The largest publisher of Hindu texts at subsidized prices has been honored with the Gandhi Peace Prize. Celebrating its centenary, Gita Press’ contribution to the spiritual and cultural fabric of India is widely acknowledged.
The Indian government honoring Gita Press with the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize further cements its position as a pioneering force in promoting peace, harmony, and non-violence. The esteemed award in June 2023 emphasized the significant impact the largest publisher of Hindu texts has made in fostering social cohesion and political transformation based on the methods of Mahatma Gandhi, whose ideals continue to steer us towards a more compassionate world.
Proud to be associated with Gita Press of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, I was filled with immense pride as I witnessed the gratitude expressed for the century-old organization by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gita Press now joins Nelson Mandela and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who have been among the recipients of the Gandhi Peace Prize before.
This award for the year 2021 to Gita Press and its uninterrupted operation since 1923 serves as a testament to the commitment and passion of its founders, staff, and supporters, who have devoted themselves tirelessly to upholding the values and teachings of Sanatan Dharma aka Hinduism. Lalmani Tiwari, its manager, put it aptly, “As we celebrate Gita Press’s century of service and the Gandhi Peace Prize bestowed on us, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all those involved in this noble endeavor. The unwavering dedication, vision, and commitment to preserving and disseminating the wisdom of our ancient scriptures have enriched countless lives and inspired generations.”
Located in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Gita Press finds its home in an iconic temple-like structure where the sounds of prayers and chants reverberate through narrow lanes. It was established in 1923 by Jaydayal Goyandka and Ghanshyamdas Jalan and editor Hanuman Prasad Poddar. Goyandaka was a devout person and an exalted soul. He was much given to the Bhagavad Gita as the panacea for mankind’s plight and began publishing it and other Hindu scriptures to spread good intent and good thought amongst all. Since then Gita Press has played a pivotal role in spreading the principles of Sanatan Dharma to the masses through the publication of revered texts such as the epics, the Upanishads, and Puranas besides the Gita. Over the years, it has built an enduring legacy, solidifying its position as one of the most renowned publishing houses for religious books globally just as Gideons is known for distributing the Bible.
Starting humbly by renting a place for Rs 10 and purchasing a printing machine for Rs 600, Gita Press first printed 5,000 copies of the Bhagavad Gita, all of which were quickly sold out. Since then, Gita Press has sold an estimated 410 million copies of Lord Krishna’s sermon to Arjuna and 70 million copies of Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas, ensuring that these sacred texts are accessible to people from all walks of life at a subsidized price.
Starting Kalyan magazine
In 1926, during a Marwari community meet, leading industrialist Ghanshyamdas Birla, impressed by the initiative of Gita Press, proposed starting a journal to maximize the reach and impact of their work. The monthly magazine in Hindi called Kalyan was established in 1927 under its legendary lifetime editor, Hanuman Prasad Poddar. Serving as a platform for religious, cultural, and moral thoughts, Kalyan also provides insights into the social and political landscape of the time. The journal has a subscription base of 250,000, according to Gita Press figures. Sister publication, Kalyana-Kalpataru in English, was started in 1934.
Notably, Kalyan, as advised by Mahatma Gandhi, refrains from carrying any advertisements or paid material, focusing solely on promoting spiritual teachings and values. Notably, Gita Press, while stating that it is honored to receive the award, declined the Rs 1 crore prize money ($122,000) to demonstrate its independence from any influence. Prices are kept low, For example, a Bhagavad Gita can be procured at Rs. 30 (37 cents).
Art gallery
Recognizing the importance of visual representation in literature, Gita Press established the in-house art gallery, Leela Chitra Mandir. This gallery showcases timeless artworks depicting Ramleela, Krishna Leela, and stories of various gods and goddesses. Its collection includes letters Mahatma Gandhi wrote and ancient manuscripts of the Gita. Verses from the Gita are inscribed on marble blocks exhibited there.
Down its century-long journey, the organization has embraced technological advancements while remaining steadfast in its core ideology. The institution utilizes automated machines for most processes, with the exception of the “case making” stage in the post-press division. The manual process is retained due to religious considerations, as the use of animal glue in most case-making machines is not acceptable to them.
With publications available in over 15 languages and 1,800 religious books in its catalog, Gita Press continues to flourish, publishing around 25 million copies annually, which are sold through its branches and public outlets.
The impact of Gita Press extends beyond adult readership. Recognizing the significance of providing reading material for all age groups, the institution introduced “Bal Sahitya” in 1937, focusing on literature for children. These books cover topics ranging from Hindi and English alphabets to ideal daily routines, character-building, inspiring stories from Hindu epics, and biographies of sages and devotees.
Gita Press’s journey marked by distributing millions of copies and its profound influence on the nation’s psyche, exemplifies its stature as a beacon of Hindu culture. I wish Gita Press another century of success, growth, and invaluable contribution to the spiritual and cultural fabric of India, as it continues to shine as a guiding light, enlightening hearts and minds with its profound publications and unwavering dedication to the timeless principles of Sanatan Dharma.
