The Song of God: Swami Prabhavananda's Translation of the Bhagavad Gita

There are many translations of the Gita into English–some over two hundred years old–but this one by Swami Prabhavananda is unparalleled.

First, its beauty of language is unique, making it absolutely memorable. I first read it in 1960, and much of it is as fresh and living in my mind as it was the day I finished my first read-through. It changed my life because it changed my consciousness. I did not feel that Krishna was speaking to me, but that my own Self was telling me that which I had always known but had long forgotten. For this translation conveys the spirit, the consciousness, of the Gita as none other does.

Second, it is an interpretive translation, which makes it of double value because it is a commentary as well–a commentary based on the highest authorities, especially Shankara the prime Non-dualist whose commentary was consulted throughout by Prabhavananda.

Third is the translator himself. Swami Prabhavananda was a monk of the worldwide Ramakrishna Mission and head of the Vedanta Society of Southern California for many decades. Even more important, he was a disciple of Swami Brahmananda, the spiritual son of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the sage of Dakshineswar (a suburb of Calcutta). In his youth he associated with nearly all the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna and received the blessings of Sri Sarada Devi, the virgin consort of Sri Ramakrishna.

With this background he came to the United States and labored tirelessly–and successfully–to bring the eternal message of Vedanta to those awakening to higher knowledge and consciousness but who were without a guide in their search.

Swamiji made a series of remarkable translations from Sanskrit as well as writing books and articles on all aspects of spiritual life and philosophy. His lectures were gems of wisdom, delivered in a style that breathed the serenity and insight of Truth.

Yet for me this translation of the Gita will always be his supreme accomplishment, and I am so pleased that it is now being posted on our website.

A print version of this and Swamiji’s other books as well as his recorded lectures are available at http://www.vedanta.com/

—Swami Nirmalananda Giri

Read the First Chapter