Cover Story : From Journalist to Spiritual Entrepreneur

Meet LV Gangadhara Shastry who is a very familiar figure in the Telugu literary, spiritual and devotional circuit in the State of Andhra/Telangana but also well known worldwide for rendering Bhagvad Gita. Each shloka (verse) is explained in detail. He says Gita is relevant in our daily lives, our careers and our social interactions. These verses have been explained in a simple and user-friendly manner, devoid of any ritualistic or dogmatic language in the audio that was released recently.
Gangadhara says Gita summarises essence of the Upanishads, is a thriving philosophical treatise in 700 verses systematically divided into 18 chapters each one expounding one specific philosophical doctrine described as a YOG. It is an integral part of the great epic Mahabharatha and is embedded in chapters 25-42 of Bhishmaparva as a compact, independent text and it is that way it became extremely popular and venerable. In whatever angle you look at it, you feel that it advocates Bhaktiyoga, Jnana yoga, Karma yoga, Sahaja Raja yoga. It has been a guideline for Mahatma Gandhi in times of distress. It has been a text book of personality development for Vivekananda.
Vishwerawar theertha Swamiji of the Pejawar Mutt released the audio recently and stressed that five “G”s (Gita, Govinda, Gomata, Gayatyri & Ganga) are central to Sanatana Dharma and Hindu should ensure he teaches his /her children to read a verse a day, Gita indeed is a treasure house of spiritual knowledge.
The distinct feature of his Bhagvad Gita recording lies in mixing digital stereo recording with latest technical knowhow in the world and in Dolby digital 5.1 channel. This Bhagvad Gita rendering is in a harmonious blend of Carnatic and Hindusthani classical music, light, folk and western music proceeds to transport the listeners into a spiritual musical trance he added. Shastry stressed that his Gita music is capable of making the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna sound as if it is taking place before the listeners. Similarly singing the verses and explaining it with appropriate articulation to reflect the intent of the diverse characters appearing in the Bhagvad Gita Sri Krishna, Arjuna, Sanjaya, Dhritarashtra, is another distinct feature. Shastry is proud that in Bharat this is the first time a singer got an opportunity to sing and record an outstanding philosophical treatise full and with meanings, with world class technical excellence.
Late Dr Abdul Kalam  then President of India  graced the occasion once and heard the verses sung  by Gangadharshastry with rapt attention  the and remarked that Gita  teaches the  – the principles to follow, the approach to life, the attitude to fellow human beings the religious tolerance.
From the humble beginning as as Film Journalist at Eenadu, the largest circulated Telugu Daily he established Bhagavadgita Foundation, a Non-Profit Institution of Spritual and Social Awareness, on March, 5 2007. He visits educational institutions and universities of higher learning in India and abroad and takes pleasure in teaching Bhagvad Gita, explaining its essentiality in real life. His other ambitious plans include translation of Bhagvad Gita into Hindi, English, German, Russian, French, Japanese and other Foreign Languages, and propagate the same through recorded audio CDs worldwide to promote world peace and universal brotherhood. He spent quite a fortune in the process and had to struggle raising funds for the same.
Bhagavadgita is not for a particular religion – it its wisdom! Bhagvad Gita laid the path that leads us to an ideal way of life! Bhagvad Gita is the manual for attaining human excellence! To those who practice ethical and spiritual disciplines it is the Kalpataru, the divine tree that fulfills the wishes says Gangadhar signing off.
— N Nagaraj Rao from Hyderabad