Krishna: the Beautiful Legend of God: (Srimad Bhagavata Purana Book X) (Penguin Classics: Srimad Bhagavata Pura?a, 10)

I ordered this book back in 2004 but only partially read the introduction (60 pages) and introduction notes (12 pages). Voluminous, indeed. And I read a small handful of the first few chapters. It was a good read, but then life got busy, I set the book down, and forgot about it. Now twenty years later, I'm rediscovering it and I picked up right where I left off. The author, Professor Edwin Bryant is very sympathetic to the devout tone of the Sanskrit text. He may even be a closet Krishna devotee without knowing it. The end notes for the chapters amount to a massive 72 pages followed by a 12 page glossary and a 3 page Sanskrit pronunciation guide. The book is in English, however, many Sanskrit words are left intact within the translation. Also, there are 2 pages of source material notes and a 3 page bibliography. Keep in mind that this is all in small size text font from beginning to end. One note: In chapter 8, verses 37-38, Prof. Bryant translates bhu-golam to "sphere of the earth". According to the online Sanskrit dictionary, bhu-golam can also be translated as "surface of the earth". So I am just pointing out that translation of any language can be a tricky business. I love this book and its format. Kudos to Prof. Bryant.

Along with Ramon Mahesh's translation/condensation, this is my favorite version in English of what to me is the greatest, most moving text of Indian spirituality. Indeed, were I told that I had to live the rest of my life on a desert island and could only take one spiritual work and one secular work, I would take the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Bryant's introduction is scholarly and yet not condescending of the great spiritual tradition of Vaisnavism from which this text comes. It is also beautifully written--the translation of the chapters that have to do with the Rasa dance of Krishna and the gopis and the coming of the autumn rains are exquisite poetry. It is said that just sincerely listening to this text can enlighten you and save you from countless lifetimes of toil and suffering. I certainly have found that reading it is a source of spiritual sustenance and comfort. The notes in the back are also comprehensive and fascinating. Bryant has done Krishna a great service with this impeccable translation. Thank you!!

The quality of the cover and pages are good. The fonts and spacing of them are clean and thoughtfully executed. As for the story itself, it's quite interesting. It's like a rollercoaster this story, it took me to a journey through different moods, sometimes I felt sad, sometimes pity, sometimes happiness, sometimes aww and fascination, and so on. The discussions and monologue in the book itself are quite interesting and reveal much good information about Hinduism. This book is so good that I am now determined to check out the rest of the Puranas and also to have a statue of the architect of the Gods on my desk! I would recommend this

A beautiful translation that brings the essence and background of Krishna available to everyone. It's definitely something that readers should look into. The delivery was very fast. I received this product from Amazon the day after I ordered.

Professor Bryant is a brilliant scholar and this translation is just one of the concrete manifestations of his unique scholarly gifts. The introduction to the translated text is excellent and, as another reviewer says, worth the price of the book on its own. The Bhagavata Purana (especially the 10th book - translated here) embodies an immensely important tradition in Indic spirituality and should be read at least as much as some of the other classics of Indic traditions - like the Gita or the Upanishads (e.g.). Hopefully, through the ease of Professor Bryant's translation, the interesting features of the text itself and the translator's enlightening introduction, this edition of the text will allow the Bhagavata to become better known and better appreciated in the West.

I am a big fan of Advaita Vedanta which is quite similar to the teachings of Plotinus (the One); however with one added ingredient... Love (Parmenides thank you for making that opening statement in Western philosophy man). I therefore see reality (Life) as the highest accomplishment of God (Self) that needs to be celebrated; not denied. This is my problem with a lot of advaita teachings. It is why I have a preference for Bhedabheda/Krsna/Christ but only in the realization that there is no separation whatsoever for there is none in reality. What a wonderful world this is. How beautiful all of you are. I love you all! Life is the miracle of Love! Love, Love, Love!

The introduction is fantastic. I've been teaching a world religions course for undergraduates for over 20 years, and I learned a tremendous amount from simply reading the introduction. The translation by Bryant is also very readable: smooth, not filled with too much modern day jargon to connect to contemporary readers but also not heavy on technical terms related to the time of composition and genre either.

But great myths of their heroes

There are few translated versions of Srimad Bhagavata sold on Amazon, this book concentrates on last few chapters of Srimad Bhagavata - the early life of Krishna. This version is probably the best translation of portion of Srimad Bhagavata available on Amazon but like in all the other translations, it occasionally has Sanskrit words unnecessarily incorporated in the sentence. Most Srimad Bhagavata available on Amazon are condenced version and includes author's version of theology, rather then just actual translation.

The stories of lord Krishna ...Can be a complicated read but as you move along in the book in seems to flow easily from one lesson / story to the next ! Hari Krishna

Thanks!

Scholarly work which is perhaps not suited to those hoping to gain an insight to this fascininating subject like me