Question map
Several nationalist leaders in India wrote commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita to argue the case for an ethical foundation to Indian nationalism. Who among the following is an exception to it?
Explanation
During the Indian national movement, several leaders utilized the Bhagavad Gita to provide an ethical and spiritual foundation for nationalism. Bal Gangadhar Tilak authored the 'Gita Rahasya' while imprisoned in Mandalay, interpreting the text as a call for selfless action (Karma Yoga). Mahatma Gandhi wrote 'Anasakti Yoga', viewing the Gita as a guide for non-violence and detached action. Sri Aurobindo Ghosh provided extensive commentaries, such as 'Essays on the Gita', emphasizing its spiritual message for national regeneration. In contrast, Rammanohar Lohia, a prominent socialist leader, focused his intellectual contributions on indigenous socialism, the 'four-pillar state', and critiques of Western ideologies. While Lohia engaged with Indian mythology and culture, he did not write a formal commentary on the Bhagavad Gita to argue for the ethical foundation of nationalism in the same tradition as Tilak, Gandhi, or Aurobindo.
Sources
- [1] https://www.msuniv.ac.in/images/distance%20education/learning%20materials/ug%20pg%202023/ug%202021/JEHY31IIISem%20IndianPoliticalThought.pdf