At Siri Fort Auditorium an attentive and vibrant public of over 1,000 people welcomed the national release of The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, as Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda and Remembered by his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda- a book destined to become a spiritual classic. Written in a simple, direct, and profoundly inspiring manner, this commentary makes these deep teachings so accessible that it truly has the potential to bring millions to God, as Yogananda predicted: "A new scripture has been born. Millions will find God through this work. Not just thousands, millions. I have seen it."

Swami Kriyananda speaking at the Launch

Shri Swami Kriyananda and other very special guests blessed this deeply inspiring and memorable evening with their wisdom and grace. The Chief Minister, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Smt. Indu Jain (Chairman of TOI,) Dr. L.M. Singhvi (Senior advocate from the Supreme Court of India,) Sri D.R. Kaarthikeyan (former director of CBI, and National Human Rights Commission,) Yogacharya Dharmadas (Spiritual Director, Ananda Sangha India), Swami Nikhilananda, (Head of Chinmaya Mission, Delhi), Dana Andersen (world renowned Artist and Painter), Swami Yogananda, (Askok Arora, advocate Supreme Court) were on stage for this historical book launch..

Our choir signing

A woman enchanted by the evening

Here are some excerpts. On the occasion Hon'ble Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, "Thank you Swamiji for having blessed Delhi and all of us in writing this book". And Indu Jain added, "Going through the book you experience a wonderful feeling of Oneness. Swamiji has the power to bring back spirituality to India and to us all." Dr. L.M. Singhvi went on to add, "What a guru was Paramhansa Yogananda! What a disciple Swamiji is! What a treasure is this book! Truly a celebration of India and of its universality!"

A ceremony for the launching of the Gita

Said Kaarthikeyan: "This Magnum Opus of Swami Kriyananda's gives an entirely new dimension to the Gita, containing the essence of Sanathan Dharma, the eternal religion, making it simpler, clearer, logical and appealing to all levels of readers."

Added Swami Nikhilananda, "Very inspiring! …reveals the vision of a yogi…fresh, lucid and very sublime. He praised the book by saying "It is not a book but a path of life, it is also a mirror which shows the correct facet of human life". Swami Kriyananda's words flow joyously like the Ganges toward the ocean of God-realisation".

Yogacharya Dharmadas, the spiritual director of the Ananda Sangha in India, powerfully underlined "Our work in India is based on Gita. Gita has had the power to keep spirituality alive and full of Divine vitality in India for thousands of years. Ananda Sangha exists in India to encourage each and every person who comes to us to find God. We sing, we meditate, we chant, we try to tune in to God's presence within and all around us".
The American painter, Dana Andersen, artist for the book's magnetic cover spoke beautifully about the creation of this painting, "This painting flowed through me because this book is a Divine Mandate, and it is charged with divine power and Grace. And it is not so just for me - it is a font of blessings for anyone who will partake. Do not pass by this opportunity. Take this book home with you - for this is a book that will take you home! ".

The evening was concluded by most respected Swami Kriyanandaji whose address was soul-stirring and deeply inspiring. He declared, "Yogananda's insights into the Gita are the most amazing, thrilling and helpful of any I have ever read. In writing this book, Master's thoughts poured effortlessly into my mind, helping me to fill page after page with deep insights and inspiration. This book came entirely from God. It is not philosophy (the mere love of wisdom): It is wisdom."