The authority of the Bhagavad Gita

The second paragraph to the Preface of the Bg reads as such:

“Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is genuine, historically authorized, natural and transcendental due to its being based on Bhagavad-gītā As It Is. It is gradually becoming the most popular movement in the entire world, especially amongst the younger generation. It is becoming more and more interesting to the older generation also. Older gentlemen are becoming interested, so much so that the fathers and grandfathers of my disciples are encouraging us by becoming life members of our great society, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In Los Angeles many fathers and mothers used to come to see me to express their feelings of gratitude for my leading the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement throughout the entire world. Some of them said that it is greatly fortunate for the Americans that I have started the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement in America. But actually the original father of this movement is Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself, since it was started a very long time ago but is coming down to human society by disciplic succession. If I have any credit in this connection, it does not belong to me personally, but it is due to my eternal spiritual master, His Divine Grace Oḿ Viṣṇupāda Paramahaḿsa Parivrājakācārya 108 Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja Prabhupāda.”

From this I understand the importance of the Bg – if Srila Prabhupada can authenticate a whole spiritual movement by simply basing it on the teachings of this book.

Prabhupada says that ISKCON is:

Genuine

Historically authorized

Natural

&

Transcendental

Due to it being based on Bhagavad Gita As It Is.

This means this book is worthy of being studied and should be studied in great depth by those following the principles of ISKCON.

We should know this book inside and out as this book is the foundation and essence of our beliefs.

Prabhupada also says that the younger genertation are taking to this movement very well but that the older generation are also becoming favourable by becoming life members.

This means that we can take to this process in various ways and different degrees of surrender.

It is also stated in this paragraph that it is Lord Krsna Himself who is the original founder of the movement and that Srila Prabhupada has simply repeated the teachings of his previous teachers ending with his beloved Guru Maharaj.

Hence Srila Prabhupada writes on the front of the book – Bhagavad Gita ‘As It Is’ which means as it is coming down through the line of teachers and as it is spoken by Lord Krsna Himself.