The Song Celestial or Bhagavad-Gita (eBook)

The Bhagavad Gita ('Song of the Lord'), often referred to as simply the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture in Sanskrit that is part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The Gita is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Krishna. Facing the duty as a warrior to fight the Dharma Yudhha or righteous war between Pandavas and Kauravas, Arjuna is counselled by Krishna to 'fulfill his Kshatriya (warrior) duty as a warrior and establishing Dharma.' The Bhagavad Gita presents a synthesis of the Brahmanical concept of Dharma, theistic bhakti, the yogic ideals of moksha through jnana, bhakti, karma, and Raja Yoga and Samkhya philosophy. Sir Edwin Arnold (1832 - 1904) was an English poet and journalist. His chief work with this object is The Light of Asia, which was translated into various languages such as Hindi. 'So have I read this wonderful and spirit-thrilling speech, By Krishna and Prince Arjun held, discoursing each with each; So have I writ its wisdom here,--its hidden mystery, For England; O our India! as dear to me as She!' - Edwin Arnold