Rhythm of Life: (A poetic rendition of the Bhagavad Gita), Author: Baroruchi Mishra, Publisher: Notionpress.com, Language: English, Pp: 176, Price: Rs. 555/=, Year of publication: 2021, Reprint 2022, ISBN: 978-1-68563-959-4 (Hard case), 979-8-88503-166-0 (Paperback),
Gita as a book is
an important, well-known and most appropriate book so far, to guide us for
dealing with the problems of life. Gita has 18 Chapters and each one has
its own importance. Every chapter in
Gita is the main chapter. There are three sections. The first six chapters are
about karma, next six chapters are about bhakti and the final six chapters are
about jnana. But as per each Chapter, bhakti is the best. It is essentially the
dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. There are many works on Gita. In his
passion for poetry, the author has rendered all the Chapters in the form of
poetry but it is not just a simple translation or conversion. This work, exploring the truth, involves
intellect and spiritual awareness. In the book, presenting in a different and
novel way, the author first gives brief commentary on each of the Chapters and
then provides the poetic rendition. In my opinion, it is preferable to read
both, in sequence, for each Chapter.
Chapter 1 starts with the scene of the
battlefield of Kurukshetra, wherein Pandavas and the Kauravas are locked in the
fight for the kingdom, which was taken by the Kauravas by unfair means. Arjuna
is the main warrior of the Pandavas, but he is unwilling to fight and kill his
cousins and relatives. Lord Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna, counsels him
about this fight. A famous part of Gita, is Chapter 2, Verse 47, which reads as
follows: (Quote) karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana, mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo
’stvakarmaṇi. (Unquote). Its meaning is: You have a right to perform your
prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.
Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor
be attached to inaction. However, in his poetic way, the author describes it
as: (Quote) Only to work is your right, To their rewards, not quite. Nor fruits of action be your motive in the
slight, Neither inaction should ever become your rite.#47 (Unquote). Chapter 14 is a famous Chapter of Gita and it
describes the way to attain God. The
last Chapter i.e. number 18, covers the concepts of renunciation of actions,
desires and the best form is detachment. Actions should be for purifying the
soul. Arjuna is finally convinced, has no doubts and is more inclined to pick
up the weapons and fight.
In the beginning of the book, the author has given Dedication, Contents,
Foreword by the famous Swami Avdheshanand Giri and Introduction. Towards the
end of the book, Name Index and Subject Index have been provided. The back
cover gives few details as “About the author” besides the details of the
conversation between the author and one of his friends, about making the people
aware about Gita, in a proper way. The book has been printed on good quality
paper and has a colourful and appealing cover design. The fact that the book
had a reprint in a year of its first publication, and has a Foreword by a well-known
and high level spiritual authority, speaks volumes of the quality of this book and
the response it received from the public in general. The book is basically and
specifically useful for the people having a spiritual background to improve
their understanding of Gita, but at the same time, it is useful for those who
do not have much knowledge about this great book and would like to be
enlightened about it. In this respect, it is very relevant for the school and
college students, besides the other interested readers, including those from
the foreign countries. Being in the poetic version, it is an added advantage to
the readers. Credit goes to the author for providing such a version for the
benefit of the readers. It is up to us, to take its advantage. In my opinion, considering
in an overall way, it is an excellent book for understanding, usefulness and
enjoyment for people of various age levels.
------------------vijaiksharma
.
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