of nor recommend it. It claims truths simply on the authority of itself, which doesn't fly with me.
    • 4/5
      a great and necessary read for all. this translation is superb and accessible. I have read it three or four times now
    • 2/5
      I find Mascaro's introduction too syncretistic in trying to reconcile Christianity and Hindium. Both may be good things, but they are very different things.
    • 5/5
      I will always be grateful to Barbara Miller for her translation of the Bhagavad Gita for one overarching reason: her translation of Chapter 15, "The True Spirit of Man" pointed out the non-duality at the heart of the Gita, something that I had missed in other translations. Here's an excerpt:15:16"There is a double spirit of manin the world, transient and eternal-transient in all creatures,eternal at the summit of existence.....15:18Since I transcend what is transientand I am higher than the eternal,I am known as the supreme spirit of manin the world and in sacred lore."This was very useful to me since it pointed out that Krishna - or the Supreme Spirit - is more significant and more fundamental than both the transient and the eternal. In other words, this is a non-dual insight which goes beyond polytheism, monotheism, henotheism and kathenotheism. There is only Spirit - there is only Ati - and Miller beautifully captures the heart of this wisdom teaching in 15:16 and 15:18.
    • 5/5
      My guess is that this is like the Christian Bible. People have it in on their shelves, but they don't read it. This can turn your head in several directions. Like any good religious text, it is not simple, and you can read it over and over again, and still find something new.
    • 5/5
      The great thing about this translation is that it shows every step: from the original script to roman transliteration and great notes on the grammar.
    • 5/5
      An excellent reading of the most read story in the world. Needleman, reads with the authority of someone who has studied the subject matter in depth for a long time.

    Book preview

    The Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata) Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of Krishna - Edwin Arnold

    The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bhagavad-Gita, by Anonymous

    This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with

    almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or

    re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included

    with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org

    Title: The Bhagavad-Gita

    Author: Anonymous

    Translator: Sir Edwin Arnold

    Posting Date: June 23, 2013 [EBook #2388]

    Release Date: November, 2000

    First Posted: January 26, 2000

    Language: English

    *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BHAGAVAD-GITA ***

    Produced by J. C. Byers.  HTML version by Al Haines.

    The

    Song Celestial.

    or

    Bhagavad-Gita

    (From the Mahabharata)

    Being a Discourse Between Arjuna,

    Prince of India, and the Supreme Being

    Under the Form of Krishna

    Translated from the Sanskrit Text

    by

    Sir Edwin Arnold,

    M.A., K.C.I.E., C.S.I.

    New York

    Truslove, Hanson & Comba, Ltd.

    67 Fifth Avenue

    1900

    Dedication

    TO INDIA

    So have I read this wonderful and spirit-thrilling speech,

    By Krishna and Prince Arjun held, discoursing each with each;

    So have I writ its wisdom here,--its hidden mystery,

    For England; O our India! as dear to me as She!

    EDWIN ARNOLD

    PREFACE

    This famous and marvellous Sanskrit poem occurs as an episode of the Mahabharata, in the sixth--or Bhishma--Parva of the great Hindoo epic. It enjoys immense popularity and authority in India, where it is reckoned as one of the ``Five Jewels,--pancharatnani--of Devanagiri literature. In plain but noble language it unfolds a philosophical system which remains to this day the prevailing Brahmanic belief, blending as it does the doctrines of Kapila, Patanjali, and the Vedas. So lofty are many of its declarations, so sublime its aspirations, so pure and tender its piety, that Schlegel, after his study of the poem, breaks forth into this outburst of delight and praise towards its unknown author: Magistrorum reverentia a Brachmanis inter sanctissima pietatis officia refertur. Ergo te primum, Vates sanctissime, Numinisque hypopheta! quisquis tandem inter mortales dictus tu fueris, carminis bujus auctor,, cujus oraculis mens ad excelsa quaeque,quaeque,, aeterna atque divina, cum inenarraoih quddam delectatione rapitur-te primum, inquam, salvere jubeo, et vestigia tua semper adore." Lassen re-echoes this splendid tribute; and indeed, so striking are some of the moralities here inculcated, and so close the parallelism--ofttimes actually verbal-- between its teachings and those of the New Testament, that a controversy has arisen between Pandits and Missionaries on the point whether the author borrowed from Christian sources, or the Evangelists and Apostles from him.

    This raises the question of its date, which cannot be positively settled. It must have been inlaid into the ancient epic at a period later than that of the original Mahabharata, but Mr Kasinath Telang has offered some fair arguments to prove it anterior to the Christian era. The weight of evidence, however, tends to place its composition at about the third century after Christ; and perhaps there are really echoes in this Brahmanic poem of the lessons of Galilee, and of the Syrian incarnation.

    Its scene is the level country between the Jumna and the Sarsooti rivers-now Kurnul and Jheend. Its simple plot consists of a dialogue held by Prince Arjuna, the brother of King Yudhisthira, with Krishna, the Supreme Deity, wearing the disguise of a charioteer. A great battle is impending between the armies of the Kauravas and Pandavas, and this conversation is maintained in a war-chariot drawn up between the opposing hosts.

    The poem has been turned into French by Burnouf, into Latin by Lassen, into Italian by Stanislav Gatti, into Greek by Galanos, and into English by Mr. Thomson and Mr Davies, the prose transcript of the last-named being truly beyond praise for its fidelity and clearness. Mr Telang has also published at Bombay a version in colloquial rhythm, eminently learned and intelligent, but not conveying the dignity or grace of the original. If I venture to offer a translation of the wonderful poem after so many superior scholars, it is in grateful recognition of the help derived from their labours, and because English literature would certainly be incomplete without possessing in popular form a poetical and philosophical work so dear to India.

    There is little else to say which the Song Celestial does not explain for itself. The Sanskrit original is written in the Anushtubh metre, which cannot be successfully reproduced for Western ears. I have therefore cast it into our flexible blank verse, changing into lyrical measures where the text itself similarly breaks. For the most part, I believe the sense to be faithfully preserved in the following pages; but Schlegel himself had to say: In reconditioribus me semper poetafoster mentem recte divinasse affirmare non ausim. Those who would read more upon the philosophy of the poem may find an admirable introduction in the volume of Mr Davies, printed by Messrs Trubner & Co.

    EDWIN ARNOLD, C.S.I.

    CONTENTS

    I. THE DISTRESS OF ARJUNA

    II. THE BOOK OF DOCTRINES

    III. VIRTUE IN WORK

    IV. THE RELIGION OF KNOWLEDGE

    V. RELIGION OF RENOUNCING WORKS

    VI. RELIGION BY SELF-RESTRAINT

    VII. RELIGION BY DISCERNMENT

    VIII. RELIGION BY SERVICE OF THE SUPREME

    IX. RELIGION BY THE KINGLY KNOWLEDGE AND THE KINGLY MYSTERY

    X. RELIGION BY THE HEAVENLY PERFECTIONS

    XI. THE MANIFESTING OF THE ONE AND MANIFOLD

    XII. RELIGION OF FAITH

    XIII. RELIGION BY SEPARATION OF MATTER AND SPIRIT

    XIV. RELIGION BY SEPARATION FROM THE QUALITIES

    XV. RELIGION BY ATTAINING THE SUPREME

    XVI. THE SEPARATENESS OF THE DIVINE AND UNDIVINE

    XVII. RELIGION BY THE THREEFOLD FAITH

    XVIII. RELIGION BY DELIVERANCE AND RENUNCIATION

    CHAPTER I

    Dhritirashtra:

    Ranged thus for battle on the sacred plain--

    On Kurukshetra--say, Sanjaya! say

    What wrought my people, and the Pandavas?

    Sanjaya:

    When he beheld the host of Pandavas,

    Raja Duryodhana to Drona drew,

    And spake these words: "Ah, Guru! see this line,

    How vast it is of Pandu fighting-men,

    Embattled by the son of Drupada,

    Thy scholar in the war! Therein stand ranked

    Chiefs like Arjuna, like to Bhima chiefs,

    Benders of bows; Virata, Yuyudhan,

    Drupada, eminent upon his car,

    Dhrishtaket, Chekitan, Kasi's stout lord,

    Purujit, Kuntibhoj, and Saivya,

    With Yudhamanyu, and Uttamauj

    Subhadra's child; and Drupadi's;-all famed!

    All mounted on their shining chariots!

    On our side, too,--thou best of Brahmans! see

    Excellent chiefs, commanders of my line,

    Whose names I joy to count: thyself the first,

    Then Bhishma, Karna, Kripa fierce in fight,

    Vikarna, Aswatthaman; next to these

    Strong Saumadatti, with full many more

    Valiant and tried, ready this day to die

    For me their king, each with his weapon grasped,

    Each skilful in the field. Weakest-meseems-

    Our battle shows where Bhishma holds command,

    And Bhima, fronting him, something too strong!

    Have care our captains nigh to Bhishma's ranks

    Prepare what help they may! Now, blow my shell!"

    Then, at the signal of the aged king,

    With blare to wake the blood, rolling around

    Like to a lion's roar, the trumpeter

    Blew the great Conch; and, at the noise of it,

    Trumpets and drums, cymbals and gongs and horns

    Burst into sudden clamour;

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