The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics)

The Bhagavad Gita is the world's most translated scripture. The task for a Gita translator is to effectively take the poetic multilayer Sanskrit original and translate it into English preserving it's flavor allowing it to stand alone without commentary. Few have succeeded. I have read multiple editions of the Gita and,in my Sanskrit studies, read the original in Sanskrit. While I haven't read all the English translations, Mascaro's translation is the best I have read. It takes the reader to the heart of the Gita, to their own heart and to that of Lord Krishna with practical real instructions on how we should live to be aligned with God. It is a practical nitty gritty instruction manual on how we are to construct and conduct ourselves in our own "life battle". Gandhi read the Gita as his daily practice; it sustained him. I have found the same experience when I have picked up this volume during my own times of crisis. If one wants to plumb the depths of the Gita, then I would suggest getting Winthrop Sargent's Bhagavad Gita with the Sanskrit and Sanskrit translation. It is excellent, but a few of the translations are off, and it is dry compared to Mascaro. There are many commentaries and at present I don't have a favorite one to recommend. If one wants to explore both the flavor and the depth of the Gita, I would recommend undertaking Sanskrit studies with Vyaas Houston [...] . He gives weekend trainings to begin to learn Sanskrit as well as immersions into the Gita. I can assure you, you won't be disappointed. If you don't have the time or money, Mascaro's translation is a gold mine.

After much concern as a Christian, over whether or not Hindus believe in one Supreme Being or not, this book put my concerns to rest. It explains, as a 500 BC document, their view of God and His avatars on earth, the Trinity as they know it, and who their God is by name. I was completely intrigued by phrases in this "prayer" or poem, that echo the Nicene Creed: God of Gods, Light of light, Very God of Very God, Begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father, by Whom all things were made. This book should be required reading for all seminary students. Now we know things in Hinduism got fairly convoluted with over 200 demi-gods after this book was written, but it tells it like it was when it started. The Trimurti is still a mystery as is the Trinity, but over all, Brahman is God. A masterful work.

This is a powerful, transforming book. I have read it about 4 times. It has taught me much about stilling my mind and heart. This may well be my favorite book ever. I have written many of its passages on cards and meditate on them frequently for peace and for helping me to draw close to God. Much of it has truly become a part of me. Much of who I am spiritually I owe to the Gita. As for this translation, I have tried about 3 other translations. Now I'm glad I read Mascaro's translation first, because if I read one of the others first I might have lost interest in it and might never have pick it up again and thus I would not have received such valuable insight.

What a beautiful and inspiring translation. This is a book to live your life by. One of the best of all time.

The content is of course magnificent. But why use such poor quality paper for such a book,

Juan Mascaro's translation remains simply the best. The English is clear, the words are considered, and the balance of the sentences is simply marvellous. It reminds one of the simple, balanced writing of the King James Bible. My feeling is that the way Mascaro writes English is strongly influenced by his Catalan heritage, yet the exactitude of his prose reflects his long association with Cambridge. In my opinion, comparing several other translations, Mascaro's translation delivers what is most important-- the spirit of the message in simple, clear english. Jacques Joubert

And I find the Bhagavad Gita to be a very sacred and holy work that I will with God’s help learn with my future children.

I understand every words from the book, but I don’t understand most of meaning of the book. I feel this a book that you need guides and helps to read it.

Classic! And this particular version is easy to digest

Muy bueno, una gran enseñanza para quien le guste este tipo de obras.

翻訳者本人ではない学者が書いている序文は、情報提供としては良いのですが、同時に、先入観が入るのと難解なのが気になりました。 翻訳者本人の序文は印象深かったです：「毎日の様に原文を読み返している」、「他の人の翻訳が出たらすぐに確認している、出るのを待っている」、など。 数ある英訳の中でも本作は、（原文を大事にしつつ）、キリスト教的な言葉、sin（原罪）などを用いて訳しているのが特徴のようです（元の言葉はdakka(苦しみ、煩わしさ）なのかなあ？とか思いましたが原文は読めないのでわかりません）。ただ、それによって変な色がついているということもなく、シンプルで奥深い原文の内容を感じ取れる気はしました。 内容としては、マハバラタという王族内での領地争い（領地の貸し借りを発端とする）による国を二分した戦争が描かれた大長編の中の一部（最も重要な部分とも言われる）の抜粋の様です。 （書かれた年代も近いらしいので）初期仏教に近いとも感じますし、ヒンドゥー教独自の複数の手や顔を描くアートスタイルの元ネタを知れた気もしますし、様々な叡智のおさらいもできる感じですかね（源泉を辿る的な）。時代を超えて大事なことが語られていてると思いました。

This particular translation is my go to book for the bhagwad gita since decades

One of the best translations of the Gita with a preface that is a teaching in itself. Juan Mascaro is an amazing translator and worth pursuing his works. Dhammapada is his work on the words of the Buddha, with amazing Preface. Penguin Classics would do well to over this mans works in hardback editions. They once did a collection of there amazing library of works. But now they seem to have forgotten that they even did that. Not just these two but dozens of titles in beautiful small hardback editions.