The Bhagavad Gita The song of God retold in simplified English

Review by Booklist Review

A volume in St. Martin's Essential Wisdom Library, this introduction to the Bhagavad Gita comes with a clutch of caveats, author Viljoen warning, for example, that because of its rich cultural and spiritual references the Gita may seem out of reach to some readers. His solution to this problem is to offer a paraphrase, a compressed and summarized version . . . designed for readers with no prior experience of Hinduism. The result, he argues, is akin to a primer for the first-time reader. There is more to this than the refurbished epic itself, however, for Viljoen places it in a thicket of explicatory material including an introductory guide to what you should know about the Bhagavad Gita, a cast of characters, an examination of the Mahabharata, the ancient Indian epic poem of which the Gita is but a small part, and an analysis of Bhakti Yoga. The result is something of a literary grab bag offering multiple points of agreeable access to the ancient writing. A fine introduction to an essential document.--Michael Cart Copyright 2019 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Viljoen (The Power of Meditation), spiritual director of the Santa Rosa Center for Spiritual Living, provides a lively condensed version of this influential Hindu text, written in modern language, as well as his own commentary for the uninitiated reader. The Bhagavad Gita mainly comprises a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide Krishna on the horrors and necessities of war. Viljoen starts with a long introduction, then presents a one-page chart of characters and a 26-page paraphrase of the book-liberally sprinkled with useful footnotes. His pithy prose and enthusiastic tone help make the ancient text and traditions come alive: "I love those who are not puffed up when praised, or depressed when blamed, but find their harmony wherever they go," Krishna says. Meant as an invitation to a deeper study of Hindu traditions, Viljoen provides basic explanations of some of Hinduism's principles (samsara and moksha), practices (bhakti yoga, meditation), and deities (Lord Krishna, the Trimurti). A section of definitions at the end also provides further context. This short overview will be a great starting point for readers interested in one of the world's most read religious texts, and Viljoen's suggestions for further reading will be of great interest to those who want to fill in the gaps he leaves unfilled. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Review by Library Journal Review

The Bhagavad Gita, or the Song of God, is a devotional scripture that appears within the world's longest epic poem, the Mahabharata. Viljoen has written a primer and abridged translation of the beloved Sanskrit scripture, successfully capturing the essence of the Gita, while retaining some of the poetic nature of the original in a readable and modern retelling. Viljoen's admiration of the Gita is obvious, and he makes clear that this abridgement is not a replacement for translations of the full text. Rather, he intends to provide an introduction to the Gita's position and role in the Mahabharata, as well as explaining the relationships among the poem's central figures. The strongest chapters focus specifically on the Gita and the Mahabharata; the section attempting to explain devotion (bhakti) in the Hindu context is less successful. Viljoen provides a helpful list of resources, including his recommended full translations, in an appendix. VERDICT Readers seeking an overview of one of the most beloved Hindu scriptures will find this an accessible and satisfying entry point.--Amanda Folk, Ohio State Univ. Libs.

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