Gita Jayanti

By Monica Gokaldas

Gita Jayanti is the birthday of Shrimad Bhagwad Gita, the sacred text of the Hindus. It is celebrated on the Shukla Ekadashi, 11th day of the waxing moon of Margashirsha month of the Hindu calendar. It was on this day that Sanjay narrated to King Dhritarashtra the dialogue between Sri Krishna and his disciple and friend Arjun from Kurukshretra’s battlefield, and thus made the glorious teachings of the Lord available to us, the people of the world as the knowledge of Gita, for all time.

Hindus regard Shrimad Bhagavad Gita as the most sacred and revered texts of Indian philosophy.  There are a number of books, but this scripture is the only one which has been sung by Bhagwan Shri Krishna himself, hence, The Gita is not merely a book or just a scripture. It is a living voice carrying an eternally indispensable and vital message to mankind. Its verses embody words of wisdom coming from the infinite ocean of knowledge, the Absolute Itself, enlightening the world about the Ultimate Goal of life.

This year we are marking the 5161^st anniversary of the Holy Scripture on December 11^th.Gita Jayanti being on Mokshada Ekadashi is a day of fasting and prayers. All over India and around the world the day is marked by kirtans, Satsangs, Gita shlokas chanting and the Gita Arti.

One might wonder why this scripture is considered the holiest among Holy Books. This is because the Gita is the entire representation of the battle of thoughts that goes on in our minds and about understanding how we can overcome difficulty, self-doubt, and ultimately live a life of truth and purpose. If one properly follows the instructions of Bhagavad-Gita, one can be freed from all the miseries and anxieties of life. One will be freed from all fears in this life, and one’s next life will be spiritual.

Through a varied discussion divided into eighteen chapters, the Gita provides knowledge ranging from the practical to the sublime, enabling us to achieve success by expounding the principles of right action whilst finding a balance in gaining wisdom about nature, our bodies and the environment we are surrounded with. In doing so it leads us to a systematically clear path for our own spiritual upliftment and finding the life purpose.

The first word of the Gita is ‘Dharma’. The last word is ‘mama.’ Together they mean ‘my essential nature.’ The ultimate purpose of the Gita is thus the redirection of humanity towards its True Nature, towards Self-Realization.

Shrutis (Divine words) say that Gita is the Queen of all Vedas. Each verse of Gita is a great mantra and learned people say that Gita is Yoga in itself, meaning through its knowledge souls can unite with Parmatman within The Self.

Chapter 1 titled “Yoga of Arjun’s grief” narrates how unless affected by grief in life, soul does not reach out to the Ishwara. Trapped in worldly entanglements Suffering, Pain & Grief all look alike and how surrendering to the Parmatman just like Arjun did, one can free himself of delusions.

The word Kshetra is used in two references in the text: Kurukshetra and Dharamakshetra implying to do one’s duty in every field and it is explained how Wealth and Desires come in between the Duty and Freedom but if the same are enjoyed according to Dharma, then Freedom is sure to follow.

Chapter 2 titled ‘Sankhya Yoga” covers the Yoga of Knowledge. Living with equanimity forming the crux of this chapter Shri Krishna takes Arjun as his disciple and guides him to get peace by doing actions skillfully, detached from desires and results of actions.

Chapter 3 titled ‘Karma Yoga” expounds on yoga of action. Bhagwan explains that Humans are gifted with higher intellect and discriminative tendencies and the significance of applying this gift to do seva for the sake of doing service. One’s actions are decisive of one’s path of life just as the harvest depends on the kind of seeds sown.

Chapter 4 titled “Yoga of Renunciation” speaks about the true knowledge required for liberation form the cycle of Birth and death through faith, readiness and control of senses. This transcendental Knowledge is gained by understanding our true existence whilst focusing on acquiring spiritual wisdom.

Chapter 5 is the “Yoga of Renunciation” titled as ‘Karm Sanyas Yoga”. Bhagwan explains why we mustn’t get trapped in dualities and how there is deceit on worldly enjoyments them being transient.

Chapter 6 titled ‘Dhyan Yoga” gives comparative evaluation of Karma Yoga and Karma Sanyas and is also called the yoga of Meditation and emphasizes on devotion.

Chapter 7 “Jnana Vijnana Yoga” one is advised to desire only that which is true; the Atman. Krishna reveals the deeper dimensions of the spiritual knowledge in this Yoga of Wisdom.

Chapter 8 titled “Akshar Brahma Yoga” Bhagwan speaks about the soul after the physical body’s death. Kshara being the body, Akshara being God he explains between the perishable and imperishable implying the Soul is ever present and its destination can be decided by one’s own doings in life and last moments.

Chapter 9 titled Raja Vidya Yoga” Shri Krishna reveals his glories inspiring reverence, devotion and awe among people. Bhagwan assures of taking care of all who worship Him with true devotion, irrespective of its material nature.

Chapter 10 is titled “Vibhooti Yoga” and narrates the Divine Glories of Shri Krishna. Vi meaning special and Bhuti meaning to be it speaks about special existence. Bhagwan reveals that He is in all beings in the form of Self, in all elements of nature and in all states of being.

Chapter 11 titled “Vishwaroop Darshan Yoga’ shares the vision of the Universal Form or in other words the vision of the World in Bhagwan.  Arjun witnesses the most hard to conceive Universal Form of Shri Krishna bestowed by the Divine Vision granted to him Krishna encompasses the entire universe, all beings and even time within His Form.

Chapter 12 titled “Bhakti Yoga”, the shortest of all chapters delves on the Yoga of devotion irrespective of their conditions, situations and comforts. The whole world is Bhagwan’s manifestation and the One who sees Bhagwan in all beings and situations is a successful person.

Chapter 13 is titled “Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhag yoga” discussing the Field of action and the knower of the field meaning the body and the spirit. All things movable and immovable in the world are created by the union between the body, mind and the spirit. The knower sees Parmatma seated in everybody.

Chapter 14 is titled “Guna Traya Vibhaga Yoga “explaining the division between the three traits or Gunas of Rajjas, Tamas and Sattva detailing the nature of existence and the path to spiritual attainment. It is difficult for common man to go beyond these three moods of Purity, Passion and Inertia and attachment to them. The highest status can be attained by going beyond these moods.

Chapter 15 is titled “Purushottam Yoga’ and advises about The Yoga of the Supreme spirit as the best among spirits. Shri Krishna says that He is seated o the hearts of All and from Him comes the remembrance, Knowledge and the Forgetfulness. Bhagwan compares this world to the Ashwatha Tree that has its roots above and branches below. Parmatma being above is the root of the world; The Brahm. All creations and beings are like branches below.

Chapter 16 is titled “Daiv Asura Sampad Vibhag Yoga” the Yoga of Divine and Devilish states. The chapter expounds on the saintly and demonic kinds of human nature and is like a yard stick where we have to find which category we belong to.

Chapter 17 is titled ‘Shraddha Traya Vibhag Yoga” brushes upon the three kinds of penance – that of body, speech and mind. Shri Krishna speaks about the nature of faith, food, sacrifice and austerity whilst giving a detailed understanding of the three moods of Rajjas, Tamas and Sattva. Whatever is done for Parmatma is satkarma being the best purpose and when good deeds such as charity, sacrifice and austerity are done without faith, they are non-beneficial in any world.

Chapter 18 is the last chapter and is titled as ‘Moksha Sanyasa Yoga” meaning the Yoga of Liberation through renunciation. Presenting a synthesis of knowledge and action this chapter drills hard the essence of Gita’s teachings.

From food and sleep to the subtlest practise of meditation, the Gita leaves no stone unturned in its guidance for attaining perfection. We learn what true service and sacrifice are, their role in our self-development, and what can be achieved through them. Krishna teaches us the real meaning of bhakti (devotion) and distinguishes clearly between mere book knowledge and wisdom.

Interestingly, the Gita provides clarity on human psychology rarely seen in spiritual texts. And from dozens of angles, this book points at the Supreme, the true self, the beginningless being that we truly are.

Few scriptures cover the entire spectrum of life. Perhaps for this reason, the Bhagavad Gita stands out in the five-thousand-year-old wisdom tradition called Vedanta and indeed in world literature.