This is a book that has verses that will further liberate the soul and help reach the ultimate goal - Bhagavan Krishna.

The work has the standard structure of original Sanskrit text, roman transliterations, synonyms, translations and elaborate purports by His Divine Grace Prabhupada. This is a important work in understanding the science of devotion inspired by Lord Caitanya. The work has only eleven verses. Text one identifies that only who can control his speech, mind, anger, tongue, belly and genitals can be guru. Next verse identifies the items that destroy bhakti. Next two verses deals with ways to develop bhakti. Next two verses instructs how to recognize different kinds of devotees and how to relate to them. Verse seven talks about sweetness of God's Name. Verses 8-11 discusses the glory of Radha and Bridhavan. It is preferrable if it is heard from pure devotees.

This is a great book that has verses that will foster the growth towards reaching Bhagavan Krishna, who is the goal of life.

Here's my story. I was at a book sale at my local library. There was little selection remaining. It was a 5 dollar a bagfull of books deal. I tossed this book in just for kicks.

Its a very easy & short book, 110 small pages to be exact. I believe in the oneness of religion. I believe in "christianity" but do not limit myself to that. I have come to realize this through the Baha'i faith. The founders of other religions have been just as true manifestations of God.

I know alot about religions, but I barely knew anything about Hinduism other than a few basics. I suspected it would be a harder one to reconcile or complement with Judeo-Christian-Muslim concepts. But from what has been revealed to me in this brief handy book was completely parallel to my beliefs and Baha'i type beliefs, that is I could see the unity of its god with the western god, which i believe is the same god.

One point they made where this was evident, which I agree on is, in the Christian religion, is Jesus claimed to be the son of God and to be coming from the Kingdom of God to reclaim conditioned souls. As followers of Baghavadgita, they admit this claim to be true. Krishna is to Hinduism what Jesus is to Christianity, I recognized this reflection of Baha'i principles.

Also, just as the New Testament stressed, he enforces spirit over material body. Eternal over the temporal. Granted, there are some differences. They emphasize many births until you reach Krishna consciousness, what we know as reincarnation. But this is all really still up for interpretation, did not Jesus say that to enter the kingdom one needed to be "born again?"

One other connection to Jesus I made, do you remember when he said worry not about what to eat, drink, and wear for the birds do not do this but the Father provides for them? The author illustrates what we have become through materialism that our animal-friends have not lost. If we threw grain on the street, pigeons may come and eat a few crumbs, then fly away leaving the rest. If we were to place bags of flour on the street someone would come and take 10 or 15 and leave no others, they would take much more than they actually needed whereas all the birds would be fed by the same grain. God provides us with these things indeed, if we could only distribute them.

But upon reading this I am able to unite Hinduism with the oneness of other beliefs. This served as an easy but wonderful introduction to Hinduism for me. I can see my belief through comparing this books message and the ones I had learned previously...The Lord is manifested to different people at different times to give the appropriate message in the given setting.

If this has never become evident to you, please read this book. A book that I got for almost free on a whim that I thought I might possibly never read has been so very satisfying to me that I thought I would share it and hope you consider it

Well, $400 is a lot to pay for a set of books, but this will be the best $400 you ever spent, in my humble opinion. Srimad Bhagavatam is absolutely mind blowing, challenging every materialistic paradigm with devastating logic and searing spiritual truths. Described in its own text as the "literary incarnation of God", it aims to bring the reader to pure spiritual consciousness -- and that's in just the first nine volumes. The tenth and largest volume in the set deals with the sublime and inconceivably beautiful pastimes of Krishna, proclaimed by this and all other Vedic texts as the Supreme Lord.

It is a challenging read, not for those who still think that we can make this world into some kind of paradise, maybe adjust things so that suffering will disappear. Those who believe that life is meant for satisifying the senses and the mind will also soon put it down. The Bhagavatam dismisses such notions as utter foolishness. It asserts that the living being is an eternal part of the Supreme Spirit, meant to enjoy unlimited spiritual bliss, but only when he or she gives up the endeavour for material happiness. And it states in no uncertain terms that we do not belong in this world, a world where birth, death, disease, old age, anxiety, pestilence, war and a host of other miseries are ultimately unavoidable. But misery, says the Bhagavatam, can and will be avoided just as soon as we apply in our lives the spiritual science it advocates. That science is the pursuit of transcendence, of a world where misery is entirely unknown, where we experience an ineffable happiness beyond anything ever achievable within the material sphere.

The author Prabhupada illuminates the meaning of every text with brilliant purports. True, they are not always easy to fathom, but the Bhagavatam tells us that the very endeavour to understand its message is itself purifying to the intelligence, and thus the meaning gradually reveals itself, like the sun penetrating an early morning fog.

After almost twenty-five years of studying Prabhupada's Bhagavatam, I think I am about ready to admit that I am in that fog. Now I think it is time to do something about it, and this book, at least for me, is definitely the answer. I will leave you with two of the invocatory prayers.

"Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhagavatam propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhagavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyasadeva, is sufficient in itself for God realization. What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhagavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart." (SB 1.1.1)

"This Bhagavatam is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krishna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana." (SB 1.3.43)

Om Tat Sat
Vaishnava dasanudas
Krishna Dharma

By far this book is the best piece of literature that I have ever read. The concepts presented here have completely altered the way I see the world around me and has helped me to distinguish reality from illusion. Just the sound of the sanskrit when chanted has a very deeply satisfying and soothing effect on the mind. There is nothing like it. Here is an excerpt from the Srimad Bhagavatama itself:

This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krsna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana.

PURPORT by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Lord Sri Krsna has His eternal dhama, or abode, where He eternally enjoys Himself with His eternal associates and paraphernalia. And His eternal abode is a manifestation of His internal energy, whereas the material world is a manifestation of His external energy. When He descends on the material world, He displays Himself with all paraphernalia in His internal potency, which is called atma-maya. In the Bhagavad-gita the Lord says that He descends by His own potency (atma-maya). His form, name, fame, paraphernalia, abode, etc., are not, therefore, creations of matter. He descends to reclaim the fallen souls and to reestablish codes of religion which are directly enacted by Him. Except for God, no one can establish the principles of religion. Either He or a suitable person empowered by Him can dictate the codes of religion. Real religion means to know God, our relation with Him and our duties in relation with Him and to know ultimately our destination after leaving this material body. The conditioned souls, who are entrapped by the material energy, hardly know all these principles of life. Most of them are like animals engaged in eating, sleeping, fearing and mating. They are mostly engaged in sense enjoyment under the pretension of religiosity, knowledge or salvation. They are still more blind in the present age of quarrel, or Kali-yuga. In the Kali-yuga the population is just a royal edition of the animals. They have nothing to do with spiritual knowledge or godly religious life. They are so blind that they cannot see anything beyond the jurisdiction of the subtle mind, intelligence or ego, but they are very much proud of their advancement in knowledge, science and material prosperity. They can risk their lives to become a dog or hog just after leaving the present body, for they have completely lost sight of the ultimate aim of life.

The Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna appeared before us just a little prior to the beginning of Kali-yuga, and He returned to His eternal home practically at the commencement of Kali-yuga. While He was present, He exhibited everything by His different activities. He spoke the Bhagavad-gita specifically and eradicated all pretentious principles of religiosity. And prior to His departure from this material world, He empowered Sri Vyasadeva through Narada to compile the messages of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, and thus both the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam are like torchbearers for the blind people of this age. In other words, if men in this age of Kali want to see the real light of life, they must take to these two books only, and their aim of life will be fulfilled. Bhagavad-gita is the preliminary study of the Bhagavatam. And Srimad-Bhagavatam is the summum bonum of life, Lord Sri Krsna personified. We must therefore accept Srimad-Bhagavatam as the direct representation of Lord Krsna. One who can see Srimad-Bhagavatam can see also Lord Sri Krsna in person. They are identical.

For the Seeker who is looking for answers that convention and tradition do not provide, this set of books provides insight into ancient thoughts and concepts that are used over and over again throughout the religions, philosophies and sciences of renaissance Europe and the middle East.

The search of mankind to find the meaning of life and existence has continued since the dawn of time. This search has been documented in many forms. Unfortunately the answers are not a group thing.

As a seeker your cup is not quite full, nor is you hunger abated at this point in your life. You are full of definitions that have no real meaning for you. You are full of philosophies that have no relevance for you. You are full of answers that do not answer your real questions in a meaningful and definitive manner. You are the perfect image of the hungry ghosts , with bloated belly full of things that do not satisfy your hunger, constantly consuming but always hungry and unfulfilled. You probably have asked why are the answers so illusive, while the questions appear so simple. You may have found that the extent of mans knowledge in all fields of endeavor reaches an event horizon that is so close and then collapses into itself prior to yielding the eloquent truths that you are seeking. Buddha wakes up, Christ reveals, Khrisna enlightens. Knock, knock Neo the matrix is calling. You may have found that, at a certain point, the concept of Science, a supposed exactitude, dissolves into a metaphysical abstraction, which dissolves into a philosophy and my dissolve into a religious belief system or tradition which may dissolve into a psychology. You may have discovered that the word Religion is as definable as love, bloated of definition and infinite implied meanings to which you cannot relate. You may have discovered that most science at the outer limits of the known and knowable, relies on belief systems and postulates that are not different from traditional religious systems.

The Srimad Bhagavatam is an ancient book of great merit that is required reading if want to understand the precepts of modern religious traditions and where the concepts of today were derived. Nothing is new, only new to those who have just discovered.

This is an edition of the Gita unlike any I've seen. At first the poetic approach caught me off guard, but when I read a bit I found it very entertaining. The discipline of the meter and rhyme brings the verses into a 'sutra' (nutshell) form, and considering the involved subject matter, the writer does it very well.

The interpretation strongly favors the personal God, clearly the proper and most illuminating view of the Bhagavad-gita.

For me this compact, enjoyable, and uplifting book is a perfect companion on long trips.

I am 17 and didn't exaclty find poetry of much interest to me till I read Bhagavad Gita THE SONG DIVINE. I recommend this book for anyone who likes to read, it is a pleasent addition to ones library or backpack (if you are a student like me).

sincerly,
Harry Jaganath.

This book is a real treasure! Its rhyming verses make the Gita fun to read, especially out loud with friends or family. I've found my kids are very attracted to it, whereas the more philosophical versions seem boring to them. (Mitchell's version was a complete dud!) The verses tell the complete story of this important and instructive meeting between Krishna and Arjuna, condensing it without leaving out anything essential. The profound spiritual messages of the Gita come through loud and clear, yet Woodham's brilliant couplets make it palatable even to those whose interest in spirituality isn't very strong. This is just the kind of book I'll love to give as a gift to young people, old friends, relatives of all ages---even myself! The price is right, and it's very attractively put together. That combined with its entertainment factor makes this a highly recommended choice.

It is an excellent presentation of philosophy done in a way of finding God through the mother nature.

I found this book by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to be both heartwarming and thought provoking. At one stage I slept with it by my bedside and would read one of the stanzas every night before I went to sleep. It was a very sweet way to drift into slumber. Perhaps this is my good fortune to have found this advertisement to remind me to find the book again.

"The Teachings of Lord Caitanya" by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami informs the reader of the theological tradition begun over 500 years ago in India by Sri Caitanya Saraswati. Some of the major themes discussed include anthropomorphism, polymorphism, and transcendant relationships. The book is structured as conversations with five individuals, reflecting the five modes of relationship defined by Caitanya: passive, servitude, friendship, parental care, and conjugal love.

The most prominent theme in the book is the promotion of anthropomorphism. A strong didactic tone is used to deride impersonalists, those who identify the impersonal Brahman as the Ultimate Reality. In this sense, Caitanya can be classified as a Hindu fundamentalist. In every case, literal meaning is preferred to metaphorical interpretation, and sophistication is castigated.

One problem in this presentation is the difficulty in translation to English. Not all of the Sanskrit terms are translated, leaving the reader with only a vague understanding. For example: "The personal form of Krsna can be divided into two: svayam-rupa and svayam prakasa. As far as His svayam-rupa (or pastime form) is concerned, it is in that form that He always remains in Vrndavana with the inhabitants of Vrndavana."(p 73) "There are also forms of Krsna which are a little different, and these are called tadekatma-rupa forms. These may be further divided into the vilasa and svamsa forms, which in turn have many different features and can be divided into prabhava and vaibhava forms." (p 75) Although sufficient examples are given to support the theological concept of polymorphism, some of the terms (such as prakasa and tadekatma) remain undefined.

One of the least comprehensible portions of the book is the discussion of the relationship between Sri Caitanya and Ramananda Raya. The basis of the depth of their embarrasingly emotional relationship is not clear, and the strange episode establishing Caitanya's divinity is not particularly convincing.

This book is pleasant to read. Each chapter flows nicely into the next. But the reader needs to be tolerant of the difficulties mentioned above in order to get the spiritual benefit of the teachings of one of the world's greatest mystics, Sri Caitanya Saraswati.

Mike Aigen

Anyone who can find and read this book is a very lucky person. I can only say the best about this book which changed my life. And thanks to Prabhupada for putting this book in such a easy-to-read format.

This book, by the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, gives an accurate an authoritative view on the opinions and ideas held by that sect. Prabhupada tries to identify Krsna with Christ and tries to come across as being the foremost proponent of 'the science of self realization' rather than a member of some sectarian cult. He denies that the labels of 'Hindu', 'Christian' or 'Muslim' are of any use to those who are not devoted to god. But he over and over again seems to emphasize the Hindu scriptures and holds that they must be taken literally. His basic theological arguments is basically the same as that of all other fundamentalists: 'if you disagree with my interpretation of the books that I consider holy and divinely-inspired, then you are a fool and a heathen'. Even so, some of his conversations with Christian leaders is thought-provoking. The emphasis that ISKCON places on vegetarianism, celibacy and chanting is gone over in detail, but the outsider is more likely to feel that he or she has been wise to keep away from the movement. Prabhupada doesn't tend to listen to anyone who disagrees with him even when his logic is poor -- he will often not allow them to finish their train of thought and refers to his opponents over and over again as 'fools', even going as far as to deny that Sancarya believed in god and to say that all non-Bhakti yogis will not receive salvation despite the position of the advaita school of the Vedanta. But he does say something in some of the interviews about his background as a husband, father, and profession as a chemist before becoming a sanyasi, which idealises the idea of non-attached work encouraged in the Bhagavad-Gita.

This here is a wonderful collection of assembled essays, exegeses, interviews, and letters to serve as a guide on the path of realization of the Supreme Personality of the Godhead. We need to realize that our sole devotion should be our return to Krishna, and we should fully serve God. This world's political leaders are lost without Realization, and by serving them we shall never have satisfaction. The process of Krishna consciousness is not a story of secondhand religion- no no, it is a science. In the material world we inquire about illusory irrelevant things, rather than Brahman. He discusses how we are mediated by a guru, and warns us of the charlatans people have been fooled by. 'Pay me and in six months you can be God!' A guru need not be affiliated with any religion, he only teaches people to love God and focus on Him. Indeed, as one of the chapters is titled, Jesus Christ was a guru. But how many people sincerely follow his message nowadays? It's extremely scarce.

He does not like to be identified as a Hindu. He is not preaching any sect's truth over the others, instead a universal spiritual Unity that anyone who wants to love God can experience. The distinction of "Hindu" "Muslim" or "Christian" is a rubber stamp that was later added on to God consciousness.

We cannot follow a religion or love God until we know the meaning of what these 2 things refer to.

Wow! What a book! This was the first Prabhupada book that I ever read. IT ROCKED MY WORLD! The topics it covered changed my life.

I almost underestimated the book because of it's easy read style, but it holds some of the most sublime topics and answers I have ever found in a piece of literature. It also pulled no punches. Topics like evolution, god has a personality, and Christ and Krishna really made me think and question my own life.

I will always be eternally greatful for this book.

With over two dozen languages and more than five million hardbound copies in print, undoubtedly, Bhagvad Gita As it is by Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the best selling and widely read classic in world literature. It reflects the main literary support for the great religious civilization of India, the oldest surviving culture in the world. This sacred book is well explained, easy to read with sanskrit shlokas well translated and pronunciations made easier. The subject of Bhagvad Gita entails the comprehension of five basic truths. First, science of god is explained and than the position of living entities, jivas. The living entity is controlled by the controller 'God head krsna' and the material nature 'prakriti' and time, the duration of existence of the whole universe and karma 'activity' are discussed. Finally, its god's wish and he makes or breaks the world! Bhagvad gita is written with 18 chapters - the conversation of krsna with Arjun as brief below:

1. Chapter One: Arjun gives up determination to fight at the battlefield of kuruksetra out of grief n pity when he sees his intimate relatives, teachers and friends in both armies ready to fight and sacrifice their lives.
2. Chapter Two: Krsna begins his teachings to Arjun and explains the distinction bet. the temporary material body and eternal spiritual soul. Characteristics of self realized person is explained.
3. Chapter Three: Karma Yoga i.e. one must engage in activity where actions can bind one to the world or liberate. Perform for the pleasure of god's will without selfish motives and attain transcendental knowledge.
4. Chapter Four: Transcendental knowledge, spiritual knowledge of the soul, of god and their relationship. Krsna explains history of Gita, purpose and significance of his periodic descents to the material world and the necessity of approaching a guru.
5. Chapter Five: Action performed and their fruits to attain peace, detachments, forbearance, spiritual vision and bliss.
6. Chapter Six: Controlling of the mind and senses and focus on concentration on god (lord is in heart)& explains the meaning of 'samadhi' full consciousness of supreme.
7. Chapter Seven: Knowledge of Absolute god. Krsna is the supreme truth and advanced souls surrender unto him in devotion.
8. Chapter Eight : Attaining the supreme god and remembering krsna in devotion whole life n at time of death, one can attain to his supreme abode, beyond material world.(This is one chapter that is always spoken in most Hindu families during ritual rites when someone dies)
9. Chapter Nine: The most confidential knowledge of bhakti - praying to godhead krsna.By reviving one's pure devotion, one returns to krsna in spiritual realm.
10.Chapter Ten: All power, beauty, grandeur or sublimity, in material or spiritual world are manifestation of krsna.
11.Chapter Eleven: Krsna grants Arjun the vision and reveals his form as cosmic universe and explains his own humanlike form is the original form of godhead and one can perceive only by pure devotion.
12. Chapter Twelve: Bhakti yoga to attain luv of krsna and they develop divine qualities.
13. Chapter Thirteen: Difference bet. body, the soul and supersoul beyond them both attains liberation from material world.
14. Chapter Fourteen:Souls are under the control of three modes i.e.qualities of material nature - goodness, passion and ignorance. How these modes act upon is well explained here.
15. Chapter Fifteen: Detaching oneself from material world and understand godhead. One who understand krsna surrenders to him and become devotional.
16. Chapter Sixteen: Difference of Divine and Demoniac nature is explained here. How to gain spiritual perfection.
17. Chapter Seventeen: Three types of faith evolving from three modes of material nature. Acts performed by those who have faith in passion and ignorance yield only impermanent, material results whereas acts performed in goodness, lead to pure faith in krsna.
18. Chapter Eighteen: The concluding part which explains the meaning of renunciation and effects of the modes of nature on human consciousness and acitivity. Surrendering to god which frees one from sins, bring enlightenment and be eternal spiritual mode.

Krsna says in Gita,
"Aham sarvasya prabhavo, Mattah sarvam pravartate
Iti matva bhajante mam, Budha bhava samanvitah" meaning "I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in my devotional service and worship me with all their hearts"

So, if you have read Bible or Koran or any religious book, Bhagvad Gita is a choice 'Absolute'to read about the 'Absolute Godhead' After all, God is a mystery and nobody ever knows who the real person is otherwise I feel, there would be no wars and only peace on earth if Bhagvad Gita Mahima (krsna's sayings) is followed by humans. A sure Pick.

WHY I love this book? Because It saved my life. This book is so good (powerful) that it opened my eyes and made me a better person (and happier). I love this book because it changed my heart and that is the hardest thing to do. I was a radical atheist and now I am trying to develop my love for God. I have read Bhagavad-Gita As It Is several times and every time I was more and more becoming happy and blissful. In this book I finally found answers to most important questions in one's life. Who am I? Who is God? What is the meaning of human form of life? What is after death? etc. Finally after five years of studying Bahagavad Gita (and other books from Srila Prabhupada) and lots of discussion with Prabhupada followers I decided to do something in my life so I started to put in practice things that I have read. Now I am chanting every day and I am trying to so something for God (Krishna) and His devotees.

Srila Prabhupada - thank you very much.

His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a pure devotee of Krishna, gave the western world this eternally inspirational text. It contains his devotional ectasies and is a true guide to one who is very sincerely seeking spiritual truth. To read this book is to be guided personally by His Divine Grace into a higher state of consciousness - purely devoted to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.

Someone who has a pre-concieved philosophical fixation will probably not be able to enter into the sublimity of this transliteration due to a challenging spirit. The same holds true for anyone who is looking to blindly follow a religious mandate. Bhagavad-gita requires not only candid inquiry and thought to understand its deep message - it also requires a qualified teacher who is authorized in disciplic succession.

AC Bhaktivedanta Swami is such a qualified teacher as he is directly initiated into a disciplic lineage that began with Sri Krishna Himself who spoke the Gita to Arjuna 5000 years ago.

Without the natural respect and submission that should accompany the reader when imbibing the words of such a great teacher one might feel dissapointed by his commentaries.

This book is not for anyone who desires to use 'spirituality' and spiritual understanding as a means to aggrandize themself. In the hands of Bhaktivedanta Swami, Bhagavad-gita's message of unalloyed devotion remains intact and accessable to the sincere at heart.

I found it interesting that most of the reviews for Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad Gita As It Is are weighted to either extreme. This holds true with the text wherin (Chapter Sixteen) the divine and demoniac qualities of man are explained:

Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance-these qualities belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Prtha.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

In this verse, the royal road to hell is described. The demoniac want to make a show of religion and advancement in spiritual science, although they do not follow the principles. They are always arrogant or proud in possessing some type of education or so much wealth. They desire to be worshiped by others, and demand respectability, although they do not command respect. Over trifles they become very angry and speak harshly, not gently. They do not know what should be done and what should not be done. They do everything whimsically, according to their own desire, and they do not recognize any authority. These demoniac qualities are taken on by them from the beginning of their bodies in the wombs of their mothers, and as they grow they manifest all these inauspicious qualities.

One might argue that His Divine Grace is being harsh himself by writing such a purport. I understand this to be a conteptuous misconception stemming from an ideology which is not able to distinguish between the love offered by a genuine well wisher and the personally motivated criticism one generally can experience in materially competitive life. The kitten feels safe in the teeth of the mother cat whereas the rat feels the jaws of death.

This book invited me to take a good look at myself and what I desire. It opened the door to a higher plane of understanding centered not around my frustrated attempts to seek pleasure in this world; but instead it gave me the neccessary understanding to focus on the even more natural inclination to love purely - a propensity that can only be reposed with Krishna. This simultaneously reveals my actual identity as a loving servant of the Supreme Lord.

Find out who you are - read Bhagavad Gita As It Is today!

your servant,

Ekendra das