Philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita: A Contemporary Introduction

Description

Philosophy of The Bhagavad Gita: A Contemporary Introduction presents a complete philosophical guide and new translation of the most celebrated text of Hinduism. While usually treated as mystical and religious poetry, this new translation focuses on the philosophy underpinning the story of a battle between two sets of cousins of the Aryan clan. Designed for use in the classroom, this lively and readable translation: - Situates the text in its philosophical and cultural contexts - Features summaries and chapter analyses and questions at the opening and end of each of the eighteen chapters encouraging further study - Highlights points of comparison and overlap between Indian and Western philosophical concepts and themes such as just war, care ethics, integrity and authenticity - Includes a glossary allowing the reader to determine the meaning of central concepts Written with clarity and without presupposing any prior knowledge of Hinduism, Philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita: A Contemporary Introduction reveals the importance and value of reading the Gita philosophically. Cover Contents Acknowledgments How to Use This Book Introduction 1 Arjuna’s Sorrow 2 The Yoga of Knowledge (and Philosophy) 3 The Yoga of Action 4 The Yoga of Renunciation of Action through Knowledge 5 The Yoga of Renunciation 6 The Yoga of Meditation 7 The Yoga of Knowledge and Judgment 8 The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman 9 The Yoga of Sovereign Science and Sovereign Secret 10 The Yoga of Divine Manifestations 11 The Yoga of the Vision of the Cosmic Form 12 The Yoga of Devotion 13 The Yoga of Difference between the Field and the Field-Knower 14 The Yoga of the Division of Three Gunas 15 The Yoga of the Supreme Purusha 16 The Yoga of the Division between the Divine and the Demonic 17 The Yoga of the Threefold Faith 18 The Yoga of Liberation and Renunciation Selective Glossary of Sanskrit Terms References Index