Ways of existence of the sacral Hindu text, and Image of Russia in India

This paper shows the value of commentary traditions in Hinduism on the example of «Bhagavad-Gita.» Interpretation of the «Bhagavad Gita» was a compulsory part of the «triple canon», along with the interpretation of the Upanishads and the «Brahma-sutras,» and this «triad» comment created shaft foundation of the philosophical school, which would incorporate one or another current. Especially the presence of a commentary can be an important indication of the existence of the theological discourse and methodology of modernization of the ancient religion preserved like this to the present. Numerous commentaries, translations, transcriptions and imitations are an integral part of Hinduism, and culture in general. The paper is devoted to the two popular commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita: «Light of the true faith» and the «Bhagavad Gita As It Is.» «Luminary of the true faith» (Bhavarthadipika) was created at the end of the XIII century by the poet-philosopher Jnaneswara, renowned for being a first to comment on «Gita» not in the sacred Sanskrit, yet in the old Marathi, spoken language of the specific historical and cultural region of India Maharashtra. «Luminary» incorporated the original lines from the «Bhagavad Gita» and became the holy book of the so-called tradition varkari Marathi speaking Hindus. For seven centuries, since the work of «Luminary», Marathi has undergone significant change and the text became difficult to understand, so the '«Luminary» was commented by means of modern Marathi. Another commentary on the Bhagavad-gita, most common in the West, is known as «Bhagavad-gita As It Is.» Written by the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the text became community-forming for Prabhupada's followers, and for the Indians who were brought in line with other traditions overseas and in India. Being an integral part of the commentary tradition within Hinduism, «Bhagavad-gita As It Is» became the subject of judicial proceedings on charges of extremism in Russia. The paper describes the reaction of Indian governments and Indian public to Tomsk court over the book -demonstrations of protests, sharp newspaper articles in the papers, accounting of the topic of «Russian ignorance,» etc. If one examines the analogy between varkari and Hare Krishna followers, it can be noted for sure that both schools, representing the major branches of Western and Eastern Vaishnavism, formed in a similar manner. In conclusion the author shares her thoughts on the specifics of Hinduism schools definitions and on the current «dialogue of religions» in India, which deals with friendly professional study of different religions of each other.

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