Bhupender Yadav writes on Gita Press: Mahatma Gandhi would have been happy at the award it has received

Bhupender Yadav writes: Gandhi appreciated the work done by the Gita Press

The Press has won the award for its “outstanding contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods”. Instituted by the government in 1995, the Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award envisioned as a tribute to the ideals espoused by Gandhi.

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

The power of ideas and thoughts is so profound that it is hard to measure. It is ideas and thoughts that shape the world as they define the moral compass of societies. For the natural and positive progression of societies, the ideas that shape them and the thoughts that define them must be ethical. Ethical life alone provides a solid edifice for the cultural and civilisational evolution of human societies. Since it is the evolution of society which is at stake, it is important these ideas are discussed, debated and understood by the society’s constituents — the people.

In the early 19th century, a young man in Bengal, Jayadayal Goyandka, initiated a study circle that attempted to decipher the ideas and thoughts propounded by Bhagavad Gita. A trader by profession and a family man, Goyandka was driven by the desire to not just understand the essence of Gita but take it to the masses. He soon found an ally in Hanuman Prasad Poddar and together the two embarked on a journey that sparked a social, political and philosophical transformation of Indian society. In 1923, this endeavour found a formal launch in the setting up of the Gita Press. Over the next 100 years, the press, which started with Jayadayal’s simple desire to have an authentic and error-free translation of the Gita, transformed into a selfless movement.

Gita Press ensured unhindered access to authentic translations of books that carried not mere philosophies but awakenings, and that presented not just vision but acted as an inspiration for conscious action, across north India. There is no philosophical issue concerning the Sanatan Kaal of India that cannot be found among the publications of Gita Press. These were published not for academics or researchers but for the masses. This is the most striking contribution of Gita Press because a society can be constructive and progressive only when it can build a good, ethical individual.

Gandhi Peace Prize for Gita Press | With its objections, Congress shows antipathy to all things Hindu

As a child, I noticed a range of books at my ancestral house in Haryana that were part of the collections of my grandfather and great-grandfather. This was no aberration because books from Gita Press had become an indistinguishable feature of every household. None of these books sought to preach. They only introduced readers to a knowledge pool whose existence would have been forgotten had it not been for Gita Press.

The institution made available millions of copies of the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Durga Saptashati, Puranas,

Upanishads, and Bhakta-Gathas, apart from Gita and Ramcharitmanas in Sanskrit, Hindi, English, Gujarati, Tamil, Marathi, Bangla, Oriya, Telugu, Kannada, and other Indian regional languages. Since the press was never set for profiteering, the masses found the books easily affordable and accessible.

For over a century of Gita Press’ transformational work, it was accorded the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021. The Press has won the award for its “outstanding contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods”. Instituted by the government in 1995, the Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award envisioned as a tribute to the ideals espoused by Gandhi.

In Political Pulse | Gita Press row: Meet the former winners of Gandhi Peace Prize

Had Mahatma Gandhi lived to see the day, he couldn’t have been happier and prouder. Gandhi appreciated the work done by Gita Press. He and Poddar shared a bond of friendship. Gandhi, in fact, was a contributor to the first issue of Kalyan, Gita Press’ flagship monthly magazine, published in August 1926. The other key contributors to Kalyan were Madan Mohan Malaviya, Rajendra Prasad, Rabindranath Tagore and Rama Tirath. Even Premchand wrote for Kalyan. In fact, in a letter to Poddar, Gandhi wrote that the work done by Gita Press and Kalyan “is a great service to God”.

There is hardly anyone who would doubt that when it came to adopting Gita’s messages and teachings in life, nobody can come close to Gandhi. No other book or scripture influenced Gandhi, shaped his character, and transformed his life as profoundly as the Gita. Gandhi believed the Gita’s message is not addressed to any particular religion or sect.

Akshaya Mukul writes | Gita Press founders and Gandhi – a relationship turned sour

It is a universal message of Dharma and it is this universality of approach which makes the Gita a scripture for all.

In Shrimad Bhagwad Gita Rahasya, Bal Gangadhar Tilak wrote the subject matter of the Gita is karma yoga, which encourages the dedication of all work as an offering, with no desire for personal reward. Jayadayal and Poddar took it upon themselves to take Gita’s message to all as a form of karma yoga. Both had no intention of profiteering. This philosophy continues to guide Gita Press. For Jayadayal and Poddar, Gita Press was an offering, which India continues to benefit from decades after the duo passed away.

Gita Press lives as a testimony to the power of Indic thoughts and philosophies. The popularity of its books among the masses is a reassurance that we remain on the path of dharma as constituents of an ethical society.

Indic wisdom holds the key to many of our maladies. Gita Press over the course of 100 years has helped keep Indian society at peace by keeping us in touch with the eternal truth. May this movement grow from strength to strength.

Bhupender Yadav writes on Gita Press: Mahatma Gandhi would have been happy at the award it has received

Bhupender Yadav writes: Gandhi appreciated the work done by the Gita Press

40 Years Ago

EXPRESS OPINION

Best of Express

Must Read

More Explained

Jun 21: Latest News