The Gita is like an elevated lamp which throws its light on the whole of the Mahabharata. 'Gita' is one of the most influential discourses in eastern philosophy. The Bhagavad-Gita is the eternal message of spiritual wisdom from ancient India. The word 'Gita' means song and the word. Bhagavad means God; often the Bhagavad-Gita is called the Song of God. It commemorates the discourse called the Bhagavad-Gita or God song that was revealed by Sri Krishna to Arjuna on the first day of the 18-day battle in the Mahabharata. The conversation that ensued, Lord Krishna's advice and teachings to Arjuna, is what is known now as the Bhagavad-Gita, an ancient scripture and non-sectarian philosophical work. When we speak of sacred text of Hindus, 'Gita', we celebrate its birthday as 'Gita Jayanti' that falls on the 'Shukla Ekadashi', 11th day of waxing moon of 'Margashirsha' month of the Hindu calendar. The day in 2018 is falling on 19 December and it becomes obligatory for every follower of the Sanatana Dharma to celebrate it on large platter and occasion be utilized to propagate the essence of the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita an important work of Hindu tradition in terms of both literature and philosophy. The Bhagavad-Gita spread over to 18 chapters is a 700 verse Hindu scripture in Sanskrit that is part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata (chapters 23-40 of the 6th book of Mahabharata) and is one of the greatest religious books of the Hindus. The Gita was not 'divided into 18 chapters', but was written originally as a section of text of the epic 'Mahabharata', with each chapter written and concluded properly as per the creator of the epic, MaharIshi Veda Vyasa. Each chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita is called Yoga. Yoga is the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness. Each chapter is a highly specialized Yoga revealing the path of attaining realization of the ultimate truth. The 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita are segregated into three main categories. The three main categories include karma yoga, Bhakti yoga and jyana yoga. (1) Karma yoga: having in its ambit Visada Yoga (46 verse), Sankhya Yoga (72 verse), Karma Yoga (43 verse), Jnana Yoga (42 verse), Karma-Viragya Yoga (29 verse) and Abhyasa Yoga (47 verse) deals with the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness through actions. (2) Bhakti yoga: having in its ambit Pramahamsa-Vijnana Yoga (30 verse), Aksra-Parabrahman Yoga (28 verse), Raja-Vidya-Guhya Yoga (34 verse), Vibhuti-Vistara Yoga (42 verse), Visvarupa-Darsana Yoga (55 verse) and Bhakti Yoga (20 verse), pertains to the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness by the path of devotion. (3) Jyana Yoga: having in its ambit Ksetra-Ksetrajna-Vibhaga Yoga (35 verse), Guna-traya-Vibhaga Yoga (27 verse), Purusottama Yoga (20 verse), Daivasura-Sampad-Vibhaga Yoga (24 verse), Sraddhatraya-Vibhaga Yoga (28 verse) and Moksa-Opadesa Yoga (78 verse) are primarily concerned with the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness through the intellect. Each chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita has been summarized with essence as: Chapter 1-wrong thinking is the only problem in life, chapter 2-right knowledge is the ultimate solution to all our problems, chapter 3-selflessness is the only way to progress & prosperity, chapter 4-every act can be an act of prayer, chapter 5-renounce the ego of individuality & rejoice in the bliss of infinity, chapter 6-connect to the higher consciousness daily, chapter 7-live what you learn, chapter 8-never give up on yourself, chapter 9-value your blessings, chapter 10-see divinity all around, chapter 11-have enough surrender to see the truth as it is, chapter 12-absorb your mind in the higher, chapter 13-detach from 'Maya' & attach to 'Divine', chapter 14-live a lifestyle that matches your vision, chapter 15-give priority to divinity , chapter 16-being good is a reward in itself, chapter 17-choosing the right over the pleasant is a sign of power, and chapter 18-let go, let's move to union with God.
Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-Gita on the battlefield of Kuruksetra in 3102 B.C; just prior to the commencement of the Mahabharata war. This date corresponds to 1700 years before Moses, 2500 years before Buddha, 3000 years before Jesus and 38oo years before Mohammed. The Gita that has 18 chapters composition of 700 verses (Shlokas), most of it takes place as a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna; also discusses many of the important philosophical ideas of the time; also is supposed to contain references to Samkhya philosophy. The main idea is action with detachment (nishkaam karma). The famous verse (Shaloka) 47 of chapter second (Sankhya Yoga) of Bhagavad-Gita meaning in English, you have the right to work only but never to its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be not your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction. The Bhagavad Gita reveals the path to the lost, provides clarity to the confused, and wisdom to all. We can count some of the most popular and important teachings of Bhagavad Gita as: we should do our work without worrying about its result, soul is immortal and our body is perishable, our soul never dies, world is perishable and whoever comes to this world surely has to go one day, whatever happened was good, whatever is happening is good and what all will happen in the future will be good, progress and development are the rules of this universe, we did not bring anything to this world, neither are we going to take anything, every action and deed of ours should be dedicated to Krishna; every action in this world brings reaction, one should devote himself or herself to Krishna, money mind cannot meditate, thoughts about big or small, your or mine should be kept out. The Bhagavad Gita is one of the best Religious Spiritual Book. Thought to be a teaching of generally accepted fact, it has for quite some time been impacting individuals of India as well as abroad The greatest epic of all times, The Srimad-Bhagvad-Gita is translated in approximately more than 80 languages worldwide.
The first Indian to translate the Gita into English was Kashinath Trimbak Telang (1850-1893) a Sanskrit scholar, an ideologist and a Judge at the Bombay High Court. He first published the translation of the Gita in verse form during 1875.
The influence of the Bhagavad-Gita began to spread far and beyond Asia following its translations into English and other European languages during the latter part of 18th century. The earliest translations of this work from Sanskrit into English were made around 1795 CE by Sir Charles Wilkins. Warren Hastings had a greater fascination for the Gita and, was thrilled by Sir Charles Wilkins' translation. He persuaded the Court of Directors of the East India Company to publish the work at the company's expense. Hastings asserted that the study and true practice of the Gita's teachings would lead humanity to peace and bliss. The participation of Swami Vivekananda at the World Parliament of Religions in 1893 and his subsequent series of talks in various cities of America also introduced the Bhagavad-Gita in particular to the western world. Popular Urdu poet Anwar Jalalpuri has translated The Bhagavad-Gita into Urdu shayari. A local (from Batote) retired English lecturer, Ram Kishen Sharma, has translated Bhagavad Gita into Dogri verse.
Gita Jayanti is celebrated worldwide by all devotees of Lord Krishna (followers of Sanatana Dharma), who revere Bhagavad-Gita as their Divine Mother because it teaches (in a non-sectarian and scientific manner) how to re-establish our lost relationship with God Almighty (The Supreme). I Drop the curtain on script with the words from the Bhagavad-Gita "The happiness which comes from long practice, which leads to the end of suffering, which at first is like poison, but at last like nectar - this kind of happiness arises from the serenity of one's own mind", "Feelings of heat and cold, pleasure and pain, are caused by the contact of the senses with their objects. They come and they go, never lasting long. You must accept them." |
