Classic for all times
V. N. GOPALA DESIKACHARIAR
SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA (Tamil): K. Shridharan; Narmada Pathippagam, 10, Nana Street, Pondy Bazaar,
T. Nagar, Chennai-600017.
Rs. 400.
The immortal classic, the Bhagavad Gita, forms a triad with the Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras, collectively called "Prasthana traya", but is more popular and universally known across the globe, than the other two. It is wrong to think that the Gita talks only of high philosophy and the other world. It is not unworldly but is verily a manual of good living in this world. Social tolerance, mutual respect and non-hatred towards all beings, human and others, are well advocated. Nor is the Gita averse to our enjoying worldly desires, as allowed by the scriptures by adopting righteous means.
The greatness of the Gita lies in the fact that the teachings cater to all types of people and all types of situations. It is perhaps the only Indian work that has been translated in most of the languages across the world and its popularity can be gauged from the fact that nearly 3000 commentaries in various languages are stated to be in vogue. The prominent among these are the ones by Sankara, Ramanuja and Anandatirtha (Madhva), with further glosses by their followers like Anandagiri, Vedanta Desika and Jayatirtha.
Commentaries
Each of these commentaries of the three preceptors sports a speciality. Sankara engages in extensive polemics throughout, trying to show the Gita is in accordance with Advaita. Ramanuja shuns polemics (except under 2.12 and 13.2) and concentrates on the rapturous description of the personal form of God, Narayana, and His auspicious qualities, stressing on Bhakti Yoga as the means for salvation.
Madhva, in keeping with his ecstatic love for Krishna (whose idol he arranged for installation at Udupi), quotes extensively from the Bhagavata Purana. All the three preceptors are clear that all texts like the Gita and the Upanishads speak in one voice and these support their own system of philosophy; and have proceeded to interpret the Gita accordingly. We thus have several key words being ascribed diametrically opposite meanings by them.
This book gives the Gita text in Tamil, along with concise meaning in general; followed by Tamil translation of the commentaries of Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhva. The original commentaries in Sanskrit are a little terse and the translator has done well to slightly expand, wherever necessary, so as to make them easily understandable.
This is for the first time a book is published in Tamil, containing all the three commentaries together; there is an earlier Sanskrit edition (1910 A.D.) that includes, besides the three commentaries, further glosses by Vedanta Desika and Jayatirtha.
The present translation of Ramanuja's commentary on 13-12 describing Jivatma as neither Sat nor Asat is a bit confusing and appears self-contradictory, even if not intended. An index of the verses could have been provided, to facilitate easy location.
The author-translator has to be commended for his clear and lucid translation in simple, reader-friendly Tamil, even of difficult philosophical concepts.
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