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Interpretation of the Gita 

R. Gopalakrishnan 




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presents the entire gamut of the Vedantic
interpretations of the Gita 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE BHAGAVADGITA: S. M. Srinivasa
Chari; Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,
P.B.No 5715, Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi-110055. Rs.
575. 

The Bhagavad Gita, the Song Celestial, has been
acclaimed as a major Hindu philosophical treatise as
well as a religious scripture. It gives both a divine
touch and a rational treatment of the human
predicament. 

The Kurukshetra represents the phenomenal world where
there are constant battles between good and evil;
Arjuna represents the good and Duryodana, the evil.
Lord Krishna patronises the good and punishes the
wicked as He taught. 

Commentaries 


Several preceptors of Vedanta and modern scholars like
Gandhiji, Sri Aurobindo and Tilak have commented on
the philosophical concepts enunciated in this text.
This shows that the Gita gives scope for divergent
views according to the bent of mind of the
interpreters. Though all of them are agreed on the
fundamental theme that Lord Krishna is the Supreme
Being (Paratattva), they differ with regard to the
nature of the Supreme Being, the soul and their
relationship in terms of difference and
non-difference, as well as the nature of the ultimate
goal and the means to attain it. 

The author of the book under review endeavours to
highlight the philosophical tenets of the Bhagavad
Gita based on an evaluation of the commentaries of the
three preceptors, Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhva ?
absolutistic, theistic and dualistic perspectives
respectively. 

Part one of the book gives an expository elucidation
of the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita wherein the
doctrines of Vedanta like Brahman, Atman, kinds of
Yoga, God, and nature of liberation are adequately
explained. The second part in four chapters with 13
sub-topics deals extensively with the doctrinal
exposition of the Bhagavad Gita. 

The author acknowledges that while there are
innumerable writings, scholarly presentations, and
translations available both in India and abroad, his
intention is to "present a consolidated and
comprehensive exposition of the philosophy of the
Gita" based on the teachings of the Upanishads and the
Vedanta Sutras in the light of the commentaries by the
three preceptors. 

Ultimate Reality 


The execution of this work proves beyond doubt that
the hope of the author is fulfilled. His intention is
to show that Lord Krishna is the ultimate metaphysical
Reality. 

All the essential characteristic features attributed
to Brahman in the Upanishads and the Vedanta Sutras
are attributed to Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.
The cosmic form of the Lord, Visvarupa, reveals the
most distinctive feature of Divine glory representing
the infinite nature of Paramatman (Ananta). 

The author has meticulously quoted several verses from
various texts including the Gita to substantiate his
understanding and presentation and he has carefully
given the diacritical marks. 

This book also contains a fine glossary, bibliography
and index. More care should have been taken in
checking the spelling. For instance, the Gita verse
should be `param brahma param dhaama'. But the author
uses the expression `parama' in both the places.
Similarly, instead of using `aahustvaam' the author
uses `ahustvam'. 

Barring these mistakes the book on the whole will be
worthwhile to read and reflect upon, since a reader
can get the entire gamut of Vedantic interpretations
of the Gita



                
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