Guest guest Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 SrI: Dear Srimathy Subha : Although mere recital of Sri VishNu Sahasra Naamam confers all MangaLams on the reciter , understanding the meaning of the NaamAs and reflection on them brings us even closer to the Lord , cleanses the mind and helps us to lead a rich spiritual life .This is true of Vedam, Upanishads , Bhagavath GithA , the Divine works of AzhwArs and the Blessed literary sthOthrams by AchAryAs . Instead of reciting the above divine works as mumbo-jumbo , it is much more enjoyable to know about the essence of UpadEsam and their meanings by the Supreme Lord at the battle field of KurukshEtham . There are messages there for all of us in every station of life . I agree that a very young child may not be able to understand the meanings of tough VedAnthic passages . The child at this stage can easily learn by heart the 700 slOkams .For them , it is like hitting a nail in a green tree , which is easy to do compared to hitting a nail in a older tree , which offers all kinds of resistence .Once this material is absorbed by the child , he or she can always begin the study of these universal truths revealed to us by BhagavAn for the upliftment of our souls towards the Supreme PurushArTam of MOksham . May of the adults and the parents of children might benefit from the study of Bahgavath GithA as well and encourage their children . Bhagavath GithA is the churned essence of Upansihads and taught with compassion by Our Lord . The highlight of the whole Bhagavath GithA is the Charama SlOkam ( 18.66): and the three slOkams preceding it : SlOkam 18.63: " Thus , the knowledge , the mustery of mysteries has been declared to you by Me .Reflecting on it fully , do what you will " SlOkam 18.64: "Hear againMy supreme word , the most secret of all, you are exceedingly loved by Me , I am telling waht is good for you " (TathO VakshyAmi tE hitham) . SlOkam 18.65 : " Focus your mind on Me; Be My devotee. Be My worshipper ; Prostrate before Me . You shall come to me alone . I promise you truly ; for you are dear to Me. SlOkam 18.66: Charama SlOkma Sarva dharmAn parithyajya MaamEkam SaraNam vraja Aham ThvA SarvapApEpyO mokshayishyAmi maa sucha: " Completely relinquishing all dharmAs , seek Me alone for refuge . I will release you from all sins . Grieve not ." A child blessed to learn Srimath Bahgavath GithA instead of all trivia as a part of entertainment & amusement will gain all goals of life as they climb the ladders of life . The most important thing is to have a competent teacher , who can provide the right pronunciation and create a sense of competetive atmpsphere among a group of children wanting to excel and have the GithA Saasthram recorded and stored in their memory banks. SrI GeethAchAryAya Nama: V.Sadagopan - "nssuba03" <nssuba03 <tiruvenkatam> Wednesday, February 23, 2005 4:04 AM [t'venkatam] Question on Gita recitation > > > I have a doubt and request the esteemed members of this group to > kindly advise me. As far as my understanding (rather the lack of it) > goes, Bhagavat Gita is a scripture in which a glorious teacher, Sri > Krishna teaches Arjuna, a representation of an average man, whose > intellect was riddled with thousands of anxieties and desires similar > to us. The Gita provides an interpretation and elaboration of Vedic > truth in a manner far more suitable for the ordinary people, than the > Vedas themselves. Gita is a textbook discussing a way of living or > the ideal way of living and therefore Gita ought to be lived and > experienced. I presume that this view is broadly correct and if this > is correct, my question is what purpose is achieved by reciting or > chanting Bhagavat Gita and by learning to chant it by rote. I > understand that though we do not understand the meaning or > significance of say, Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam or Sri Desika Strotras, > reciting these and learning to chant these are highly rewarding - > these works eulogizes the Lord or his Kalyana Gunas etc. Hence it is > understandable that we should learn to recite such strotras praising > Lord, though we do not understand the meaning. Is the same thing > applicable to Gita - is Gita meant to be recited or chanted or is it > meant to be understood and followed? What specific purpose is served > by learning to recite the Gita? > I'm not trying to say that one doesn't have to read or recite Gita > since one doesn't understand it but I'm asking why should we learn to > recite it. Should Gita be recited everyday or whenever time permits > like other Strotras or Vishnu Sahasranamam etc. The reason why I'm > asking this is - I have a young daughter (8 years old) and she says > some of her friends have joined some Gita recitation class and now, > she also wants to lean this. Apart from this, I often come across > Gita recitation sessions and recitation competition for children. > Frankly, I have never read Gita in my life and as such, I have to > find a person who could teach my daughter this. Before I do this, > grateful if the learned members of this group can clarify my doubt. > Thanking you in advance for your advise. > Subha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 PraNAms aThe feet of all Bhagavathas. By making the children repeat & recite the slokas of srimad Bhagavad Gita at the tender age , they are able to grasp the whole text in a very short time. In my own experience , the children started reciting the slokas in amzingly short period. We can also tell them the essence of the Teachings in a manner they understand at their tender age. Thus the new genrations wil have the great advantage of getting the full effect of this Greatest of all The Teachings and they will also apply their knowledge in their day to day life which is the ultimate goal of Lord's Teaching. Ohm Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya. Kombur Vankipuram Madhavan . Sadagopan <sgopan (AT) computer (DOT) net> wrote: SrI:Dear Srimathy Subha :Although mere recital of Sri VishNu Sahasra Naamamconfers all MangaLams on the reciter , understandingthe meaning of the NaamAs and reflection on thembrings us even closer to the Lord , cleanses the mindand helps us to lead a rich spiritual life .This is true ofVedam, Upanishads , Bhagavath GithA , the Divine works ofAzhwArs and the Blessed literary sthOthrams by AchAryAs . Instead of reciting the above divine works as mumbo-jumbo ,it is much more enjoyable to know about the essence ofUpadEsam and their meanings by the Supreme Lord atthe battle field of KurukshEtham . There are messages there for all of us in every station of life .I agree that a very young child may not be able to understandthe meanings of tough VedAnthic passages . The child atthis stage can easily learn by heart the 700 slOkams .For them ,it is like hitting a nail in a green tree , which is easy to docompared to hitting a nail in a older tree , which offersall kinds of resistence .Once this material is absorbed bythe child , he or she can always begin the study of these universal truths revealed to us by BhagavAn for the upliftment of our souls towards the Supreme PurushArTam of MOksham .May of the adults and the parents of children might benefit fromthe study of Bahgavath GithA as well and encourage their children . Bhagavath GithA is the churned essence of Upansihads and taught with compassion by Our Lord . The highlight ofthe whole Bhagavath GithA is the Charama SlOkam ( 18.66):and the three slOkams preceding it :SlOkam 18.63: " Thus , the knowledge , the mustery of mysterieshas been declared to you by Me ..Reflecting on it fully , do whatyou will "SlOkam 18.64: "Hear againMy supreme word , the most secret of all,you are exceedingly loved by Me , I am telling waht is good for you "(TathO VakshyAmi tE hitham) .SlOkam 18.65 : " Focus your mind on Me; Be My devotee. Be Myworshipper ; Prostrate before Me .. You shall come to me alone .I promise you truly ; for you are dear to Me. SlOkam 18.66: Charama SlOkmaSarva dharmAn parithyajya MaamEkam SaraNam vraja Aham ThvA SarvapApEpyO mokshayishyAmi maa sucha:" Completely relinquishing all dharmAs , seek Me alone for refuge . I will release you from all sins . Grieve not ."A child blessed to learn Srimath Bahgavath GithA instead ofall trivia as a part of entertainment & amusement will gainall goals of life as they climb the ladders of life .The most important thing is to have a competent teacher ,who can provide the right pronunciation and create a senseof competetive atmpsphere among a group of children wanting to excel and have the GithA Saasthram recorded and stored in their memory banks.SrI GeethAchAryAya Nama: V.Sadagopan - "nssuba03" <nssuba03 (AT) (DOT) co.in>To: <tiruvenkatam>Wednesday, February 23, 2005 4:04 AM[t'venkatam] Question on Gita recitation>>> I have a doubt and request the esteemed members of this group to> kindly advise me. As far as my understanding (rather the lack of it)> goes, Bhagavat Gita is a scripture in which a glorious teacher, Sri> Krishna teaches Arjuna, a representation of an average man, whose> intellect was riddled with thousands of anxieties and desires similar> to us. The Gita provides an interpretation and elaboration of Vedic> truth in a manner far more suitable for the ordinary people, than the> Vedas themselves. Gita is a textbook discussing a way of living or> the ideal way of living and therefore Gita ought to be lived and> experienced. I presume that this view is broadly correct and if this> is correct, my question is what purpose is achieved by reciting or> chanting Bhagavat Gita and by learning to chant it by rote. I> understand that though we do not understand the meaning or> significance of say, Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam or Sri Desika Strotras,> reciting these and learning to chant these are highly rewarding -> these works eulogizes the Lord or his Kalyana Gunas etc. Hence it is> understandable that we should learn to recite such strotras praising> Lord, though we do not understand the meaning. Is the same thing> applicable to Gita - is Gita meant to be recited or chanted or is it> meant to be understood and followed? What specific purpose is served> by learning to recite the Gita?> I'm not trying to say that one doesn't have to read or recite Gita> since one doesn't understand it but I'm asking why should we learn to> recite it. Should Gita be recited everyday or whenever time permits> like other Strotras or Vishnu Sahasranamam etc. The reason why I'm> asking this is - I have a young daughter (8 years old) and she says> some of her friends have joined some Gita recitation class and now,> she also wants to lean this. Apart from this, I often come across> Gita recitation sessions and recitation competition for children.> Frankly, I have never read Gita in my life and as such, I have to> find a person who could teach my daughter this. Before I do this,> grateful if the learned members of this group can clarify my doubt.> Thanking you in advance for your advise.> SubhaNamo VenkateshAya namah:To Post a message, send it to: tiruvenkatam (AT) eGroups (DOT) comTo Un, send a blank message to: tiruvenkatam- (AT) eGroups (DOT) com WE PRAY THE LORD TO BLESS ALL TO LOVE AND HELP ALL.Do You ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 SrI : PraNAms aThe feet of all Bhagavathas. By making the children repeat & recite the slokas of srimad Bhagavad Gita at the tender age , they are able to grasp the whole text in a very short time. In my own experience , the children started reciting the slokas in amzingly short period. We can also tell them the essence of the Teachings in a manner they understand at their tender age. Thus the new genrations wil have the great advantage of getting the full effect of this Greatest of all The Teachings and they will also apply their knowledge in their day to day life which is the ultimate goal of Lord's Teaching. Ohm Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya. Kombur Vankipuram Madhavan . Sadagopan <sgopan (AT) computer (DOT) net> wrote: SrI:Dear Srimathy Subha :Although mere recital of Sri VishNu Sahasra Naamamconfers all MangaLams on the reciter , understandingthe meaning of the NaamAs and reflection on thembrings us even closer to the Lord , cleanses the mindand helps us to lead a rich spiritual life .This is true ofVedam, Upanishads , Bhagavath GithA , the Divine works ofAzhwArs and the Blessed literary sthOthrams by AchAryAs . Instead of reciting the above divine works as mumbo-jumbo ,it is much more enjoyable to know about the essence ofUpadEsam and their meanings by the Supreme Lord atthe battle field of KurukshEtham . There are messages there for all of us in every station of life .I agree that a very young child may not be able to understandthe meanings of tough VedAnthic passages . The child atthis stage can easily learn by heart the 700 slOkams .For them ,it is like hitting a nail in a green tree , which is easy to docompared to hitting a nail in a older tree , which offersall kinds of resistence .Once this material is absorbed bythe child , he or she can always begin the study of these universal truths revealed to us by BhagavAn for the upliftment of our souls towards the Supreme PurushArTam of MOksham .May of the adults and the parents of children might benefit fromthe study of Bahgavath GithA as well and encourage their children . Bhagavath GithA is the churned essence of Upansihads and taught with compassion by Our Lord . The highlight ofthe whole Bhagavath GithA is the Charama SlOkam ( 18.66):and the three slOkams preceding it :SlOkam 18.63: " Thus , the knowledge , the mustery of mysterieshas been declared to you by Me ..Reflecting on it fully , do whatyou will "SlOkam 18.64: "Hear againMy supreme word , the most secret of all,you are exceedingly loved by Me , I am telling waht is good for you "(TathO VakshyAmi tE hitham) .SlOkam 18.65 : " Focus your mind on Me; Be My devotee. Be Myworshipper ; Prostrate before Me .. You shall come to me alone .I promise you truly ; for you are dear to Me. SlOkam 18.66: Charama SlOkmaSarva dharmAn parithyajya MaamEkam SaraNam vraja Aham ThvA SarvapApEpyO mokshayishyAmi maa sucha:" Completely relinquishing all dharmAs , seek Me alone for refuge . I will release you from all sins . Grieve not ."A child blessed to learn Srimath Bahgavath GithA instead ofall trivia as a part of entertainment & amusement will gainall goals of life as they climb the ladders of life .The most important thing is to have a competent teacher ,who can provide the right pronunciation and create a senseof competetive atmpsphere among a group of children wanting to excel and have the GithA Saasthram recorded and stored in their memory banks.SrI GeethAchAryAya Nama: V.Sadagopan - "nssuba03" <nssuba03 (AT) (DOT) co.in>To: <tiruvenkatam>Wednesday, February 23, 2005 4:04 AM[t'venkatam] Question on Gita recitation>>> I have a doubt and request the esteemed members of this group to> kindly advise me. As far as my understanding (rather the lack of it)> goes, Bhagavat Gita is a scripture in which a glorious teacher, Sri> Krishna teaches Arjuna, a representation of an average man, whose> intellect was riddled with thousands of anxieties and desires similar> to us. The Gita provides an interpretation and elaboration of Vedic> truth in a manner far more suitable for the ordinary people, than the> Vedas themselves. Gita is a textbook discussing a way of living or> the ideal way of living and therefore Gita ought to be lived and> experienced. I presume that this view is broadly correct and if this> is correct, my question is what purpose is achieved by reciting or> chanting Bhagavat Gita and by learning to chant it by rote. I> understand that though we do not understand the meaning or> significance of say, Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam or Sri Desika Strotras,> reciting these and learning to chant these are highly rewarding -> these works eulogizes the Lord or his Kalyana Gunas etc. Hence it is> understandable that we should learn to recite such strotras praising> Lord, though we do not understand the meaning. Is the same thing> applicable to Gita - is Gita meant to be recited or chanted or is it> meant to be understood and followed? What specific purpose is served> by learning to recite the Gita?> I'm not trying to say that one doesn't have to read or recite Gita> since one doesn't understand it but I'm asking why should we learn to> recite it. Should Gita be recited everyday or whenever time permits> like other Strotras or Vishnu Sahasranamam etc. The reason why I'm> asking this is - I have a young daughter (8 years old) and she says> some of her friends have joined some Gita recitation class and now,> she also wants to lean this. Apart from this, I often come across> Gita recitation sessions and recitation competition for children.> Frankly, I have never read Gita in my life and as such, I have to> find a person who could teach my daughter this. Before I do this,> grateful if the learned members of this group can clarify my doubt.> Thanking you in advance for your advise.> SubhaNamo VenkateshAya namah:To Post a message, send it to: tiruvenkatam (AT) eGroups (DOT) comTo Un, send a blank message to: tiruvenkatam- (AT) eGroups (DOT) com WE PRAY THE LORD TO BLESS ALL TO LOVE AND HELP ALL. Read only the mail you want - Mail SpamGuard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 tiruvenkatam, sudarshan madabushi <mksudarshan2002> wrote: Dear member, Your question reminds me of what my children too sometimes pose to me. Why try and learn by rote a scripture like the Gita which is really meant to be lived more than it is meant to be chanted? Good question, indeed. I often ask my two teenaged children: Why did you have to learn way back in Class 3 or Class 4 in school the multiplication tables by rote? Didn't your teacher then make you recite "two one's are two", "two two's are four", "two three's are six"... and so on, ad infinitum, ad nauseaum? Have you asked yourself why your teacher in those lower classes made you commit to memory first the multiplication-function tables from 1 to 16? The answer is clear, isn't it? When we have learnt the multiplication tables by rote, it becomes easier later on in the higher classes to perform other mathematical functions easily and quickly. The brain or the mind by then has become attuned to the 'X' function so well that we soon become adept at doing the math even mentally. It comes to us naturally as if by reflex. What is true of maths is true of the scriptures too. The Vedic tradition of learning sets great store by memorization. Once things are firmly committed to memory then higher learning of lofty "tattva"and "siddhAnta" becomes easy and effortless. Once a Vedic passage is recalled to mind merely by recalling it from stored memory, imbibing its meaning and essence, and reflecting upon its inner meaning and significance, becomes a matter of ease. The same is true of the Bhagavath-gita too which is said to be the very cream of all Vedantic thought. The Bhagavath Gita deserves to be memorized for yet another reason, I should say. That is that the Gita is wonderful poetry... it is extraordinarily beautiful Sanskrit. If we are lovers of language then we must memorize poetry. I have known many people (my own mother, for example) who had no formal education in Sanskrit and yet by the time they had become older had cultivated a very fine and sophisticated sense for the beauty of the language. It was thanks mainly to their knowledge of the Bhagavath-Gita. The idiom, the phraseology, the style and the rhythm of the Gita is a marvellous treat indeed. If you want to enjoy good poetry you have to first learn to recite it well. This is true in fact, of all great poetry. Even Shakespeare, Robert Frost or Auden.... How can one explain the inner enjoyment one experiences whenever one merely repeats those haunting and famous lines of Robert Graves: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, And I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, Miles to go before I sleep". Similarly, how can one who knows the Gita well explain the inner bliss that simply envelops the soul when one recalls and recites truly exquisite and memorable lines from that scripture non-pareil? "uddharEd AtmanAt AtmAnam nAtmAnam avasAdayEt Atmaiva hyAtmano bandhur Atmaiva ripur Atmanah" The Lord said: "A man must elevate himself by his own mind, not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the soul, and its enemy as well". The best way, to my mind, by which we can help to elevate the mind of our children is really to make them memorize the Gita... that way their minds will soon, in good time, become their life-long good friend ('bandhu'), not enemy ('ripuh')! Thanks and regards, dAsan, Sudarshan --- nssuba03 <nssuba03> wrote: ------------------------------- I have a doubt and request the esteemed members of this group to kindly advise me. Gita is a textbook discussing a way of living or the ideal way of living and therefore Gita ought to be lived and experienced. I presume that this view is broadly correct and if this is correct, my question is what purpose is achieved by reciting or chanting Bhagavat Gita and by learning to chant it by rote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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