Preface (to the Fourth English Edition)

This edition of Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā is a translation of the Hindi edition presented by of our most beloved Śrīla Gurudeva, nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa oṃ viṣṇupāda aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja. It contains a translation of the Sārārtha-varṣiṇī-tīka (commentary that is a shower of essential meanings), which was composed by the eminent Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava ācārya Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura. That commentary is further elucidated by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja in his own purport, the Sārārtha-varṣiṇī Prakāśikā-vṛtti (that which illuminates Sārārtha-varṣiṇī). He often concludes his exposition with excerpts from the charming commentary of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura named Rasika-rañjana (that which gives joy to those expert in relishing transcendental mellows).

During his manifest pastimes in this world, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, the speaker of the Gītā, demonstrated in His life and precepts the very pinnacle of devotion, which naturally comprises the zenith of the Gītā’s teachings. Because Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura is Śrīman Mahāprabhu’s intimate devotee, he is qualified to reveal the deeper imports of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s message therein. To give the reader insight into the intricacy, depth and beauty of the conversation between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, Śrīla Cakravartī Ṭhākura has employed the traditional style of pūrva-pakṣa, meaning ‘objection and resolution of doubt’, which creates a continuous flow of questions and answers, thus linking all of the Gītā’s verses like jewels strung on a necklace. His purports therefore possess the uniqueness of revealing Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s inner intention in instructing Arjuna. And they also reveal the doubts that arose in the mind of Arjuna that prompted his questions. The reader is therefore privy to the intimacy of their conversation and is more able to comprehend the reason for the succession of verses.

Moreover, in his commentary, Śrīla Cakravartī Ṭhākura has revealed that the very essence of Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā is the four seed verses known as catuh-śloki-gītā (Gītā 10.8–11). He explains that within these four verses, Śrī Kṛṣṇa bestows bhakti-yoga characterized by spontaneous devotion, which is His exceptional grace upon the living entities. This essence also flows throughout the Gītā’s other key verses. It would not be possible to discern this without his guidance or the revelation of esteemed Gauḍīya commentators like him.

Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s dedication to disseminating the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His intimate followers such as Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura is unsurpassed. His renowned and endearing speciality (vaiśiṣṭya) is his inherent firmness in the most refined Gauḍīya conceptions in the line of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, which signifies his perfect alignment with his noble preceptors. It is not possible for him to leave such conceptions for a fraction of a moment, and therefore, it follows that they suffuse all of his Gītā purports.

This edition has only come about by the causeless mercy of Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja and Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura. Only if they are pleased will we deem our efforts a success. We humbly beg our respected readers to overlook any errors and be patient with any shortcomings in our endeavour to present the words of such illustrious Vaiṣṇava ācāryas.

Aspiring to serve Śrī Guru and the Vaiṣṇavas

The Publishing Team
Pāṇḍava Nirjala Ekādaśī (29 May 2015)