Content and narration reduced me to tears

I attempted to listen to classics of Indian spirituality but returned two audiobooks because I couldn't tolerate the narrators. One had a vaguely Texas accent and a mouthful of mush--which couldn't have been a more ridiculous match up of reader and material--and the other narrator read so slowly, I could hear him breathe and swallow . . . when he or I wasn't nodding off. Okay, I probably should have transcended my irritation, but I'm still only human.

This particular audiobook, however, could not be more wonderful. The translation itself is magnificent, and the introduction is educational, well-organized, and intimate--a perfect preparation for reading the Gita. It is more than an hour long, and I listened to it several times, entranced.

The narrator, an accomplished British actor, could not have been better. The publishers of the books I returned should take a lesson from him. He is articulate and easy to listen to. He nails the Indian accent when he occasionally switches to that as appropriate for the content.

I resonate with the teaching of Hinduism, and after visiting the country twice, I couldn't get a handle on it. That there are many gods and the form they take struck me as whimsical and imaginative. Now, understanding so much more about the philosophy, I have an entirely different and more serious perspective.

This can be a life-transforming book. You must read it if "only" as great world literature.

111 people found this helpful

Spiritual Enlightenment in a Recording

The Bhagavad Gita

Let me start by saying I give this book 5 stars across the board! Beautifully written and narrated, I especially loved the explanations at the beginning and prior to each chapter. This should be mandatory listening material!

I was literally blown away by the beauty of this book! But The Bhagavad Gita hardly needs me to praise it depths as it speaks for itself.

The narration was perfect, easy to listen to and understand and it didn't put me to sleep like many texts of this type might. In fact I was enthralled and couldnt stop listening!

I can see myself returning to listen to these texts again and again in the future. Its rare that I walk away feeling like a better person just from having this experience but thats the only way I describe it.

40 people found this helpful

Excellent translation and commentaries

Enjoyed this immensely. Brilliant, practical, inspiring information carefully translated to capture the essence of meaning or offered with explanation and estimations of the actual Sanskrit term when it is untranslatable. Very helpful.

The reader's performance is masterful in many ways. I would have given it 5 stars instead of 4 if I was not often disrupted by his emphasis of the wrong word in the sentence which significantly changes the meaning. Mr Bazely almost always emphasizes I, Me, and Mine when spoken by Krishna. So the essence of the instruction is minimized. I often had to stop the recording to repeat the instruction in my mind emphasizing the point, the new idea, before resuming.

Such beautiful wisdom in the words of the Gita! I also tremendously enjoyed introductory chapter. The notes and helpful glossary are not performed.

17 people found this helpful

Perfect introduction to the Gita

What did you love best about The Bhagavad Gita?

The way the audio book is structured. It begins with an lengthy introduction to the book as a whole and there is brief introduction to each chapter. After completion of the book with introduction the book repeats the Gita again but without the intro pieces. This is exactly what I wanted it to be, highly recommended.

Any additional comments?

I've been on audible for a long time and this is one of the most well-produced audiobooks that I have heard.

52 people found this helpful

Pleased to see this available

What made the experience of listening to The Bhagavad Gita the most enjoyable?

I've enjoyed this particular edition of the Gita in print for years, and I'm glad to finally have it available as an audiobook. Great translation, great introductory/explanatory content throughout, well-written, and expertly narrated.

20 people found this helpful

Absolutely beautiful

This wonderful book truly satisfied what I was looking for. Elegant, informative, concise, and eye opening, are just a few words to describe this masterpiece and what it has offered me. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking to expand their knowledge of spirituality and answer the questions, "Why are we here?" & "What is the meaning of Life?" Enjoy!

9 people found this helpful

The Gita

An enjoyable translation with good commentary. I especially enjoyed the later reading without commentary.
I would recommend this to anyone.

16 people found this helpful

Studying the Gita

This text is for studying the Gita. Great introduction, and great intros to each chapter, however....

Introductions to each chapter really break the listening flow. I would much rather have a full introduction, and then be able to listen to the Gita without interruption, which I could easily do if I had the book in hand. Here, you don't have the option. The introductions to the chapters are NOT separate from the text of the Gita itself. They are in the same chapters.

I really wish Audible gave us more options, like "Listen with Intros," or "Listen Without Intros." I know they have such options for Shakespeare. More care in chapter labeling in general would be appreciated.

19 people found this helpful

Interesting narration with a twist

The book itself is really interesting. I like the author's view or interpretation of Bhagavat Gita. It makes Bhagavad Gita easily accessible to everyone. The narrator 'Paul Bazely' does a great job at narrating the Gita, except when it comes to the part of the character Sanjaya. For reason unbeknownst to me, he tries to use Indian accent to portray Sanjaya while all the other characters are voiced in a "normal" way, With the Indian accent and with narrator's difficulty in pronouncing Indian names/words, Sanjaya feels like Indian Arnold Schwarzenegger. The only thing missing is Sanjaya yelling "Get to the Choppah". Nonetheless recommended.

5 people found this helpful

Ancient Indian historical manuscript

I thought that the book was extremely well narrated and made the listening a pleasurable experience.
The story itself was interesting and thought provoking. I would recommend this book to those interested in seeing how civilisation has evolved through writing.

5 people found this helpful