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My Gita

In My Gita, acclaimed mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik demystifies The Bhagavad Gita for the contemporary reader. His unique approach-thematic rather than verse-by-verse-makes the ancient treatise eminently accessible, combined as it is with his trademark illustrations and simple diagrams. In a world that seems spellbound by argument over dialogue, vi-vaad over sam-vaad, Devdutt highlights how Krishna nudges Arjuna to understand rather than judge his relationships. This becomes relevant today when we are increasingly indulging and isolating the self (self-improvement, self-actualization, self-realization-even selfies!).We forget that we live in an ecosystem of others, where we can nourish each other with food, love and meaning, even when we fight. So let My Gita inform your Gita.

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Rupa Publications Private Limited; 2016 edition (November 10, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 8129137704

ISBN-13: 978-8129137708

Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.6 x 7.8 inches

Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #130,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #33 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Indian #279 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Hinduism #38554 in Books > Reference

Actually, you will not feel like you are reading Gita when reading the book. It is so well written that you will actually think "did I finish it?" after completing it. The references of Ramayana and Mahabharata make the book a very worthy reading.

Devdutt Patnaik is a master story-teller no doubt. He narrates mythological stories in easy and simple to understand words with apt and crisp illustrations along with the text. The two books “Jaya” and “Sita” that I read, showcase his amusing takes on mythological stories.With a limited knowledge of Gita and its verses, I wanted to read Devdutt Patnaik’s version. I finally could lay my hands on his recent offering “My Gita”. After reading the first few pages I realised that keeping in mind to not ruffle any feathers of vigilante moral brigade of the country, he has titled the book as “My Gita” and reasoned that it is not the translation of much revered original text but his understanding of the most popular book of Hindus. “Let my Gita inform your Gita” he says.He has attempted to simplify by not writing it in sequence as the original book but has reorganised it according to themes. The book is divided into eighteen themes like the concept of rebirth (Atma), our deeds and their reaction (Karma), our conduct (Dharma) similar to the eighteen chapters of The Gita. The book also has a brief history to understand the timeline when the original text was written. Citing examples from other beliefs and faiths, namely Jainism and Buddhism, the author has brought out difference in meaning of words like soul and atma, moksha and nirvana.The Abrahmic and Greek concepts have also been cross-referenced throughout to emphasise on different thought processes like the concept of rebirth and gaining knowledge rather than changing the world and placing one’s value in the achievements of the lifetime.Author has paraphrased the verses in simpler words to let each person understand as per his or her own capacity. So in a way Devdutt Patnaik’s Gita has managed to inform ‘my’ Gita.Though author has tried best to simplify, but the book is not an ordinary read to breeze through. With lot of philosophy involved, at times I got little confused and my attention was lost and that is the reason that the book needs to be understood in an un-hurried way. Those who have read the original verses of the The Gita may not completely agree with the author’s ideas.Though I find it easier and faster to read stories in English but somehow for this book I wished it was in native language Hindi to feel closer to and understand the words deha, atma, samvad, vivad, yoga, viyog, dharma etc.And yet I would read this book again at much slower pace to understand author’s viewpoint properly.

Great work, Great details, very informative. Especially if you are a novice reader and knows a little too less about Gita. This book is a must before you go on and read original unabridged version of Gita. This book worked as great foundation. I will definitely read more books from Devdutt Pattanaik as his work is very informative and highly researched.

Very well written book that summarizes the Gita, with nice illustrations and crisp explanations.This is NOT a translation/Transliteration of the Bhagavad Gita.

This is a new perspective of Gita. The vantage point from which it is written, the whole epic is put into a unique framework. It is not preachy but introspective.

Simplified and an interesting way to understand. Typical Devdutt Pattanaik way of explaining the meaning behind many Hindu terms. Saw shades of Ramakrishna Mission's Bhagavad Gita. Good read.

Reading this book once will not suffice. A great deal of research has been done. It is a mid way between a self help book and mythology fiction. Enjoyed to the fullest.

An interesting account of what the author understands from Gita. Thought provoking. Serious students of Gita must not miss this. Highly recommend.

The Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics) The Bhagavad Gita (Classics of Indian Spirituality) The Bhagavad-Gita : Krishna's Counsel in Time of War (Bantam Classics) My Gita The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation Love, Service, Devotion, and the Ultimate Surrender: Ram Dass on the Bhagavad Gita Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God The "Bhagavad Gita": A Biography (Lives of Great Religious Books) Bhagavad-Gita As It Is Easing into the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras The Bhagavad Gita (Oxford World's Classics) The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: Explained By Paramhansa Yogananda, As Remembered By His Disciple, Swami Kriyananda Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: A Contemporary Guide to Yoga, Meditation, and Indian Philosophy (Wisdom of India) Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-gita: A New Translation and Commentary with Sanskrit Text: Chapters 1-6 Perennial Psychology of the Bhagavad-Gita Illuminations from the Bhagavad Gita