The Message of the Gita

by Mahatma Gandhi

The Gita is not an aphoristic work; it is a great religious poem. The deeper you dive into it, the richer the meanings you get. It being meant for the people at large, there is pleasing repetition. With every age the important words will carry new and expanding meanings. But its central teaching will never vary. The seeker is at liberty to extract from this treasure any meaning he likes so as to enable him to enforce in his life the central teaching.

Genres: Religion

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.

The son of a senior government official, Gandhi was born and raised in a Hindu Bania community in coastal Gujarat, and trained in law in London. Gandhi became famous by fighting for the civil rights of Muslim and Hindu Indians in South Africa, using new techniques of non-violent civil disobedience that he developed. Returning to India in 1915, he set about organizing peasants to protest excessive land-taxes. A lifelong opponent of "communalism" (i.e. basing politics on religion) he reached out widely to all religious groups. He became a leader of Muslims protesting the declining status of the Caliphate. Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, increasing economic self-reliance, and above all for achieving Swaraj—the independence of India from British domination. His spiritual teacher was the Jain philosopher/poet Shrimad Rajchandra.

Reviews

[Anudeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words I took from this book about Gita:


"BY desireless actions; by renouncing the fruits of action; by deciding all activities to God:

By surrounding oneself to him, our body and soul"


"A Devotee hates no one; bears no grudge against anyone; befriends all creatures; is merciful to everyone. Eliminates all attachments, for him grief and happiness are one. Hungers for forgiveness from the world for his own faults. Causes no trouble or fears. He who has no desires is pure, skilful and wise."


In peace and silence , contented with whatever may come his way, he lives inwardly as if alone, and always remain calm no matter what maybe going on around him. One who believes in this manner, full of faith, is 'My beloved devotee'. 

Through meditation or bhakti yoga how one can become a dear devotee to Shri Krishna is understood. 


I felt good reading it on Janmashtami, because Gandhiji summarized some key aspects about why Gita is always his comforter when he was in deep sorrow

[SHVETAL · Rating 3 out of 5]

A contextual and personal commentary on the Bhagwat Gita by Gandhiji. It definitely talks about certain aspects of the spiritual gospel that are conflicting to the message it preaches.

Thus, reiterates the fact that literature can have its own relevant interpretations. Certain facts are also food for thought regarding its reach among youth, it being a book of reference in weak moments and the irony that it promotes peace and righteousness with the protagonist being encouraged for war.

[Udit Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is interesting to read this one particular work. Mahatma tries to bring out the essence of the gita through his interpretation. He considers the battles which happened not as direct reference but rather refer to those battles as they are happening inside human. The battles are with respect to sacred vs profane, good vs bad etc.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful listening 🎶🔰

I purchased this novella because it was free. In listening to it has lots of things to live by. I would recommend this novella to readers looking for direction. Enjoy the adventure of reading all kinds of different types of novels 👍🔰 and books 📚. 2022 ⏰😇

[David Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would rate this book with more than five stars if I could, for although not in the beginning, this book explains not only Vegeta but Hinduism to someone who is not a member of the religion. Gandhi, in his life, studied many religions, so he is a great God to explain his native religion in a simple manner.

[Neer Varshney · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a rather short book with a collection of some of Gandhi's speeches and essays on Gita.

This book doesn't offer any explanations of the verses of Bhagwad Gita, and isn't a detailed commentary either. What it offers is Gandhi's personal view on the true message behind the Gita and the purpose of the sermon given to Arjuna by Krishna.

It is interesting because the general interpretation of the Gita is that it promotes righteous violence, but not if you ask Gandhi. For him, it is all an allegory for the battle we fight everyday within. Worth a read. :)

[Ellena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Spiritual Book

I'm Christian Orthodox and I've read the book with an open heart and mind.
I've learned what i needed for the moment and I'm sure there's much for me to learn. When the time comes I'll go back to reading this book with pleasure.