Gita Mahotsav

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 (in present-day Haryana, India). 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..

International Gita Mahotsav 2019

Gita Jayanthi is the day when Lord Sri Krishna told the gita to Arjuna.

Background

Main article: Mahabharata

Main article: Kurukshetra war

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 (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, 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 (followers of Sanatana Dharma), who revere Bhagavad Gita as their Divine Mother because she teaches (in a non-sectarian and scientific manner) how to re-establish our lost relationship with God Almighty (The Supreme).

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 (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. 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

Aarti

Bhagavad Gita Aarti (Hindi: भगवद गीता आरती) 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
जय भगवद् गीते, जय भगवद् गीते । हरि-हिय-कमल-विहारिणि सुन्दर सुपुनीते ॥ कर्म-सुमर्म-प्रकाशिनि कामासक्तिहरा । तत्त्वज्ञान-विकाशिनि विद्या ब्रह्म परा ॥ जय ॥ निश्चल-भक्ति-विधायिनि निर्मल मलहारी । शरण-सहस्य-प्रदायिनि सब विधि सुखकारी ॥ जय ॥ राग-द्वेष-विदारिणि कारिणि मोद सदा । भव-भय-हारिणि तारिणि परमानन्दप्रदा ॥ जय॥ आसुर-भाव-विनाशिनि नाशिनि तम रजनी । दैवी सद् गुणदायिनि हरि-रसिका सजनी ॥ जय ॥ समता, त्याग सिखावनि, हरि-मुख की बानी । सकल शास्त्र की स्वामिनी श्रुतियों की रानी ॥ जय ॥ दया-सुधा बरसावनि, मातु ! कृपा कीजै । हरिपद-प्रेम दान कर अपनो कर लीजै ॥ जय ॥	Jay Bhagavad Geete, Jay Bhagavad Geete Hari-Hiy-Kamal-Vihaarini Sundar Supuneete Karm-Sumarm-Prakaashini Kaamaasaktihara Tattvagyaan-Vikaashini Vidya Brahm para Jay. Nishchal-Bhakti-Vidhaayini Nirmal Malahaaree Sharan-Sahasy-pradaayini SAB vidhi Sukhakaaree Jay. Raag-Dvesh-vidaarini kaarini mod Sada. Bhav-Bhay-Haarini Taarini Paramaanandaprada Jay. Aasur-Bhaav-vinaashini Naashini Tam Rajanee Daivee sad Gunadaayini Hari-Rasika Sajanee Jay. Samata, Tyaag Sikhaavani, Hari-Mukh kee Baanee. Sakal shaastr kee svaaminee shrutiyon kee Raanee Jay. Daya-Sudha Barasaavani, Maatu! Krpa Keejai. Haripad-prem daan kar apano kar leejai Jay	Oh song of God yours triumph, oh song of God yours triumph You provide path to lotus God's heaven being a beautiful melody You lights up the good work, removed all works attachment You do philosophy development and provide knowledge of supreme spirit You provide steady devotion, purity and remove impurity You provide us mighty God's shelter and are by all methods pleasant You remove anger, hatred within us, always provide joy You destroy fear of death, provide salvation and gift of ultimate bliss You destroy demon sentiments and remove darkness & passions You provide divine quality and keep us together in God's devotion You as voice of the God, teaches us parity and sacrifice You are the boss of gross science and queen of all the hearings You rain's mercy and nectar! mother, be graceful to us. Make me yours by gifting us the path of God's love

Eligibility

The Delivery of the Bhagavad Gita

"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 (verse-18-67).

You should never disclose this science to one devoid of austerities, nor to one who is not devoted, nor to one adverse to spiritual advancement and never anyone who is envious of me.

—Bhagavad Geeta

Note

Reading Gita usually starts with Gita Dhyanam and the Geeta aarti sometime either found at the beginning or end of all the Gita chapters.

External links

• Gita Jayanti Singapore's official website, under the auspices of the Hindu Endowments Board