July 25, 2026
"Bhagavad Gita As It Is" is a significant and widely recognized commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered and important texts in Hindu philosophy and spirituality. This commentary was written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), and it has been influential in spreading the teachings of the Gita and the Bhakti tradition to a global audience.
Key Features of "Bhagavad Gita As It Is"
• Verse-by-Verse Commentary: Prabhupada provides a detailed and thorough commentary on each verse of the Bhagavad Gita. His commentary explains the verses in a straightforward and practical manner, making the ancient wisdom of the Gita accessible to modern readers.
• Transliteration and Translation: The book includes the original Sanskrit verses of the Bhagavad Gita, along with transliteration (a system of representing Sanskrit sounds using the Roman alphabet) and English translations. This allows readers to follow along with the Sanskrit text and pronunciation.
• Devotional Perspective: Prabhupada's commentary emphasizes the devotional aspect of the Gita, highlighting the importance of surrender to Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He emphasizes the path of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion, as the primary means of achieving spiritual realization.
• Cultural and Philosophical Context: Prabhupada provides insights into the historical and philosophical context of the Gita, helping readers understand the significance of the text within the broader framework of Hindu philosophy and spirituality.
• Practical Guidance: Alongside the philosophical and theological explanations, Prabhupada offers practical guidance on how to apply the teachings of the Gita in one's daily life, including principles of self-realization, meditation, and ethical conduct.
• Authenticity: Prabhupada's choice of title underscored his commitment to authenticity. He believed that the Bhagavad Gita contained timeless and unchanging truths, and he aimed to present those truths without modernizing or diluting them.
• Transliteration and Translation: The book includes the original Sanskrit verses of the Bhagavad Gita, along with transliteration (a system of representing Sanskrit sounds using the Roman alphabet) and English translations. This allows readers to follow along with the Sanskrit text and pronunciation.
• Devotional Perspective: Prabhupada's commentary emphasizes the devotional aspect of the Gita, highlighting the importance of surrender to Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He emphasizes the path of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion, as the primary means of achieving spiritual realization.
• Cultural and Philosophical Context: Prabhupada provides insights into the historical and philosophical context of the Gita, helping readers understand the significance of the text within the broader framework of Hindu philosophy and spirituality.
• Practical Guidance: Alongside the philosophical and theological explanations, Prabhupada offers practical guidance on how to apply the teachings of the Gita in one's daily life, including principles of self-realization, meditation, and ethical conduct.
• Authenticity: Prabhupada's choice of title underscored his commitment to authenticity. He believed that the Bhagavad Gita contained timeless and unchanging truths, and he aimed to present those truths without modernizing or diluting them.
The Power of Divine Knowledge
"To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance." ~ Bhagavad Gita As It Is 10.11The largest-selling edition of the Gita in the Western world, Bhagavad-gita As It Is is more than a book. It is alive with knowledge and devotion; thus it has the power to change your life for the better.
Bhagavad-gita is knowledge of five basic truths and the relationship of each truth to the other: These five truths are Krishna (God), the individual soul (jiva), the material world (jagat), action in this world (karma), and time (kala). The Gita lucidly explains the nature of consciousness, the self, and the universe. It is the essence of India's spiritual wisdom, the answers to questions posed by philosophers for centuries.
Sharing the Ultimate Gift
The months of November and December are an auspicious period highlighted by many events including Diwali, Kartik, and Gita Jayanti (World Gita Day). Many celebrate this festive time by offering prayers, giving gifts, and gathering with friends and family.
The Bhagavad Gita represents the perfect gift during this period. In these unprecedented times, the timeless knowledge of the Gita is a go-to source to find solace and seek answers to many questions. Please consider sharing the Bhagavad Gita as a Gift to friends, by Sponsoring copies for courts, prisons, and hospitals, or by helping Distribute it. Copies are available at ISKCON Seshadripuram.
The Bhagavad Gita represents the perfect gift during this period. In these unprecedented times, the timeless knowledge of the Gita is a go-to source to find solace and seek answers to many questions. Please consider sharing the Bhagavad Gita as a Gift to friends, by Sponsoring copies for courts, prisons, and hospitals, or by helping Distribute it. Copies are available at ISKCON Seshadripuram.