59 pages 1 hour read

Swami Prabhavananda, Transl. Christopher Isherwood

Bhagavad Gita

Nonfiction | Scripture | Adult | Published in 1972

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Introduction

Teacher Introduction

Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God

  • Genre: Religious; Spiritual; Classic Hindu Scripture
  • Originally Written: Estimated to date back to the 2nd century BCE
  • Translation Published: The translation by Christopher Isherwood and Swami Prabhavananda was published in 1866.
  • Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 1770L; College/Adult
  • Structure/Length: Approximately 671 pages
  • Central Concern: The Bhagavad Gita is a philosophical and spiritual dialogue between the prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, who serves as his charioteer. Taking place on the battlefield just before the start of a great war, the Gita addresses complex issues of duty, righteousness, and the moral struggles of Arjuna. This translation aims to present these teachings in a manner accessible to a Western audience, highlighting the Gita's profound spiritual and ethical insights.
  • Potential Sensitivity Issues: Religious and philosophical themes; discussions about duty, war, and morality in a spiritual context.

Swami Prabhavananda, Author

  • Bio: Born 1893; died 1976; Indian philosopher and monk of the Ramakrishna Order; founder of the Vedanta Society of Southern California; worked extensively to spread Vedanta and Indian spiritual ideas in the West

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

  • Battle and War
  • The Search for Enlightenment
  • The Binary Nature of Existence

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

  • Develop historical and religious understanding regarding the principles of Hinduism that structure Arjuna and Krishna’s dialogue throughout the text.