Bhagavad Gita for Modern Times

December 1, 2007
Adult/High School-A core text of Hinduism, the Bhagavad Gita tells the story of Prince Arjuna moments before he sends his nation into a violent war. Arjuna turns to his charioteer, who is secretly the divine god Krishna, for advice. What follows is an extensive set of tales and discussions that lay down the foundations for Hindu philosophy, cosmology, culture, and behavior. Tirthas version of the Gita, a composite of different translations edited for modern audiences, is highly readable. Broken into small, easily accessible sections, each portion is followed by thoughtful annotations that explain the content. Tirtha then moves into a series of questions and exercises for readers to apply the main ideas to their own lives. Issues such as sexuality, the value of education, and dealing with stress seem particularly targeted toward teens. These different elements combine into an excellent primer for Hindu philosophy. Tirtha includes thematic links to other religions and philosophies, making the concepts accessible to readers unfamiliar with the topic. Of definite interest to anyone starting to explore Eastern thought, this volume can also serve as an excellent guidebook to tackling many of lifes issues.Matthew L. Moffett, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.