October 16, 2026
A collection of quotes and appreciations from political leaders, historical Indian figures, scientists, and actors on the Bhagavad Gita.
UK & US Leaders' Appreciations
• Theresa May (Former UK Prime Minister): "For fifty years since its foundation by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the men and women behind ISKCON have dedicated their lives to the words of Lord Krishna to achieve peace and unity."
• Tulsi Gabbard (US Congresswoman): "If it was not for the compassion of His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, I would have never achieved this supreme treasure of Krishna's holy names."
• Barack Obama (Former US President): Obama has shared how India holds a special place in his life, and how he grew up listening to the Ramayana and Mahabharata. In 2014, Narendra Modi gifted a copy of the Gita to Obama at The White House.
• Tulsi Gabbard (US Congresswoman): "If it was not for the compassion of His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, I would have never achieved this supreme treasure of Krishna's holy names."
• Barack Obama (Former US President): Obama has shared how India holds a special place in his life, and how he grew up listening to the Ramayana and Mahabharata. In 2014, Narendra Modi gifted a copy of the Gita to Obama at The White House.
Historical Indian Figures & Western Philosophers
• Mahatma Gandhi: "When disappointment stares me in the face and all alone I see not one ray of light, I go back to the Bhagvad Geeta. I find a verse here and a verse there, and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming tragedies."
• Lokmanya Tilak: "The Gita was preached as a preparatory lesson for living worldly life with an eye to Release, Nirvana. My last prayer to everyone, therefore, is that one should not fail to thoroughly understand this ancient science of worldly life as early as possible."
• Aldous Huxley: "The Gita is one of the clearest and most comprehensive summaries of the perennial philosophy ever to have been done. Hence its enduring value, not only for the Indians, but also for all mankind."
• M. M. Malaviya: "I believe that in all the living languages of the world, there is no book so full of true knowledge, and yet so handy... It teaches self-control, austerity, non-violence, compassion..."
• Lokmanya Tilak: "The Gita was preached as a preparatory lesson for living worldly life with an eye to Release, Nirvana. My last prayer to everyone, therefore, is that one should not fail to thoroughly understand this ancient science of worldly life as early as possible."
• Aldous Huxley: "The Gita is one of the clearest and most comprehensive summaries of the perennial philosophy ever to have been done. Hence its enduring value, not only for the Indians, but also for all mankind."
• M. M. Malaviya: "I believe that in all the living languages of the world, there is no book so full of true knowledge, and yet so handy... It teaches self-control, austerity, non-violence, compassion..."
Father of the Atomic Bomb & Will Smith's Inner Arjuna
• J. Robert Oppenheimer: Oppenheimer read the Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit in 1933. During the first nuclear explosion in 1945, he recalled the verse: "Now I have become death, the destroyer of worlds."
• Will Smith: Smith declared he was heavily influenced by Arjuna from the Bhagavad Gita: "I love the history. I am 90 percent through the Bhagavad Gita. To be reading that and to be here... my inner Arjuna is being channelled." He was seen showing off a copy heavily highlighted in yellow.
• Will Smith: Smith declared he was heavily influenced by Arjuna from the Bhagavad Gita: "I love the history. I am 90 percent through the Bhagavad Gita. To be reading that and to be here... my inner Arjuna is being channelled." He was seen showing off a copy heavily highlighted in yellow.
George Harrison's Beatle Legacy
• George Harrison: Harrison turned to Hinduism and cited the Gita as a major influence on his life and music. His 1973 song "The Lord Loves The One" was inspired by the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, and his album artwork for Living In The Material World reproduced a painting from Prabhupada's edition of the Bhagavad Gita.