Gathering together the seminal texts of major world religions and metaphysics, this collection offers a window into diverse perspectives on ethics, truth, and what it means to lead a good life. Each volume includes contemporary editions of each text, as well as facing-page commentary, providing analysis and cultural context.

This extensive collection of religious texts examines a wide variety of spiritual traditions. Modern students of religion understand the difference between traditional streams of thought regarding Ultimate Reality. These volumes invite readers into the ancient conversation and provide a grounding for modern scholarship and inter-faith understanding.

Millions of people turn daily to one of India’s holy books, the Bhagavad Gita, to instruct their spiritual practice. Composed in Sanskrit verse thousands of years ago, this text tells the story of a distraught warrior on the verge of battle and the counsel he receives from Krishna in human form. In just 700 lines, the Gita presents concise teachings on such topics as the immortality of the soul, meditation and yoga, worship and sacrifice, and the ideal of selfless action.

Indian mystic Ramakrishna taught that all religions are the revelation of God in his diverse aspects to satisfy the manifold demands of human minds. Many saw Ramakrishna as a saint or as a divine incarnation and a “supremely realized self.” Millions of devotees follow his message. This volume includes selections of Ramakrishna’s teachings and accessible commentary on their meanings.