"The most important, the most influential, and the most luminous of all the Hindu scriptures." -- R.C. Zaehner Vivid literature, lofty philosophy -- the Bhagavad Gita distills the finest in Indices vast and varied culture. On the morning of battle, facing Armageddon, prince Arjuna loses his nerve and refuses to fight. Krishna knows better. "Your very nature will drive you to fight. Your only choice is what to fight against." His advice gives an inspiring model of the man or woman of action -- the person who aims at goodness in a world of conflict and change. -- In this translation, the Gita stands out as a book of choices -- direct, practical, universal. The introduction sketches the background of the poem and gives clear, contemporary explanations of the basic ideas of Indian philosophy. karma, reincarnation, yoga, freedom. Separate chapter introductions outline the drama as it unfolds. The translation... is smooth, eloquent, and reliable... (I) would unhesitatingly recommend Easwaran to someone searching for the spirituality of the Gita." -- CHOICE Eknath Easwaran, writer, Fulbright scholar, and former professor of English literature, is at home in both English and Sanskrit. He brings to this translation 25 years' experience of teaching the Gita to an American audience.