Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Gita Rahasya

This book is the Hindi translation of Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak's classic and well-known work Srimad Bhagavad Gita - Gita Rahasya. Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856-1920), was a great patriot, philosopher, social reformer and freedom fighter who were the first popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement. The British colonial authorities infamously and derogatorily called the great leader as "Father of the Indian unrest". He was also conferred upon the honorary title of Lokmanya, which literally means "Accepted by the people (as their leader)". Tilak was one of the first and strongest advocates of "Swaraj" (self-rule) in Indian consciousness. His famous quote, "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!" is well-remembered in India even today. Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the author of this work, interprets Gita as the scripture of Karmayoga. Karmayoga is the performnce of one's duty without nurturing any desire for its fruits. According to Tilak, Gita teaches selfless action as is said in Chatper 2, Verse 48: yogasthah kuru karmaani sangam tyaktvaa dhananjaya siddhyasiddhyoh samo bhuutvaa samatvam yoga ucyate Remaining steadfast in yoga, oh Dhananjaya (Arjuna), perform actions, abandoning attachment, remaining the same to success and failure alike. This evenness of mind is called yoga. This book consists of two parts. The first part is the Gita, its translation and the commentary and the second part consists of philosophical exposition.