(Image Source: Google).
For long
BhagVadGita proved to be elusive.
1.
When
I was in college, my mother – a typical housewife, who wouldn’t read much –
learned Gita by heart. She used to attend “Swadhyay Parivar” and she learned to
Chant Gita. She never learned Sanskrit neither I saw her reading any Gita
commentary. I tried to learn but in
vain. It made me curious how come?
2.
Unfamiliarity
with Sanskrit – also kept me away from Gita. When I used to see others Chanting
or reading or speaking on Gita authoritatively, I was amused. It made me
curious how come?
3.
Often
saw quotes/comments by eminent people on Gita. I read APJ Kalam, our past
president mentioned he used to read, whenever he was in Dilemma. It made me curious
– how such a scientific and modern bent of mind found solace in Gita.
4.
As
a part of my doctoral journey, I did a seminar course on Karma Yoga. (Today I
find it funny😀 ). And in hindsight, I can see that it was superficial. I did all
the work – without even touching Gita. Karma Yoga is a core of the Gita (At
least as presented in GitaRahasya by Bal Gangadhar Tilak). And It’s laughable
that I tried Karma Yoga without reading Gita. It made me further curious – to
read in the original what’s said about Karma Yoga in Gita.
5.
Last
year I read a colossal biography of Mahatma Gandhi by Ram Guha (close to 1600
pages). Gandhiji gave a lot of credit to Gita. He called it “Eternal
Mother” and “Spiritual reference book”. I am curious – what made
him call Gita so?
6.
Recently
I was at a friend’s place and he spoke about Vinoba Bhave and how his lectures
on Gita delivered in prison were written down by another stalwart Sane Guruji.
Vinoba Bhave called the book – Geetai. And translated it into lyrical Marathi.
7.
How
these towering personalities – credit their strength to Gita. I am curious
about it.
8.
I often face dilemmas even in mundane issues. And curious will Gita help
me overcome it?
Particularly in the light of what Mahatma Said,
“
I
confess to you that, when doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the
face, and when I see not one ray of light on the horizon, I run to the Bhagavad
Gita and find a verse to comfort me, and I immediately begin to smile in the
midst of overwhelming sorrow.”
I think I
kept it away for too long. No more. I know unfamiliarity with Sanskrit should
not be a reason to shun Gita. So this year, Gita is on the anvil.
I decided
to read Gita in English this year.
Have gathered a few like minded friends, who will support in this endeavour.
will keep posting as I travel along.
