THE BHAGAVAD GITA BY TORKOM SARAYDARIAN

The Bhagavad Gita is the epic poem contained in the larger allegorical drama, the Mahabharata.

The story depicts the personal struggle of the warrior Arjuna when he is faced with the difficult choices of deciding just what in his life needs to be let go and what needs to be embraced. As a response to the warrior's despondency and inability to deal with the crisis, the Teacher explains the basic tenets of the Ageless Wisdom, such as detachment, responsibility, life and death, karma, outmoded beliefs vs. the eternal path, life choices, and continuous striving.

It is written in a beautiful verse form, easy to understand, and is particularly suited for meditative study.

From the Preface:

This translation is done from the original sources in comparison with more than fifty translations in English, in French, and in Armenian.

We assume that this is a most faithful translation to the spirit of the Bhagavad Gita because of the deep knowledge of the translator in oriental and occidental philosophy, religious mysticism, and life. All these gave him the needed background to penetrate beyond the letter and bring out the true spirit of the Bhagavad Gita. The first translation by him was made into Armenian in 1957, and was published in Jerusalem. A copy was given to President Nehru and Rama Prasad.

A 1958 letter to Mr. Saraydarian indicated that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru appreciated receiving the translation and was pleased to know that such a translation had been made in as much as "The Bhagavad Gita... is a book which has exercised very great influence on the Indian mind for generations past." Delight in receiving the Armenian translation was also expressed by S. Radhakrishnan, Vice President, India, "I hope very much that it will be read widely and the teachings of the Gita will spread..."

Since that time H. Torkom Saraydarian continued his research on the commentaries of the Bhagavad Gita by various Hindu and western scholars, which has helped him see the verses of the Bhagavad Gita from various viewpoints, from many approaches, and gave us a translation which reflects the real and true depths of the Bhagavad Gita.

This translation was made in deep reflection and meditation, pondering on each Sanskrit word and phrase until the spirit behind the words was seen, grasped, and put into form. He has also prepared 18 lessons explaining the true Bhagavad Gita in the context of the Upanishads, the Sutras of Pantanjali, Shankaracharya, the Secret Doctrine, and the Teachings of the Tibetan Master.

This book has been the source of courage, inspiration, and enlightenment to so many great Souls in the world. Open to any page and you will find a message of upliftment, courage, and meaning that expands your consciousness tremendously and leads you to the fulfillment of your destiny.

Here is a book which challenges the highest within us and leads us to the most courageous strivings in our life. Here is a book which invites us and inspires us to overcome darkness, ignorance, inertia, and selfishness. It opens our heart to the wisdom of the ages and inspires us to live a life of dedication, service, sacrifice, and of great joy!