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Book Review
Commentaries on the Gita
C. L. RAMAKRISHNAN
A CRITICAL STUDY OF BHAGAVAD GITA — Volume I - Chapters 1 to 3: C.M. Padmanabhachar; Sriman Madhva Siddhantonnahini Sabha, Tiruchanur-517503.
Rs. 175.
This publication adopts the style of providing the verses of the Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit, followed by word-for- word meaning and a translation in English. At the end of each chapter, and at times in between also, a simple and lucid summing up of the various schools of thought on this scripture is given.
This is a well-researched effort in that it abounds in references and quotations from the different schools of Vedanta, the Mahabharata and the Puranas like the Srimad Bhagavata and the Vishnu Purana. The author has introduced the commentaries of the exponents of the Advaita, Visishtadvaita and the Dvaita systems under the relevant verses and what is more, analysed the tenability of these by cross-references to accepted axioms and his own views. No doubt, as he himself mentions, he inclines towards the commentary of Madhva, holds it as most acceptable since it provides answers to various problems and riddles, and differs from other commentators. While one can appreciate the standpoint of the author, it is an accepted stand in Indian philosophy that there is no negation of one school of Vedanta, but giving preference to one over others.
Interpretations
There are excellent notes under certain verses which have a plethora of interpretations. The import of the word “aparyaptam” occurring in verse II-10 has been very convincingly explained by quoting from different commentaries. In verse II-12, the analysis of the manner in which Bhishma blows the conch and produces a lion-like roar, signalling the start of the battle, rivets one’s attention. Similarly, verse II-20, which has a close resemblance to Katha Upanishad, has been clearly elucidated vis-À-vis the Upanishad. In the same way, for verses 39, 46 to 48 of the second chapter, copious notes have been appended, for a clear understanding. In some verses, words appearing as synonyms have been taken up for elucidation of the subtle differences between them and also to fine-tune their meaning.
He has brought into play his analytical ability and application of logic in examining the different explanations advanced by various commentators on the Bhagavad Gita and made it an extremely useful and instructional volume. There is much material to dwell upon and adopt as a take-off point for further detailed study of certain crucial and knotty verses. At quite a few places, the author has drawn support for the Gita verses, not only from this text, but also from the Mahabharata itself, which justifies the ethos and trend of the thoughts in the Gita.
A welcome addition to the corpus of literature on the Bhagavad Gita; the author deserves to be complemented for the effort and time spent to delve deeply into each verse and also study thoroughly the various commentaries on them by the renowned preceptors.
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