Reflections on The Gita (A commentary on Vinoba’s talks on the Gita)

Description

Reflections On The Gita This book is dedicated to Vinoba Bhave (1895-1982) and based upon his thoughts and ideas on the Gita in talks that were given by him to fellow prisoners while serving a sentence for non-violent civil disobedience against the British Raj in 1932.

It was fortunate these talks were recorded by Sane Guruji, a fellow inmate, and later published by Vinoba in his book Talks on the Gita. Vinoba was then 37 years of age and had already worked with Mahatma Gandhi on village development, prior to India’s Independence in 1947. A man of great humility, Vinoba described his words as having been received from what were described as ‘the Great Wholesalers’, the Jagadamba and the supraphysical force which regulates all that happens in the universe.

In 1996 a visit was made to Brahma Vidya Mandir, Vinoba’s permanent home which in 1959 he had turned into an ashram, a community for learning of the ultimate reality. The sisters and brothers live there and groups of people of all ages visit this place from many parts of India.

I am grateful for the help received from Sister Jyoti Patankar and without her guidance this work would not have been possible. Acknowledgement is given for permission by Gram Seva Mandal Publication to quote some sections of the original book by Vinoba.

With his knowledge of all three main religions in the world, Christian, Hindu and Muslim, a remarkable statement of Vinobaji was his belief that a new dawn was already arising, and this will eventually lead to a combination of science and spirituality. With this, the innermost essence of all religions that is spirituality will prevail.