Bhagavad Gita

With Commentary by Swami B. G. Narasingha

By: Swami B. G. Narasingha

Narrated by: Nila Newsom

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

This audiobook edition of the Bhagavad Gita with commentary by Swami B. G. Narasingha is not just another commentary on this profound text. The message of the Bhagavad Gita is eternal and unchanging, but the time that surrounds us is always changing, thus our perception of life, our current situation, and our necessity is also always changing.

To meet the changing times and the present necessity, Swami B. G. Narasingha has presented a brief commentary, or Anuvrtti, for our modern world. The clear translation of the original Sanskrit with concise commentary for the 21st century makes this edition of Bhagavad Gita very approachable and easy to hear.

Bhagavad Gita is the oldest and most widely read book of theistic science in the world today. Also known as the Gītopaniṣad, the Bhagavad Gita has been the principle handbook of yoga for more than 5,000 years. In contrast to many mundane literatures of the present day, the Bhagavad Gita is free from mental speculation and is complete in knowledge of the eternal self (ātmā), the process of bhakti-yoga and the nature and identity of the absolute truth, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

As such, the Bhagavad Gita is the single most important book in the world, surpassing all others in wisdom and enlightenment.

©2017 Gosai Publishers (P)2022 Nila Newsom

Not a ton of reviews but I took a chance

There were several options in the Audible library for Bhagavad-Gita and additional commentary. This one looks like it was released not too long ago and lacked a ton of reviews when I came upon it.

As a novice to Hindu scriptures, I wanted to find some thing that was relatable, but covered the direct scriptures . I found that this work was relatable and effective at breaking down and giving me a pretty solid foundation of understanding these works.

I read this book, knowing very little about any of it. I now understand the premise of the Mahabharata. For those reading who weren’t aware as well: the Gita is actually a dialogue from a much larger work called the Mahabharata.

I found reading this helpful and understanding a few uncertainties I had regarding Brahman and deities. I had initially thought that Krishna was perceived as a prophet, or deity. But rather he is a personification of the Godhead itself. This is a rather questionable perception at first, but the Gita goes on to elaborate and is thorough and it’s explanations.

The only thing that I wish Swami Narasingha elaborated on a little bit more was the four paths of Hinduism. Instead, he refers to two courses in the beginning of the work, one of self identity, and one of entering the void. Perhaps it is my own lack of perception or understanding this audiobook, but I sought to learn more about this topic outside of this book to finish it. The topics are discussed a little bit more towards the end of the book, but it seems like a very strong topic in Hinduism yet it seems to be very limited in this work. Perhaps it is because Krishna himself is a strong advocate for Bhakti Yoga, it seems that he doesn’t condemn, alternate paths, but instead promotes Bhakti instead. As a Westerner, I found these philosophies to be astoundly fascinating in their similarity to the teachings of Christ, though Krishna predated Jesus by thousands of years.