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Book Review
TAMIL
Gita in verse form
C. L. RAMAKRISHNAN
PAZHAGU THAMIZHIL BHAGAVAD GITAI: M. Bhaktavatsalam; Amirthavarshni Publications, New No. 26 (Old No.6), Brahmin Street, Nandivaram, Guduvanchery-603202. Rs. 200.
THIS BOOK gives the thoughts in the Bhagavad Gita in Tamil and in versified form. The 18 chapters of the text have been split and presented under different heads. Quite appropriately, the author has devoted much time, effort, and space in this book to the second chapter, which is considered to be the quintessence of the Lord’s teachings. What follows in the text, from Chapter 3 to 18, is regarded as a mere elucidation, exemplification and amplification of it. The first chapter, which just provides the setting for the dissertation, has been dealt with very briefly, and rightly so. The last chapter in this publication is titled “Thou art me, and me art thou”— the accepted advaitic interpretation of the “Jiva Brahma abhedha.” This is precisely what Madhusudana Saraswati mentions at the start of his commentary — that the last sextet establishes this truth. The nature of the soul, the need for karma yoga, and how bhakti eventually leads to self-realisation have been well brought out. Sat and Asat, birth and death, ethical excellences and demoniac traits, have all been clearly explained. The central point in the “dhyana yoga” (Chapter 6) — that the one engaged in performing good acts will never come to grief — is highlighted. A commendable effort in presenting the Gita in simple, flowing Tamil.
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