Routledge Revivals: The Song Celestial or Bhagavad-Gita (1906)

First published in 1909, this book presents an English translation of chapters 25-42 of the Bhishma Parva from the epic Sanskrit poem Mahabharata - better known as the Bhagavad-Gita, reckoned as one of the "Five Jewels" of Devanagari literature. The plot consists of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Krishna, the Supreme Deity, in a war-chariot prior to a great battle. The conversation that takes place unfolds a philosophical system which remains the prevailing Brahmanic belief, blending the doctrines of Kapila, Patanjali, and the Vedas. Building on a number of preceding translations, this highly-regarded poetic interpretation provides a major work of literature in an accessible popular form.

Sir Edwin Arnold KCIE CSI was an English poet and journalist, who is most known for his work The Light of Asia. In 1861 he worked as a journalist on the staff of the Daily Telegraph, a newspaper with which he continued to be associated as editor for more than forty years.

Preface; I. The Distress of Arjuna II. The Book of Doctrines III. Virtue in Work IV. The Religion of Knowledge V. Religion of Renouncing Works VI. Religion by Self-Restraint VII. Religion by Discernment VIII. Religion by Service of the Supreme IX. Religion by the Kingly Knowledge and the Kingly Mystery X. Religion by the Heavenly Perfections XI. The Manifesting of the One and Manifold XII. Religion of Faith XIII. Religion by the Separation of Matter and Spirit XIV. Religion by Separation from the Qualities XV. Religion by Attaining the Supreme XIV. The Separateness of the Divine and Undivine XVII. Religion by the Threefold Faith XVIII. Religion by Deliverance and Renunciation