The title of this blogpost may look a bit awkward. One might ask what sort of a quesiton is this ? One would read a book with the help of his eyes and mouth !

Well, that is not what i meant. What i meant is ... what is the approach one should adopt ... when one has set out to read the Sacred Book of Hindus ... Bhagawad Gita. Should one act like he is very studious and religious. When he takes this book into his room ... and his mom/dad sees him doing so ... should he/she act like he has become very religious ? ... Should he apply kumkum one his forehead and put one flower on his ear ... to "show off" that he has really become very religious ?

I would say all of this is just "Showing Off" or "Dhikhava" ...

I have no doubt about the fact that Bhagawat Gita is the most Sacred Book. The sacredness of the book is not because of the quality or type of the material that is used to make this wonderful book. It is sacred because of the "words and letters" contained therein ... which are the words of Shri Krishna ... and since it is a wealth of knowledge ... on the nature of universe, god, living beings, human behaviour, spirituatlity, etc ... it is a must read for all the Hindus ... atleast once in their lifetime ... irrespective of their caste status, rich or poor, etc, ...

And also since it is the eternal truth that is there in Bhagawad Gita ... there are no surprises that many religious departments of foreign universities have recognized this fact ... and have their own dedicated tables to do research on the teachings of Bhagawat Gita.

Now ... when one starts to read this Bhagawat Gita ... he may think it would be insane to straightly come to a conclusion about its sacredness. Sure, many people think that it is a Sacred Book. But, one might ask why should he/she believe that its a Sacred Book, just because others are telling him/her.

This is wonderful question ... and that is what curiosity is all about ... and one should ask this quetion to himself/herself ... if one is asking this question, then he is on the right track ! ... and this is the stepping stone for one to get the huge quantities of nectar that is hidden in Bhagawat Gita.

And while reading it ... there are questions like since i dont know Sanskrit ... the language in which it is written ... i may not understand it ...

One has to realise ... that Sanskrit is just a language ... a medium of instruction, speaking and writing. And during those days ... Sanskrit was the only Medium through which one could express themselves ... So, Bhagawad Gita is in Sanskrit.

But, we are fortunate ... since we have many editions of Bhagawat Gita, which is in all the languages of the world. I would say, "Bhagawad Gita As it is" from ISKON temple, is the best way to understand the words of Shri Krishna. Its because it is the exact meaning of the words in Sanskrit, without any running commentary, which often deviates from the intent with which it is to be understood.

And by the way, stress should be given to "understand" the words of Shri Krishna ... not he language in which he has spoken, that is Sanskrit ... but if anybody is really interested in Sanskrit, then he SHOULD learn that language, as it it the language spoken by Gods !

Now, whether i understand Bhagawad Gita in Sanskrit or English, the meanings of words of Shri Krishna is going to be the same ... the meanings will not change, with change in language of the book ! ... does it ?

When i start to read this book ... i read it as if i am reading a fiction novel of Jeffery Archer or Robert Ludlum. Or, i am reading this book as if i am reading my Biology or Physics text in my 12th standard.

One has to read this book, as if he is reading some fiction novel. But, it was an enjoyable read for me. I used to skip the "Shlokas" part in sanskrit and just read the "English" translation that was there in the book ... "Bhagawad Gita As it is".

But, having claimed that i have read the book, i dont claim that i have understood all of the book ... it is really an OCEAN to understand !

But, as one "Grows up" ... and interacts with people, enjoys the pleasures life has got to offer ... suffer the miseries that life has got to offer ... observes the lives of others peoples ... observes the behaviour of other living beings ... he is bound to realise the "Eternal Truth" that is contained in this book.

This "growing up" is just a process ... and one will never completely be successful in getting all the knowledge of eternal truth ... it is a continuous process ... but, when one realises this truth ... then he/she is on the right track !

Sure, it is not right to force people to read this book. When one doesnt know what sort of nectar it contains ... and is just not willing ... then why should he/she be forced to read this book ?

But having said that ... remember when you were small, and were lying on your bed with fever, then your mother forcefully made you to drink that small "Kadvi Tonic medicine" ... then after that night you are again on your toes ... playing in mud in your garden !

Reading this book Bhagawad Gita is just like this ... "Kadvi Tonic Medicine" ... Medicine of LIFE ... Knowledge of Eternal Truth ... You read once, and you can be rest assured that the "Hand of Shri Krishna" will always be on your head. You will get the wisdom to "enjoy the miseries that life has install for you" ! ... and this is just one of the way to get Krishna Consciousness.

And surely ... a time will come ... when you will no longer consider it like just a fiction novel ... but "it will get your respects" and you will consider it Sacred !

Vamsi Krishna Karra.