- published: 13 Mar 2016
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Bhagavad-Gītā As It Is is a translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita by A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It is known amongst other translations of the Bhagavad Gita for its strong emphasis on the path of bhakti yoga above all others, in line with the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The book has been widely distributed, largely through promotion by the modern Hare Krishna movement. It was first published in 1968 by Macmillan Publishers, with an unabridged edition in 1972. It is now published by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and is available in nearly sixty languages.
For each verse, the book (in complete editions) includes the Devanagari script, a Latin transliteration, word-for-word Sanskrit-English meanings, and English translation. An extensive commentary by Prabhupada is given throughout, based on various Gaudiya Vaishnava works, including: Ramanuja Bhasya (in Sanskrit); Sarartha-varsini-tika (Sanskrit) by Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura; Gita-bhusana-tika (Sanskrit) by Baladeva Vidyabhushana; and Bhaktivinode Thakur's Bengali commentaries.
Kummanam Rajasekharan (കുമ്മനം രാജശേഖരൻ), popularly known as Rajettan, is the state general secretary of the Hindu Aikya Vedi and is a Hindu leader and a social reformer. He was born in a village Kummanam, four Kilometers away from Kottayam town of Kerala. He played a pivotal role in the historical ‘movement against Nilakkal temple land encroachment’ and ‘Paliyam Declaration’ pronounced by prominent Hindu religious scholars.In 1987, he resigned from the government and became a full-time pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, while instrumental in spearheading Kerala’s Vishva Hindu Parishad,Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti, Balasadanams, and Ekal Vidyalayas. He was instrumental in bringing together several spiritual organizations and encouraging them to work for the improvement of the Hindus. As of 2011 he holds the responsibilities of Hindu Aikya Vedi organization secretary,Sabarimala Ayyappa Sewa Samajam General Secretary and Janmabhumi daily chairman. He is known for his disarming simplicity and extraordinary oration.