Bhagavad-gita is knowledge of five basic truths and the relationship of each truth to the other: These five truths are Krishna, or God, the individual soul, the material world, action in this world, and time. The Gita lucidly explains the nature of consciousness, the self, and the universe. It is the essence of India’s spiritual wisdom, the answers to questions posed by philosophers for centuries.

In translating the Gita, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has remained loyal to the intended meaning of Krishna’s words, and thus he has unlocked all the secrets of the ancient knowledge of the Gita and placed them before us as an exciting opportunity for self-improvement and spiritual fulfillment.

The Gita is a conversation between Krishna and His dear friend Arjuna. At the last moment before entering a battle between brothers and friends, the great warrior Arjuna begins to wonder: Why should he fight? What is the meaning of his life? Where is he going after death?

In response, Krishna brings His friend from perplexity to spiritual enlightenment, and each one of us is invited to walk the same path.

Dr. Elwin H. Powell, a professor of sociology at the State University of New York, wrote: “If truth is what works, as Pierce and the pragmatists insist, there must be a kind of truth in the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, since those who follow its teachings display a joyous serenity usually missing in the bleak and strident lives of contemporary people.”

The difference of this version of BG with the other ones is that this one is really small and includes extra material which is very handy for devotees and especally sankirtan devotees. At the beginning of the book is a chapter called “Selected verses”, which includes some very famous verses of the Gita. The next chapter is called “Answers from the Bhagavad-gita”.