The Glory of the Gita:
The magnificence of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is indescribable and boundless, and it is impossible to fully articulate it. It is considered not only the most excellent, renowned, and complete religious scripture of India but also of the entire world. Especially in today’s democratic society, the ideal presented for mankind in this great scripture is invaluable and unmatched. In this, Lord Krishna does not appear as a strict teacher, tyrannical emperor, or mighty ruler, but as a compassionate friend to humanity. It is clearly stated that the wisdom imparted to Arjuna by Lord Krishna was given out of true friendship. The relationship between Arjuna and Lord Krishna was an ideal union of the soul and the Supreme Soul (man and Narayan). The Gita is a high-level teaching given by the Supreme Soul to the individual soul, and therefore, it serves as an excellent message for all of humanity. This great sacred text contains 700 verses, divided into 18 chapters, encompassing the essence of the 4 Vedas, 108 Upanishads, 6 Shastras, 18 Puranas, and all the Smritis. The essence of the original is always more valuable, beneficial, rare, and useful in practical life, just as the extract (attar) of flowers is more precious than the flowers themselves. In this way, the Gita holds a higher position in terms of knowledge than all the Vedas and Shastras because while the four Vedas are considered the word of Brahma (spoken from the mouth of Brahma), the Gita was directly spoken by Lord Krishna from His own holy lips. There is nothing related to the four pursuits of life righteousness (dharma), wealth (artha), pleasure (kama), and liberation (moksha)—that is mentioned in the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas but not included and well-explained in the Gita. The exalted position of the Gita is emphasized by Lord Krishna Himself in the concluding verses, where He says: “One who, with supreme devotion to Me, teaches this most secretive scripture of the Gita to My devotees, will surely come to Me. There is no doubt about it. Among humans, no one does a more pleasing service to Me than they do, and no one on earth will ever be dearer to Me than them in the future. The man who studies this sacred dialogue of ours, the Gita, will also worship Me through Intelligence (sacrifice of knowledge). This is My conviction. Whoever hears this Gita with faith and without fault-finding, will also be freed from sin and attain the auspicious realms reserved for those who perform virtuous deeds.” Today, the glory of the Bhagavad Gita is recognized and acknowledged by all countries and religions around the world. There is hardly a country today where this sacred text has not been translated into their language and where it is not studied with reverence. In fact, in some Western countries such as America, Russia, Germany, France, and England, the teachings of the Gita are received with even more dedication and respect than in India. They have particularly integrated its principles into practical life. Renowned thinkers and philosophers worldwide have praised the Gita. William von Humboldt has said, “The Gita is the most beautiful, true, and excellent song of wisdom in all languages of the world.” The famous scientist Aldous Huxley stated, “The Gita is an immortal book and the finest, clearest, and most comprehensive essence of spiritual knowledge.” Maharishi Aurobindo Ghosh described the Gita as “the highest light of Indian civilization and knowledge.” For Lokmanya Tilak, “The Gita is the brightest and most precious diamond.” Mahatma Gandhi always considered the Gita as his guiding mother, fulfilling the role of his earthly mother. Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya said, “The Gita is the essence of wisdom and deep knowledge.”
The Need to Study and Teach the Gita:
By reading, listening to, contemplating, and following the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, one can attain the ultimate goal of life, which is the supreme state (Param Pad). It provides relief from life’s anxieties, difficulties, and despair. Yogis, sages, and ascetics have all become fulfilled by drinking the nectar of the Gita and have made their human lives successful. Although the Gita was revealed in India, as mentioned earlier, its teachings are for the entire world. It is not only beneficial for the Hindu religion but for all humanity, and will continue to be so. It is equally beneficial for all people, high or low, no matter where they are. Even ordinary individuals or those in power, when faced with the world’s most difficult situations, will surely find enlightenment if they turn to the Gita. It is unfortunate that despite having such a beautiful and completely sacred scripture, we still feel sorrowful, weak, and abandoned today. This is only because we have forgotten this invaluable scripture and have not utilized the wisdom it offers, even though we know that the high teachings of the Gita are capable of making us immortal and invincible. Just as a father gives everything he has to his children, similarly, a guru gives his spiritual wealth to his worthy disciples so that they may attain supreme happiness. Lord Krishna also gave His supreme divine knowledge to His beloved devotee Arjuna, so that not only Arjuna but also others could benefit from it, as He is the father and guru of all. Even a single or half verse of the Bhagavad Gita can awaken a soul, just as a dried tree can become green again. If there is any remedy that can awaken a dormant heart, it is the knowledge of the Gita. Through this wisdom, a person can become aware and achieve success in both worldly life and spiritual pursuits. By giving Arjuna the wisdom of the Gita, Lord Krishna removed his delusion and ignorance. A person must act according to righteousness and duty, but while doing so, they should have faith that the result of their efforts is in the hands of the Supreme Being. Whatever happens according to His will is for our good and welfare, as Lord is just and compassionate, and only desires the well-being of all creatures, never their harm. It must also be remembered that all the strength to perform actions is given by Lord, without whom we cannot do anything at all.
Different Paths Mentioned in the Gita for a Happy and Successful Life:
As mentioned earlier, the knowledge imparted by the Gita is highly relevant for all people in the world today. Without this knowledge, they cannot take steps toward selfless service and spiritual pursuits. Practically speaking, faith in this wisdom is essential; without it, one will neither achieve success nor happiness. For those who worship the Saguna (with form) or Nirguna (formless) Brahman, the teachings of the Gita are invaluable for acquiring knowledge and wisdom, as well as for both practical and spiritual activities. The Gita provides clear guidance for all, offering beautiful methods to stabilize the mind for attaining yoga. It is completely incorrect to think that Lord Krishna imparted this knowledge to Arjuna solely for fighting the battle of the Mahabharata or that His teachings were merely promoting violence. If that were the case, the Gita would not inspire and awaken people in every era and situation to perform their duties. Arjuna was neither a warmonger nor an advocate of violence. He was not against the idea of fighting a just war but was conflicted due to his attachment to friends and relatives and was opposed to killing them in battle. Lord Krishna clarified that Arjuna’s confusion stemmed from making distinctions between his kin and others, which leads to spiritual downfall and is the root of injustice in society. The teachings of the Gita, being the complete science of Brahman (Supreme Reality), show the correct path to every individual. We must study this priceless scripture with caution and complete devotion. Only through careful study and slow reflection can we truly understand the deep mysteries of its teachings. In the 12th chapter of the Gita, all paths are laid out for those who desire unwavering devotion, while the 11th chapter is particularly for those who seek the vision of the cosmic form. The first six chapters of the Gita explain karma (action), showing that performing the duties prescribed in the Vedas with a pure heart, free from ego and attachment, and without desire for personal gain, leads one to the path of ultimate spiritual attainment, bringing them closer to the Lord. The next six chapters focus on renunciation and devotion or worship, and the final six chapters are about self-knowledge, where this kind of knowledge is explained in detail. In this way, the entire wisdom of the Vedic scriptures is fully and clearly expressed in these 18 chapters. The Vedas also elaborate on three primary aspects: karma (action), upasana (worship), and jnana (knowledge). According to Vedic teachings, one must perform good deeds, avoid bad actions, and gain knowledge of the self and recognize one’s true nature. Different scholars interpret the Gita according to their own knowledge and understanding. Some emphasize the principle of karma, others focus on devotion (bhakti), while some center on knowledge (jnana). However, this text fully incorporates and explains all three aspects, as different individuals, based on their nature, intellect, and abilities, require different approaches. The Gita addresses the entire structure of the world, offering more than just a single form of instruction. The Gita clearly states that considering practical life and spiritual life as separate is sheer foolishness. The person whose practical life—including eating, drinking, sleeping, and waking—is in harmony with divine and virtuous principles will also succeed in spiritual life.
The Birth of This Gita Commentary by Our Guru:
Satguru Swami Saint Gyani Muni Giridhari Lal Malhotra (Bahawalpuri) gave daily discourses on each verse of the Gita in Hindi for six years in Karachi before the formation of Pakistan. During that time, Guruji explained the entire story of the Gita with examples from the Puranas and other scriptures, as well as from the Guru Granth Sahib, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the sayings of devotees, saints, and poets. Thousands of people listened to his commentary on the Gita in Karachi. After the creation of Pakistan, Swamiji came to Delhi, where he left his physical body and departed for the supreme abode on April 3, 1962. It was Swamiji’s wish that, in any way possible, this Gita commentary should at least be published in Sindhi, as Swamiji believed that Sindhis were also devoted and worthy of receiving the teachings of the Gita.
The Scholar and Preacher of the Commentary:
Saint Gyani Muni Swamiji was a great scholar of Sanskrit. He was not only fully knowledgeable in the Gita, Upanishads, and Puranas, but he also gave such high-level interpretations of each verse that prominent Mandaleshwars (spiritual leaders) and Mahatmas praised him and accepted his explanations wholeheartedly. Many times, he was invited to speak at gatherings of great scholars, where everyone who heard and understood his explanations was deeply moved. At that time, many such gatherings were held in Karachi, and I had the good fortune to sit with Swamiji at those occasions. The way the Gita was explained in those sessions was not to showcase erudition but rather to simplify and clarify the teachings of Lord Krishna so that they would ignite feelings of devotion, love, and faith in ordinary people. The purpose was to help each person attain the Lord’s grace and fulfill their human birth. Therefore, this commentary should be read from that perspective, not as a display of scholarship.
Although Swamiji had lost his eyesight as a child due to smallpox, he had memorized not only all 700 verses of the Gita and several Upanishads but also had deep knowledge of the Guru Granth Sahib. He had memorized many of the Guru’s teachings and could easily explain when, where, and how each verse or word from the Guru Granth Sahib was uttered. Even renowned Sikh scholars would often come to him to ask about the origin of specific words, and they would leave extremely pleased after listening to his explanations. He also explained the difficult language of Guru Gobind Singh’s “Dasam Granth” in a very simple manner. Swamiji had conducted daily discourses for many years, and the same themes that appeared in the Gita came up repeatedly in his examples, proofs, and poems. Due to the length of this book, some of those examples have not been included a second time. However, where clarity was needed, a few of them have been repeated.
The Method of Explaining Gita’s Knowledge:
Guruji’s commentary on the Sanskrit verses, difficult sentences, and words, which spanned nearly 4,000 letters, was an enormous and challenging task to publish in its original form, so it was condensed. Nevertheless, an effort was made to include all the necessary examples, proofs, verses, quotes from saints, ancient scriptures, and even modern principles to make this commentary engaging, interesting, and appealing, so it would not be considered dry. The goal is to awaken the desire to read and understand the Gita, even among those who may not have much interest, and to create attachment and devotion in those who lack love for the Gita. Such a beautiful commentary on the Gita has never been seen in any other religious literature.
Finally, a Few Words:
It would not be inappropriate to share a few words about myself, the humble servant. The patience and effort required for this great task were supported by many well-wishers and helpers. I was able to write down Satguru Swamiji’s teachings and discourses clearly and simply because, before joining government service in Sindh in 1927, I had worked for six years in the editorial department of Karachi’s renowned English national daily newspaper ‘New Times’. I spent one and a half years as a reporter, four years as an assistant editor, and the last six months as the editor. During that time, I reported on the work of municipal meetings, speeches by prominent leaders, and various meetings and gatherings, writing complete reports as a representative of the newspaper. With this experience, I was able to accurately write down Swamiji’s teachings and prepare this book. I was born in Bhiriya, a famous literary village in Sindh, and was raised in the company of the renowned Udasi saint Baba Hariram Sahib, saint-devotee Vadhuram Sahib, and scholar-reformer Diwan Kawadomal Chandanmal Khilnani. With the grace of God and the blessings of elders, I was inspired to brighten and uplift my social and religious life. I cannot describe the impact Satguru Swamiji’s “Gita Gyan” had on my personality and character. Finally, I hope that those who have even the slightest desire to walk the spiritual path will welcome this priceless Gita commentary with love and devotion and will greatly benefit from it. If that happens, I will consider the effort of my life to have been successful. May the blessings of the Lord, the Supreme Being, and Satguru Swamiji continue to shower upon this humble servant and all the Gita-loving readers, and may our endeavors be fulfilled.