THE COMPLETE EDITION
A Library of Wisdom in a Single Volume
More than a translation, Bhagavad Gita As It Is is a complete apparatus for understanding: every verse in the original Sanskrit, transliteration, word-for-word meaning, and a purport that connects it to real life.
What's Actually Inside
Every Verse in Sanskrit
Each of the Gita's seven hundred verses appears in the original Devanagari script, exactly as it has been preserved for millennia.
Word-for-Word Meanings
Every Sanskrit word is broken down individually before the full translation, so you can see exactly how the meaning is built.
Faithful Translation
Not a paraphrase or a modern reinterpretation — the translation follows the original text closely, verse by verse.
Purports for Real Life
Srila Prabhupada's commentary connects each verse to lived experience — work, family, doubt, purpose — making the Gita a practical guide, not a museum piece.
Why ‘As It Is’
Published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, this edition is used by ISKCON temples and universities worldwide, translated into more than 80 languages — the standard reference, not a shortcut.
READ A SAMPLE
Taste the Nectar First
Here is how a single verse unfolds inside the book — sampled from Chapter 2, the heart of the Gītā's teaching.
Bhagavad-gītā 2.20
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः । अजो नित्यः शाश्वतो’यं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे ॥
na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin nāyaṃ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ, ajo nityaḥ śāśvato 'yaṃ purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre
On the difference between the body and what actually lives inside it — one of the most quoted verses in the entire Gītā. Full translation and purport in the book.
A Guide for Your First Journey
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The Pilgrim's Path · 18 Weeks
One chapter per week, reading translation and purports together — the most thorough way to meet the book.
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The Essence First · 2 Weeks
Begin with Chapters 2, 9, and 18 — the summary, the king of knowledge, and the conclusion — then return to the rest.
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A Verse a Day · Daily Practice
One verse with its purport each morning, under ten minutes. Two years later, you will have read the whole book several times over.
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Before You Open the Book
- Read a little every day rather than a lot occasionally — it's a practice, not a sprint.
- Read the purports. They are where the book becomes a teacher.
- Try reading the transliteration aloud — the sound is part of the meaning.
- Ask questions. Study alongside others where you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any background in Hinduism or Sanskrit to read this book?
None at all. The book is written for readers meeting this wisdom for the first time — every Sanskrit term is explained as it appears.
How is this edition different from other Bhagavad Gītās?
Most editions filter the Gītā through the translator's own philosophy. Bhagavad-gītā As It Is presents Śrī Kṛṣṇa's words through an unbroken line of teachers, without the text being reshaped to fit an outside viewpoint.
Is this a religious book? I'm not looking to convert to anything.
The Gītā is a book of knowledge — about consciousness, action, time, and the self. It asks for your attention, not your affiliation.
How long does it take to read?
Cover to cover at a steady pace, most first-time readers take three to six months when reading the purports alongside the verses.
What happens after I order?
Your copy ships promptly with tracking, and you'll get a confirmation email the moment it's on its way.