A New Dawn of Positivity in Prisoners’ Lives
The Bhagavad Gita Brings a Fresh Perspective on Life in Jails
Mumbai, April 5 : Crimes often stem from anger, hatred, and unfavorable circumstances. However, if the Bhagavad Gita is introduced into the lives of such offenders, it can bring about a new dawn of positivity. This is currently evident in Maharashtra’s prisons, where 190 prisoners are engaging in spiritual practice through the Gita. Under the initiative of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the recitation of Bhagavad Gita shlokas is now resonating in jails.
For the past year, online Bhagavad Gita classes have been conducted in Maharashtra’s central prisons through the Gita Parivar organization. Volunteers from Gita Parivar, an organization established by Swami Shri Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, serve as instructors in this initiative. So far, Gita Parivar has provided online training to 1.2 million seekers. These classes, offered completely free of cost, are conducted in 13 languages across 21 time slots from Monday to Friday. Each session lasts 40 minutes, during which participants learn the correct pronunciation of the Gita shlokas. Efforts are being made to expand this initiative on a larger scale across the state.
Prison administrators and staff are assisting in setting up the technical requirements for these online classes. The first session began in December 2023 at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar prison. Gradually, the initiative extended to central prisons in Kolhapur, Nashik, Thane, and Taloja. The participation numbers include 25 prisoners from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 35 from Thane, 45 from Kolhapur, 40 from Nashik, 35 from Taloja, and 10 from Yerwada, totaling around 190 inmates reciting Gita shlokas.
Each chapter's meaning is also explained through online classes. Currently, the third phase of training is nearing completion in the prisons of Thane, Nashik, Kolhapur, and Taloja, covering a total of 12 chapters. Gita Parivar provides readable copies of the Gita to all participating inmates. Both prison officials and the prisoners themselves are satisfied with this initiative. Additionally, direct classes have been conducted at Yerwada Women’s Prison, and motivational lectures are held for male prisoners on Sundays.
On Saturdays and Sundays, interpretations of the learned shlokas are provided, and inmates’ doubts are clarified. The Gita Parivar classes are conducted in four phases, each called a level. The first level covers two chapters, the second level covers four, and the third and fourth levels cover six chapters each.
This initiative is showing positive effects on prisoners' lives. It is proving to be a successful effort in guiding them towards a new path in life. Prison authorities believe that such programs will help inmates reintegrate into their families and lead a better life upon release.
