Introduction to Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra 

The Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra are two ancient Indian texts that have recently been added to UNESCO's Memory of the World (MoW) Register. This honour is accorded to documentary heritage of global significance, reflecting the rich and diverse nature of the world's cultures.

 

About Bhagavad Gita

  • The Bhagavad Gita is a revered 700-verse philosophical text that is a section of the Indian epic Mahabharata, specifically the Bhishma Parva. 
  • It is a conversation between Prince Arjuna and deity Lord Krishna, offering an in-depth discussion on duty (dharma), action (karma), devotion (bhakti), and knowledge (jnana).
  • Its teachings are a synthesis of various Indian philosophies, inclusive of Vedic, Jain, Buddhist, and Charvaka schools of thought.
  • The Gita lays the foundation of Karma Yoga, offering spiritual wisdom and guidance.

 

About Natyashastra 

  • The Natyashastra is an ancient Sanskrit text with around 36,000 verses, attributed to sage Bharata; it forms the basis for Indian performing arts.
  • It fundamentally dictates the principles of drama, dance, music, and the aesthetic experience in Indian culture.
  • Central to its philosophy is the concept of Rasa (aesthetic essence), which delves into the emotional and spiritual experiences elicited by performances.
  • The treatise provides guidelines on abhinaya (performance), rasa (experience), and bhava (emotion), and has heavily influenced the development of classical arts like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Kathakali.

 

About UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme

  • The UNESCO Memory of the World Programme was initiated in 1992 with the objective of preserving and making accessible the world’s documentary heritage. 
  • The MoW Register gets updated every two years and currently consists of 570 entries. 
  • Notable Indian entries in the register include the Rig Veda (2005), the works of philosopher Abhinavagupta (2023), and the archives of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit (2023).