Ravindra Rao, who writes under the pen name Haribakth, presents a distinctive interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita through his book Devaki Putra Gitam, Ekam Shastram. The work explores the Gita not simply as a sacred dialogue, but as a profound and living body of knowledge that can be examined from a broader, third-person perspective.
Rao’s approach is shaped by his long-standing interest in the Bhagavad Gita and his willingness to explore perspectives that may differ from conventional interpretations. He is an alumnus of Marathwada University, Aurangabad, where he earned a Master’s degree in Commerce and a Bachelor’s degree in Law, and he also graduated from Osmania University, Hyderabad. After 34 years of service in a state-owned bank, Rao opted for voluntary retirement to pursue his passion for studying and writing about the Bhagavad Gita.
At the heart of Devaki Putra Gitam, Ekam Shastram is a central question: What if humanity has only been reading a small part of an infinite scripture? The book challenges readers to look beyond competing interpretations and consider the possibility of understanding the Gita as a unified and comprehensive system of knowledge.
According to the book’s presentation, Rao explores the Gita as a cosmic entity, describing it using concepts such as Dravya, or substance, and Gunas, or properties. The work proposes examining the Gita from a “Third-Person Omniscient” perspective, with the intention of exploring the text beyond the limitations of individual interpretations.
The book also addresses several major philosophical and intellectual themes. One section explores what Krishna’s references to other scriptures could mean and presents this as a possible key to understanding the structure of the Gita. The author connects ancient philosophical frameworks, including Padartha Shastra, with concepts from modern physics. Another major theme is the relationship between Advaita, Dvaita, and Visishta-Advaita. Rather than treating these traditions as necessarily contradictory, the book proposes viewing them as different facets of a single, infinite reality.
Rao further examines the relationship between Dharma, Karma, and Time, presenting what the book describes as “Cosmic Constants” and approaching these ideas through logical, scientific, and experiential perspectives.
Devaki Putra Gitam, Ekam Shastram is available in hardback, paperback, and ebook formats, making the work accessible to readers across different preferences. Editions are currently available in English, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, and Marathi, while Sanskrit and Gujarati editions are scheduled to be released shortly.
A limited-edition collectible version in the form of an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) is also available for collectors interested in owning a digital collectible connected with the work.
With Devaki Putra Gitam, Ekam Shastram, Ravindra Rao invites readers to revisit one of India’s most influential spiritual texts through a framework that seeks to connect philosophy, logic, experience, and contemporary intellectual inquiry. The book is positioned as an exploration for readers interested in examining the Bhagavad Gita from a fresh and unconventional perspective.
