“The New Bhagavad-Gita: Timeless Wisdom in the Language of Our Times” by Koti Sreekrishna and Hari Ravikumar has received acclaim from Nicole Yurcaba of the US Review of Books. Yurcaba highlighted that
“…this book provides a new way of looking at an important text from world literature and religious canons.”
The book, The New Bhagavad-Gita: Timeless Wisdom in the Language of Our Times, by Koti Sreekrishna and Hari Ravikumar, involves a conversation between two friends at the start of an epic war. In this conversation, Arjuna feels sad and confused as doom approaches, and Krishna cheers him up and clears his doubts.
Koti Sreekrishna studied at the Indian Institute of Science in 1978 and earned his doctorate. His interests include philosophy, interfaith discussion, and the study of Hindu scriptures. In the past, he has (co-)authored books on Indian philosophy.
Hari Ravikumar is a writer, translator, editor, violinist, and designer. He serves as an advisor for the Abhinava Dance Company, Edyoulead Life India, Lakshminarayana Global Centre of Excellence, Pramiti School, and Samvit Research Foundation. In addition, he is one of the contributing editors for the online magazine Prekshaa. Philosophy, music, literature, movies, and educational pedagogy have always piqued his interest.
This book explores the Bhagavad-Gita and the essential lessons it offers at a critical turning point in history. Readers discover memorable, poetic verses about aligning their words with their actions. They also learn about the transformative power of the “best of secrets” and the necessity for selfless action. The text advises readers to control their own nature and abide in divinity.
The book also encourages a journey from ignorance to knowledge, reminding readers that “There can be no single rule for all of human life; one can merely try to act appropriately in all situations.” Thus, these verses serve as a helpful guide for enlightened living, and their principles are easily applicable.
Set at the beginning of an epic war, the story centers around a dialogue between two friends. Arjuna is depicted as experiencing sadness and confusion when faced with impending doom. His friend, Krishna, steps in to uplift Arjuna and resolve his uncertainties.
The US Review of Books (USRB) recommends The New Bhagavad-Gita: Timeless Wisdom in the Language of Our Times by Koti Sreekrishna and Hari Ravikumar. Here’s the review from the USRB:
“This book is a good reminder of how the ‘journey from ignorance to knowledge consists of opening our minds and learning how to entertain an idea without accepting or rejecting it.’ It encourages readers to not only pursue a path of spiritual enlightenment but also to incorporate methods for lifelong learning into their journeys. Readers will also find appendices within the text that help them understand pronunciations from the original text. For readers looking to expand their multicultural awareness, this book offers a new perspective on an important text from world literature and religious canons. For those wanting to enlighten and enrich their spiritual lives, this text is essential, as its teachings strive to help readers establish balance in their existence.”