Viral Sach: Did the Bhagavad Gita foretell about the GST?

NEW DELHI: Weeks after the pan-India Goods and Services Tax came into effect, a message widely circulated on internet claimed that the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu religious scripture, had foretold about the GST. It was said the message that Bhagavad Gita has also prophesized about the person who will implement the GST. "In Bhagvad Gita's Canto 4, verse 23, there is a mention fo GST. Please take it into consideration, my friends," Ashish Saini has posted on his wall Facebook wall along with an image of text. Fact Check: In Bhagvata Purana's Canto 4, King Prithu gave instructions to his people about fulfilling religious duties. And in Canto 4, chapter 21, verse 23, he said, "Anyone who as a king exacts taxes from the citizens, without reminding them of their respective duties - that one will also, to the impious of his citizens, have to give up the enjoyment of his own fortune". Though the verse about taxes does exist in Bhagvata Purana but to relate it with GST is unrealistic as the modern tax system is totally different than that of the ancient times, said Shastri Lal Chandra Sharma of Birla Mandir.