By Kalakantha Das
Sacred texts lie at the very heart of human history, where they are much more than pieces of paper bound between covers. Sacred texts are dynamic literary creations that possess incredible beauty and power, which can be applied for a variety of pur- poses. The Bhagavad-gītā, for example, has been recited orally for generations, pub- lished in hundreds of editions, translated into dozens of languages, performed on stage, painted on canvas, debated in courtrooms, employed in daily worship and venerated as an object of worship. The Gītā has been used to inspire action and facil- itate meditation, to bring about war and to create peace. Most importantly, the text has given meaning and direction in the lives of countless individuals. Philosophers, scientists, social activists, and people of faith from every religious tradition have turned to the Gītā for inspiration.