Book Reviewed: Srimad Bhagavad Gita with Text, Word for Word Translation by Swami Swarupananda

The Song of God Author Swami Swarupananda was a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, and he was the first president of the Advaita Ashrama in Kolkata, India. His English translation of Bhagavadgita was first published in 1903 and much of it is presented in this book. This is a good translation of the sacred hymns but does not provide the English transliteration. The verses are in Sanskrit, but the rest of text is in English, and the literal meaning of each key word is provided. This book does not debate the philosophical systems of the text but merely focuses on English translation. This is a very readable book, and it is reasonably priced. The translation of Gita requires an understanding of distinct tones of this epic poem. The first chapter describes the state of war at Kurukshetra between Pandavas and Kauravas. The war-cry of soldiers, the neighing of horses and the sounds of conch charged the background when the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna begins. To translate this epic prologue as though it belonged to the philosophical discourse would be to cut the sacred scripture right out of its historical setting. The Gita is prophetic that contains ecstatic mystical utterances about the nature and attributes of God. Gita demands poetic expression. This book is translated mainly in the prose form and partly in poetic language. Verse 2:47 that summarizes one of the main teachings of the holy book is compared with other translations for illustration. Swami Swarupananda Your right is to work only, but never to the fruits thereof. Be not the producer of the fruits of [thy] actions; neither let thy attachment be towards inaction Sir Edwin Arnold Find full reward of doing right in right! Let right deeds be Thy motive, not the fruit which comes from them Dr. Radhakrishnan To action alone hast thou a right and never at all to its fruits; let not the fruits of action be thy motive; neither let there be in thee any attachment to inaction. Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood You have the right to work, but for the work's sake only. You have no right to the fruits of work. Desire for the fruits of work must never be your motive in working. Never give way to laziness, either. Swami Prabhupada You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty. Charles Wilkins Let the motive be in the deed, and not in the event. Be not one whose motive for action is the hope of reward. Let not thy life be spent in inaction