Gita Jayanti

Gita Jayanti, the celebration of wisdom encapsulated in the Bhagavad Gita! It’s observed on the day when Lord Krishna delivered the sacred scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita, is a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, taking place on the brink of the Kurukshetra War. It’s a philosophical and spiritual dialogue where Lord Krishna imparts profound teachings on duty, righteousness, and the path to self-realization.

Now, Gita Jayanti is observed on the Shukla Ekadashi of the Margashirsha month in the Hindu calendar, which usually falls in December. On this day, devotees read and recite verses from the Bhagavad Gita, attend satsangs (spiritual discourses), and participate in various activities that promote understanding and reflection on its teachings.

The significance lies in the timeless wisdom shared by Lord Krishna, addressing the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Arjuna.

Though the Gita provides knowledge of dharma, guidance on leading a righteous life and the pursuit of spiritual knowledge, its ultimate purpose is helping one achieve Moksha (liberation or enlightenment).

Gita Jayanti, Mathura, aditya.co.za

On The Day

  1. Reading and Recitation: Begin the day by reading and reciting verses from the Bhagavad Gita. You might choose specific chapters or verses that resonate with you or are relevant to your current life situations.
  2. Satsang or Bhajan: Attend or organize a satsang (spiritual gathering) where devotees come together to discuss and reflect upon the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Singing devotional songs (bhajans) dedicated to Lord Krishna is also a beautiful way to express devotion.
  3. Pooja and Arati: Perform a pooja (worship) dedicated to Lord Krishna. Offer flowers, incense, and food items as a symbol of your devotion. Conclude with the arati, a ritual of waving lit lamps before the deity.
  4. Charity and Seva: In the spirit of selfless service emphasized in the Gita, you should engage in acts of charity or seva (service) on this day. It could be helping those in need, contributing to a cause, or volunteering your time. But most fulfilling is bringing the Gita to someone else’s life to enrich them spiritually.
  5. Fasting: Devotees should observe a fast on Gita Jayanti as a form of spiritual discipline and cleanliness. If you are able, this day also falls on Ekadashi and those fasting disciplines should be practiced.
  6. Reflect and Meditate: Take some quiet time for introspection and meditation. Contemplate the teachings of the Gita and how they can be applied to your daily life. It’s a day for personal growth and spiritual evolution.