In the ambiance of reverence akin to that felt within the sacred premises of a temple, the Gita Press in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh was the center of attention recently when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded its substantial contributions towards guiding humanity. His remarks were delivered during the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of this iconic institution.

Respected worldwide for its monumental work in publishing Hindu religious literature, the Gita Press holds a significant place in India's cultural and religious landscape. According to the Prime Minister, its importance is profound as it not only disseminates wisdom but also lights the path for those seeking spiritual guidance. The Prime Minister compared the role of Gita Press to that of revered saints, stating, "Sometimes saints show the way, sometimes institutions such as the Gita Press."

However, the Gita Press has recently been at the heart of a political storm. The Congress party, the principal opposition, expressed its displeasure over the government's decision to bestow the Gandhi Peace Prize upon the Gita Press. The primary bone of contention being that the Gita Press allegedly propagated ideologies that were not in alignment with those of Mahatma Gandhi. The Press, nevertheless, refuted these claims, highlighting that Mahatma Gandhi was a regular contributor to its fortnightly magazine, "Kalyan".

In the light of this controversy, Prime Minister Modi emphasized Mahatma Gandhi's emotional connection with the Gita Press, a fact underscored by his contributions to 'Kalyan'. He further elaborated that the magazine continues to uphold Gandhian principles by refusing to run advertisements.

The event also witnessed the unveiling of a special edition of the Shiv Puran, one of the 18 primary Puranas in Hinduism, under the auspices of the Prime Minister. This meticulously curated edition, assembled by a scholar from Nepal, carries over 200 photographs of the divine trio - Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Lord Ganesh, all from the publisher's personal collection.

Evoking the divine presence of Lord Krishna, PM Modi further added, "Wherever there is Gita, Lord Krishna himself is present there," suggesting that all existence emanates from Vasudeva, another name for Lord Krishna.

PM Modi acknowledged the contribution of the Gita Press towards fostering unity in the country and promoting national consciousness, reflecting the principle of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' (one India, Best India). He particularly commended the press's efforts in spreading awareness about keeping the Ganga River clean and its undeniable role in nation-building.

Founded in Gorakhpur by Jaydayal Goyandka, a dedicated businessman who aspired to disseminate "error-free copies of the Bhagavad Gita", the Gita Press has had a profound impact on the preservation and practice of Hindu traditions in India, a belief held strongly by the BJP and the RSS.

Its publication record since 1923 is staggering, with 42 crore books being printed. This includes 16 crore copies of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, which remains its bestseller. This accomplishment has made the Gita Press the "world's largest publisher of Hindu religious books", according to its official website.

With its roots in Gorakhpur and Varanasi, the Gita Press has spread its branches across India, having translators in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and West Bengal, among other places. This vast network aids in the dissemination of its published works, thus ensuring that the invaluable wisdom of Hindu religious texts reaches every corner of the country.

Gita Press: A Century-Long Legacy of Spreading Hindu Philosophy

Gita Press, a name synonymous with the propagation of Hindu religious texts, has been a beacon of Sanatana Dharma for over a century. Founded on May 3, 1923, in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, by Jay Dayal Goyanka and Ghanshyam Das Jalan, the press has been instrumental in promoting the principles of Sanatana Dharma. The press was established as a unit of Gobind Bhawan Karyalaya, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and is currently governed by the West Bengal Societies Act, 1960.

The press's inception was driven by a desire to disseminate the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu scriptures to the masses. The founders believed in the transformative power of these texts and saw their publication as a means to instill good intent and thought among the people. The press started its journey with a modest printing machine purchased for Rs 600, and today, it stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of Hindu philosophy.

Over the years, Gita Press has published more than 140 million copies of the Gita and 100 million copies of the Ramcharitamanas, offering them at subsidized prices to ensure their accessibility. The press's archives house over 3,500 manuscripts, including more than 100 interpretations of the Bhagavad Gita. The press has also been publishing the monthly magazine "Kalyan" since 1927, which has a print order of 250,000 copies as of 2012. The magazine is dedicated to various religious topics, promoting uplifting thought and good deeds.

Gita Press's contribution to the cultural and spiritual landscape of India has been recognized at the highest levels. In 2023, the press was conferred with the Gandhi Peace Prize of 2021 by the Government of India. The press also celebrated its centenary in 2022, with congratulatory messages from the then President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Despite its monumental success, Gita Press has faced its share of challenges. In December 2014, it temporarily shut down due to wage issues but resumed operations a few days later. However, these hurdles have not deterred the press from its mission. It continues to publish religious texts in various languages, including Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, English, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Bengali, Oriya, and others.

The press's publications include the Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, The Mahabharata, Shri Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas, Valmiki Ramayana, and works by Soordas, Swami Ramsukhdas, Hanuman Prasad Poddar, and Jaydayal Goyandaka, among others. It also publishes Bhakta-Gathas, Bhajans, and small books geared towards children.

Gita Press has branches and stalls in various locations across India, most of which are operated on railway platforms. These locations include Ayodhya, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Bhilwara, Cuttack, Delhi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Hyderabad, Indore, Jalgaon, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Surat, Varanasi, Chennai, and Gorakhpur.

The press is part of the Govind Bhawan Karyalaya, Kolkata, and is affiliated with several other institutions, including Gita Bhavan, a satsang Bhawan in Rishikesh, Rishikul-Brahmacharya Ashram (Vedic school) in Churu, Rajasthan, Ayurved Sansthan (producer of Ayurvedic medicines) in Rishikesh, and Gita Press Seva Dal, a philanthropic organization for natural calamities.

In conclusion, Gita Press has been a stalwart in the propagation of Hindu philosophy and culture. Its publications have reached millions of readers, spreading the teachings of the Gita and other Hindu scriptures far and wide. As it steps into its second century, Gita Press continues to uphold its mission of promoting the principles of Sanatana Dharma and contributing to the spiritual and cultural fabric of India.

References:

Wikipedia
Gita Press Official Website
The Indian Express