Over a thousand years before the birth of Christ, another messiah was believed to be God living and breathing with us here on earth. His name was Krishna, and his words are immortalized in a legendary book called the "Bhagavad Gita," which means "Song of the Lord."
This great epic begins on a battlefield in India, on a predawn morning just before a terrible war, Krishna explains to a young prince who's in anguish, the purpose of our life here on earth, the true nature of the soul, and what happens to us after we die. No other literary work so beautifully and clearly describes this human quest for truth, and reveals the hidden mysteries of the universe-that Krishna says lay hidden deep within our own soul. This classic is sure to elevate your mind and expand your spiritual understanding. Also available on Kindle.
Read The First Chapter
Please feel free to read the first chapter of this book and see what you think? In Thomas' books I think you'll find that he very clearly describes various spiritual concepts in a very contemporary way, revealing the central principles; using today's language, terminology, and modern examples and metaphors. He avoids as much as possible using any non-English terms or words for the sake of clarity, and in an effort to make the ancient scriptures very accessible to the modern reader. Here you can read the beginning of each book without having to buy it, sign-in, or register. Nice to see you here. Please make yourself at home, all are welcome!
Reviews
By Christie on February 2, 2013
Format: Paperback
I recently read The Song of the Lord, by Thomas Emerson. Emerson's interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita was easy to read and refreshing. You do not have to be studying for your masters in Eastern Religion to understand this book. The author simplified the language by removing and/or reinterpreting the Indian words that are used in the original version.
The Song of the Lord gives its reader insight into the Eastern religion led by Krishna who was considered God incarnate. This book details the conversations that Krishna had with one of the battling cousins who sought to be king. Krishna helped the good cousin win the war, but in the process gave the people of the land scriptures that taught them many life lessons including how to achieve closeness to God.
No matter what your religious beliefs are, this book is enlightening, educational, and entertaining. I recommend The Song of the Lord to everyone of all ages.
By Mary Harper
The Song of the Lord is also known as the Bhagavad Gita which is part of an ancient Sanskrit religious text. This rendering by Thomas Emerson began as a work based on the earliest translation of the Gita written in 1785 by Sir Charles Wilkins. Emerson writes in everyday language so that even the younger reader can easily access its depth and beauty. Indian terminology, typically retained in translations, are defined and translated into English based on their contextual use which adds greater clarity to this work. But even still, this simplicity of language does not obscure or diminish the esoteric meaning inherent in the scripture. Although there continues to be debate as to the authorship of the written source of the text, the relevance and usefulness of the religious teachings are widely accepted and revered.
The introduction of this book lays out the historical groundwork for the family rivalries and the battle for the kingdom, in an area thought to be near modern day Delhi. Krishna is a central figure in Hinduism and various eastern faiths, and like Jesus Christ, is worshipped by millions as a human incarnation of God. The scripture is a conversation between Krishna and Prince Arjuna in Kurukshetra India about one's spiritual duty at the moment of an impending battle. This is a very accessible translation of the Gita.
By Adrian D on January 11, 2013
Format: Paperback
Thomas Emerson's book, Song of the Lord, is a well-overdue version of the Bhagavad Gita religion/spiritual text. This book will be a great literary addition for new and advanced spiritual practitioners. This version of Hindu text is comparable to The Message - NKJV Parallel Bible, in which includes the King James Version and an adjacent modern day English clarification.
In an attempt to help readers absorb the messages in a concise and accurate manner, Thomas simplified the text by strategically substituting Indian terms with English words. Many of these terms have multiple explanations in the Hindu religion, leading Thomas to investigate the various meanings before replacing them with English equivalents. Other versions of the Bhagavad Gita have many names of God and other figures. I believe he cleverly accomplishes his mission by negating the additional names meanwhile maintaining the essence of God's message to his beloved devotees.
The story is centered on Arjuna, a warrior, who is extremely resistant to fight a war against his relatives. While the warrior is in the midst of falling victim to misery and despair, Krishna appears to explain Arjuna's role in the battle, and the importance of following one's destiny as an esteemed devotee of God. Arjuna humbly accepts God's teachings to understand his purpose, and shows us how incorporate the Supreme Being's adoration even in the darkest hour.
Thomas' practical approach to understanding God's message about life, destiny, and reincarnation encourages his readers follow their hearts and enables them to stay focused on the Supreme Being. The author includes an explanation about Krishna's role in the scripture, as a human incarnation of God. Krishna's human incarnation is a comparison to Jesus Christ, by means of God being born into the physical world, although many scholars believe the story is a myth "others insist it's also plausible that this conversation could have occurred".
By Anne Boling, for Reader's Favorite
"Song of the Lord: The Bhagavad Gita" is author Thomas Paul Emerson's interpretation or retelling of the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita is a Hindu poem and scripture similar to how Christians see poems in Psalms as scripture. The Bhagavad Gita tells the story of two cousins at war: Duryodhana and Arjuna. The focus is on Arjuna during the early morning hours on the battlefield. Arjuna was in great distress; he had no desire to fight a war against his family, so the young prince turned to his charioteer, Krishna, for counsel. Krishna instructed the young man in the significance of life as we know it, the real nature of the soul and what ensues after death; he explains Arjuna's destiny. Krishna is considered God personified by the Eastern religion, believed to have been born over one thousand years before Christ.
Thomas Emerson's interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita (which means Song of the Lord) is well done. He has taken something difficult for Westerner's to understand and simplified it, allowing readers to gain a greater understanding of the Eastern religion, Hinduism. The author thoroughly researched this topic. While he is a Christian he is also fascinated by the teachings of Krishna. This book has been compared to the Message, a version of the Christian Bible that simplifies the scriptures by using contemporary language. Readers will find this translation of the Bhagavad Gita easy to read and understand. Both scholars and laymen will find "The Song of the Lord" an incomparable addition to their library.
