The Bhagavad Gita, Edward Viljoen
The Bhagavad Gita, Edward Viljoen
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The Bhagavad Gita
The Song of God Retold in Simplified English (The Essential Wisdom Library)

Author: Edward Viljoen

Narrator: Edward Viljoen

Unabridged: 3 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/11/2019

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

This program is read by the author.

The Bhagavad Gita: A Song of God Retold in Simplified English is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library.

This unique edition of the timeless epic is designed to be accessible for listeners without any prior experience of Hinduism. Not simply a translation of the original, Viljoen has simplified and restated the Gita’s complex ideas, so that a first-time listener can fully appreciate the scope and beauty of this magnificent Indian classic. Written in concise, modern language the retelling vividly captures the power and depth of the original work.

Part of the Mahabharata, the Gita is a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna. Its verses contain some of the key ideas of Hindu philosophy—Dharma, Moksha, and various yogic practices. Originally written well over a thousand years ago, the Gita has proven to be a timeless source of wisdom, inspiring philosophers and revolutionaries alike in the millennia since it was written.

In addition to the retelling of the text, this edition includes a character list, a glossary of important terms, and chapters exploring the back-story from the Mahabharata and the impact and meaning of the Bhagavad Gita itself. The Bhagavad Gita is an approachable way for today’s listeners to engage with one of history's richest spiritual epics.

About Edward Viljoen

Dr. Edward Viljoen graduated as a Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chaplain in April 1999, received a Doctor of Divinity, and a Doctor of Religious Science from Centers for Spiritual Living. He was awarded the much-respected Ernest Holmes Award for exemplary demonstration of the teachings of Dr. Ernest Holmes. He is the spiritual director of the Santa Rosa Center for Spiritual Living, in Santa Rosa, CA.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Katra on March 07, 2020

Loved the actual "Song of God." There's a lot to contemplate. There were many pages of introduction and commentary. Some of it helped to understand what I was going into. Much of it was unnecessary and there was a great deal of redundancy.......more

Goodreads review by Catie on March 11, 2024

A great introduction and background to the Bhagavad Gita. I love that Viljoen includes some Hindu history and terms as well. I’m looking forward to tackling the Bhagavad Gita now that I’ve gotten some background under my belt!......more

Goodreads review by Harry on February 08, 2025

A paraphrase taken from the song of god, Bhagavad Gita… also the important backstory of the Mahabharata… along with a compendium of phrases popular and pertinent in the Hindu tradition......more

Goodreads review by Antonio on September 08, 2023

The Bhagavad Gita (Song or God, or Celestial Song) is one of the key scriptures of Hinduism and one of the most beautiful pieces of literature ever written. Without sufficient background knowledge of Hinduism, this book offered an amazing background into the key plot and characters of the Gita, as w......more

Goodreads review by Andrew on March 07, 2021

Edward Viljoen’s Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English is sort of a CliffsNotes retelling of the Hindu classic. Viljoen paraphrases the story’s eighteen chapters in twenty-six pages of simple, straightforward English. The remaining seventy or so pages of the book are devoted to......more