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Maybe not for all but, Bhagavad Gita: As it is. Do not read the explanation which are biased to god and religion. But you can definitely read the stanzas. Th

Maybe not for all but, Bhagavad Gita: As it is. Do not read the explanation which are biased to god and religion. But you can definitely read the stanzas. The idea that we are actor whose duty is to act is a powerful concept, especially when you are feeling low. The book also has some egoistic stuff like "I am god, obey me." But once you filter some of these, you see bigger picture.

banana2 5y ago
Definitely not a recommendation I see often. I only came to know of the Gita by this quote: "To work you have the right, but not to the fruits thereof". Resonated with me, and brought me to the concept of "karma yoga". How did you come across it?
- going_ham 5y ago
  Short story: I was lost during the early college days. I already had the book in my home for a while and decided to go through it. Once I finished it, I adopted some of the ideas from the book. Immediately, I realized how powerful the concept of acting (karma yoga) is!
  - banana2 5y ago
    Can I ask if you're Hindu or born in India (only if you are comfortable sharing)? Because I don't see many outside of those 2 circles knowing of this text - and I'm really looking for a different interpretation / view of it, rather than the traditional one. (I am neither, if it matters)
- passion__desire 5y ago
  Alternative worded quote : "It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
  - banana2 5y ago
    Hm, I would disagree. I think they are 2 different quotes, both meaningful in their own ways. I could elaborate more if you'd like.
- throwaway7464 5y ago
passion__desire 5y ago
I would suggest this critique of Bhagavad Gita. Who Wrote the Bhagavadgita: A Secular Enquiry into a Sacred Text by Meghnad Desai https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21454853-who-wrote-the-bhagavadgita https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21454853-who-wrote-the-b... Many people consider BG to be unchallenged book and that all it's ideas are good. But this book by Meghnad Desai opened my eyes and now I am disillusioned for the good.
amitp85 5y ago
+1 for Bhagavad Gita, I read it a few times, If one could understand Karma Yoga, result is ultimate peace. In short if the outcome/result of a work does not affect you, you'll be at peace.
mihaic 5y ago
Is there a particular version you'd recommend? I tried an online one a long time ago, yet found it hard to read and gave up.
- rramadass 5y ago
  I recommend the following; * The Bhagavad Gita translated by W. J. Johnson and published in Oxford World's Classics. This is a good succinct translation in the spirit of the original. * The Bhagavad Gita translated and interpreted by Franklin Edgerton (2 vols in one). Edgerton was a noted Sanskrit scholar and this translation contains a lot of background and detailed material in the form of illuminating essays. The above two paired together will give you excellent insight into the text.

banana2 5y ago

Definitely not a recommendation I see often. I only came to know of the Gita by this quote: "To work you have the right, but not to the fruits thereof". Resonated with me, and brought me to the concept of "karma yoga". How did you come across it?

going_ham 5y ago
Short story: I was lost during the early college days. I already had the book in my home for a while and decided to go through it. Once I finished it, I adopted some of the ideas from the book. Immediately, I realized how powerful the concept of acting (karma yoga) is!
- banana2 5y ago
  Can I ask if you're Hindu or born in India (only if you are comfortable sharing)? Because I don't see many outside of those 2 circles knowing of this text - and I'm really looking for a different interpretation / view of it, rather than the traditional one. (I am neither, if it matters)
passion__desire 5y ago
Alternative worded quote : "It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
- banana2 5y ago
  Hm, I would disagree. I think they are 2 different quotes, both meaningful in their own ways. I could elaborate more if you'd like.
throwaway7464 5y ago

passion__desire 5y ago

I would suggest this critique of Bhagavad Gita. Who Wrote the Bhagavadgita: A Secular Enquiry into a Sacred Text by Meghnad Desai https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21454853-who-wrote-the-bhagavadgita https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21454853-who-wrote-the-b... Many people consider BG to be unchallenged book and that all it's ideas are good. But this book by Meghnad Desai opened my eyes and now I am disillusioned for the good.

amitp85 5y ago

+1 for Bhagavad Gita, I read it a few times, If one could understand Karma Yoga, result is ultimate peace. In short if the outcome/result of a work does not affect you, you'll be at peace.

mihaic 5y ago

Is there a particular version you'd recommend? I tried an online one a long time ago, yet found it hard to read and gave up.

rramadass 5y ago
I recommend the following; * The Bhagavad Gita translated by W. J. Johnson and published in Oxford World's Classics. This is a good succinct translation in the spirit of the original. * The Bhagavad Gita translated and interpreted by Franklin Edgerton (2 vols in one). Edgerton was a noted Sanskrit scholar and this translation contains a lot of background and detailed material in the form of illuminating essays. The above two paired together will give you excellent insight into the text.