As we celebrate Gita Jayanti on December 22nd, it becomes imperative to delve into the significance of this auspicious day and the profound teachings encapsulated in the Bhagavad Gita. Gita Jayanti marks the day on which Lord Krishna imparted the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to Prince Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. This sacred scripture, also known as the Pavitra Granth, holds a central place in Hindu philosophy, guiding its followers on the path of righteousness and spiritual enlightenment.
The Historical and Philosophical Context:
Gita Jayanti commemorates the divine dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, which occurred over 5,000 years ago on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. As we reflect upon the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, it is crucial to understand the historical and philosophical context in which this sacred scripture unfolded. On the brink of the Kurukshetra War, Arjuna was torn between duty and familial bonds, paralyzed by moral dilemmas. In response, Lord Krishna delivered a discourse that transcends time, providing guidance on duty, righteousness, and the essence of life itself.
Arjuna’s Dilemma and the Call to Duty:
On this Gita Jayanti, we revisit the opening chapters of the Bhagavad Gita, where Arjuna’s moral crisis sets the stage for Lord Krishna’s teachings. In Chapter 2, Verse 47, Lord Krishna imparts a fundamental lesson, urging Arjuna to fulfill his duties without attachment to the outcomes:
Sanskrit Sloka: कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि।।
Translation: “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.”
This teaching encapsulates the essence of selfless action and the importance of fulfilling one’s duties without attachment.
The Yoga of Knowledge:
Gita Jayanti is an opportune moment to revisit the various paths of yoga elucidated in the Bhagavad Gita. In Chapter 4, Verse 7-8, Lord Krishna reveals the eternal nature of divine knowledge:
Sanskrit Sloka: यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत। अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्।।
Translation: “Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, at that time I manifest myself on earth. To protect the righteous, to annihilate the wicked, and to reestablish the principles of dharma, I appear millennium after millennium.”
This verse emphasizes the cyclical nature of divine incarnations and the eternal battle between righteousness and unrighteousness.
Celebrating Devotion:
Gita Jayanti is also an occasion to delve into the path of devotion or Bhakti Yoga. In Chapter 9, Verse 22, Lord Krishna describes the qualities of a true devotee:
Sanskrit Sloka: तोऽमां सततं युक्ता एकत्वम् प्रेम विभ्रमः। य इदं यथामां गुणम् प्रपथ्यन्ते ते पितामह।।
Translation: “To those who are constantly devoted and who worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me. Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.”
This Gita Jayanti, let us celebrate the power of unwavering devotion and the transformative nature of divine love.
The Eternal Message:
On this Gita Jayanti, as we celebrate the birth of the Bhagavad Gita, let its eternal message resonate in our hearts. In Chapter 3, Verse 16, Lord Krishna elucidates the concept of selfless action:
Sanskrit Sloka: एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह य:। घृतं पिवन्स्वर्गपुत्रं च भूय: संसिद्ध्यसी मा शुच:।।
Translation: “Arjuna, he who does not follow the wheel of creation set revolving in this world (i.e., does not perform his duties), sinful and sensual, he lives in pain. So, O son of Kunti, perform your duties in accordance with the divine ordinance, for by performing one’s duties one attains to the highest perfection.”
May the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita guide us towards a life of purpose, righteousness, and spiritual fulfillment as we celebrate Gita Jayanti on this auspicious day.