The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra are now being included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. It is a global initiative that preserves documentary heritage of outstanding value. Prime Minister Narendra Modi felt proud about this achievement. He took to X and posted, “A proud moment for every Indian across the world! The inclusion of the Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register is a global recognition of our timeless wisdom and rich culture. The Gita and Natyashastra have nurtured civilisation, and consciousness for centuries. Their insights continue to inspire the world.”
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The Bhagavad Gita contains 18 chapters divided into 700 verses. It is embedded within the Bhīṣmaparva (adhyāya 23-40) of the epic Mahabharata. It is the holy book of Hindus that contains dialogues between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, with armies lined up for the great war intended to free Arjuna of dejection.
The Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra is preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. It is believed that it was written around the 2nd century B.C. It is considered the essence of Nāṭyaveda. Nāṭyaveda was an oral tradition of performing arts. It comprises 36,000 verses, also known as the Gāndharvaveda.