The spiritual ethos and the philosophical outlook that the Bhagvad - Gita postulates paves the way for the liberation of man, who, as Rousseau put it, ‘being born free, is everywhere in chains’. And equally importantly, it is a mirror of human psychology, which enables man to discern his debilities for course correction on the path of life. But the boon of an oral tradition that kept it alive and kicking for over two millennia now became its bane mid-course what with the proliferation of interpolations therein. Besides muddying its pristine philosophy, these insertions affect the sequential conformity and structural economy of the grand discourse that is the Gita. What is worse, to the chagrin of the majority of the Hindus, some of these illegitimate offshoots legitimize the inimical caste system while upholding the priestly perks and Brahmanical prejudices, which tend to keep the others away from it. Ironically as these interpolations muddle the understanding of the enthusiasts as well, this endeavor is to restore to the Gita, its pristine character by ridding it of hundred and ten of them.

BS Murthy