Introduction (conclusion)

The present [Hindi] edition of Bhagavad-gītā includes the following features: the original devanāgarī verse, the transliteration, the anvaya (word-for-word), the verse translation, Śrīla Cakravartī Ṭhākura’s Sārārtha-varṣiṇī commentary, its bhāvānuvāda (a translation that takes into consideration specific subtleties) and the Sārārtha-varṣiṇī Prakāśikā-vṛtti, which has been written by this poor and lowly servant.

The Sārārtha-varṣiṇī commentary is not simple or easy to understand, unless one has some knowledge of Sanskrit. I have written Sārārtha-varṣiṇī Prakāśikā-vṛtti in line with the thoughts of the Śrī Rupānuga Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava ācāryas in order to make Śrīla Cakravartī Ṭhākura’s Sārārtha-varṣiṇī commentary simpler and easier to understand. May the merciful readers forgive me for my impudent act.

My worshipful Godbrother, parivrājakācārya Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Vāmana Mahārāja, is the present ācārya and president of Śrī Gauḍīya Vedānta Samiti, and he is a dear and intimate servant of Śrī Gurupāda-padma. He is very attached to the topmost knowledge (bhakti). By his mercy, he has repeatedly encouraged and directed this worthless servant to fulfil the innermost intentions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s associates by publishing a natural, easy and comprehensive edition of Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā, along with the commentaries of Śrīla Cakravartī Ṭhākura. I humbly pray at his lotus feet that he bestow his blessings upon me. In this way, I may fulfil Śrīla Gurudeva’s inner desire, offering this Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā, which includes his dear Sārārtha-varṣiṇī commentary, into his lotus hands.

I am specifically indebted to aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Viveka Bhārati Mahārāja and aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Śrī Rūpa Siddhāntī Mahārāja. Both were surrendered at the lotus feet of nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa-jagad-guru aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Prabhupāda, and they have benefitted the world unlimitedly by translating and publishing a Bengali edition of Śrīla Cakravartī Ṭhākura’s commentary and the Rasika-rañjana bhāṣya of the Seventh Gosvāmī, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. I have systematically studied this edition and have quoted some portions from it herein. I offer my prostrated obeisances at the lotus feet of these two śikṣā-gurus of mine, time and again. May they be pleased with me.

I am completely confident that readers who are hankering for bhakti will receive this book well and with all honour, and that faithful readers will enter into the realm of śuddha-bhakti after studying it. We hope that our spiritually astute readers will mercifully forgive any mistakes and discrepancies that may have occurred in the course of compiling this book in a short time, and that they will oblige us by accepting its very essence.

Finally, in a mood of distress, I pray at the lotus feet of my most worshipful śrī guru-pāda-padma, nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa oṃ viṣṇupāda aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja, who is the concentrated embodiment of Bhagavān’s compassion. May he shower profuse mercy and blessings upon me, so that this poor, lowly servant will attain increasing qualification to serve his innermost desire.

Praying for a particle of the mercy
of Śrī Hari, Guru and Vaiṣṇavas,
the humble and insignificant,

Tridaṇḍībhikṣu
Śrī Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa

Śrī Keśavajī Gauḍīya Maṭha, Mathurā
Vyāsa-pūjā of Śrī Śrī Gurupāda-padma
25 February 1997