The Bhagavad Gita

“An engrossing and enlightening version of this finest source of spiritual teaching in the world, [this book] expands the possibilities of conveying its wisdom even further into the Western world, as a greater number of people will now be able to readily grasp its message.”

— Spirit of Change

“Working under the premise that there ‘needed to be a truly different style of Gita,’ organizational consultant Hawley created this prose version to speak afresh to Westerners. Hawley’s rendition succeeds in its objective of providing ‘clarity and flow’ to the famous Indian poem. Hawley writes more as a disciple than a scholar, lending a devotional authenticity to the text.”

— Publishers Weekly

“This well-researched composition stays true to the Vedantic philosophies that were first written down more than two millennia ago, while still providing an easily navigable text that will remain lively and interesting to Westerners well into the future.”

— Institute of Noetic Sciences Review

“The Bhagavad Gita
is unique among the great scriptures of the world as its appeal transcends the barriers of time and space. …Dr. Jack Hawley’s walkthrough is not a mere translation; it is a sincere
sadhak’
s presentation of the message of the
Gita
in a simple but insightful manner so that its perennial message goes home to Western readers. No one can ‘walk through’ this book without getting a deep insight into these everlasting principles given to all of humanity.”

— V. K. Narasimhan, journalist and winner of India’s Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism

“Reading this has been a soul-stirring, treasure-laden stroll. Eastern philosophy is captured in a lucid but profound manner for
the pragmatic present generation of readers in the West, and in all countries.”

— Venkatesh Varan, business consultant

“Dr. Jack Hawley has written this concise translation with his whole heart and mind obviously immersed in these timeless, practical, nonsectarian teachings.... He has beautifully preserved the meaning and intent of the verses in a simple, easy-to-read, and understandable language. Jack has a good grasp of even the most difficult passages. This is indeed a
Bhagavad Gita
worthy of belief and respect.”

— Ram Prasad, executive director, American Gita Society

“I floated through it.... It filled in the whole picture for me, where I had just bits and pieces before.”

— J. Narain, university vice-chancellor

“It’s neither too cryptic nor too elaborate, but strikes a precise balance. There is not one sentence too many or too few. The broad, penetrating chapter on meditation is just perfect!”

— S.M. Nanjundaya, university administrator

“This rendition of the
Gita
will hold the reader’s interest from the first to last page.”

— Anil Kumar, university professor

“Stupendous. [Jack Hawley] has done a wonderful job.”

— S. Raghavan, editor and international lecturer on
The Bhagavad Gita

“A great book which has truly affected my consciousness in the last few days as I read it. Thank you, Jack Hawley, for bringing this message more powerfully into my life. There is magic in it.”

— Glenn Hovemann, publisher, Dawn Publications

Copyright © 2001 by Jack Hawley, Ph.D.

Preface to paperback edition copyright © 2011 by Jack Hawley, Ph.D.

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, or other — without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Text design by Tona Pearce Myers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bhagavadgåitåa. English

The bhagavad gita : a walkthrough for Westerners / Jack Hawley.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-57731-147-7 (hardcover : alk. paper)

I. Hawley, Jack. II. Title.

BL1138.62.E5 B43 2001

294.5'92404521—dc21

00-013056

First paperback printing, March 2011

ISBN 978-1-60868-014-6

Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This is the Sanskrit symbol for
Om,
the primeval sound of the universe, the basic sound from which all else comes.
Om
is in every place, mind, and heart.

Often spelled
Aum
, it is usually spoken almost under the breath and pronounced in the consciousness as well as in the mouth as “Omm....” The small silence at the end is as important as the sound itself.

It is said that the recitation of
Om
while contemplating the mystical symbol will help to calm even the roaring waves.

CONTENTS

P
UBLISHER’S
P
REFACE

P
REFACE TO THE
P
APERBACK
E
DITION

I
NTRODUCTION

P
ART
1

Knowing the True Self Within, and Selfless Action

C
HAPTER
O
NE
• Arjuna’s Anguish (
Arjuna Vishada Yoga
)

C
HAPTER
T
WO
• The Path of Knowledge (
Sankhya Yoga
)

C
HAPTER
T
HREE
• The Path of Action (
Karma Yoga
)

C
HAPTER
F
OUR
• Integrating Knowledge, Action, and Renunciation (
Jnana-Karma-Sanyasa Yoga
)

C
HAPTER
F
IVE
• Contemplating the Goal (
Sanyasa Yoga
)

C
HAPTER
S
IX
• Taming the Mind and Senses (
Dhyana Yoga
)

P
ART
2

The Very Nature of God

C
HAPTER
S
EVEN
• Both Knowing and Experiencing Divinity (
Jnana-Vijnana Yoga
)

C
HAPTER
E
IGHT
• The Imperishable Godhead (
Akshara Brahma Yoga
)

C
HAPTER
N
INE
• Royal Knowledge and the King of Secrets (
Rajavidya Rajaguhya Yoga
)