♦ The Bhagavad Gita, a noted Hindu scripture, and the Natyashastra, an Indian treatise on performing arts, have been included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register on 18 April 2025.

♦ The UNESCO Memory of the World Register honours documentary heritage that is deemed to hold exceptional universal value.

♦ It includes texts, manuscripts, and documents that have significantly shaped human history and continue to influence generations.  

♦ With this addition, India now has 14 entries in the prestigious Memory of the World Register.  

♦ The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, forms a part of the Mahabharata.

♦Comprising 700 verses across 18 chapters, the text addresses profound philosophical questions, encouraging action, selflessness, and devotion. 

♦ The Natyashastra, attributed to the sage Bharat Muni, is the foundational treatise on Indian performing arts, encompassing theatre, dance, and music.

♦ It has shaped classical art traditions across centuries and remains a guiding text for artists and scholars alike.