The First Edition of our work was published in 1988. The Second revised and enlarged edition, with Sanskrit verses, was published in 1996 by Motilal Banarsidass in India with a view to underline the harmony and unity between major teachings of the great religions of the world.
All scriptures draw the water of truth from the same ocean. The teachings of Gita are non-sectarian and do not belong to any particular creed, cult, or country. They are meant for the people of the whole world. In this edition similar verses and teachings of major Hindu as well as non-Hindu scriptures of the world such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, the Mahabharata, the Bhakti Sutras, Yoga Sutra, Brahma Sutra, Manu Smriti, and Ramayanas, as well as the Dhammapada, the Bible, and the Koran, were added. A short commentary of selected verses, as well as the teachings of saints and sages, was included to aid the understanding of difficult verses.
The Third Edition was substantially revised and improved. In this edition both Sanskrit and English words were used, within parentheses, for the clarity and convenience of our readers.
In the Fourth Edition additional material and paragraph headings have been added, and the use of Sanskrit words is kept to a minimum. The Fourth edition is suitable also for those who are not familiar with Indian Philosophy. In the second printing of the Fourth Edition explanation of difficult to understand verses has been appended. The Fifth Edition (pocket paperback) is a revised version of our Fourth Edition without Sanskrit verses.
The writer wishes to offer adoration to saints and sages of all religions, and to the commentators on the Gita, through whose grace and blessings alone I was able to write this commentary.
I also wish to acknowledge the immeasurable contributions made to my spiritual life by my gurus, under whose guidance I had an opportunity and privilege to start the study of the Gita and Kriya-yoga. They are: Swami Prabhupada, Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Arjun Puri, Paramahamsa Hariharananda, and Swami Chidanand Sarasawati (Muniji).
I wish to express my heart-felt appreciation and acknowledgment to Sayeed Chaudhury, Dr. Ved Prakash Vatuk, my wife Sadhana, daughter Reeta, and son Sanjay, for providing valuable suggestions, moral support, help, and encouragement during the development and preparation of this manuscript. Raj Khanna of Adobe Systems provided valuable help in editing PDF files. I would like to thank Avkash Chauhan and Shyamala Raveendran for their support and timely help in cover design and website development, and to Doret Kollerer for her meticulous editorial help.
I would also like to give special thanks to Peter Hansmann for