Bhagavad Gita, A New Translation

A fresh, new prose translation of the classic Indian poem, ideally focused for students and teachers and for yoga teacher training
" The Bhagavad Gita," a small section of the massive Sanskrit epic the "Mahabharata," is one of the central texts of Indian culture and philosophy, and one of the great works of world literature. It has been translated into English many times since 1785, and has had a profound influence in America, beginning with the transcendentalists and continuing today. It is taught in introductory world literature, religion, and Eastern religion courses, and is often prescribed in yoga teacher training courses because it explains the core principles of Vedic philosophy, which are central to yoga practice.
Some of the currently available translations are in verse and, while well crafted, often do not accurately reflect the forms, sounds, and rhythms of the original. Older scholarly translations convey little feel for language. George Thompson's intention is to be as accurate and engaging as possible, and to create a translation that has scholarly bona fides, literary sensibility, and greater accuracy than previous translations. He emphasizes the social, historical, literary, and philosophical contexts surrounding the text. His introduction explains the development of Hindu thought and where the philosophy of the "Gita" fits historically, along with a history of the text and its place in Indian literature and philosophy and history.. George Thompson, a Vedic scholar and Sanskritist, has more than twenty years of experience teaching the Bhagavad Gita at college level. He is an assistant professor at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts. The Bhagavad Gita is one of the central texts of Indian culture and philosophy and one of the great works of world literature. George Thompson's fresh new prose translation, based in current scholarship, is meant to be as accurate, accessible, and engaging as possible. It is ideal for students in many fields and disciplines, including--because it explains the core principles of Vedic philosophy--dedicated practitioners of yoga. "George Thompson's new translation is a gift to teachers, students and seekers. The prose is lucid, lively, and admirably literal. The key metaphors are skillfully rendered, the core teachings precisely delineated; most important, the philosophical and spiritual radiance of the original shines through."--Carol Zaleski, Professor of World Religions, Smith College "George Thompson's new translation is a gift to teachers, students and seekers. The prose is lucid, lively, and admirably literal. The key metaphors are skillfully rendered, the core teachings precisely delineated; most important, the philosophical and spiritual radiance of the original shines through."--Carol Zaleski, Professor of World Religions, Smith College "With this elegant new rendering, George Thompson has achieved the seemingly impossible: his translation is accurate, yet readable; written in crisp, straightforward prose, but filled with poetic brilliance; accompanied by a learned introduction and valuable commentary, both of which are informed by profound Indological scholarship that illuminates rather than intimidates. In short, this is a gem that will be appreciated by anyone who wishes to familiarize himself or herself with one of the world's greatest religious and philosophical classics."--Victor H. Mair, Professor of Chinese Language and Literature, University of Pennsylvania "George Thompson's translation is clear and luminous; it opens a space of engagement that other translations often miss. I was able to read and think about the Gita as a contemporary text, one arguing in relation to our concerns as well as those of ancient Hinduism. This version seems lucid and true and wonderful; everyone should read it."--Alan Sondheim, Center for Literary Computing, West Virginia University "The Bhagavad Gita is and has always been a must read for anyone interested in India, ancient or modern. No wonder it has been translated and re-translated into so many languages, English being perhaps the most frequently used medium. Dr. Thompson's translation is truly novel, because not only does it render the poem's Sanskrit quite differently, but also offers groundbreaking interpretations of many stanzas, even well-known ones. It retains poetic qualities of the original and is a genuine pleasure to read. Moreover, it fully meets expectations that even the most demanding readers of our time have come to count on in an academic translation: it is precise and thoroughly researched. The translation and commentary testify to the author's ample erudition. Compelling comments will no doubt be of great service to inquisitive minds who would want to understand the author's approach to translating some of the most difficult Sanskrit passages that are rendered masterfully. I wholeheartedly recommend this translation to all readers."--Boris Oguibenine, Professor, Universite Marc Bloch de Strasbourg
"This new translation of "The Bhagavad Gita" comes as close to the liveliness, topicality, and flow of the original as any I have seen. Professor George Thomson has more than twenty years of experience teaching it to students. His Introduction explains the Yoga of the Gita. It is learned without being heavy. Notes and bibliography are helpful and succinct. I recommend this translation without reservation to scholars and teachers of Sanskrit and to beginning students of Indian culture. It remains the most popular book of one of the largest and most creative civilizations of the contemporary world."--Frits Staal, Professor Emeritus, University of California at Berkeley