Context: The manuscripts of the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra have been recently added to UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World (MoW) Register. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the recognition, stating that these texts have “nurtured civilisation and consciousness for centuries” and continues to inspire globally.

About Memory of the World Programme by UNESCO

 Launched in 1992, the Memory of the World Programme by UNESCO aims to preserve and promote valuable archival records, manuscripts, and oral traditions of universal significance. With this year’s 74 new additions, the MoW Register now includes 570 entries from across the world—spanning manuscripts, historical documents, audio-visual records, and oral traditions.

Notable past entries include:

• Mahavamsa, the historical chronicle of Sri Lanka
• Shaiva Siddhanta manuscripts (11,000+ texts)
• Frankfurt Auschwitz trial recordings (430 hours)
• Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s March 7, 1971 speech

India’s Submissions to the Register

With these new inclusions, India’s total entries rise to 13, including two joint submissions:

• Rig Veda (2005)
• Abhinavagupta’s works (2023)
• Non-Aligned Movement summit archives (joint, 2023)
• Dutch East India Company records (joint, 2003)

The latest additions—Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra—are specific manuscripts preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune.

About Natyashastra

Attributed to sage Bharata, the Natyashastra is a foundational text on drama, dance, music, and aesthetics, dated between 500 BCE and 500 CE. Codified around the 2nd century BCE, it comprises over 36,000 verses. It introduces the key aesthetic concept of rasa—the emotional essence experienced by an audience during a performance.

About Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita is part of the Mahabharata’s Bhishma Parva, comprising 700 verses across 18 chapters. Traditionally attributed to Vyasa, it dates back to the 1st or 2nd century BCE, though it may have been written down later.

The Gita records a profound dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna, exploring dilemmas of duty, action, and righteousness. Krishna’s philosophical counsel synthesizes Vedic, Buddhist, Jain, and Charvaka traditions, offering universal ethical and spiritual insights. Widely translated and read across the world, the Gita has influenced countless thinkers and remains central to global philosophical discourse.

Conclusion

The inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra manuscripts in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register not only reaffirms the global intellectual and cultural significance of India’s ancient heritage but also highlights the ongoing relevance of these texts. As India continues to preserve and promote its documentary treasures, these recognitions serve as milestones in its cultural diplomacy and scholarly legacy.