The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living

A Verse-by-Verse Commentary: Vols. 1-3 (The End of Sorrow, Like a Thousand Suns, To Love Is to Know Me)

By: Eknath Easwaran

Narrated by: Paul Bazely

Length: 50 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

This audiobook includes all three volumes in the Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living series. A comprehensive manual for living a spiritual life, based on a verse-by-verse commentary on India’s timeless scripture - from the author of its best-selling translation. This audiobook includes all three volumes in this series.

The Bhagavad Gita is set on the battlefield of an apocalyptic war between good and evil. Faced with a dire moral dilemma, the warrior prince Arjuna turns in anguish to his spiritual guide, Sri Krishna, for answers to the fundamental questions of life.

Easwaran points out that Arjuna’s crisis is acutely modern. The Gita’s battlefield is the struggle for self-mastery that every human being must wage. Arjuna represents each of us, and Sri Krishna is the Lord, instructing us in 18 chapters of lofty wisdom as we face the social, environmental, and global challenges that threaten our world today.

Easwaran is a spiritual teacher and author of deep insight and warmth. His verse-by-verse commentary interprets the Gita’s teachings for modern listeners, explaining the Sanskrit concepts and philosophy and applying them with practicality, wisdom, and humor to every aspect of our work, our relationships, and our lives. With everyday anecdotes, stories, and examples, he shows that the changes we long to see in the world start with the transformation of our own consciousness.

The practical exercises recommended by Easwaran to achieve transformation are part of a spiritual program he developed for his own life. They are accessible to people from all backgrounds and cultures. Urging us to adopt a higher image of the human being, he assures us that peace and unity are within reach.

The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living is an in-depth, verse-by-verse explanation of this ancient scripture and its relevance today. Included are instructions in Easwaran's universal eight-point program of passage meditation.

The first six chapters of the Gita explore the concept of the innermost Self and source of wisdom in each of us. Easwaran explains how we can begin to transform ourselves, even as householders engaged in busy lives.

The next six chapters of the Gita go beyond the individual Self to explore the Supreme Reality underlying all creation. Easwaran builds a bridge across the seeming divide between scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom, and explains how the concept of the unity of life can help us in all our relationships.

The final six chapters put forth an urgent appeal for us to begin to see that all of us are one - to make the connection between the Self within and the Reality underlying all creation. Global in scope, the emphasis is on what we can do to make a difference to heal our environment and establish peace in the world.

Easwaran’s commentary is for all students of the Gita, whatever their background, and for anyone who is trying to find a path to wisdom, love, and kindness in themselves and our troubled world. Written as an authoritative, accessible guide to a much-loved scripture, it is a handbook for finding peace and clarity within.

©2020 Blue Mountain Center of Meditation (P)2021 Blue Mountain Center of Meditation

Critic reviews

"No one in modern times is more qualified - no make that ‘as qualified’ - to translate the epochal classics of Indian Spirituality than Eknath Easwaran. And the reason is clear. It is impossible to get to the heart of those classics unless you live them, and he did live them. My admiration of the man and his works is boundless." (Huston Smith, author of The World’s Religions)

GOAT

I have finally found my desert island audiobook. I cannot find the words to express my gratitude for this interpretation of the Gita. Read it all the way through. Then listen daily, if only for 5-10 minutes. It will transform your perspective. The unity of life is clear to me. The field, the knower. Simply amazing.

Moving in its entirety.

I cannot express how significant this book has been for me. Any one from any background, who takes time to walk this long path with Eknath, will be transformed in some measure. The author is a masterful teacher with great imagery and cutting discriminations of the human experience. I will absolutely be enjoying this again.

reader was consistent and clear

A beautiful and insightful listen. This is my fifteen word review. take it or leave it

You're allowed to disagree with the author - he made a lot of points

Long listen by an author who wrote in a directive fashion as an instructor of his worldview of Yoga as a practice and science. You sense a reverence for the material and his personal heros amidst gurus and world leaders. I certainly recommend, but I confess, he inspired me disagreeing stronger into my own position at times, ha. I'd call that the epitome of Vedanta. He fully conceptualized his view.

The Apex of Content and Narration

What an absolute feast!

That the millennia old Bhagavad Gita's message has outlasted every human civilization, is testament to its timeless truths. Its beauty and teaching are unsurpassed.

No one could bring it more to life than Mr. Paul Bazely. His narration is so natural, so colorful and so right, that he endows every line with the vitality and character endemic to that line. Though this Audible recording is over 50 hours, the listening is always fresh and vibrant. It is easy to resume listening, never boring or tiresome. In fact, you'll look forward to listening. This is a testament to Mr. Bazely's unmatched ability and skill.

If you have even a fleeting interest in the Bhagavad Gita, get this recording. Not only will you experience its poetic beauty and truth, you will hear it read by a master of the craft.

A path to the true self.

This audio book on the Bagavadgita has changed my way of viewing life and of my concept of time and being. I have listened to it continually and become more aware of what it teaches on a path to wisdom and the unity we all share. To anyone truly searching, it unfolds a journey beyond ourselves.

A BEAUTIFUL VOICE FOR A SACRED BOOK

The Narrator could not be more perfect and the author truly delivers. The Bhagavad Gita can be imposing. The Author shares simple and lovely stories to explain each passage.
THANK YOU MERCI GRACIAS DHANYAVAAD DANKE TACK GRAZIE ARIGATO SPASIBO XIÈXIÈ SHKRAN LAK OBRIGADO ❣️ 🙏

My favorite translation of the Bhagavad Gita

I've had the hard copy of this book (in three volumes) for many, many years, and it's still my favorite translation. I am so glad to see it on audiobook, so I can listen any time. While I prefer Eknath Easwaran's own voice recordings where I can find them, Paul Bazely does a great job and I am grateful this audio version is now available.

Enlightening

What an amazing teaching. It wove a story of god no matter what religion you follow

Highly recommended

Although it is 50 hours of listening, it never felt like something to wade through. Eknath is engaging, nurturing and full of relatable stories that make the Gita accessible and personally relevant. The narrator also does a beautiful job with this expansive work. I enjoyed his voice and intonations.

I’ve started my day with this audiobook for the past few months. So many nuggets of insight and wisdom that help me feel more at peace and better equipped to navigate whatever is ahead. I just bought the kindle version so I can go through it again and capture highlights.

I never leave reviews, but this book has been so transformative for my outlook and sense of peace that I feel compelled to share my experience here. The world would experience so much healing if we could all hear the love and compassion that flows through this book.