The Bhagavad Gita: An Ancient Teaching with Relevance to Modern Conditions

Swami Nirliptananda

Lovereading Price £19.98

RRP: £19.99

Download Extract Buy Now

Why I wrote this book

There are many translations and commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita in different languages. All these translators and commentators were attracted to the message of the Gita because of the impact it had on them.

To Gandhi it was a personal guide, Bal Gangadhar Tilak used it for national awakening, Radhakrishnan’s was a scholarly work. Many others in the West have been profoundly influenced by its teachings and commented on it in a personal and scholarly way. All have made their contributions.

The present commentary which is the latest focuses on mankind’s predicament. It takes into consideration the physical conflicts, mental stress and crimes which are all related to lack of understanding and proper self-culture. Its objective is to get rid of suffering which is an unnatural state of being resulting from environmental and other forms of conditioning. The emphasis is how we can take care of our own destiny through proper education and right knowledge.

Unknowingly, I was convinced of Its teachings at an early age when a page of the Gita was blown by the wind.

Synopsis

The Bhagavad Gita is an ancient text that has and continues to attract the greatest minds of the world. In the West one thinks of Huxley, the Noble Laureate and Physicist Professor Bohm, the philosophers Nietzsche and Wittgenstein. In the East the Gita was ever by Gandhi’s side.
Its message is very profound and has an impact that is compelling. In view of the present world’s situation and technological advancement, this is a teaching that is comprehensive, cohesive and practical to guide one into a way of thinking and action that is based on the principle of coexistence and the spirit of freedom.

Swami Nirliptananda’s commentary examines the teachings of the Gita in the context of mankind’s present predicament and offers means by which our world can become a place where all can live in friendship and peace.

Since action is an inevitable part of life and the consequences of action depend on the way we act, it is important that we understand the principles that are involved so that we do not have any regrets in life. The Gita discusses three categories of action and helps us to understand that action is not simply doing something. Every act has a subjective and an objective impact that can affect the doer and his environment simultaneously.

Man seeks emotional, intellectual and physical satisfaction so that he can develop his fullness as a being. The Gita teaches us how to cope with the changes as we grow into maturity and become wiser by being consciously aware of what is happening in the process.

About the Author

Swami Nirliptananda came to the UK in 1963 and ever since has been working with many forward looking organisations and people from different religions for unity and peace because he thought that those are the only things that make life valuable and meaningful.

He has an independent mind, examines things rationally, and is uncompromising in his conclusion. Yet he has never had a confrontation because of the logical way in which he presents his subject.

Following are some of the many appreciations he received during his interaction with people of different status in this country and abroad.

A Muslim mini cab driver from Algeria – “I was privileged to meet a Swami. You are a great chap”!

A Jewish friend of a devotee in Canada – “You are more than all our Rabis put together! They speak from the Book. You are speaking from beyond the Book”!

A Christian elderly lady, “What you have said here tonight, I am sure Jesus must have said the same things! But we are only practicing the superficialities”.

A Hindu scientist, “You speak differently from all other sannyasis (Hindu monks) I know. I want to support you”! Many people repeat the same thing.

His first encounter was at the World Congress of Faiths meeting in Paddington. The discussion centred on a young man who had committed suicide during the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia. He remained silent during the debate because he could not support what the others were saying. Only when asked, he gave his opinion. One of the members, a Portuguese lawyer, came up to him and said, “You always hold the opposite end of the stick”, then added, “but you always come out victorious”!

He participated in many national and international peace conferences .

Swami Nirliptananda entered the monastic life in 1958 and was formally initiated as a monk in 1974 by His Holiness Swami Satchidanandaji, president of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha. At that time, the Order had many spiritually elevated monks that lived under the same roof. He had the good fortune of spending 2 years, 1979 and 1980, with them. Those precious years had a great impact on his life.

After he returned to London, he endeavoured to lay down a foundation in order to share with others what he had gained.

• More books by Swami Nirliptananda

Are you...

• A published author
• An author yet to be published
• Someone who loves reading