Practical Bhagavad Gita Practical Bhagavad Gita. By Nandury Venkateswara Rao, Soven Management Associates, 90A, Road # 9, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad 500 033. Rs.150.

This is, as the writer himself has said, ‘a practice oriented commentary’ on the Bhagavad Gita, which, along with the Brahma Sutras and the Upanishads form the triple canon of Hinduism, the Prasthana-traya and as such contains the very essence of the wisdom of the spiritual tradition of India.

The book is divided into two major parts—the Bhagavad Gita and the Pranaveeyam. The first part, dealing with the Gita is subdivided into four parts: The Credentials, Some Spiritual and Cosmic Information, Basic Requisites of a Sadhaka, and finally Sadhana.

In the first two sub-divisions the writer discusses the idea of karma, birth, death and the manner in which karma organizes rebirth. Every idea is supported with quotation from the Gita. In the third subdivision the writer formulates the required state of mind of an aspirant and is very clear about the five basic qualities which are required for spiritual progress. These are: Truth, Free Will, Decision and Determination, Physical Discipline followed by Mental Discipline. Mr.Rao has outlined and discussed these aspects and has made it clear that without adhering to a strict and disciplined schedule, the mind, which in the end is the cause of all our activities and outlook, will not be in the right frame for right action. He discusses the value of bodily restraint in order to achieve mental prowess.

Mr. Rao then goes on to the most practical part of the book, which is yoga in action. There is a short exposition on the main teachings of the Gita and this is followed by eight ‘how-to’s—control anger, fear, envy, jealousy, desire, face dualities, cultivate dispassion, devotion and concentration. Each of these is dealt in simple style, and the author realizes how difficult are the deadly habits to overcome.

The second part Pranaveeyam begins with an explanation of Pranavam and deals in its five chapters with topics as varied as, though interconnected, work, worship and wisdom. Basically this part is a preparation for death and seeks to remind man of his mortality. This is particularly true of the chapter titled Wisdom. Each chapter is brief and very simply put. Explanations are kept to a minimum and the reader is expected to fall back on his own experience and the life-skills he is sure to have acquired. This makes the reading one of ease and comfort while being thought-provoking.

Right through, the Gita is kept as the focal point, thereby justifying the title and at every stage the writer refers to it as the fount of wisdom. The book is attractively produced and very reasonably priced and should be on the reading list of anyone who is interested in the higher reaches of life.

Transcreation of Upanishads

Katha, Kena, Prasna and Aitareya Upanishads. Transcreated from Sanskrit into English by Prof. P Lal. Published by Writers Workshop, 162/92, Lake Gardens, Kolkata 700 045. Prices: Katha Upanishad: Hardback Rs.60, Flexiback Rs.30. Kena Upanishad: Harback Rs.40, Flexiback Rs.30. Prasna Upanishad: Hardback Rs.50, Flexiback Rs.30. Aitareya Upanishad: Hardback Rs.50, Flexiback Rs.30.

While the faithful translations of the Upanishads carry the thought content from Sanskrit to other languages, most of these miss on the poetic beauty of the Upanishads. It is in this context that the transcreations of the Upanishads by Prof. P Lal stand out. Transcreations in simple words, as different from translations, carry thoughts and literary beauty as well from one language to the other.

The four books under review namely Katha, Kena, Aitareya and Prasna Upanishads transcreated by the Professor are an addition to the transcreation series (called Safronbird) by him. In these transcreations, there are no interpretations or explanations.

All the four books are handset, printed in hand-operated press and hand-bound. The books are wrapped in handloom saree cloth with names of the books gold-embossed on the cover. These are available in hardback and flexiback editions. Being hand-bound, quality of binding has the limitations of the binding process.

As for the contents of the books: The Katha Upanishad has the story of Nachiketa as its background. The major portion of the Upanishad is an answer to the question that Nachiketa asks namely: When a man dies, some argue ‘It still is’ Others say, ‘No, it is not.’ Will you please tell me what really is? This is the third of my three boons.—quoted from the book under review.

The Kena Upanishad opens with a very vital question namely who is responsible for all the sensory activity in human body. Major portion of the Upanishad is in answer to this question.

The Prasna Upanishad has six chapters containing six questions and answers. The Upanishad elaborately deals with Prana (Vital Force) and its functions in the body.

The Aitareya Upanishad starts with the order of creation, which is highly symbolic. The second part deals with continuance of samsara or transmigration. The third part deals with the question ‘What is this Atman that we worship?’ and ends with the Mahavakya—Prajnanam Brahma, Consciousness is Brahman.

To conclude, these transcreations make for a serious and simultaneously, pleasant reading. As there are no explanations, these are recommended for those who are willing to undertake the task of understanding the meaning of the shruti by themselves.

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