The Bhagavad Gita — India’s National Scripture for Universal Well-Being

The beauty of our Dharma is that it gives space to as many paths as possible. This was amply demonstrated by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and his famous statement — All the rivers lead to one ocean. If we see in that light then we can understand that there are many Gods (the underlying unity is one), many scriptures, etc. Unlike the Abrahamic religion, the great seers never prescribed one single text to read & follow. A plethora of scriptures is available — the Vedas, the Puranas, the Ithihasaas, etc. The list is continuing to grow and unlike the Abrahamic cults, the final book on our Dharma/Hinduism is yet to be written.

Now, the attitude is slowly changing even among the well-learned and they tend to prescribe a single book for all times, due to the following reasons:

1. Due to the idiotic implementation of secular education, reading of scriptures have diminished considerably
2. A perfect antidote to this fast-paced world that leads to SAD syndrome (Stress à Anxiety à Depression)
3. It is easy to understand with or without the help of a Guru (still a teacher is highly recommended who can walk us through the nuances)
4. One book that will elucidate on the integral yoga — the one that talks about the four major yogas of our Dharma — Karma, Bhakti, Raja & Jnana yoga
5. The book continues to stay novel and new despite the changing times
6. Novel interpretation or redefining the age-old concepts like Yagna, Karma
7. The one that binds the past, the present & the future
8. The one that acts as a bridge between the mighty Vedas & our understanding
9. The one that will help the individual to understands his/her position in the cosmic scheme of things
10. Understand their roles and execute to perfection
11. Be a useful tool in the hands of God and be favorable to the family, friends, society, Nation, and the World.
12. The one that will guide the Jiva to do its Sadhana (as per the SvaDharma) and enable it to realize the self or merge with one

Amidst the gems, there stands out a shining crown, “The Bhagavad Gita”. It takes its place rightly and without any hesitation can be called “The National Scripture” on the lines of bird, animal, etc.,

In line with its publishing tradition (reaching out to the public with the well-condensed version), Vivekananda Kendra Patrika has published a 3 part series. It contains many articles, some are specifically written and some are abridged versions of already published great articles. It has articles penned by the following — Sri Aurobindo, Sw. P.Parameswaran, Michel Danino, Stephen Knapp, Swami Chinmayananda

Vol 1 & Vol 2–130+ pages, Vol3 -210 pages

The Bhagavad Gita — India’s National Scripture for Universal Well-being”

published by

Vivekananda Kendra

vkpt@vkendra.org, Ph: 91–44–28440042

“The Bhagavad Gita enumerates the eternal values required for living a fulfilling and purposeful life. But as time changes, the same eternal values once enunciated by our Rishis are to be understood and interpreted in the context of new developments and challenges, in an insightful manner in the light of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. The vision & knowledge of the Rishis should be passed on to future generations, renewed, and restated. Only then will our Rishi Yagna be complete and the debt to the Rishis- the Rishi (runa) is discharged. Thus, in a way, this issue of the Vivekananda Kendra Patrika is a Rishi Yagna”.