Pragmatic Geeta

EXPERT COMMENTS ON THE PRESENT BOOKThe Bhagavad Geeta is one of the world's major classics. It is a document of considerable philosophical, cultural and spiritual value. Over the ages countless scholars and sages have written brief and extensive commentaries on this work. Professor V. M. Kenkre's book is a scholarly and insightful presentation of the Geeta which is more than "a simple analytical introduction" as the subtitle modestly claims. It is in fact a serious reflective approach to the great work, bringing out its practical value even in this turbulent technological world of ours. Inevitably there is considerable technical philosophy here, but explained in terms understandable to the lay reader. More importantly, and quite unusually, the book includes a scholarly analysis of the little-known multiple-authors hypothesis of the late Dr. Khair, as well as discussions on Patañjali's Yoga Sutras. There is also an interesting and relevant question and answer section appended to the book. I believe it will provide significant pedagogical assistance to the reader. Professor Kenkre brings a sharp investigative style to his analysis, sprung from a lifetime of scientific research in theoretical physics. His book is a veritable treat, both intellectual and spiritual, that would enrich and benefit any serious student of the Geeta.V. V. RAMAN, AMES, USA (Professor V. V. Raman is an internationally known author of several books on the subject matter of the present publication, including three specifically on the Bhagwad Geeta. In 2006 he was the recipient of the Raja Rao award and in 2007 the title Acharya Vidyasagar was conferred on him in recognition of his many contributions to the elucidation of Indic culture.)IN THE WORDS OF THE AUTHOR OF THIS BOOKThis is a simple analytical introduction to the Srimad Bhagawad Geeta, a central scripture of Hinduism, with specific focus on its relevance to practical life. Its goal is to intrigue the reader and help him educate himself in this invaluable gem of human culture. Unlike many others, the book does not proceed serially through the chapters of the Geeta but has been written to directly aid an understanding of its philosophical and ethical concepts. It concentrates on the essential messages of the Geeta: philosophical concerning Sankhya concepts of Consciousness and Death, and Vedantic development of God; and behavioral including two systems of ethics, one of which is strikingly unique, 3-valued, based on the Trigunas. Among the book's unusual features are its analysis of the multiple-authors hypothesis put forward almost half a century ago by the late Dr. Khair, a selection of a little over 80 most useful shlokas classified into topics, with both their Sanskrit original and English translation provided, and an entire chapter on application of the Geeta behavioral concepts to real situations as diverse as events in the Ramayana, other fictional sources, and day-to-day life. An epilogue that briefly introduces a relevant discussion of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and an Appendix that answers ten most natural questions that can arise in the mind of the student of the Geeta, complete this unusual invitation to the Geeta.V. M. (NITANT) KENKRE, ALBUQUERQUE, USA (The author of the book, V. M. (Nitant) Kenkre, is a Distinguished Professor (Emeritus) of Physics at the University of New Mexico, USA. He has interests in comparative religion, literature and visual art, and has often lectured on the first of these. He has published a book on his poetry entitled "Tinnitus", and a few others on theoretical physics, and has authored over 270 articles on his physics research.)