Gita Jayanti

Gita Jayanti" is the birthday of Bhagvad-Gita, the sacred text of the Hindus. It is celebrated on the 11th day of the waxing moon of Margaseersha month (December- January) in the Vedic almanac. It is believed the immortal "Bhagavad Gita" was revealed to Arjuna by Sri Krishna himself in the battlefield of Kurukshetra (in present day Haryana, India) a little over 5000 years ago. The text is written in 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, Vyasadev, with the power to remotely view the events taking place on the battlefield as they transpired. [ref. Bhagavad Gita Ch 18 Txt 75]

The discourse of Bhagavad Gita took place just before the start of the Kurushektra war. This is the brief history prior to that:

After several attempts at reconciliation failed, 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 in 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 have trained him to become the greatest archer, Arjuna's heart begin to melt. His body started to tremble and his mind get confused. He became unable to perform his duty as a Kshatriya (warrior). 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 and teachings to Arjuna, is what is known now as the Bhagavad Gita, the most ancient scripture and non-sectarian philosophical work known to man.
[edit] Celebration

Gita Jayanti is celebrated worldwide by all Hindus (followers of Sanatana Dharma), who revere Bhagavad Gita as their Divine Mother because She teaches us (in a non-sectarian and scientific manner) how to re-establish our lost relationship with God Almighty (The Supreme), our Divine Father.

It is generally observed by 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 (Ekadasi is the eleventh day of the waxing moon and waning moon - it occurs twice every lunar month and is observed by fasting from grains and lentils (peas, beans, dhals) 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.

For this festival, the Swadhyay Parivar encourage youth from 16–30 years of age, of many religions and cultures, to speak on a certain topics about Gita. Last year from around the world 3.5 million youth spoke on the Gita. This year, youth spoke on the topic Bhagvad Gita: The Destroyer of Kali yuga and the divine song of Unity. People have gone from house to house spreading the thoughts of the Gita.

In Malaysia, The Gita Jayanti Team celebrates Gita Jayanthi annually with the cooperation of different Hindu organizations in order to create self realization among all Hindus.


In Singapore, Gita Jayanti celebrations have become a grand, month-long 'mega event' (see their official website in External Links below) It is coordinated by the Singapore Hindu Endowments Board with at least 36 Hindu Temples and Indian social & cultural organizations support. It has become a great platform for 'intra-faith' cooperation and harmony between the followers of various branches and sects of Sanatana Dharma ('hinduism'). Each year, in a very exemplary way, a different organization takes the leading role supported by all the others.

A unique development in the observance of Gita Jayanti was introduced in 1997 by Dina Anukampana Das [see official GJ Singapore Magazine article on its history by the Hon. Secretary, External Link below], a Singaporean, who is a dedicated preacher of the Bhagavad Gita. He developed a way of very simply singing the Gita with a nursery-rhyme type of tune that anyone can follow, accompanied by kartals and mridanga (drum). He also presented the verses in a format he invented called 'simplified romanized Sanskrit' wherein all the long syllables are marked in red to guide the novice (beginner). All resources for Gita Jayanti resources, such as the verses of the Gita in various formats and languages, audio and text, are available for download from the sites www[dot]gitajayanti[dot]ning[dot]com and www[dot]gitajayanti[dot]org

When these verses are projected on a large screen, and sung to that simple tune, the results have proven to be very amazing, and a stark contrast to the traditional mode of chanting - because everyone is able to join in and sing along by the second or third chapter. (A sample of this new style of singing the Gita is online at www[dot]gitasingalong[dot]on[dot]to Generally it is thought that 'Sanskrit is very hard' so I cannot chant it. This is true for the traditional way of chanting - only those who know Sanskrit to some degree can join in, because the speed of reading is so fast that any beginner will find it very hard to keep up. Furthermore, the tendency is to speed up as the hours go by. But in the new format, which is gaining popularity in New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere, the musical instruments control the pace, and the tune is so simple that there is time for the beginner to see and enunciate each and every syllable. The music thus unites the slow (beginners) and the fast (advanced) participants, in harmonious singing, enabling everyone to
participate.
Geeta Jayanti celebrates the anniversary of the day on which Lord Krishna told the Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta to Arjun. According to the lunar Indian calendar, that day is the 11th bright day (Shukla) of the Margshirsh month (2nd month) of the Vikram Samvat year. It falls approximately in December.

For many years, under the guidance of Pujya Dada and Pujya Didiji, the Swadhyay Pariwar's youth, from ages 16-30, has celebrated Geeta Jayanti by arranging elocution competitions on various subjects relating to the Geeta's thoughts. For children under the age of 16, there is a combined competition of reciting the Sanskrit "shlokas" (verses) and explaining and elaborating upon their meaning and application in life.

Under the guidance and inspiration of Didiji, the number of young people speaking in the elocution competition has increased exponentially. Until 2002, the number of participants was in the thousands. In 2003, about 700,000 youth participated in the competition. In 2004, the number doubled to 1.4 million. In this past year's Geeta Jayanti competition, 2.2 million youths spoke on the universality of the Geeta's philosophy and its practical applicability in life.

As a result of this competition, the youth have not only gained confidence in their public speaking abilities, but they have also developed the ability to think philosophically and put those thoughts into practical action. Consequently, due to their participation, the youth have begun understand the Bhagwad Geeta more and more. They quote the Sanskrit verses from the Geeta to emphasize their views. Their newly acquired knowledge and understanding of human life has continued to improve their individual, family, and social lives. This competition also elevates one's enthusiasm to do God's work. These youth reach out to many more youths to develop new, divine friendships and share t cultural, moral, and philosophical thoughts, leading to an improved life.

This large number of participants includes youth from both India and from all over the world, including more than 35 nations and various different religions. Many Muslim and Christian youth even win the competition in their cities and villages. The winners at village and city levels go on to compete at the district level, the state level, and finally the competition culminates at the Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta Pathshala in Bombay, India, where Dadaji regularly delivered his pravachans (discourses) for 60 years and where Didiji currently delivers discourses. These finalists i