Gateway To The Gita

About the Book "Swami Santadas Kathiyababa, a Saint-cum-Philosopher, affiliated to Nimbarka School, has presented unique thoughts on .the characteristics of the Gita, and has shown the way how a connoisseur can enter into the magnificent edifice of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita; which is a compendium of Religion and Philosophy... Whenever a man is confronted with problems and obstacles so that his road to perfection is cleaned tries to keep away from the trials and tribulations of the ordinary world. It is necessary for him at this point of time to gather-strength, muster courage and fight the obstacles, so that his road to perfection is cleaned and his human journey continues to move ahead on the road to fulfillment. In his exposition the great Kathiyababa has cited excerpts from the Mahabharata and the Gita in support of his contention, which • is in conformity to the philosophy of Nimbarka, which considers the Absolute and the world both as real entities and projects the theory that the spirit of the universe and the spirit of the individual bear the relationship which exists between 'the whole and the part'. This, reality, is capable of being referred to as the relation of identity-cum-difference…

About the Author "Sri Debasis Bagchi, who has profound penetration into diverse systems of Philosophy, and at the same time, who is spiritually advanced to a great extent has made an English rendering of Kathiyababa's monumental work showing the Gateway to the Gita... Sri Bagchi has not only translated excerpts from the GI-a but also has made English rendering of excerpts taken from the entire Mahabharata making the thought-currents projected in these excerpts understandable to the entire world community. This was a desideratum and Indian culture is grateful to Sri Bagchi for fulfilling the long-felt want. In one sense, it is tour-de-force...."

Dr. Ramaranjan Mukherji, in the 'Foreword' Debasis Bagchi. is an initiated disciple of late Dhananjaydasji Kathiyababa (the illustrious successor of Swami Santadasji-; of the Nimbarka School of Vaisnava thought. He has already authored a concise exposition on Nimbarka Philosophy of which the Prom has been written by Dr. Dhyanesh Narayan Chakra borty and the Introduction has been written by Dr. Jeffery D. Long of Pennsylvania. His other works comprise 'Forbidden Thorns' - an anthology of poems, three volumes on Narcotic Drugs and Substance Abuse, Three Bouquets of Haiku and Mayukh - a collection of Bengali poems. He has already translated Saptasati Candi, and 'Vedanta Parijata Saurabha' - Nimbarka's commentary on the Brahmasutra in English verse.

Debasis Bagchi holds a Master's Degree in History from the Calcutta (now Kolkata) University and has knowledge of Business Administration, Law and a few foreign languages. He served the Central Bureau of Investigation, India, and was an Inspector General of Police at the time of his superannuation. Highly decorated in service, he now spends his time in various social activities. He lives in Delhi.

Foreword Dr. Ramaranjan Mukherji Ex-Chancellor, Tirupati University, Ex-Vice-Chancellor, Bardhaman University & Rabindra Bharati University; Vivekananda Professor, Ramakrishna Institute of Culture

Srimadbhagavad-Gita is regarded not only as a religious literature, but also as a guide book for future generation. Scholars, after analyzing the contents of the Gita, have come to the conclusion that it practically represents the cream of the thought-currents contained in the Upanisads. Since Gita and the Upanisads are primarily regarded as works both on Religion and Philosophy, it is necessary, at this point of time, to project connotation of the word `Dharma', which is usually translated by the English equivalent 'Religion'. This translation, however, is erroneous, inasmuch as, while Religion refers to a particular faith, consisting of certain dry rituals, `Dharma' signifies the sense of the total code of conduct, which the human being is required to adopt and practice in order to make the journey of his life successful.

The Upanisads maintain that God has gifted the human being with all the equipment necessary for human journey. The physical frame represents the Chariot, - the sense-organs constitute the steeds necessary for pulling the chariot, - the intellect represents the reins necessary to control the horses, and ultimately spiritual intelligence represents the Charioteer, who is in a position to control the human chariot. This fantastic imagery commonly known as `Ratharupaka' projects at the end the importance of spiritual intelligence and declares that the human being, who continues his human journey according to the dictates of spiritual intelligence attains fulfillment. In describing this fulfillment of human journey, the Upanisads point out to expansion, or in other words transcendence over the boundaries of truncated ego.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages