I have read, studied, and chanted from many versions of the Bhagavad Gita, and found some favorites in the past. However, this version by Swami Satyananda Saraswati is so very readable--in type, text, format, as well as translation--not only for those familiar with Sanskrit and Bhagavad Gita, but also for those new to the text and to Sanskrit.
For those readers from a Western tradition and culture, such as myself, this work provides an English translation that brings heart and soul to any in-depth study of the Bhagavad Gita. For the first time, for example, I can study the translated names of all those characters in the scripture and story, and find new meaning and food for thought, bringing greater scope and depth to the story itself. But even more than the characters themselves is the knowledgeable and thoughtful rendering of each verse itself. Again and again, I will return to the translation to savor each verse, and to meditate upon his particular translation.
Further, as a novice and beginning student of Sanskrit, I strongly appreciate the pairing of Sanskrit type, easy-to-read transliteration, and beautiful translation, where I can move my eye and attention as I chant, enriching the experience for me. In addition, this book is clearly written by a scholar, not only of Sanskrit, but most definitely of Vedic scriptures--a trustworthy combination for one like myself who is exploring Vedic practice and scriptures in greater depth.
Thank you, Swami Satyananda, for this beautiful book!
J. Teece, Ph.D., California
