The above two books are the most successful Bhagavad-Gita versions in the market. The first one was intepreted by Paramahansa Yogananda while the second was by His Holiness Srila Prapupada.
The story of Bhagavad-Gita ("BG") tells us about the war in Kurusektra in ancient India. The war is fought by the righteous (the Pandavas brothers) agaisnt the evil forces (the Kauravas). Both forces are related by blood. Therefore, Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers was in dilema when he was about to shoot his arrow into the heart of his fellow Kauravas (Arjuna was the best ancient marksman by historical account). Thus Lord Krishna gives his teachings to Arjuna and enlightens him of his duties as a Ksatriya (Warrior) to the righteous and thus his sermon becomes the Holy Gita.
Many accounts of the intepretations of the Gita has been given by numerous people, but the two above stand above the rest.
The 1st one, by Paramhansa Yogananda is an intepratation of the Gita based on Raja Yoga/ Kriya Yoga. Yogananda brings us fresh insights of how Krishna is actually speaking of yoga in the Gita. In a nutshell it is the spiritual intepretation of the text. Once again spirituality is an inward process, therefore the Kurusektra war is looked as an internal battle of the soul-concioussness against the minefield of the ego.
On the other hand, the 2nd version by Srila Prapupada is an intepration based on the bakthi (devotional) path. It focuses more on the relationship between man and the supreme personality of godhead, who is Sri Krishna himself. It could be said that this is the religious intepretation of the text. The gist of the teachings is that Arjuna (the man who represents the masses) have to perform his duties as per his karma, but in doing so as long as he attributes all his actions to god (Krishna) and dutifully worships Krishna would be abated from sins and released from the cycle of birth-death.
Both books fascinate me to this day. I first read Srila Prabupada's version when I was 14 years old while that of Yogananda's I read when I was 22 years old. I find both intepretation wonderful and at the same time enlightening. Over the years I've been able to synthesise both teachings and practice both aspects concurrently and find it nourishing as well refreshing.
I guess religion without spirituality is akin to love without sex. It is not fullfilling the human conciousness fully. At the same time spirituality without religion is like sex without love. There is plenty of fun and joy, but there's no intimacy.
So I guess, moral of the story is that we need to balance our spiritual and religious practices. A balance is needed for us to grow in a harmonious way with the natural laws. We have to deny our own self of extremistic views and embrace a more positive looks into all teaching of the great enlighted souls.
Though both men, both Srila Prabupada and Paramhansa Yogananda has left the mortal coil, their teachings and inspiration still keeps me going. They give me insights in the times of difficulties and dark chapters of life.
Therefore, I sincerely urge all seekers of the truth to embrace the Holy Gita as a guide as well as a divine friend to embark on our spiritual journey throughout our life. The Gita I believe as numerous people believe, had benefited all walks of man in some way or other and helped empower others. Get your copy today and do share with me your own experiences.
Aum.
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