Gita Jayanti
Gita Jayanti is the birthday of Bhagavad Gita, the sacred text of Hindus. It's celebrated on the Shukla Ekadashi, 11th day of waxing moon of Margashirsha month of the Hindu calendar. It is believed the "Bhagavad Gita" was revealed to Arjuna by Krishna Himself in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The text is written in the third person, narrated by Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra as it transpired between Sri Krishna and Arjuna. Sanjaya, the secretary of the blind King Dhritarashtra, had been blessed by his Guru, Veda Vyasa, with the power to remotely view the events taking place on the battlefield as they transpired..
Gita Jayanthi is the day when Lord Sri Krishna told the gita to Arjuna.
Background
The discourse of Bhagavad Gita took place just before the start of the Kurukshetra war. This is the brief history prior to that:After several attempts at reconciliation failed, the war was inevitable. Out of pure compassion and sincere love for His devotee and best friend, Arjuna, Lord Krishna decided to become his charioteer during the battle. The day of the war finally came and both armies gathered on the battlefield face to face. Just as the battle was about to start, Arjuna asks Lord Krishna to drive the chariot to the middle of the battlefield between both armies to have a look at the opposing armies. Seeing his Grandsire Bhishma who raised him with great affection since childhood, and his teacher Dronācārya who had trained him to become the greatest archer, Arjuna's heart began to melt. His body started to tremble and his mind got confused. He became unable to perform his duty as a Kshatriya. He felt weak and sickened at the thought that he would have to kill his relatives, his friends and revered persons in this confrontation. Being very despondent, he told his friend Krishna of his sudden change of heart and turned to Him for advice. The conversation that ensued, Lord Krishna's advice, messages & teachings to Arjuna, lolo is what is known now as the Bhagavad Gita, ancient scripture and non-sectarian philosophical work.
Celebration
Gita Jayanti is celebrated worldwide by all devotees of Lord Krishna, who revere Bhagavad Gita as their Divine Mother because she teaches how to re-establish our lost relationship with God Almighty.It is generally observed by the en-masse recitation of all 700 verses of the Gita chanted throughout the day. Devotees also fast on this day since it is an Ekadashi day – it occurs twice every lunar month and is observed by fasting from grains and lentils by those who seek to progress spiritually. Bhajans and Poojas are held on this day. In places where this festival is celebrated grandly, stage play and Gita chanting competitions are held for kids to show their talents as a way to encourage their interest in reading Gita. Yogis, Sanyasins and learned scholar gives talks and held forums of this holy scripture. Leaflets, pamphlets, and books containing the essence of Gita are distributed to the public. It is especially auspicious to distribute free copies of the Gita on this holy day. However, there is a strong opinion that Bhishma fell in the war on the Margashirsha Krishna paksha and not on Shukla paksha. Bhagavad Gita was told by Sanjaya to the blind king Dhritarashtra on Margashirsha Krishna-Ashtami tithi and hence the Bhagavad Gita Jayanti should be observed on the Margshirsha krishna-Ashtami tithi.
International Gita Mahotsav 2016
In 2016, Government of Haryana organized International Gita Mahotsav from 6 to 10 December to mark the Gita Jayanti. Pranab Mukherjee, President of India was to inaugurate the Mahotsav, but later it was done by Kaptan Singh Solanki, Governor of Haryana and Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister.International Gita Mahotsav 2017
In 2017, Gita Mahotsav was organized on 25 November to 3 December, inaugurated by Ram Nath Kovind, President of India.International Gita Mahotsav 2019
In 2019, International Gita Mahotsav 2019 was inaugurated by Haryana Chief Secretary Keshni Anand Arora on Saturday 23 November 2019 on the sacred bank of Brahmasarovar in Kurukshetra.Gita Aarti
Bhagavad Gita Aarti or Gita Aarti is a prayer found in Sreemad Bhagavad Gita shastra which summarizes the glory and importance of the Bhagavad Gita itself. The texts were originally revealed in the classical language of Sanskrit spoken on the Indian sub-continent.Aarti can be spoken or sung with musical instruments to give more effect to worship. Aarti's are usually performed at the end of the puja ritual. It is said that if there was any flaw in the puja then its fulfillment can be done by the aarti.
Lyrics
| Devanagari | Transliteration | English Translation |
Eligibility"According to Lord Krishna, those who aren't religious are considered as not eligible to know about Bhagavad Gita." Shastra which may include associated texts and Aarti, Lord Krishna while delivering the Bhagavad-Gita on the battlefield of Kurukshetra in 3102 B.C.; just prior to the commencement of the Mahabharata war, has also confirmed the same in the 18 Chapter.
NoteReading Gita usually starts with Gita Dhyanam and the Geeta aarti sometime either found at the beginning or end of all the Gita chapters. |