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Gita — the foundation of ideal culture (Sanskrati – Sanjivani: Shrimadbhagawat Evam Gita): Vangamaya Vol-31

Shrimadbhaagwat and Shrimadbhagwat Gita – popularly known as Bhaagawat and Gita stand as monuments of the In dian spiritual philosophy. These ancient scriptures are crowns of the glorious cultural heritage of the human society…. Study, discussions and contemplation of Bhaagawat and adoption of its teachings in day-to-day life is supposed to be of significant importance in the present era (kaliyug) of adversities, cultural darkness, and bathos of morality…. The basic inspiration of this scripture aims at arousal of divine purity and virtues in the devotees. Gita on the other hand has been attributed the honor of being the essence of all religious scriptures. The knowledge and guidance contained in this great scripture of all ages educe afflatus for sublime transformation of the soul, all round elevation of intellect and development of personality as a whole…. It also offers practical solutions to the multifaceted problems and complexities of human life….
Acharya Shriram Sharma had presented the knowledge of ancient Indian scriptures in scientific light with a progressive attitude to inspire the people of modern age along with constructive guidance on deeper understanding and viable adoption of the principles of spirituality and righteous way of life…… He had devoted his intellectual sagacity, acumen, adept knowledge and supernormal spiritual attainments for the revival of divine culture…. He endeavored towards the multiple goals of: (i) elimination of blind faith, superstitions and misconceptions associated with religious practices in the Indian society; (ii) simultaneous establishment of people’s righteous faith in divine nature of the soul; and (iii) creative implementation of the high ideals of the eternal religion by analyzing the scriptures and spiritual philosophy in scientific light and by adopting a rational approach based on in-depth study and experiments on the implications of the original texts and commentaries of the scriptures.
Acharya Sharma emphasized that religion is for realization and adoption of righteous disciplines through heart and not meant only for rituals or for intellectual (philosophical) discussions and discourses …. At one place he says – “Listening to the story of Bhaagawat or any portion of a scripture without contemplation and creative adherence to its teachings with prudence…. – is nothing better than passing time in listening a speech from one ear and throwing out from the other….”. This is indeed true. Because, we also see that although, year after year, hundreds of programs of fluent discourses on Bhaagawat etc are arranged in crowded halls in India and abroad and thousands of people attend them repeatedly, there practically appears no improvement in the convictions, behavior and deeds of most participants. We hardly see truly religious life in the places within and outside India where number of ‘expert orators’ of “Bhaagawat Kathaa ” have been giving frequent discourses. Listening to “Bhaagawat Kathaa” is like a get-together or entertainment for some and is an ‘obligation’ because of their blind faith for some others…
In fact, the true manifestation of one’s faith in religion or in the philosophy of a religious scripture is reflected in the way one adopts it in his character and deeds…. For example, Bhaagawat Kathaa is not only a collection of stories of allegorical or mythological characters which any good orator may present in very interesting way….This type of Bhaagawat Kathaa won’t serve any purpose unless the deeper meaning and implications relevant to human life are explained perspicuously. Acharya Shriram Sharma had cautiously taken care of this aspect. His spiritual power, in-depth study of the scriptures and excellent hold on human psychology had made his writings and explanations of the formers as unique and perfect in terms of inspiring effects.
The present volume would clarify the doubts of the readers about ‘Mahaaraasa” and similar allegorically representation of the activities and phases of the life of the divine incarnation of Krishna in human form – as described in the Bhaagawat…. Readers would find authentic references and analysis of the important issues and facts such as – the words “Braahmin” and “Shoodra” do not correspond to one’s birth, caste or creed, rather, it depends on one’s attitude, qualities and deeds, which of the two ‘classes’ one belongs…. The author gives convincing explanations in simple but effective language and also cites excerpts from scriptures and scholarly works of ancient and modern experts in the related areas. Eminent scholars of Sanskrit language as well as the illiterates would receive creative guidance and inspiration by reading or listening to his presentations here.
While there have been misconceptions and illusive propaganda of the Bhaagwat because of the ‘stories’ in it, similar misinterpretations have been associated with the Gita because of the highly ‘abstract’ nature of knowledge assimilated in it. Though many volumes have been written on Gita in prominent languages of the world and thousands of scholars have been enlightened by its great inspirations, its message has not reached the masses in a constructive way. It often remains at the periphery of intellectual discussions and even the scholars of Gita often find it difficult to apply this knowledge in practice…. Howbeit, for a spiritual scientist, saint, altruist thinker, social reformer and sagacious authority on Indian philosophy and culture, like Acharya Sharma, there were no limitations of power of expression and inspiration. He could achieve the deepest depth of this vast ocean of absolute knowledge and explain it eloquently for the benefit of all….
It is said that – “Gita SuGita Karttavya Kimanyai Shaastra”; meaning – “why should there be any need for reading the expansion of other scriptures, if great source of divine guidance on righteous, duty-bond life is available through the Gita?” The holy Gita is said to be the essence of all Vedas and Upnishadas. It is a confluence of three streams of knowledge and practices of yoga– viz., the Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga and the Gyaana yoga. Most importantly, it does not contain any mythological or figurative description of worldly affairs. Rather, every sentence enunciated from the divine voice of the absolute yogi Lord Krishna is recorded here. Whence the eternal importance of this scripture. In simple terms, it a treatise of intensive guidance on perfect management of life. Men and women of every age-group, under all circumstances, can obtain immense courage and moral enlightenment from it along the righteous path of progressive life.
Acharya Sharma had inspired the compilation of “Gita Vishwakosha” – an encyclopedia and comprehensive treatise of works on Gita under the research programs of his Yug Nirmaan mission. The present volume is a prerequisite to that. He has analyzed important aspects of Gita in an illustrative style. Examples from the lives and works of great personalities of the world are quoted to explain how the teachings of Gita could be inculcated in every phase and type of human life. The author has excellently discussed the conjugation of the saankhya yoga and the karma yoga in this volume which is of significant importance in modern times.
The implications of the shlokas like – “Karmanyaanyaasah Iti Karma Sanyaasaha” as presented here give practical guidance on correct attitude and behavior in day-to-day life taking into account the varieties of circumstances and complexities of the personal, social and professional domains….. Higher dimensions of human sentiments are touched while elucidating different facets of devotion through the quotes (of Gita) such as – “Mayyeva Manaaadhastswa Mayi Buddhim Niveshaya Nivasishyasi Mayyeva Aturdhvam Na Sanshayah”, or, “Sarva Dharmaan Parityajya, Maamekam Sharana Braja” …. etc. The literal meanings of these shlokas is quite transparent – indicating total surrender to God….. But, what does that mean in reality? How can one accomplish that in normal life of a human being? Adept guidance of practical use on such natural questions is also available in this volume….
The grand war of Mahaabhaarata is indeed the war of the evil tendencies and the divine instincts of our own selves….. The dilemma and difficulties faced by Arjuna are those of our own minds too….. The perfect preaching of Gita by Lord Krishna to Arjuna during Mahaabhaarata – is the voice of the eternal core of our souls which guides us to refine our convictions and faiths and illuminates our minds by a divine glow to culminate our character and virtues in ideal direction and help us live a blissful life like a true yogi.
Our extrovert attitude, ignorance and stresses of life do not let our mind listen to the voice of the souls. The force of our inner voice has also become meek because of the pressure of our mistakes and malice of thoughts…. The present volume of the Vangmaya series has brought this voice endowed with a unique force to penetrate our minds and hearts through the pen of someone who had lived every moment of his life creatively in perfect consonant with the divine philosophy of Gita.