A Modern Interpretation of Lokmanya Tilak's Gita Rahasya

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"The Gita itself is a complex vessel containing a vast ocean of knowledge, yet, Lokmanya Tilak was able to successfully capture and present the Gita through his work. A reader of the Gita Rahasya is able to become knowledgeable in all the scriptures.

It is nearly impossible to simplify a philosophical work without elaborating - simplicity and summary are contradictory. A summary often tends to be abstruse. To express Lokmanya's subtle and deep thoughts in today's parlance with clarity and brevity are a herculean effort.

Arun Tiwari has a combination of modern education and traditional spiritual upbringing, which he lends aptly to his writing. He is compassionate and so his words convey kindness. This is not merely a task of authorship but a devoted worship of the Gita."

"Lokmanya BalGangadhar Tilak wrote The Gita Rahasya as an extensive commentary on The Bhagavad-Gita in order to stroke a feeling of nationalism amongst Indians who were ruled by the British during those days. This book meticulously retains the structure of the original book while presenting the thoughts of Lokmanya Tilak in a language and a style that belongs to this time and day.

Arun Tiwari, through this book has proved quite brilliantly that Hinduism is a self-perpetuating religion, which shows the way of constant spiritual reinterpretation leading to life which is self-perpetuating, self-renewing and which for the individual and for the world may be eternal. Reflection and self-correction is woven into our DNA. Our freedoms reside within us."

ARUN TIWARI was born at Meerut, Uttar Pradesh in 1955. He did his Masters in Mechanical Engineering from G.B. Pant University and joined the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) at Hyderabad as missile scientist in 1982, reporting to Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

Under Dr. Kalam's tutelage, he developed India's first Titanium air bottle used in 'Trishul' and 'Akash' missiles and designed Airframes for both the missiles, developed India's first Coronary Stent known as the 'Kalam-Raju Stent' with cardiologist Dr. B. Soma Raju, set up the first link of Pan-Africa e-Network that now connects universities and hospitals across the African continent with their Indian counterparts, and finally became Dr. Kalam's co-author and spiritual pupil.

'Wings of Fire', the autobiography of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, published in 1999 and 'Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji', both co-authored with Dr. Kalam, are considered modern classics. They have been translated in to multiple Indian languages and have been read by millions of readers.

Arun Tiwari is Platinum Jubilee Mentor of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad; Director Care Foundation, Hyderabad; and teaches at the School of Management Studies in Hyderabad University as Adjunct Professor.

Sir Arnold Toynbee, one of the greatest historians of world S civilisations, observes that during the last ten thousand years, several civilisations arose in the world, reached their peaks and then waned off; but it is only the Indian civilisation that dates back to Vedic times, which presents itself as a living and vibrant civilisation even today. The main reason for this is the fact that Indian civilisation is founded on the understanding of the nature of reality and the purpose of human existence. In this sense, the Indian civilisation is the world's first truly knowledge-based civilisation which attempts to answer fundamental questions relating to human existence in the cosmic eternity and its very purpose. Who am I? What is the nature of reality that I perceive? What is the very purpose of living? Who created this world; how did it begin and how will it end? Why do I experience pleasure and pain? How do I liberate myself from this ever changing experience to realise eternal happiness? Vedas, particularly the Vedanta, literally, the essence of the Vedas, tries to answer these questions. Vedic religion or culture is based on three sacred books, the Prasthan-Trayi, the triad of Upanishads, Brahma Sutra and Bhagavad-Gita, of which Bhagavad-Gita, meaning the Divine Song, is the most popular. The Gita Rahasya, literally the Secret of the Gita, is one of the most acclaimed commentaries on the Gita which was penned by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak at the beginning of the last century.

The Bhagavad-Gita! An exceptional episode from history! A guideline which transcends time! A journey leading from the mundane, earthbound realities of life to the lofty peaks of ultimate ideals! A creation that uplifts a materialistic individual to the brahmic state- one of continuous bliss! A revelation that intertwines philosophy and life! A thought process that remains relevant from individual peace to world peace! A force that transforms despondency into happiness! A divine celebration that expels inaction and venerates rightful action! A divine doctrine that elevates menial action to the glorious heights of Karma Yoga- Union with God through Action!

'What can the Gita teach a country like China?' I was posed this question by a professor during the viva examination for my Ph.D. While introducing the Gita to the examiners, I had emphasised that the Gita transcends borders of countries and is relevant across all cultures. The question became more poignant as it was asked to a Hindu renunciate. The Professor clarified his stand by saying, "I do not give any importance to sectarian research." A couple of professors among the 20 odd examiners nodded with approval and praised the questioner by passing comments like, "Very good question!" I attempted to grasp the significance of the question as my guide looked at me with anticipation. I knew little about the Chinese civilisation, culture and mindset, however, they were awaiting my reply. I sent a silent prayer to my Guru, Pramukh Swamiji, and began to answer.

The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Rahasya (hereafter referred to as The the Gita Rahasya), which is the monumental work of of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak was first published in the year 1915 in the Marathi language followed by translations in Hindi (1917), Gujarati (1917), Kannada (1919), Telugu (1919), Tamil (1924) and finally, in English in the year 1935. The book received great recognition from internationally reputed orientalists as well as the common man of this country who were groping in the dark, and were looking towards this book for light. There is perhaps no other book that is more beautiful in terms of its work and in which, the more enlightened find greater spiritual comfort.

**Contents and Sample Pages**