plugin-bhagavad gita and management

8/8/2019 Plugin-Bhagavad Gita and Management

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BhagavadGitaandManagementWorldManagementLessonsfromIndiaM.P.

Bhattathiri

RetiredChiefTechnicalExaminer

GovernmentofKerala

India


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TableofContents

TableofContents....................................................................................................................................2

Abstract...................................................................................................................................................3

Introduction............................................................................................................................................

4

ManagementguidelinesfromtheBhagavadGita..................................................................................4

Oldtruthsinanewcontext....................................................................................................................5

Thesourceoftheproblem.....................................................................................................................5

Utilizationofavailableresources............................................................................................................6

Workcommitment..................................................................................................................................6

Motivationselfandselftranscendence..............................................................................................6

Workculture

...........................................................................................................................................

7

Workresults............................................................................................................................................8

Manager'smentalhealth........................................................................................................................9

Managementneedsthosewhopracticewhattheypreach...................................................................9

Inconclusion...........................................................................................................................................9

Anoteontheword"yoga"...................................................................................................................10


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Abstract

OneofthegreatestcontributionsofIndiatotheworldisHolyGitawhichisconsideredtobeoneof

thefirstrevelationsfromGod.Themanagementlessonsinthisholybookwerebroughtintolightof

theworldbydivineMaharishiMaheshYogiandSriSriRaviShankar,andthespiritualphilosophyby

Sr.Srila

Prabhupada

Swami

and

humanism

by

Mata

Amritanandamayi

Devi

and

Satya

Sai

Baba.

MaharishicallstheBhagavadGitatheessenceofVedicLiteratureandacompleteguidetopractical

life.Itprovides"allthat isneededtoraisetheconsciousnessofmantothehighestpossible level."

Maharishi reveals the deep, universal truths of life that speak to the needs and aspirations of

everyone. Arjuna gotmentally depressedwhen he saw his relativeswithwhom he has to fight.

(Mentalhealthhasbecomeamajor internationalpublichealthconcernnow).Tomotivatehimthe

BhagavadGitaispreachedinthebattlefieldKurukshetrabyLordKrishnatoArjunaascounselingto

do his dutywhilemultitudes ofmen stood bywaiting. It has got all themanagement tactics to

achieve themental equilibrium and to overcome any crisis situation. The BhagavadGita can be

experiencedasapowerfulcatalystfortransformation.BhagavadGitameanssongoftheSpirit,song

oftheLord.TheHolyGitahasbecomeasecretdrivingforcebehindtheunfoldmentofone'slife.In

thedays

of

doubt

this

divine

book

will

support

all

spiritual

searches.

This

divine

book

will

contribute

toselfreflection,finerfeelinganddeepenone'sinnerprocess.Thenlifeintheworldcanbecomea

real educationdynamic, full andjoyfulnomatterwhat the circumstance.May thewisdom of

lovingconsciousnesseverguideusonourjourney?WhatmakestheHolyGitaapracticalpsychology

oftransformationisthatitoffersusthetoolstoconnectwithourdeepestintangibleessenceandwe

mustlearntoparticipateinthebattleoflifewithrightknowledge?

TheHolyGitaistheessenceoftheVedas,Upanishads.Itisauniversalscriptureapplicabletopeople

ofalltemperamentsandforalltimes.Itisabookwithsublimethoughtsandpracticalinstructionson

Yoga,Devotion,VedantaandAction. It isprofound in thoughtand sublime inheightsofvision. It

bringspeaceand solace to souls thatareafflictedby the three firesofmortalexistence,namely,

afflictionscaused

by

one's

own

body

(disease

etc),

those

caused

by

beings

around

one

(e.g.

wild

animals,snakesetc.),andthosecausedbythegods(naturaldisasters,earthquakes,floodsetc).

Mindcanbeone's friendorenemy.Mind isthecause forbothbondageand liberation.Theword

mindisderivedfrommantothinkandthewordmanderivedfromManu(Sanskritwordforman).

"TheSupremeLord issituated ineveryone'sheart,OArjuna,and isdirectingthewanderingsofall

livingentities,whoareseatedasonamachine,madeofthematerialenergy."

Thereisnotheorytobeinternalizedandappliedinthispsychology.Ancientpracticesspontaneously

inducewhat eachpersonneeds as the individual and theuniversal coincide. Thework proceeds

throughintellectual

knowledge

of

the

playing

field

(jnana

yoga),

emotional

devotion

to

the

ideal

(bhaktiyoga)andrightactionthatincludesbothfeelingandknowledge(karmayoga).Withongoing

purificationwe approachwisdom. TheBhagavadGita is amessage addressed to each andevery

human individual tohelphimorher to solve thevexingproblemofovercoming thepresentand

progressingtowardsabrightfuture.Withinitseighteenchaptersisrevealedahumandrama.Thisis

the experienceof everyone in thisworld, the dramaof the ascentofman from a stateofutter

dejection,sorrowandtotalbreakdownandhopelessnesstoastateofperfectunderstanding,clarity,

renewedstrengthandtriumph.

Mindisveryrestless,forcefulandstrong,OKrishna, itismoredifficulttocontrolthemindthanto

controlthewind~ArjunatoSriKrishna


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Introduction

InthismodernworldtheartofManagementhasbecomeapartandparcelofeverydaylife,beitat

home, in theofficeor factoryand inGovernment. Inallorganizations,wherea groupofhuman

beings assemble for a common purpose irrespective of caste, creed, and religion, management

principlescome

into

play

through

the

management

of

resources,

finance

and

planning,

priorities,

policies and practice. Management is a systematic way of carrying out activities in any field of

humaneffort.

Itstask istomakepeoplecapableofjointperformance,tomaketheirweaknesses irrelevant,says

the Management Guru Peter Drucker. It creates harmony in working together equilibrium in

thoughts and actions, goals and achievements,plans andperformance, products andmarkets. It

resolvessituationsofscarcity,betheyinthephysical,technicalorhumanfields,throughmaximum

utilizationwiththeminimumavailableprocessestoachieve thegoal.Lackofmanagementcauses

disorder,confusion,wastage,delay,destructionandevendepression.Managingmen,moneyand

materials in the best possible way, according to circumstances and environment, is the most

importantand

essential

factor

for

asuccessful

management.

It

should

literally

transform

how

people

thinkandhelpthemfinallyrealizethepotentialofatrulyuniversalknowledgethatiswisdom.

ManagementguidelinesfromtheBhagavadGita

Thereisanimportantdistinctionbetweeneffectivenessandefficiencyinmanaging. Effectivenessisdoingtherightthings. Efficiencyisdoingthingsright. Thegeneralprinciplesofeffectivemanagementcanbeappliedineveryfield,thedifferences

beingmoreinapplicationthaninprinciple.TheManager'sfunctionscanbesummedupas:

Formingavision Planningthestrategytorealizethevision. Cultivatingtheartofleadership. Establishinginstitutionalexcellence. Buildinganinnovativeorganization. Developinghumanresources. Buildingteamsandteamwork. Delegation,motivation,andcommunication. Reviewingperformanceandtakingcorrectivestepswhencalledfor.

Thus,management

is

aprocess

of

aligning

people

and

getting

them

committed

to

work

for

acommongoaltothemaximumsocialbenefit insearchofexcellence.


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Thecriticalquestion inallmanagers'minds ishowtobeeffective in theirjob.Theanswer to this

fundamentalquestionisfoundintheBhagavadGita,whichrepeatedlyproclaimsthat"youmusttry

to manage yourself." The reason is that unless a manager reaches a level of excellence and

effectiveness,heorshewillbemerelyafaceinthecrowd.

Oldtruthsinanewcontext

The Bhagavad Gita,written thousands of years ago, enlightens us on all managerial techniques

leadingustowardsaharmoniousandblissfulstateofaffairs inplaceoftheconflict,tensions,poor

productivity,absenceofmotivationandsoon,common inmostof Indianenterprisestodayand

probablyinenterprisesinmanyothercountries.

Themodern(Western)managementconceptsofvision, leadership,motivation,excellence inwork,

achieving goals, giving work meaning, decision making and planning, are all discussed in the

BhagavadGita.Thereisonemajordifference.WhileWesternmanagementthoughttoooftendeals

withproblems

at

material,

external

and

peripheral

levels,

the

Bhagavad

Gita

tackles

the

issues

from

the grass roots level of human thinking. Once the basic thinking of man is improved, it will

automaticallyenhancethequalityofhisactionsandtheirresults.

ThemanagementphilosophyemanatingfromtheWestisbasedonthelureofmaterialismandona

perennialthirstforprofit,irrespectiveofthequalityofthemeansadoptedtoachievethatgoal.This

phenomenon has its source in the abundant wealth of the West and so 'management by

materialism'hascaughtthefancyofallthecountriestheworldover,Indiabeingnoexceptiontothis

trend.Mycountry, India,hasbeen in the forefront in importing these ideasmainlybecauseof its

centuriesold indoctrinationby colonial rulers,whichhas inculcated inus a feeling that anything

WesternisgoodandanythingIndian,isinferior.

Theresultisthat,whilehugefundshavebeeninvestedinbuildingtemplesofmodemmanagement

education,noperceptible changes are visible in the improvementof the generalquality of life

althoughthestandardsoflivingofafewhasgoneup.Thesameoldstrugglesinalmostallsectorsof

theeconomy,criminalizationof institutions, socialviolence,exploitationandothervicesare seen

deepinthebodypolitic.

Thesourceoftheproblem

The reasons for this sorry stateofaffairs arenot far to seek. TheWestern ideaofmanagement

centersonmakingtheworker (and themanager)moreefficientandmoreproductive.Companies

offerworkers

more

to

work

more,

produce

more,

sell

more

and

to

stick

to

the

organization

without

looking for alternatives. The sole aim of extractingbetter andmorework from theworker is to

improvethebottomlineoftheenterprise.Theworkerhasbecomeahirablecommodity,whichcan

beused,replacedanddiscardedatwill.

Thus,workershavebeen reduced to the stateofamercantileproduct. In sucha state, it should

comeasnosurprisetousthatworkersstartusingstrikes(gheraos)sitins,(dharnas)goslows,work

torule etc. to get maximum benefit for themselves from the organizations. Societyatlarge is

damaged. Thus we reach a situation in which management and workers become separate and

contradictoryentitieswith conflicting interests.There isno common goalorunderstanding.This,

predictably,leadstosuspicion,friction,disillusionandmistrust,withmanagersandworkersatcross

purposes.The

absence

of

human

values

and

erosion

of

human

touch

in

the

organizational

structure

hasresultedinacrisisofconfidence.


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Westernmanagementphilosophymayhavecreatedprosperityforsomepeoplesomeofthetime

atleast butithasfailedintheaimofensuringbettermentofindividuallifeandsocialwelfare.Ithas

remainedbyandlargeasoullessedificeandanoasisofplentyforafewinthemidstofpoorquality

oflifeformany.

Hence,there isanurgentneedtoreexamineprevailingmanagementdisciplines theirobjectives,

scopeandcontent.Managementshouldberedefinedtounderlinethedevelopmentoftheworker

as aperson, as ahumanbeing, and not as amerewageearner.With this changed perspective,

managementcanbecomeaninstrumentintheprocessofsocial,andindeednational,development.

NowletusreexaminesomeofthemodernmanagementconceptsinthelightoftheBhagavadGita

whichisaprimerofmanagementbyvalues.

Utilizationofavailableresources

Thefirst

lesson

of

management

science

is

to

choose

wisely

and

utilize

scarce

resources

optimally.

DuringthecurtainraiserbeforetheMahabharataWar,DuryodhanachoseSriKrishna's largearmy

forhishelpwhileArjunaselectedSriKrishna'swisdomforhissupport.Thisepisodegivesusaclueas

tothenatureoftheeffectivemanager theformerchosenumbers,thelatter,wisdom.

Workcommitment

ApopularverseoftheGitaadvises"detachment"fromthefruitsorresultsofactionsperformed in

the course of one's duty. Being dedicated work has to mean "working for the sake of work,

generatingexcellence for itsownsake." Ifwearealwayscalculating thedateofpromotionorthe

rate of commission before putting in our efforts, then such work is not detached. It is not

"generatingexcellenceforitsownsake"butworkingonlyfortheextrinsicrewardthatmay(ormay

not)result.

Workingonlywithaneyetotheanticipatedbenefits,meansthatthequalityofperformanceofthe

currentjobordutysuffers throughmentalagitationofanxietyforthefuture.Infact,thewaythe

worldworksmeans that events do not always respond positively to our calculations and hence

expected fruits may not always be forthcoming. So, the Gita tells us not to mortgage present

commitmenttoanuncertainfuture.

Some people might argue that not seeking the business result of work and actions makes one

unaccountable.Infact,theBhagavadGitaisfullofadviceonthetheoryofcauseandeffect,making

thedoer

responsible

for

the

consequences

of

his

deeds.

While

advising

detachment

from

the

avarice

of selfish gains in discharging one's accepted duty, the Gita does not absolve anybody of the

consequencesarisingfromdischargeofhisorherresponsibilities.

Thusthebestmeansofeffectiveperformancemanagementistheworkitself.Attainingthisstateof

mind(called"nishkamakarma")istherightattitudetoworkbecauseitpreventstheego,themind,

fromdissipationofattentionthroughspeculationonfuturegainsorlosses.

Motivationselfandself-transcendence

Ithas

been

presumed

for

many

years

that

satisfying

lower

order

needs

of

workers

adequate

food,

clothingandshelter,etc.arekeyfactorsinmotivation.However,itisacommonexperiencethatthe


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dissatisfactionoftheclerkandoftheDirectorisidentical onlytheirscalesandcompositionvary.It

shouldbe truethatoncethe lowerorderneedsaremorethansatisfied,theDirectorshouldhave

littleproblem inoptimizinghiscontribution to theorganizationand society.Butmoreoften than

not,itdoesnothappenlikethat.("Theeaglesoarshighbutkeepsitseyesfirmlyfixedonthedead

animalbelow.")On thecontrary,a lowlypaidschoolteacher,oraselfemployedartisan,maywell

demonstratehigher

levels

of

self

actualization

despite

poorer

satisfaction

of

their

lower

order

needs.

This situation is explained by the theory of selftranscendence propounded in the Gita. Self

transcendence involvesrenouncingegoism,puttingothersbeforeoneself,emphasizingteamwork,

dignity,cooperation,harmonyandtrustand,indeedpotentiallysacrificinglowerneedsforhigher

goals,theoppositeofMaslow.

"Workmustbedonewithdetachment."Itistheegothatspoilsworkandtheegoisthecenterpiece

of most theories of motivation. We need not merely a theory of motivation but a theory of

inspiration.

TheGreatIndianpoet,RabindranathTagore(18611941,knownas"Gurudev")saysworkingforlove

is freedom inaction.A conceptwhich isdescribed as "disinterestedwork" in theGitawhere Sri

Krishnasays,

"Hewhosharesthewealthgeneratedonlyafterservingthepeople,throughworkdoneasasacrifice

forthem,isfreedfromallsins.Onthecontrarythosewhoearnwealthonlyforthemselves,eatsins

thatleadtofrustrationandfailure."

Disinterested work finds expression in devotion, surrender and equipoise. The former two are

psychologicalwhilethethirdisdeterminationtokeepthemindfreeofthedualistic(usuallytakento

mean

"materialistic")

pulls

of

daily

experiences.

Detached

involvement

in

work

is

the

key

to

mental

equanimityorthestateof"nirdwanda."Thisattitude leadstoastagewheretheworkerbeginsto

feelthepresenceoftheSupremeIntelligenceguidingtheembodiedindividualintelligence.Suchde

personified intelligence is best suited for those who sincerely believe in the supremacy of

organizationalgoalsascomparedtonarrowpersonalsuccessandachievement.

Workculture

Aneffectiveworkculture isaboutvigorousandarduousefforts inpursuitofgivenorchosentasks.

SriKrishna elaborateson two typesofwork culture "daivi sampat"ordivinework cultureand

"asurisampat"ordemonicworkculture.

Daiviwork culture involves fearlessness, purity, selfcontrol, sacrifice, straightforwardness, self

denial,calmness,absenceoffaultfinding,absenceofgreed,gentleness,modesty,absenceofenvy

andpride.

Asuriworkculture involvesegoism,delusion,personaldesires, improperperformance,worknot

orientedtowardsservice.

Mereworkethic isnot enough. The hardened criminal exhibits an excellentwork ethic.What is

neededisaworkethicconditionedbyethicsinwork.

It is in this light that the counsel, "yogah karmasu kausalam" should beunderstood. "Kausalam"

meansskill

or

technique

of

work

which

is

an

indispensable

component

of

awork

ethic.

Yogah"

is


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defined intheGita itselfas"samatvamyogahuchyate"meaninganunchangingequipoiseofmind

(detachment.)TilaktellsusthatactingwithanequablemindisYoga.

(Bal Gangadhar Tilak, 18561920, the precursor of Gandhiji, hailed by the people of India as

"Lokmanya,"probablythemost learnedamongthecountry'spolitical leaders.Foradescriptionof

themeanings

of

the

word

"Yoga",

see

foot

of

this

page.)

Bymakingtheequablemindthebedrockofallactions,theGitaevolvedthegoalofunificationof

workethicwithethics inwork,forwithoutethicalprocessnomindcanattainequipoise.Theguru,

AdiSankara(borncirca800AD),saysthattheskillnecessaryintheperformanceofone'sdutyisthat

ofmaintaininganevennessofmind in faceof successand failure. The calmmind in the faceof

failurewill lead to deeper introspection and see clearlywhere the processwentwrong so that

correctivestepscouldbetakentoavoidshortcomingsinfuture.

The principle of reducing our attachment to personal gains from the work done is the Gita's

prescriptionforattainingequanimity.Ithasbeenheldthatthisprincipleleadstolackofincentivefor

effort,striking

at

the

very

root

of

work

ethic.

To

the

contrary,

concentration

on

the

task

for

its

own

sake leads to the achievement of excellence and indeed to the truemental happiness of the

worker.Thus,whilecommonplacetheoriesofmotivationmaybesaidtoleadustothebondageor

extrinsicrewards,theGita'sprincipleleadsustotheintrinsicrewardsofmental,andindeedmoral,

satisfaction.

Workresults

TheGitafurtherexplainsthetheoryof"detachment"fromtheextrinsicrewardsofworkinsaying:

Iftheresultofsincereeffort isasuccess,theentirecreditshouldnotbeappropriatedbythedoer

alone.

Iftheresultofsincereeffortisafailure,thentootheentireblamedoesnotaccruetothedoer.

The former attitude mollifies arrogance and conceit while the latter prevents excessive

despondency,demotivationandselfpity.Thusboththesedispositionssafeguardthedoeragainst

psychologicalvulnerability,thecauseofthemodemmanagers'companionsofdiabetes,highblood

pressureandulcers.

Assimilation of the ideas of theGita leadsus to thewider spectrumof "lokasamgraha" (general

welfare) but there is also another dimension to thework ethic if the "karmayoga" (service) is

blendedwith

"bhaktiyoga"

(devotion),

then

the

work

itself

becomes

worship,

a"sevayoga"

(service

foritsownsake.)

Alongwithbhaktiyogaasameansofliberation,theGitaespousesthedoctrineofnishkamyakarma

orpureactionuntaintedbyhankeringafterthefruitsresultingfromthataction.Modernscientists

havenowunderstoodtheintuitivewisdomofthatactioninanewlight.

ScientistsattheUSNationalInstituteofMentalHealth inBethesdafoundthat laboratorymonkeys

thatstartedoutasprocrastinatorsbecameefficientworkersaftertheyreceivedbraininjectionsthat

suppressedagenelinkedtotheirabilitytoanticipateareward.Thescientistsreportedthatthework

ethicofrhesusmacaqueswasn'tallthatdifferent fromthatofmanypeople:"If thereward isnot

immediate,you

procrastinate",

Dr

Richmond

told

LA

Times.


9/15

(Thismaysoundapeculiarlyreligiousideabutithasawiderapplication.Itcouldbetakentomean

doingsomethingbecauseitisworthwhile,toserveothers,tomaketheworldabetterplaceEd.)

Manager'smentalhealth

Soundmental

health

is

the

very

goal

of

any

human

activity

more

so

management.

Sound

mental

healthisthatstateofmindwhichcanmaintainacalm,positivepoise,orregainitwhenunsettled,in

themidstofalltheexternalvagariesofworklifeandsocialexistence.Internalconstancyandpeace

aretheprerequisitesforahealthystressfreemind.

Someoftheimpedimentstosoundmentalhealthare:

Greed forpower,position,prestigeandmoney. Envy regardingothers'achievements,success,rewards. Egotism aboutone'sownaccomplishments. Suspicion,angerandfrustration. Anguishthroughcomparisons.

Thedriving forces intoday'sbusinessesarespeedandcompetition.There isadistinctdangerthat

theseforcescauseerosionofthemoralfiber,thatinseekingtheend,onepermitsoneselfimmoral

means taxevasion, illegitimate financialholdings,being "economicalwith the truth",deliberate

oversight intheaudit,toocleverfinancialreportingandsoon.Thisphenomenonmaybecalledas

"yayatisyndrome".

Inthebook,theMahabharata,wecomeacrossakingbythenameofYayatiwho,inordertorevelin

theendlessenjoymentoffleshexchangedhisoldagewiththeyouthofhisobligingyoungestsonfor

athousandyears.However,hefoundthepursuitofsensualenjoymentsultimatelyunsatisfyingand

camebacktohissonpleadinghimtotakebackhisyouth.This"yayatisyndrome"showstheconflict

between externally directed acquisitions (extrinsic motivation) and inner value and conscience

(intrinsicmotivation.)

Managementneedsthosewhopracticewhattheypreach

"Whatever

the

excellent

and

best

ones

do,

the

commoners

follow,"

says

Sri

Krishna

in

the

Gita.

The

visionary leader must be a missionary, extremely practical, intensively dynamic and capable of

translatingdreams intoreality.Thisdynamismandstrengthofatrueleaderflowsfromaninspired

andspontaneousmotivationtohelpothers."Iamthestrengthofthosewhoaredevoidofpersonal

desire and attachment. O Arjuna, I am the legitimate desire in those,who are not opposed to

righteousness,"saysSriKrishnainthe10thChapteroftheGita.

Inconclusion

ThedespondencyofArjuna inthefirstchapteroftheGita istypicallyhuman.SriKrishna,bysheer

power of his inspiringwords, changesArjuna'smind from a state of inertia to one of righteous

action,from

the

state

of

what

the

French

philosophers

call

"anomie"

or

even

alienation,

to

astate

of

selfconfidenceintheultimatevictoryof"dharma"(ethicalaction.)


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WhenArjunagotoverhisdespondencyandstoodready to fight,SriKrishna remindedhimof the

purposeofhisnewfoundspiritofintenseaction notforhisownbenefit,notforsatisfyinghisown

greedanddesire,butforthegoodofmany,withfaithintheultimatevictoryofethicsoverunethical

actionsandoftruthoveruntruth.

SriKrishna's advicewith regard to temporary failures is, "Nodoerof goodeverends inmisery."

Everyactionshouldproduceresults.Goodactionproducesgoodresultsandevilbegetsnothingbut

evil.Therefore,alwaysactwellandberewarded.

Mypurport isnottosuggestdiscardingoftheWesternmodelofefficiency,dynamismandstriving

forexcellencebuttotunetheseidealstoIndia'sholisticattitudeof"lokasangraha" forthewelfare

ofmany,forthegoodofmany.There is indeedamoraldimensiontobusiness life.Whatwedo in

businessisnodifferent,inthisregard,towhatwedoinourpersonallives.Themeansdonotjustify

theends.Pursuitofresultsfortheirownsakeisultimatelyselfdefeating.("Profit,"saidMatsushita

saninanothertradition"istherewardofcorrectbehavior."Ed.)

Anoteontheword"yoga"

Yogahastwodifferentmeanings ageneralmeaningandatechnicalmeaning.Thegeneralmeaning

is thejoining togetherorunionof any twoormore things. The technicalmeaning is "a stateof

stabilityandpeaceandthemeansorpracticeswhichleadtothatstate."TheBhagavadGitausesthe

wordwithbothmeanings.

M.P.Bhattathiri.

LetusgothroughwhatscholarssayaboutHolyGita.

"NoworkinallIndianliteratureismorequoted,becausenoneisbetterloved,intheWest,thanthe

BhagavadGita.TranslationofsuchaworkdemandsnotonlyknowledgeofSanskrit,butan inward

sympathywiththethemeandaverbalartistry.ForthepoemisasymphonyinwhichGodisseenin

allthings....TheSwamidoesarealserviceforstudentsby investingthebelovedIndianepicwith

freshmeaning.Whateverouroutlookmaybe,weshouldallbegratefulforthelaborthathasleadto

thisilluminatingwork."

Dr. Geddes MacGregor, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Philosophy University of Southern

California

"TheGita

can

be

seen

as

the

main

literary

support

for

the

great

religious

civilization

of

India,

the

oldest surviving culture in the world. The present translation and commentary is another

manifestationofthepermanentlivingimportanceoftheGita."

ThomasMerton,Theologian

"I am most impressed with A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's scholarly and authoritative

editionofBhagavadGita. It isamostvaluableworkforthescholaraswellasthe laymanand isof

greatutilityasa referencebookaswellasa textbook. Ipromptly recommend thisedition tomy

students.Itisabeautifullydonebook."

Dr.Samuel

D.

Atkins

Professor

of

Sanskrit,

Princeton

University


11/15

"AsasuccessorindirectlinefromCaitanya,theauthorofBhagavadGitaAsItIsentitled,according

to Indiancustom, to themajestic titleofHisDivineGraceA.C.BhaktivedantaSwamiPrabhupada.

ThegreatinterestthathisreadingoftheBhagavadGitaholdsforusisthatitoffersusanauthorized

interpretationaccordingtotheprinciplesoftheCaitanyatradition."

OlivierLacombe

Professor

of

Sanskrit

and

Indology,

Sorbonne

University,

Paris

"I have had the opportunity of examining several volumes published by theBhaktivedantaBook

Trustandhavefoundthemtobeofexcellentqualityandofgreatvalueforuseincollegeclasseson

Indianreligions.ThisisparticularlytrueoftheBBTeditionandtranslationoftheBhagavadGita."

Dr.FrederickB.UnderwoodProfessorofReligion,ColumbiaUniversity

"If truth iswhatworks,asPierceand thepragmatists insist, theremustbeakindof truth in the

BhagavadGitaasItIs,sincethosewhofollowitsteachingsdisplayajoyousserenityusuallymissing

inthebleakandstridentlivesofcontemporarypeople."

Dr.ElwinH.PowellProfessorofSociologyStateUniversityofNewYork,Buffalo

"ThereislittlequestionthatthiseditionisoneofthebestbooksavailableontheGitaanddevotion.

Prabhupada'stranslationisanidealblendofliteralaccuracyandreligiousinsight."

Dr.ThomasJ.HopkinsProfessorofReligion,FranklinandMarshallCollege

"TheBhagavadGita,oneof the great spiritual texts, isnotas yeta commonpartofour cultural

milieu.This isprobably lessbecause it isalienpersethanbecausewehave lackedjustthekindof

close interpretative commentary upon it that Swami Bhaktivedanta has here provided, a

commentary

written

from

not

only

a

scholar's

but

a

practitioner's,

a

dedicated

lifelong

devotee's

pointofview."

DeniseLevertov,Poet

"TheincreasingnumbersofWesternreadersinterestedinclassicalVedicthoughthavebeendonea

serviceby SwamiBhaktivedanta.Bybringingus anewand living interpretationof a text already

knowntomany,hehasincreasedourunderstandingmanyfold."

Dr.EdwardCDimock,Jr.DepartmentofSouthAsianLanguagesandCivilizationUniversityofChicago

"The

scholarly

world

is

again

indebted

to

A.

C.

Bhaktivedanta

Swami

Prabhupada.

Although

BhagavadGita has been translated many times, Prabhupada adds a translation of singular

importancewithhiscommentary."

Dr. J. Stillson Judah, Professor of the History of Religions and Director of Libraries Graduate

TheologicalUnion,Berkeley,California

"SrilaPrabhupada'seditionthusfillsasensitivegapinFrance,wheremanyhopetobecomefamiliar

withtraditionalIndianthought,beyondthecommercialEastWesthodgepodgethathasarisensince

thetimeEuropeansfirstpenetratedIndia.WhetherthereaderbeanadeptofIndianspiritualismor

not,areadingoftheBhagavadGitaasItIswillbeextremelyprofitable.Formanythiswillbethefirst

contactwiththetrueIndia,theancientIndia,andtheeternalIndia."


12/15

FrancoisChenique,ProfessorofReligiousSciencesInstituteofPoliticalStudies,Paris,France

"Itwasas ifanempire spoke tous,nothing smallorunworthy,but large, serene,consistent, the

voiceofanoldintelligencewhichinanotherageandclimatehadponderedandthusdisposedofthe

samequestionswhichexerciseus"

Emerson'sreactiontotheGita

"AsanativeofIndianowlivingintheWest,ithasgivenmemuchgrieftoseesomanyofmyfellow

countrymencomingtotheWestintheroleofgurusandspiritualleaders.Forthisreason,Iamvery

excitedtoseethepublicationofBhagavadGitaasItIsbySriA.C.BhaktivedantaSwamiPrabhupada.

Itwillhelptostoptheterriblecheatingoffalseandunauthorized'gurus'and'yogis'andwillgivean

opportunitytoallpeopletounderstandtheactualmeaningofOrientalculture."

Dr.KailashVajpeye,DirectorofIndianStudiesCenterforOrientalStudies,TheUniversityofMexico

"TheGita

is

one

of

the

clearest

and

most

comprehensive

one,

of

the

summaries

and

systematic

spiritualstatementsoftheperennialphilosophyevertohavebeendone"

AldousHuxley

"It isadeeply felt,powerfullyconceivedandbeautifullyexplainedwork. Idon'tknowwhether to

praisemorethistranslationoftheBhagavadGita, itsdaringmethodofexplanation,ortheendless

fertilityofitsideas.IhaveneverseenanyotherworkontheGitawithsuchanimportantvoiceand

style....Itwilloccupyasignificantplaceintheintellectualandethicallifeofmodernmanforalong

timetocome."

Dr.

Shaligram

Shukla

Professor

of

Linguistics,

Georgetown

University

"IcansaythatintheBhagavadGitaAsItIsIhavefoundexplanationsandanswerstoquestionsIhad

alwaysposed regardingthe interpretationsof thissacredwork,whosespiritualdiscipline Igreatly

admire.IftheasceticismandidealoftheapostleswhichformthemessageoftheBhagavadGitaasIt

Isweremorewidespreadandmorerespected,theworldinwhichwelivewouldbetransformedinto

abetter,morefraternalplace."

Dr.PaulLesourd,AuthorProfesseurHonoraire,CatholicUniversityofParis

"When I read theBhagavadGitaand reflectabouthowGodcreated thisuniverseeverythingelse

seems

so

superfluous."

AlbertEinstein

"Whendoubtshauntme,whendisappointmentsstaremeintheface,andIseenotonerayofhope

onthehorizon,IturntoBhagavadGitaandfindaversetocomfortme;andIimmediatelybeginto

smileinthemidstofoverwhelmingsorrow.ThosewhomeditateontheGitawillderivefreshjoyand

newmeaningsfromiteveryday."

MahatmaGandhi

"InthemorningIbathemyintellectinthestupendousandcosmogonalphilosophyoftheBhagavad

Gita,incomparisonwithwhichourmodernworldanditsliteratureseempunyandtrivial."


13/15

HenryDavidThoreau

"TheBhagavadGitahasaprofoundinfluenceonthespiritofmankindbyitsdevotiontoGodwhich

ismanifestedbyactions."

Dr.AlbertSchweitzer

"TheBhagavadGitaisatruescriptureofthehumanracealivingcreationratherthanabook,witha

newmessageforeveryageandanewmeaningforeverycivilization."

SriAurobindo

"Theideathatmanislikeuntoaninvertedtreeseemstohavebeencurrentinbygoneages.Thelink

withVedicconceptions isprovidedbyPlatoinhisTimaeus inwhichitstates 'beholdwearenotan

earthlybutaheavenlyplant.'ThiscorrelationcanbediscernedbywhatKrishnaexpressesinchapter

15of

Bhagavad

Gita."

CarlJung

"TheBhagavadGitadealsessentiallywiththespiritualfoundationofhumanexistence.Itisacallof

actiontomeettheobligationsanddutiesoflife;yetkeepinginviewthespiritualnatureandgrander

purposeoftheuniverse."

PrimeMinisterNehru

"Themarvel of theBhagavadGita is its truly beautiful revelation of life'swisdomwhich enables

philosophy

to

blossom

into

religion."

HermanHesse

"Iowedamagnificentday to theBhagavadGita. Itwas the firstofbooks; itwasas ifanempire

spoketous,nothingsmallorunworthy,butlarge,serene,consistent,thevoiceofanoldintelligence

which inanotherageand climatehadponderedand thusdisposedof the samequestionswhich

exerciseus."

RalphWaldoEmerson

"In

order

to

approach

a

creation

as

sublime

as

the

Bhagavad

Gita

with

full

understanding

it

is

necessarytoattuneoursoultoit."

RudolphSteiner

"Fromaclearknowledgeof theBhagavadGitaall thegoalsofhumanexistencebecome fulfilled.

BhagavadGitaisthemanifestquintessenceofalltheteachingsoftheVedicscriptures."

AdiShankara

"TheBhagavadGita is themost systematic statementof spiritualevolutionofendowing value to

mankind. It isoneof themost clearand comprehensive summariesofperennialphilosophyever

revealed;henceitsenduringvalueissubjectnotonlytoIndiabuttoallofhumanity."


14/15

AldousHuxley

"TheBhagavadGitawasspokenbyLordKrishnatorevealthescienceofdevotiontoGodwhich is

theessenceofallspiritualknowledge.TheSupremeLordKrishna'sprimarypurposefordescending

andincarnatingistorelievetheworldofanydemoniacandnegative,undesirableinfluencesthatare

opposedto

spiritual

development,

yet

simultaneously

it

is

His

incomparable

intention

to

be

perpetuallywithinreachofallhumanity."

Ramanuja

TheBhagavadGitaisnotseparatefromtheVaishnavaphilosophyandtheSrimadBhagavatamfully

revealsthetrue importofthisdoctrinewhich istransmigrationofthesoul.Onperusalofthefirst

chapter of BhagavadGita onemay think that they are advised to engage inwarfare.When the

second chapter has been read it can be clearly understood that knowledge and the soul is the

ultimategoaltobeattained.Onstudyingthethirdchapteritisapparentthatactsofrighteousness

arealsoofhighpriority.IfwecontinueandpatientlytakethetimetocompletetheBhagavadGita

andtry

to

ascertain

the

truth

of

its

closing

chapter

we

can

see

that

the

ultimate

conclusion

is

to

relinquishalltheconceptualizedideasofreligionwhichwepossessandfullysurrenderdirectlyunto

theSupremeLord.

BhaktisiddhantaSaraswati

"TheMahabharatahasall theessential ingredientsnecessarytoevolveandprotecthumanityand

thatwithin ittheBhagavadGita istheepitomeoftheMahabharatajustasghee istheessenceof

milkandpollenistheessenceofflowers."

Madhvacarya

Yogahastwodifferentmeanings ageneralmeaningandatechnicalmeaning.Thegeneralmeaning

is thejoining togetherorunionof any twoormore things. The technicalmeaning is "a stateof

stabilityandpeaceandthemeansorpracticeswhichleadtothatstate."TheBhagavadGitausesthe

wordwithbothmeanings.LordKrishnaisrealYogiwhocanmaintainapeacefulmindinthemidstof

anycrisis."

MataAmritanandamayiDevi.

Karma, Bhakti, and Jnana are but three paths to this end. And common to all the three is

renunciation.Renouncethedesires,evenofgoingtoheaven,foreverydesirerelatedwithbodyand

mind

creates

bondage.

Our

focus

of

action

is

neither

to

save

the

humanity

nor

to

engage

in

social

reforms,nottoseekpersonalgains,buttorealizetheindwellingSelfitself.

SwamiVivekananda(England,London;189596)

"Sciencedescribes the structuresandprocesses;philosophyattemptsat theirexplanation.When

suchaperfectcombinationofbothscienceandphilosophy issungtoperfectionthatKrishnawas,

wehaveinthispieceofworkanappealbothtotheheadandheart."

SwamiChinmayanandonGita

Iseek thatDivineKnowledgebyknowingwhichnothing remains tobeknown!'Forsuchaperson

knowledgeandignorancehasonlyonemeaning:HaveyouknowledgeofGod?Ifyes,youaJnani!If


15/15

not,youareignorant.Assaid intheGita,chapterXIII/11,knowledgeofSelf,observingeverywhere

theobjectoftrueKnowledge i.e.God,allthis isdeclaredtobetrueKnowledge (wisdom);what is

contrarytothisisignorance."

SriRamakrishna

MaharishicallstheBhagavadGitatheessenceofVedicLiteratureandacompleteguidetopractical

life.Itprovides"allthat isneededtoraisetheconsciousnessofmantothehighestpossible level."

Maharishi reveals the deep, universal truths of life that speak to the needs and aspirations of

everyone.

MaharishiMaheshYogi

TheGitawaspreachedasapreparatorylessonforlivingworldlylifewithaneyetoRelease,Nirvana.

My last prayer to everyone, therefore, is that one should not fail to thoroughlyunderstand this

ancientscienceofworldlylifeasearlyaspossibleinone'slife.

LokmanyaTilak

Ibelievethatinallthelivinglanguagesoftheworld,thereisnobooksofulloftrueknowledge,and

yetsohandy. It teachesselfcontrol,austerity,nonviolence,compassion,obedience tothecallof

duty for the sake of duty, and putting up a fight against unrighteousness (Adharma). To my

knowledge, there is no book in thewhole range of theworld's literature as high above as the

BhagavadGita,whichisthetreasurehouseofDharmanoronlyfortheHindusbutfoeallmankind.

M.M.Malaviya

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