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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/br/2002/02/26/stories/2002022600160400.htm)

 

 

The 'song celestial'

 

 

 

 

 

The Bhagavad Gita A Walk-through for Westerners: Dr. Jack Hawley;

East-West Books (Madras) Pvt. Ltd., 511, Poonamalle High Road, Aminjikarai,

Chennai-600029. Rs. 150.

 

DATING BACK to 5000 years, the Gita, a message delivered by the Lord Himself to

the entire world, covering the duties of a man and his attitude towards his

society, is a Sanskrit scripture that has come out in several languages.

 

This is a spiritual document containing a charter of responsibilities of a man.

 

To live purposefully, he can choose any one of the paths made available to

him of Karma, (duty), knowledge and devotion.

 

If none of these is possible, he can surrender to the Lord who gives an

assurance that from thenceforward, it is his responsibility to save and guide

him. The Gita doctrine of moderation stands for sublimation and not for

suppression of our instincts.

 

The Gita is aware of the limitations of man and the difficulties in his quest

for the ideal of self-control. Acharyas and scholars have interpreted the

contents from their respective philosophic systems. There have been commentaries

from top- ranking scholars.

 

Here Dr. Jack Hawley an educationist, who has spent half of each of his 15 years

in India, gives an extremely delightful translation in prose of the verse of the

18 chapters of this ``song celestial'' in which Arjuna, in a dilemma, poses as

many as 65 questions dealing with human activities and Lord Krishna gives

convincing and satisfactory replies, all in words of eternal wisdom.

 

Krishna defines ``Atma'' ``Sthithapragna'' ``Yogi'' ``Prakriti'' ``Purusha'' and

other terms, which have all been presented faithfully by the author in English

with deep insight as to be digested by every reader.

 

A sample of Dr Jack Hawley's analysis will prove the depth of knowledge and

insight gained by him about the spirit behind the Lord's command: ``Giving up

Dharma does not mean you suddenly become non-virtuous; it indicates you have

moved beyond it all. Taking refuge in me means that you give up the idea that

you are the doer''.

 

The author has thoroughly understood this sermon contained in this universal,

great religious classic.

 

 

DVV

 

 

 

 

 

 

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