Gita Its Message and Importance

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"It is a matter for great regret that the young men and women of our universities know very much less about the Gita and the principles of Hindu religion than the undergraduates of European Universities know about the Bible and the principles of the Christian faith. We inherit in Hindu religion a body of thought which in the opinion of those fitted to judge is the product of the highest efforts of intellect and imagination that ever were turned in that direction. Young men and women of any Western Nation, had they inherited our philosophy, would have been proud of it as an empire."

This book is not word by word translation of the Gita (there are many good translations available) nor is it a commentary on the Gita stressing one particular way or other like Jnanyoga, Bhaktiyoga etc.

The aim of this book is to make reader aware of the greatness of Gita and bring into light its many facets. In it are expressed the thoughts on the Gita which also serve to answer in brief the questions (enlisted in the beginning) that may arise in inquisitive minds. Yet the care has been taken not to make it a question-answer type book. To the benefit of readers the book is divided under small topics each conveying the importance and greatness of Gita independently. Yet the overall aim is to bring to the notice of all, irrespective of their faiths, the simplicity of Gita, its comprehensive message and universal character.

It should be made clear that the Gita is not a book of mere recitation. Further, to believe every word written in it blindly or to ignore it totally, both because it is a religious book, is also incorrect. Religion and Philosophy are so intertwined in Indian culture that if we fail to understand one, we lose sight of other. In past we with unphilosophical minds distorted religion; today with irreligious minds we have lost true philosophy of life. In past we knowingly or unknowingly overlooked the teachings of the Gita; today we are willingly or unwillingly ignoring its true message.

One of the main reasons for the alienation of today's youth from our religious philosophy is the lack of knowledge of divinity inherent in man. Unless this inherent divinity is affirmed in a manner which does not lead to superstition or fanaticism our nation will never become truly great as it once was. Gita is the book of such affirmation.

The author, J. R. Kokandakar (born on 06-06-1962) is a science graduate working in a Bank.

In his second book, the first being on Mahatma Gandhi entitled "Prelude to the search of truth", a Bhavan's publication, the author highlights the universal message of the Gita and its relevance to the present day. The message of Gita is not confined to a particular caste, sect, class or religion. The principle contained in it - that we are part and parcel of the whole mankind and God- makes Gita the most needed book enabling man to get back to his real nature. The author pleads for understanding the message of the Gita and striving for personal development as well as the welfare of society.

Gita, the base of Indian Philosophy, has created curiosity amongst the minds of philosophers for last many decades. It has shaped the philosophy of different religious sects in India. It is interesting that not only religions sects which believe in Advait-mat regard Gita as their friend, philosopher and guide, but sects, like the Mahanubhavas, which believe in Dvait-mat also respect Gita. Not only Indians but scholars from all over the world have tried to understand and interpret Gita. Arab scholars, like Al-Biruni, have studied Gita and translated it in Arabic language.

There have been several Gita-teekas or Gita-bhashyas in Marathi language. Dnyaneshwari of Saint Dnyaneshwar is one of the immortal Gita-teekas. Muslim saint-poet Ambar Husein wrote a Gita-teeka viz. ambar-Huseini Saint Dasopant wrote Geetarnay which contains about 1.25 lacs ovis. Vaman Pandit wrote Yatharth-Deepika to explain the philosophy of Gita. Mahanubhav saint-poets wrote about 125 Gita-teekas. Eminent scholar Lokmanya Tilak's Gita-rahasya is one of the most important attempts to understand Gita.

All these attempts underline the importance of the message of life that Gita has given. Gita shows the ideal way to live and achieve the ultimate goal of life. It explains the relationship amongst all char and achar, and the relationship between us and the final truth, the antim satya.

Sri Kokandakar is a serious student of philosophy and has made a very sincere attempt to understand the message of Gita. I am sure that his attempt and outlook will be appreciated and well-received.