Gita Jayanthi Day

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Gita Jayanti Day

 

The Gita Jayanti Day or the Birthday of Srimad Bhagavad Gita is celebrated

traditionally on

the 11th day (Ekadasi) of the bright half (Sukla Paksha) of the month of

Margasira (Dec./Jan.).

(Coincides with Vaikuntha Ekadasi) In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, "Of

all the months I am Margashirsha." Hence the importance of this month. This

was the day on which the Gospel of our Dharma was revealed to the world

through Sanjaya (who was blessed with the Divine Sight to witness the war of

Mahabharata by Bhagavan Vyasa). "Bhagavad Gita Day" is celebrated on or around

the Gita Jayanti Day. Special pujas and renditions of Bhagavad Gita are

performed. People pray to Lord Krishna to shower His Grace on all his fellow

devotees.

 

The composition of Bhagavad Gita (God's revelation in musical form) is a part

of the great epic, Mahabharata (composed of more than one, hundred thousand

slokas.) The Bhagavad Gita is the dialogue that took place between Krishna and

Arjun, just before the Mahabharata war. Arjun, throwing away his weapons,

informs Krishna, his charioteer and bosom friend why he didn't want to fight

the war. Krishna convinces Arjun that he has no options left but to fight. The

doctrine of Gita focuses on the general theme that one must act to do one's

duty with detachment. In the eleventh chapter Krishna manifests himself as the

Lord. He is no longer Arjun's companion in human form. "I am all-devouring

time that causes the world to perish, and I come forth to destroy the worlds:

even apart from thee, not one of the warriors drawn up in ranks opposing shall

survive. Therefore, arise, win glory, defeat thy foes, enjoy wise sovereignty!

I have already slain these men: be thou no more than a means."

 

One can visualize Gita as comprising of three distinct sections that

illustrate the three terms of the Mahavakya of the Sama Veda : Tat-Tvam-Asi (

-That Thou Art). Accordingly, the first six chapters deal with the path of

action and the nature of "thou" ( tvam); the next six chapters explain the

path of devotion and the nature of "That" (tat); and the last six chapters

deal with the path of knowledge and the nature of the term "Art" (asi) which

establishes the identity of the individual and the Supreme, i.e.

Jiva-Brahma-Aikya.

 

Srimad Bhagvad Gita is considered to be one of the three authoritarian texts

(prasthana trayi) of tatvajnana! (the other two are Brahma Sutras and the

Upanishads). Gita is also known as Gitopanishad because it portrays the

essence of all the upanishads! Bhagavad Gita is also hailed as Brahma Vidya

(Knowledge of the Absolute) which is the highest knowledge that a spiritual

aspirant seeks. Bhagavad Gita is also applauded as Yoga Sastra because it

deals with the practice of the highest ideals in all walks of life. Actually

the entire Gita can reclassified into three Yogas (Bhakti, Karma, and Jnana

Yoga).

 

The message contained in the Gita emphasizes again and again the development

of an attitude of non-attachment (just like the lotus-leaf in the surface of

water but not wet by the water). A true aspirant is expected to possess the

qualifications of viveka (discrimination between good & bad), vairagya

(dispassion), sama (control of mind), dama (control of senses), uprati (not

influenced by worldly attractions). Srimad Bhagavad Gita teaches us the theory

and values of these qualifications and as a yoga sastra, teaches us the way to

practice them in our path towards God-Realization.

 

The last sloka of the 18th chapter is known as Bhagavad Gita in one verse

(Ekasloki Gita) says:

yatra yogesvarah krsno yatra paartho dhanudharah

tatra srir vijayo bhutir dhruvaa nitir matir mama.

(Wherever there is Krishna, the Lord of Yoga and Arjuna, the supreme archer

(true seeker), there will be prosperity, victory, welfare and morality.)