Gita for Everyone

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First published under the title Young Men’s Gita in 1900, the translation is meant for those interested in acquainting themselves wit the Gita and the Indian philosophy. The author aptly introduces the doctrines of the Gita from a Hindu point of view. It is a fitting retort to unsympathetic critics and interpreters.

Jogindranath Mukharji (1871-1930) was born in Hooghly, Bengal. His father Kapali Prasanna Mukharji, was the first India MA in English from Calcutta University Kapali was a lawyer turned administrator and a scholar of Hindu sacred texts. Jogindranath graduated from Ripon collage, Calcutta in 1895. He migrated to the united provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) around the turn of the century. He was Headmaster of several schools during his career. His most significant contribution, however, was as principal of SM collage, Chandausi (Moradabad) , where he held the post from 1908 till his death in 1930.

The first edition of Gita everyone was published in 1900 under the title Young Men’s Gita. Principal Mukharji was honoured with the title of Rai Saheb in 1926, for his dedication to the cause of education.

I dedicate this book to the memory of my late grandfather Shri Jogindranath Mukharji. He was a noble and learned man who I was not destined to meet. I was unable to benefit from his wisdom except in the form of this book. My thanks are due to my father, Shri Shailendra the book himself before passing on this prized possession to me.

I wish to express my gratitude to my friends and well-wishers, Kaminee and Rajen mehra for inspiring me to attempt the second edition of this great epic. Bringing out this masterpiece would not have been possible without the efforts of my daughter. Anamika, who burnt midnight oil going through the text again and again before it finally reached the stands.

This translation is meant to be read by anyone interested in acquainting themselves with the Gita. To make the reading simpler and introducation and some notes have been to the translated text.

The object of the introduction is to explain briefly, from a Hindu point of view the main doctrines of the Gita. Unsympathetic critics, in forming estimates of its worth, are often influenced by their own decided opinions on certain topics of popular Indian creeds or on the doctrines of the well-known schools of Hindu philosophy and thus generally fail to recognize its uncommon merit. It is complete in itself, and references to other systems of thought, developed on different principles are apt to be more embarrassing than useful at the beginning.

The Gita is a book of rare excellence which ought to be read by every Indian and will amply repay perusal. A single reading may not create sufficient interest in it not even ensure a tolerable grasp of its main outlines; but as it is a small book two or three successive reading can be easily managed and they will no doubt make a good impression.

Much benefit will be derived by frequently consulting the Sanskrit text of which a copy may be easily procured at a nominal cost. Certain words and expressions in the original as well as their inadequate English equivalents are not properly understood unless their different uses in different parts of the text are carefully noted. References by chapter and verse given in the Notes at the end of the book may, it is hoped offer some help in this respect.

The Gita as the sacred book of the Hindus has passed on its wisdom from generation to generation. This particular version of the Gita, no less sacred to our family has also been with us for four generations now. A matter of family pride, it has been talked, rather, boasted about, ever since we can remember. Occasionally, it is brought out with reverence from its place of repose and the pages are turned, the importance of the book and the brittle leaves demanding ad receiving, due care and gentleness.

For its believers the worth of the Gita perseveres undimmed in its relevance to their daily lives. As a guide to their existence, its value lies not in the language it is written in, but in its content. Therefore this Gita in English only reached out to a slightly different group of people, while its essence remains unchanged.

They say charity begins at home. Well, our family has been fortunate to read this simplified Gita all these years. Now we feel its time to share this book with so many in the larger world who may benefit from it. After all, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, the world is my family.