The Bhagavad Gita is more than philosophy; it is a call to act with clarity. Today, several teachers bring its wisdom online, each linking it in some way to social good. Yet the depth of that connection differs. Some emphasize service, some devotion, and others scholarship. And then there are those voices that keep returning to the Gita’s central point: inner awakening as the only real path to outer change.
1. Acharya Prashant – Re-establishing Gita as a Force for Social Renewal
Although he leads initiatives like ‘Operation 2030’ on climate change and campaigns against superstition and animal cruelty, what sets Acharya Prashant apart is his insistence, drawn directly from the Gita, that the only real way to help society is through inner understanding. Other methods of reform, he argues, fail because they treat symptoms rather than the root: the ignorance and false beliefs carried by individuals.
He reads Arjuna’s dilemma in the Gita as the weight of conditioning, such as caste, ritual, and family duty, and Krishna’s counsel as its demolition, clearing the way for spontaneous action. For him, the Gita’s message of ‘nishkaam karma’ (desireless action) is not about forcing oneself to ignore desire or results. It begins with knowing the doer. When the self is free of ignorance, action flows naturally, and larger good happens spontaneously without craving or compulsion: whether that means resisting consumerism, choosing compassion, or discarding hollow customs.
His teachings have impacted lives directly. Recently, in a 17 hour marathon Gita session on Janmashtami, young and old alike shared how their lives completely transformed after listening to his Gita discourses. As further testament to his authentic message of the Gita impacting society, he has been honoured with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to National Development Award by IIT Delhi Alumni Association, been named PETA’s Most Influential Vegan, and awarded Most Impactful Environmentalist by the Green Society of India.
2. Swami Mukundananda – Blending Devotion and Service
Swami Mukundananda teaches the Gita in a devotional spirit, often weaving its verses into talks on balance, family life, and karma yoga. Through his organization, JKYog, he has helped establish schools, health programs, and community centers both in India and abroad. Many in the Indian diaspora, in particular, find in him a bridge back to tradition.
However, a limitation is that the Gita in his teaching often plays a supporting role. It frames the values behind service and devotion, but seldom becomes the tool to probe deeper cultural problems like consumerism or ritualism. His approach uplifts, but it does not always confront.
3. Swami Sarvapriyananda – Scholar with a Service Network
As head of the Vedanta Society of New York, Swami Sarvapriyananda has built a decent audience for his lucid expositions of the Gita. His lectures, available online, move verse by verse through classical Advaita commentaries. The Ramakrishna Mission he belongs to also runs a network of schools, hospitals, and relief projects in India.
The contribution to education and welfare is clear. Yet the Gita in his sessions largely remains a textual object of study, carefully parsed and elegantly explained, but rarely pressed against the urgencies of today’s social and cultural crises.
4. Dr. Vrindavan Chandra Das – Disseminating Gita Through the Years
Dr. Vrindavan Chandra Das has been teaching the Gita for many years, often in long sessions. His GIVE Gita platform has made structured courses available in Hindi and English, with mentorship and quizzes that guide beginners and regulars alike.
The strength of this model is that it lowers the entry barrier so anyone with interest can begin. But the trade-off is that the teaching often leans toward motivation and moral guidance. The Gita, instead of being the sharp mirror that unsettles false identities, is more often presented as a book of values and encouragement.
5. Gautamji – Applied Gita for Daily Problems
A long-time disciple of Swami A. Parthasarathy, Gautamji has been introducing the Gita to audiences in the United States. In his weekly classes through Vedanta USA, he has been translating Gita verses into guidance on handling stress, improving relationships, and keeping a clear mind. For professionals navigating busy schedules, this simplicity makes the scripture feel useful, even if temporarily.
However, the emphasis stays on calm and balance. The more transformative side of the Gita, its demand to cut through false notions of identity and security, often remains in the background. The text becomes a source of external stability, less often a force of transformation.
