Background articles
The Dru Bhagavad Gita is a modern translation of an ancient rhyme
containing secrets of humanity and correct living that are so powerful
they have strengthened with the aging of time into a profound manual
for living.
The hidden pointers secreted within the verses of the Gita have
created wonder and excitement to translators and poets inspired
by its texts for millennia. Unfortunately many of the Gita’s
mysteries remain hidden due to its contextually remote language
and distant philosophy
as its migrates from its Eastern origins into the West. We are
lucky to have a proliferation of translations over the centuries
which
give us back the thoughts of the ancient sages
who wrote the Gita. Without it, humanity would be poorer, for great
minds have used it in latter times as an inspiration for some of
the greatest works and deeds of humanity. Mahatma Ghandi used it
as his day to day inspiration, delving into the gita to, “find
a verse …… to smile amidst the overwhelming tragedies”.
The Dru Bhagavad Gita is not just another offering added to the
pile. It is arrayed in a fascinating light. The first section by
Mansukh Patel offers the storyline of the heroes from the Kurukshetra
war. Arjuna the warrior archer of the Pandava family questions
the basis for going to battle against an elite and formidable foe,
mirroring our own dilemma to rise and stand up for our truth or
sit back in passive torpor. Centuries later Hamlet would torture
himself with the same question ‘to be or not to be’.
It seems a timeless challenge, not only asked by kings and generals
as they breathe their last.
In the Dru Bhagavad Gita, Mansukh Patel has effectively enabled
us to eavesdrop on the ancient source of the storyline, holding
us captivated, just as the Gita has done for many thousands of
years.
I find that Mansukh, along with Chris Barrington, John Jones and
Savitri MacCuish have accomplished something special and unique
in the Dru Gita. It is not just a gripping story of the values
of good and evil, justice and redemption—which it is—nor
just a concise glossary of characters within an epic poem—which
it is—but it offers an extra feature I have not seen anywhere
else.
The true mettle of the person who would translate an ancient text
is not only measured by their understanding of the passages, nor
by their teacherly quality of conveying the ancient meanings across
the mists of time, but by their ability to ask us questions on
the subject in a modern context.
The Dru version of the Gita throws you into the midst of the battle
of life itself.
Chris, John, Savitri and Mansukh offers thought on each verse’s
translation, and then ask us to become part of the process and
actually use the teachings in our daily life.
They offer a modern day mantra, a new way of listening to your
loved ones and colleagues, a way to dedicate a day to unfold a
higher prophecy, a way of relinquishing the dreaded desires of
the senses and even the confidence to ask for troubles, so you
can vanquish them with aplomb. Mansukh Patel’s storyline
leaves you with a feeling of fulfilment, and together with Chris,
Savitri and John, Mansukh helps you on a quest for a higher grace
with a practical tool box enabling you to get there.
This is no half-hearted attempt at another Anglicised epic. The
Dru Bhagavad Gita is a rich insight into one of the world’s
most highly regarded mystical treasures. It is a must not just
for the library, the briefcase, the office, the mantelpiece or
the bedside table. It is designed to be your constant companion.
- Christopher Ion, Tales from
a Lighthouse
In The Dru Bhagavad Gita Mansukh Patel weaves a story
around the dialogue between
the two heroes in such a way that we are drawn intimately into
their minds and deepest feelings. Mansukh has a profound understanding
that takes the
lofty teachings of the Gita and simplifies them into
language we can all relate to. Suddenly the Gita is no longer
a dusty
volume
containing 700 incomprehensible verses. Mansukh Patel makes the
relationship three dimensional and so real, we cannot help but
feel what Arjuna feels. At the same time Mansukh makes the god-man
Krishna’s highest wisdom accessible to us. Mansukh’s
inspiring re-telling of the story helps us all to see
that we have come here for a much
higher purpose than we ever previously imagined.
Mansukh Patel distils the most ancient teachings into a form we
can all relate to. The commentary which follows the story—the
Dru Bhagavad Gita according to Mansukh and his colleagues John
Jones, Savitri MacCuish and Chris Barrington—offers practical
ways to make wise choices, with a quiet assurance that we will
get where we want to go and become who we want to be. Each verse
is followed by a simple, practical 'today' section, with helpful
advice on something
we can do or think that will alter the way we are approaching our
life and all the difficulties that each day presents.
Savitri MacCuish directs Dru's activities in
the Netherlands and runs many courses on the Bhagavad Gita. Savitri’s
Scottish origins have helped her gain a penetrating
and extremely refreshing point of view on the Gita. Savitri most
definitely sees things from the High-lands of life and her
wisdom is based firmly in experience.
Chris Barrington has created a perfect blend between
science and spirituality.
Chris spent many years teaching mathematics and exploring quantum
physics while delving into the Gita’s secrets. The result
is Chris Barrington’s no-nonsense approach
to profound spirituality that helps us see that we can be
and do everything we want to be.
John Jones was introduced to the Gita as a student by
Mansukh Patel’s father, a man whose mastery of yogic
principles led him to encourage Mansukh, John, Chris and others
to apply Dru Yoga to the West. Mansukh’s production of the
Dru Bhagavad Gita is only one of those ways. John is a forester
by training and again, a man fascinated by the esoteric while keeping
his feet firmly rooted, just like the trees of his study. There
is nothing airy-fairy about the Dru Bhagavad Gita. It has been
written
by
westerners for the west and Mansukh
will be the first to tell you that it is a book that can change
the way we feel and also the way we act in the world.
The Dru Bhagavad Gita by Mansukh Patel, Savitri MacCuish,
Chris Barrington and John Jones and The Dru Bhagavad Gita Correspondence
Course by Yamuna Loyal and Chris Barrington is available from:
UK: the Dru UK, Nant Ffrancon Valley, Bethesda, Gwynedd,
North Wales, LL57 3LX, tel: 01248 602900 and Maristowe House, Dover
Street, Wolverhampton WV14 6AL tel: 01902 409164;
gita@druworldwide.com, www.drugita.org
Australia: Dru Australia, 4 Pandanus St, Fisher, ACT
2611,
Tel 02 6161 1462, sales@druyoga.com.au; www.druyoga.com.au
|
