Bhagavadgita for Executives (An Old and Rare Book)

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Born in 1918, Shri Ramanathan took a Science degree from the Presidency College, Madras, and studied Sanskrit at home for seven years. Later he joined the Indian Railways as an Executive and served that organisation for thirtyfour years in both line and staff positions like Divisional Manager, Director Corporate Planning and General Manager. His experience includes a study of American Railway and Management practices. After retiring from the Railways, he contributes to leading newspapers articles on political cum administrative matters.

One of India's unique contributions to world epic literature is the Mahabharata. In sheer size, in the vastness of its panorama, in the variety of subjects and situations dealt with, in its reference to the myths, histories, laws, administration, ethics, philosophies, cults and cultural mores, in the interlocking of its narratives within the fold of one consistent story and in its deep allegorical meanings. it has no parallel. It mirrors the life and soul of the Indian ethos as nothing else does. Rightly has it been acclaimed as the "Book of life" and our sages have affirmed that "What is not in it is nowhere else to be found."

Of the many treasures the Mahabharata contains, nothing is more sublime and profound than the Bhagavadgita. The Mahabharata with its one lakh verses has the distinction of being the world's longest epic. The Gita containing just seven hundred verses is acclaimed as the world's shortest scripture and humanity's Song Celestial.

There is a general impression that the Bhagavadgita is meant only for spiritual aspirants and that it has nothing to do with the secular activities of human beings. But the Gita does not make any distinction between spiritual and temporal, sacred and secular. The Gita enjoys the status of the Scripture Universal, applicable to all persons, in all places and at all times. There is a good deal in the Gita to give guidance to those who want to achieve success in worldly activities, which itself leads on to spiritual realisation ultimately.

No man can escape unceasing activity. Even thinking is a subtle form of action. The goal of everyone is to reach perfect poise by means of perfection in action.

THE NATURE AND THE PURPOSE OF THE TRANSLATION

There are scores of translation of the Bhagavadgita in English and when a new one is attempted an explanation is due. I venture to think that this new translation I am offering has some special features to meet new needs which have recently arisen and which may be felt in an increasing measure for a few more decades.

It is a paradoxical fact that after the British left India the English language is gaining greater hold on the minds of Indians of those groups who occupy and will occupy important positions in the country's life. There is a scramble for admission to English medium schools all over the country. It is a common sight nowadays to hear young boys and girls talk to each other in English in preference to their own mother tongue or the regional language. The earlier generation also learnt English and used it effectively but they learnt it at a later age and in their formative years they learnt the literature of their mother tongue and cultivated some acquaintance with Sanskrit. They were thus in touch with the legends and the myths, with the poetry and the philosophies, that go to make the collective unconscious of their race and culture. The modern young are, to some extent, away from these moorings and the next generation may find themselves even farther.

This translation of the Gita was first thought of in connection with the needs of these young people and the method adopted is in keeping with their circumstances. Why the Gita has been chosen for this purpose will be clear from the next section on its significance. The verse form has been chosen as it has greater impact and is easier to remember than prose.