Bøger af Sir Edwin Arnold

The Bhagavad Gita ("The Song of God"), often referred to as the Gita, is a 700-verse Sanskrit scripture that is part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata (chapters 23-40 of Bhishma Parva). The Gita is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between prince Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Krishna. At the start of the Dharma Yudhha (righteous war) between Pandavas and Kauravas, Arjuna is filled with moral dilemma and despair about the violence and death the war will cause. He wonders if he should renounce and seeks Krishna's counsel, whose answers and discourse constitute the Bhagadvad Gita. Krishna counsels Arjuna to "fulfill his Kshatriya (warrior) duty to uphold the Dharma" through "selfless action". The Krishna-Arjuna dialogue cover a broad range of spiritual topics, touching upon ethical dilemmas and philosophical issues that go far beyond the war Arjuna faces.The Bhagavad Gita presents a synthesis of Hindu ideas about dharma, theistic bhakti, and the yogic ideals of moksha. The text covers jnana, bhakti, karma, and Raja Yoga (spoken of in the 6th chapter) incorporating ideas from the Samkhya-Yoga philosophy.Numerous commentaries have been written on the Bhagavad Gita with widely differing views on the essentials. Vedanta commentators read varying relations between Self and Brahman in the text: Advaita Vedanta sees the non-dualism of Atman (soul) and Brahman as its essence, whereas Bhedabheda and Vishishtadvaita see Atman and Brahman as both different and non-different, and Dvaita sees them as different. The setting of the Gita in a battlefield has been interpreted as an allegory for the ethical and moral struggles of the human life.

The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture. It comprises 700 verses over 18 chapters, although there is evidence that earlier versions had 45 more verses. It is part of a larger work, the sixth book of the epic Mahabharata. As the Mahabharata is traditionally attributed to Vyasa, a sage who is known as an avatar of Vishnu, among other things, the Gita is also attributed to him. There is no clear consensus as to when the Gita was written. Theories range from as early as the fifth century BC to the second. It is likely, however, that the earliest written parts are no older than the Mahabharata, which probably has its origins in between the 9th and 8th centuries BC and which reached its final form some time around the 4th century AD. It should also come as no surprise that biographical information about Vyasa is shaky at best. According to legend, he was the son of Satyavati and Parashara. Satyavati was the queen of Kuru king Shantanu. Before she married Shantanu, she worked to ferry people across rivers like the Yamuna. She was the adopted daughter of a fisherman, who had found her inside a pregnant fish. The fisherman had found two babies, one male and one female, in the fish. He gave the male to the king, who let him keep the girl, which the king named Matsya-gandhi ("she who has the smell of fish") due to her persistent fishy odor. The fisherman named her Kali, "the dark one," for her complexion and she was later known as Satyavati ("truthful").

The Gita is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Lord Krishna. Facing the duty as a warrior to fight the Dharma Yudhha or righteous war between Pandavas and Kauravas, Arjuna is counselled by Lord Krishna to "fulfill his Kshatriya (warrior) duty as a warrior and establish Dharma." in this appeal to kshatriya dharma (chivalry) is "a dialogue ... between diverging attitudes concerning methods toward the attainment of liberation (moksha)". The Bhagavad Gita was exposed to the world through Sanjaya, who senses and cognizes all the events of the battlefield. Sanjaya is Dhritarashtra's advisor and also his charioteer.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

The Scripture of the Saviour of the World, Lord Buddha-Prince Siddartha styled on earth In Earth and Heavens and Hells Incomparable, All-honoured, Wisest, Best, most Pitiful; The Teacher of Nirvana and the Law. Then came he to be born again for men. Below the highest sphere four Regents sit Who rule our world, and under them are zones Nearer, but high, where saintliest spirits dead Wait thrice ten thousand years, then live again; And on Lord Buddha, waiting in that sky, Came for our sakes the five sure signs of birth So that the Devas knew the signs, and said "Buddha will go again to help the World." "Yea!" spake He, "now I go to help the World. This last of many times; for birth and death End hence for me and those who learn my Law. I will go down among the Sakyas, Under the southward snows of Himalay, Where pious people live and a just King." That night the wife of King Suddhodana, Maya the Queen, asleep beside her Lord, Dreamed a strange dream; dreamed that a star from heaven- Splendid, six-rayed, in colour rosy-pearl, Whereof the token was an Elephant Six-tusked and whiter than Vahuka's milk- Shot through the void and, shining into her, Entered her womb upon the right.

"The sky is clouded; and the wood resembles The sky, thick-arched with black Tamâla boughs; O Radha, Radha! take this Soul, that trembles In life's deep midnight, to Thy golden house." So Nanda spoke, -and, led by Radha's spirit, The feet of Krishna found the road aright; Wherefore, in bliss which all high hearts inherit, Together taste they Love's divine delight.

The Bhagavad Gita, meaning the Song of the Lord, is in the form of a poetic dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna. It is part of the great Indian epic The Mahabharata, and is one of the major religious documents of the world. It reveals how human beings accumulate Karma as a result of their actions in innumerable incarnations, and how to achieve liberation through devotion and knowledge.The dialogue, which takes place on the eve of an historic battle, probes the nature of God and what man should do to reach him. As The Bhagavad Gita unfolds, this majestic poem provides a fascinating synopsis of the religious thought and experience of India through the ages. This book offers the classic English verse translation by Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904), long admired for its evocation of the true feeling of the original poetry.About the Author:Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904), was an English author. After serving as principal of the government college in Pune, India, he joined (1861) the staff of the London Daily Telegraph. He won fame for his blank-verse epic The Light of Asia (1879), dealing with the life of Buddha. The poem was attacked for its alleged distortion of Buddhist doctrine and for its tolerant attitude toward a non-Christian religion. Besides other volumes of poetry, he wrote a number of picturesque travel books and translated Asian literature, inclding The Bhagavad Gita.