{"product_id":"godsong-isbn-9780525435297","title":"Godsong","description":"\u003cb\u003eA fresh, strikingly immediate and elegant verse translation of the classic, with an introduction and helpful guides to each section, by the rising American poet.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBorn in the United States into a secularized Hindu family, Amit Majmudar puzzled over the many religious traditions on offer, and found that the Bhagavad Gita had much to teach him with its \"song of multiplicities.\" Chief among them is that \"its own assertions aren't as important as the relationships between its characters . . . The Gita imagined a relationship in which the soul and God are equals\"; it is, he believes, \"the greatest poem of friendship . . . in any language.\" His verse translation captures the many tones and strategies Krishna uses with Arjuna--strict and berating, detached and philosophical, tender and personable. \"Listening guides\" to each section follow the main text, and expand in accessible terms on the text and what is happening between the lines. \u003ci\u003eGodsong\u003c\/i\u003e is an instant classic in the field, from a poet of skill, fine intellect, and--perhaps most important--devotion.“Ravishing and faithful, marked by what Nabokov once called ‘the precision of a poet and the imagination of a scientist.’ Majmudar has a gift for imagery . . . \u003ci\u003eGodsong\u003c\/i\u003e reveals how beautifully this 2,000-year-old book lends itself to the careful, loving work of translation.” \u003cb\u003e—Parul Sehgal, \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A well-crafted and exceptional translation of a spiritual and cultural masterpiece.” \u003cb\u003e—Dave Pugl, \u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePraise from India:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“[Majmudar’s] commentaries, about karma and maya, the ethics of friendship and the changing nature of the self, and about the place of violence in our lives have made me think about myself in a new way.” \u003cb\u003e—Sumana Roy, \u003ci\u003eHindustan Times\u003c\/i\u003e (“Life-changing reads of 2018”)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Remarkable . . . A new translation of a much-translated classic must bring something new to readers. \u003ci\u003eGodsong\u003c\/i\u003e does just that.” \u003cb\u003e—Sayali Palekar, \u003ci\u003eScroll.In\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “The philosophic text is made anew in the poet’s startling, fresh idiom.” \u003cb\u003e—C. R. Sasikumar, \u003ci\u003eThe Indian Express\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “Reaches for the text’s beauty as well as its spiritual meaning . . . [Majmudar’s] summaries are succinct, pointed, and useful [and] his translation resonates with much that has come before him, absorbing and reflecting the long and rich tradition of Gita translations.” \u003cb\u003e—Arshia Sattar, \u003ci\u003eIndia Today\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eAMIT MAJMUDAR is a diagnostic nuclear radiologist who lives in Westerville, Ohio, with his wife and three children. He is the author of three volumes of poetry, most recently \u003ci\u003eDothead\u003c\/i\u003e. His first collection, \u003ci\u003e0°, 0°,\u003c\/i\u003e was a finalist for the Poetry Society of America's Norma Farber First Book Award; his second, \u003ci\u003eHeaven and Earth,\u003c\/i\u003e was selected for the 2011 Donald Justice Prize. His work has appeared in \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times, The New Yorker, Best of the Best American Poetry,\u003c\/i\u003e and many other places, including the eleventh edition of \u003ci\u003eThe Norton Introduction to Literature\u003c\/i\u003e. He blogs for the \u003ci\u003eKenyon Review\u003c\/i\u003e and is also a critically acclaimed novelist.Session 1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eArjuna Despairs\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKing Dhritarashtra, the father of the cousins (the Kauravas) opposing Krishna and Arjuna, asks his visionary advisor, Sanjaya, what is happening on the battlefield. Sanjaya, who has the power to witness events without being physically present for them, narrates the action.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe action takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The two armies are in formation, facing off, ready to make war. Duryodhan, the leader of the Kauravas, addresses his military mentor, cataloguing the warriors on both sides.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eArjuna asks his friend and charioteer, Krishna, to park his chariot between the two armies. Surveying his extended family, he is overcome with panic and despair. He tells Krishna how he feels and how he has a horror of fighting his own relatives. Arjuna throws aside his weapons and sits down.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eDhritarashtra said,\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn that field of dharma, Kurukshetra,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy sons and Pandu’s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMustered, wanting war.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat did they do, Sanjaya?{1}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSanjaya said,\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeeing the Pandava formation’s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVanguard, Duryodhan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdvanced ­toward his Master.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe words . . . the King is speaking. . . .{2}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Take a look at that army. How grand!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sons of Pandu, Master, mustered\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnder Drupada’s son,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYour ­sharp-­witted student.{3}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe heroes ­here—­great bowslingers!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMatches in a clash for Bhima and Arjuna,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor Yuyudhana and Virata\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd Drupada in his great chariot.{4}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDhrishtaketu, Cekitana,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKashi’s heroic king,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePurujit, and Kuntibhoja,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd ­bull-­necked Shaibhya,{5}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYudhamanyu with his spirited stride,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd courageous Uttamaujas,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSubhadra’s sons and Draupadi’s,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll in great chariots . . .{6}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOurs are excellent, ­too—­better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBelieve it, best of Brahmins!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJust so you can get a sense, I’ll name\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe marshals of my army:{7}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYour Lordship, Bhishma, Karna,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBattle-­winning Kripa,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAsvatthama, Vikarna,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd Somadatta’s son as well,{8}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd many other heroes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWho give their lives up to my ends,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll specialists in war,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArmed to launch multiple strikes.{9}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt has no measure, this force of ours\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat Bhishma guards.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt measures up, that force of theirs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat Bhima guards. . . .{10}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn all maneuvers,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery one of you\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt every station,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKeep guard over Bhishma!”{11}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe eldest Kuru,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo make his grandson happy,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSent up a lion roar\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd searingly blew his conch shell.{12}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt that, conch shells and kettledrums,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCymbals, snare drums, bullhorns\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStruck up all at once.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis sound became a tumult.{13}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStanding fast behind the onrush\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOf yoked white horses,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMadhu’s scion and Pandu’s son\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlew their divine conch shells.{14}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKrishna, his hair bristling,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlew Panchajanya. ­Wealth­winning Arjuna\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlew Godsgift. ­Wolf-­bellied Bhima,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFearsome in action, blew Paundra.{15}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKing Yudhishtir, Kunti’s son,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlew Neverending Victory.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNakula and Sahadev\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlew Sweetsound and Gemblossom.{16}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKashi’s king, the best of bowmen,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShikhandin in his great chariot,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDhrishtadyumna and Virata\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd invincible Satyaki,{17}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrupad, Draupadi’s sons,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSubhadra’s great-armed son—­\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYour Majesty, they blew their conch shells,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEach his own and all together.{18}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis hue and cry, King Dhritarashtra,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTore through the hearts of your sons.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOf the sky and earth\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe tumult made one thunder.{19}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnder the banner of Hanuman, Arjuna\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eScanned your sons in squadrons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFormed for the coming clash of arms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePandu’s son held high his bow.{20}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo a bristling Krishna, Arjuna\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpoke these words: “Ever-enduring one,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStation my chariot\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMidway between the armies,{21}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJust while I survey\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe war lust of these squadrons.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhose battle ardor wants\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo make war with me?{22}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI see them here, come together,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout to battle us. They want\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA war to serve the evil\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMind of Dhritarashtra’s son.”{23}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese were the words that Arjuna spoke\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo Krishna where\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMidway between the armies\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe had stationed the chief chariot.{24}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFaced with Bhishma and Drona\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd all the rulers of the world,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArjuna said, “Just look at this:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA Kuru Family gathering!”{25}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePritha’s son could see them standing there:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFathers and grandfathers,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTeachers, uncles, brothers,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSons, grandsons, friends as well,{26}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFathers-­in-­law, kindhearted\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFriends in both the armies,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll his relatives in close order.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe son of Kunti pondered them.{27}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePierced by infinite pity,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn despair, he said,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Seeing ­this—­my own people, ­Krishna—­\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrawing close because they’re dying to fight. . . .{28}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy legs buckle\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd my mouth dries up\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd my body gets the shakes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd my hair stands on end!{29}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGandiva falls from my hand,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd my skin, it burns,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd I can’t stand anymore,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd it’s like it’s . . . wandering, my mind. . . .{30}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd I see omens, Krishna,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInauspicious ones, and I\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCan see no good will come\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOf killing my own people in battle!{31}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI don’t want victory, Krishna,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOr a kingdom, or ‘happiness.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat’s a kingdom to us, Cowherd?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat are pleasures, what is life?{32}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe ones for whose sake we would want\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKingdoms, pleasures, ­happiness—­\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn a war footing here\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey give up breath and wealth!{33}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTeachers, fathers, sons,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEven grandfathers,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUncles, ­fathers-­in-­law, grandsons,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrothers-­in-­law . . . other relatives, too. . . .{34}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThough they are out to kill me, Krishna,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI don’t want to kill ­them—­\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot for the kingship of three worlds!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow much less, then, for some ground?{35}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKilling off Dhritarashtra’s sons. . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat kind of joy would that be?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf we kill these hostile archers,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe evil’s going to stick to us!{36}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe just don’t have the right to kill\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDhritarashtra’s sons. Our own relatives!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf we ­really were to kill them,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow could we be happy, Krishna?{37}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEven if greed so overpowers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTheir thoughts that they can’t see\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow wrong it is to wreck a family,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow ruinous, to betray a friend,{38}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSince when do we not know enough\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo turn back from this sin?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeeing clearly, Krishna, as we do\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow wrong it is to wreck a family!{39}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWreck a family, the family’s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAncient laws vanish. Once its laws\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHave vanished, lawlessness\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverpowers the whole family.{40}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLawlessness in power, Krishna,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe family’s women grow corrupt.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe women once corrupted, Krishna,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe colors pour together.{41}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIntermix, and it all goes to hell,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe family with the family’s wreckers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTheir forefathers get debased,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRobbed of their ritual rice and water.{42}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe wrongs of these family wreckers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMake the colors pour ­together—­\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCodes of caste, eternal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFamily ­laws—­obliterated!{43}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMen whose family laws\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHave been obliterated, ­Krishna—­\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe’ve heard of this ­happening—­\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey dwell in hell forever!{44}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAh—­ach—­what a great sin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe’re ­hell-­bent on committing!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo greedy for kingly pleasures\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe’re ready to kill our own people!{45}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf ­I—­no resistance, no ­weapons—­\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWere killed by the armed sons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOf ­Dhritarashtra—­that\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWould be easier for me!”{46}\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHaving said this in the war zone,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArjuna sat on the chariot seat,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThrowing down his bow and arrow,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis grief-stricken mind recoiling.{47}","brand":"Knopf","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46299753447653,"sku":"NP9780525435297","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780525435297.jpg?v=1767728268","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/godsong-isbn-9780525435297","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}