The Bhagavad Gita

By: Phoenix Books, Barbara Stoler-Miller - translator

Narrated by: Jacob Needleman

Length: 2 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

The search for higher truth must be conducted in the midst of the forces of life, with all its demands and seductions. So teaches The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient text that has been called the quintessence of the spirituality of India. In it, the great warrior Arjuna contemplates the meaning of life, just moments before entering the battlefield. "Why do I exist? Why should I fight against my loved ones? And where shall I go after I die?" he asks himself in search for knowledge of the Absolute.

©1986 Barbara Stoler-Miller (P)1987 Audio Literature

Critic reviews

"Hearing The Bhagavad Gita, rather than reading it, helps one understand why many cultures to this very day refuse to commit their sacred texts to writing, believing that script would profane them." (Huston Smith, author of The Religions of Man)

A great introduction to Indian Literature

If you could sum up The Bhagavad Gita in three words, what would they be?

Lessons in living life

What did you like best about this story?

It reads like a modern day novel.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I stayed awake all night listening to the Bhagavad Gita

Any additional comments?

It makes me want to tackle additional indian classical literature

Great book, and good narrator, but inaccurate...

Where does The Bhagavad Gita rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the top ten philosophical books ever written, worth a listen despite what people may have said about the voice of the narrator.
(Please note, this audio narration is incorrectly attributed to Jacob Needleman. It is actually the Stephen Mitchell version)

What did you like best about this story?

Explains the meaning of yoga, and various philosophies of life.

Which scene was your favorite?

The whole thing is interesting. I've also heard it chanted in sanskrit which is interesting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Can be done, it is not too long.

Any additional comments?

The narrator is wrongly labelled as Jacob Needleman, but I recognize the voice as that of Stephen Mitchell. Both versions are worthy of listening to, but let's hope Amazon/Audible can get the data right on their audio programs.

my favorite translation on audible

this is my favorite translation on audible so far. I've read 4 others.. there is zero commentary though, so for a first time reader "a walk through for westerners" might be better

Life changing

I listen to this repeatedly. its a life's journey to follow. Each listen brings new knowledge.

Important life lessons

This book is about self realization. It’s about how to connect with our higher self in order to live a happier life. It’s about trusting god and letting go of all of our lower vibrating emotions so we can live with more joy. Divine is inside each one of us and this book teaches how to connect to him. This is a very important book and I feel so blessed to have it in my life. I’m still listening to it every night because I want to understand every word.
It’s a book written by divine himself. Loved it. Thank you

Listened to this countless times

I love the smoothing voice. I play this version almost everyday. Sometimes when I can’t sleep or need relaxation I listen to it. I played this version at night during my pregnancy. It’s captivating and so much more.

Not for the car

This is not something that will keep you awake during your commute. Save this for a time when you can lay back on the couch and think a lot. The pace is slow and the narrator sonorous - I suspect that you could play this while you sleep and wake up a well-rested and better person.

Good translation, lifeless reading

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This translation of the Gita by Barbara Stoller-Miller is one of the three best modern scholarly translations, the others being those of Graham Schweig and W.J. Johnson. Free of denominational bias, Victorianisms, etc. The reading by Jacob Needleman is lifeless and devoid of dramatic interpretation; he thinks if you read as if you are depressed you are showing reverence for a sacred text..

great book

very interesting reading a new way to live very well told. this book is a classic it will live on for eternity.

Beautiful translation of a beautiful book.

What made the experience of listening to The Bhagavad Gita the most enjoyable?

Sometimes, translations of this book are obtuse or unwieldy. This one flows smoothly, is easily understandable and yet captures the magnificence of the work. The narration is also beautiful.

What does Jacob Needleman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Lovely voice. Good pronunciation of the Sanskrit words. Smooth narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I tried to stretch it out so I could enjoy it for longer.