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.