have one done by him. He could not complete it in her lifetime. He published his translation, in samashloki (the same. metre) in 1931. He called it Gitai (Mother Gita). The most important part of it is its Introduction. Vinoba says, “Gitai is like my mother. I am her child who does not know. She picks me up as and when I stumble and cry”. Vinoba’s is the most simple and direct translation of the Gita giving the full rich meaning of the original. This is Gitai, the largest selling Marathi Book to date. It was not translated into any other languages till Vinoba’s death. It is a standard text book in all his six asbrams and his students learned it in Marathi.
The second important book by Vinoba on the Gila is the Gita-Pravachane or (Talks on Gita). It has been translated into almost all the languages of India and in English. This is a very lucid and logical interpretation’ of the Gita, with remarkable Precision. It is a record of Pravachans (talks) Vinoba gave to jal mates in Dhule Jail from February 1932 to June 1932, on every Sunday. It was taken down verbatim by Sane Guruji. It has a very remarkable, directly appealing and simple style of its own. Vinoba gives here his interpretation of the Gita. The most important concept he expounds in it is akarma (non-action). That is his personal contribution. Pranav, you must read this whole book when you can. It will make a lasting impression on you. It has changed the course of many lives in India. Both Gitai and Gita Pravachane were considered as finite works and Vinoba did not change them.
Vinoba’s third book on the Gita is Gitai Shabdarth. (Literal meanings of words in the Gitai) is a compilation, where he has gone deep into the implications of many key words.
The last book on Gita is Gitai Chintanika, This is a remarkable book. It was continuously evolving. Vinoba used to create many new interpretations and ideas on the Gitai virtually every day. This was the book of a man who was continuously evolving, ever changing, yet essentially the same. From the viewpoint of the study of Vinoba as an individual this is an important book. .
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