Significance
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 Margashira 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.
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 give 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.