Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra Join UNESCO's Memory of the World – A Proud Moment for India

The Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra manuscripts are now part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.  It shows that the world truly values the timeless wisdom and rich culture of Sanatan Dharma, honoring India’s spiritual and cultural heritage on a global stage.

Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra Join UNESCO's Memory of the World – A Proud Moment for India

India’s deep and rich history, based on Sanatan Dharma, is once again being noticed around the world. The addition of these two important texts to the UNESCO list honors India’s spiritual and cultural traditions. It also shows that Sanatan culture is getting more respect and recognition across the globe.

UNESCO Honours India’s Heritage

UNESCO launched the Memory of the World (MoW) Programme in 1992 to preserve important documents from around the world. This includes manuscripts, oral traditions, recordings, and other materials that have great global value.

The goal is to protect our shared history and make sure important cultural and historical documents are accessible to everyone. As of April 17, 2025, the register now contains 570 entries from 72 countries and four international organizations.

Among the 74 new entries this year are India’s treasured manuscripts: the Bhagavad Gita and Bharata Muni’s Natyashastra.

Bhagavad Gita: The Eternal Spiritual Guide

The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred text from the Indian epic Mahabharata, containing 700 verses across 18 chapters. It is a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna that addresses important life questions, duty, righteousness, and spirituality.

Traditionally credited to the sage Vyasa, the Gita is one of the most important texts in Sanatan Dharma. UNESCO recognized the Gita for bringing together various Indian philosophies — Vedic, Buddhist, Jain, and Charvaka — and praised its deep philosophical ideas that have inspired people worldwide for centuries.

Bharat Muni Natyashastra: The Foundation of Indian Performing Arts

Attributed to Bharat Muni, the Natyashastra is an ancient Sanskrit text on performing arts, comprising 36,000 verses. It is the world’s oldest comprehensive guide on theatre, dance, music, expression (abhinaya), emotion (bhava), and aesthetic experience (rasa).

UNESCO called the Natyashastra a major contribution to world literature, mainly because it explains the concept of rasa — the emotional bond between the performer and the audience — in great detail.

The Natyashastra has influenced not only India but also the world’s understanding of art and performance. Its addition to the UNESCO register honors the lasting excellence of India’s artistic heritage.

Sanatan Dharma’s Growing Global Recognition

The addition of these two texts shows that the world is recognizing the deep wisdom of Sanatan Dharma and India’s rich culture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it “a proud moment for every Indian across the world.” He said that the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra have helped shape human thought and civilization for centuries, and they still inspire and guide people around the world today.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also praised the moment, saying, “These timeless texts are more than just literary works—they are the philosophical and artistic roots that have shaped Bharat’s way of thinking.”

The Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra: Conclusion

With the addition of the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra, India now has 14 entries in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. This recognition makes India even stronger as a global center of culture and spirituality. Adding these two ancient texts is not just a big honor—it also celebrates the timeless wisdom of Sanatan Dharma. These sacred writings continue to guide, inspire, and influence people all around the world.

Santangyan proudly sees this as a reminder of India’s leading role in protecting and sharing its spiritual, intellectual, and artistic heritage — a legacy that is now officially honored by the world.

India’s Sanatan roots are not just surviving — they are thriving and leading the way forward on a global stage.