The Bhagavad Gita

In a lucid, chapter-by-chapter analysis, Hindu Studies scholar Nicholas Sutton sets out a guide to the philosophy, religious context, and contemporary significance of the Bhagavad Gita. An authoritative yet accessible introduction to this sacred classic, Sutton’s book will be of interest to all students of the Gita, both new and experienced.

Forming a climactic moment in the ancient Indian epic the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita is one of the most celebrated texts in the Hindu world. Assuming the form of a dialogue between the princely warrior Arjuna and his divine charioteer Krsna spoken on the brink of a great war, the Gita addresses many themes that are central to Hinduism, including action in the world, spiritual knowledge, devotion, liberation, and the nature of God.

Nicholas Sutton’s The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation and Study Guide presents the principal ideas pursued in the teachings of this classic Hindu scripture. With scholarly rigour, yet always accessible and sensitive to the lived tradition, the book unpacks the meaning of key Sanskrit terms and makes ample use of three influential traditional commentaries on the Gita, namely those of Samkaracarya, Ramanujacarya, and Madhvacarya. It also reflects on the contemporary significance of the Gita’s teachings and how they can be of relevance to the modern world. Sutton’s book will be of interest to all students of the Bhagavad Gita.

OXFORD CENTRE SERIES: The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Publishing Series offers authoritative yet accessible introductions to a wide range of subjects in Hindu Studies. Each book in the series aims to present its subject matter in a form that is engaging and readily comprehensible to persons of all backgrounds – academic or otherwise – without compromising scholarly rigour. The series thus bridges the divide between academic and popular writing by preserving and utilising the best elements of both. The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation and Study Guide joins other accessible texts on Hindu Studies authored by expert scholars, including Understanding the Mahabharata; The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape; and Women in the Hindu World.

EXPERT AUTHOR: Nicholas Sutton is the Director of the Continuing Education Department of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, an academy for the study of Hindu cultures, societies, philosophies, religions, and languages. He received his PhD from Lancaster University, writing his doctoral dissertation on the Mahabharata, and currently writes and tutors online courses on Hindu religious traditions.

EDUCATION AID: This book serves as a comprehensive resource for both classwork and independent study of Hinduism. With the integration of discussion questions, suggested further readings, and glossary of Sanskrit terms, The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation and Study Guide offers an accessible introduction to this enduring Sanskrit epic.