Bhagavd Gita Advocates War?

News report from Russia: Wednesday, 28 December 2011 PTI Russian court nixes plea seeking ban on Gita
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Please read Quote from the book “Bhagavad Gita and Hinduism, What Everyone Should Know”

BHAGAVAD GITA ADVOCATES WAR?

There are some who may agree that the war was indeed a 'Dharma-War' but may hurriedly conclude that the Bhagavad Gita advocates war. The apostle of peace, Mahatma Gandhi, who shaped his non-violent freedom struggle, could not have considered the Gita as his life-guide, if it really advocated war. The employment of non-violent struggle was unheard of until Mahatma Gandhi employed it against the British. His success has transformed the political struggles around the world ever since. Mahabharata supplies enough evidence to prove that both Pandavas and Lord Krishna did everything that could be done to avoid the war. Also from the first chapter of the Gita, it is clear that Arjun preferred not to fight; war-mongering was the last thing in their characters. They desperately wanted to avoid the war.

In his poetry Four Quartet referring to the Gita, T S Eliot has given uncannily accurate message of the Bhagavad Gita: “Without consideration towards result, just fare forward, not fare well but fare forward”. The Bhagavad Gita does not advocate the war but it advocates righteous action without caring for the consequences.

Swami Prabhupad's remark is useful to further understand: “On perusal of the first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita one may think they are advised to engage in warfare. When the second chapter has been read it can be clearly understood that knowledge and the soul are the ultimate goals to be attained. On studying the third chapter it is apparent that acts of righteousness are also of high priority. If we continue and patiently take the time to complete the Bhagavad Gita and try to ascertain the truth of its closing chapter we can see that the ultimate conclusion is to relinquish all the conceptualized ideas of religion which we possess and fully surrender directly unto the Supreme Lord.”

Further reading:  Does the Bhagavad Gita Advocate War? Is the central dilemma, to fight or not to?
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http://www.amazon.ca/Bhagavad-Gita-Hinduism-Everyone-Should/dp/9380009666

Classic Sanskrit Play "Naganand" – Written by ancient Emperor Harsha Vardhan

Naganand – Play written by ancient Emperor Harsha Vardhan; Literary Sanskrit Classic

Reread after perhaps more than fifty years. Harsha Vardhan had written many stories and plays during his lifetime until he died in 648 AD, however as of now only three of his work (Ratnavali, Priya-darshika and Naganand) have survived.

Naganand tries to propogate nonviolence and renunciation, through a love story of prince Jimutvahana and princess Malayvati and animosity between Naag-People and Garuda-People. It is a gripping story with happy ending.

It is an amazing text. Loved to reread. In its Gujarati translation, was puzzled at mention of Ostrich bird, I thought it was only on the Australian continent. In the curious wonderland, Ostrich was guiding group of blind Sanyasis (the way these days dogs are applied), Lioness allowed baby deer to suckle and so did Cows to tigers. Peace was alround with Sanyasis engaged in Yagna everywhere in that forest.

From where can one can buy the book: "Bhagavad Gita and Hinduism, What everyone Should Know"

" Bhagavad Gita and Hinduism: What Everyone should Know"
This book is available for online Purchase from following websites. (I have listed 13, but there are more. Also it is available from Book Stores:

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Mr. Ramesh Rao, Professor, Communication Studies, Longwood University.

Dr. Ramesh Nagraj Rao is Human Rights Coordinator for the Hindu American Foundation, and professor and chair, Department of Communication Studies and Theatre, Longwood University, US.He is author of several books on Hinduism, a well known columnist and literary critique.I am pleased, He has commented on my book as follows:

"The Bhagavad Gita is a uniquely Hindu contribution to the world, and
the 700 verses in this masterpiece of spiritual, practical, pragmatic,
and transcendental philosophical work have been mined by many for the
many gems it offers. There are beautiful translations of the work in
many international languages and there and thousands of commentaries
on the meaning and import of the work. Is the Kurukshetra an
allegory, or should we take it literally? What lessons can be learned
by modern individuals and organizations from Lord Krishna's advice to
Arjuna? These days many top-rung business schools use the Bhagavad
Gita to shape and toughen the intellect of its raw graduates. And
discourses on the Gita are common not just across India but wherever
Hindus reside around the world.

"So, what can any new commentary on the Bhagavad Gita provide readers?
Written for the general reader, Nilesh Shukla's compendium on the
basics of Hinduism and the Gita contains not only a commentary on the
Gita but short summaries of the views of great thinkers and scientists
on the Gita, as well as the critiques of some of those who chose to
view the Gita through colored lenses. It also provides a background
and context for some of the stereotypes prevailing in the West about
Hinduism. This is a daunting task and it is inspiring to know that
Shri. Shukla, an engineer by profession, has sought to bring his
skills and his dedication to this spiritual enterprise. May this new
compendium on the 'manual for humankind' provide the spark of inquiry
among new readers, and reaffirm the beauty and the profundity of the
Gita for those already familiar with it."

Ramesh Rao, Professor, Communication Studies, Longwood University.
Prof. Rao's website: http://www.rameshnrao.com/