Good translations of Hindu scriptures?

[Riverwolf]

I'd like to know what some good translations of Hindu scriptures are.

I've already figured out that there's only one (apparently) unabridged translation of the Rig Veda, and it's over a hundred years old. Not sure about the other three Vedas. So I'd like to know what some good translations of the Vedas are.

I already have Eknath's Easwaran's translation of the Upanishads, and I do enjoy it. But I'd like to know what some other good translations are so I can compare the two.

Finally, I'd like to know which translations of the Bhagavad-Gita are good. My girlfriend has a version of the Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita, but it's bogged down in all kinds of commentaries that, as far as I can tell, do not address the verses but seem to be almost a book unto themselves. Often the verses are separated by two or three pages of commentaries that say very little. So... any other good translations?

[Wannabe Yogi]

Originally Posted by Riverwolf

I'd like to know what some good translations of Hindu scriptures are.

I've already figured out that there's only one (apparently) unabridged translation of the Rig Veda, and it's over a hundred years old. Not sure about the other three Vedas. So I'd like to know what some good translations of the Vedas are.

I already have Eknath's Easwaran's translation of the Upanishads, and I do enjoy it. But I'd like to know what some other good translations are so I can compare the two.

Finally, I'd like to know which translations of the Bhagavad-Gita are good. My girlfriend has a version of the Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita, but it's bogged down in all kinds of commentaries that, as far as I can tell, do not address the verses but seem to be almost a book unto themselves. Often the verses are separated by two or three pages of commentaries that say very little. So... any other good translations?

The Song of God (the translation by Swami Prabhavananda) is the best introduction and conveys the “spirit” of the Gita. Also, it is a very interpretive translation and makes it easier to grasp the subtle meanings found in the Gita.

The word for word translation that I like best is called the Srimad Bhagavad Gita The Scripture of Mankind by Swami Tapasyananda. It has many pages of commentary at the back of each chapter.

I would go with the Swami Prabhavananda translation. Christopher Isherwood ( A great writer of the 20th century ) help in the writing of this Gita, so the language is stunning beautiful.

[Wannabe Yogi]

Originally Posted by Riverwolf

.

I already have Eknath's Easwaran's translation of the Upanishads, and I do enjoy it. But I'd like to know what some other good translations are so I can compare the two.

Vedic Sanskrit is different then classical Sanskrit so there are some problems with many of the early Translations. I have only read parts of the non-Upanishad Vedas. I don't own them in book form.


I like the The Upanishads translated by Swami Nikhilananda and edited by Joseph Campbell. It's in 4 volumes and its price is some what high I got mine in a used bookstore.

There is also an Indian abridged edition that is much cheaper.

Principal Upanishads (tr. Nikhl.) at Vedanta Press and Catalog

[bhuvana-mohan dasa]

A very excellent series of classes on Bhagavad-Gita was given by my shiksha Guru, His Holiness Hridayananda dasa Goswami (Dr. Howard Resnick, Ph.D. in Sanskrit and Indian Studies- Harvard, 1996) at the University of Florida, where he teaches, during the Fall semester of 2008. i have appended the URL's for each ot his (approximately 45 minute) classes on the Gita - easily downloadable- below:

http://acaryadeva-nectar.com/UF_Reli...India_Class_18[10-06-2008]edited.mp3

http://acaryadeva-nectar.com/UF_Reli...India_Class_19[10-08-2008]edited.mp3

http://acaryadeva-nectar.com/UF_Reli...India_Class_20[10-10-2008]edited.mp3

http://acaryadeva-nectar.com/UF_Reli...India_Class_21[10-13-2008]edited.mp3

http://acaryadeva-nectar.com/UF_Reli...India_Class_22[10-15-2008]edited.mp3

(Please copy and paste each entire link (i.e., substitutong Religions of India for the dotted abbreviations given here ) in your address bar to effect a download)...

He is presently working on a monumental English translation of the 100,000 verse epic-- Mahabharata, by Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa- which should be making its appearance shortly.

ys,
bmd.

[zenzero]

Friend Riverwolf,
Have attended a few discourses of Swami Chinmayananda.
Though he is no kore his books are available.
His approach was: Gita in the modern context; so you shouls easily identify and understand his language.
Try this URL: Welcome to official website of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust
THE HOLY GEETA
commentary by Swami Chinmayananda.

Love & rgds