December – a month of celebrations
Dear Editor,
December is a pretty commendable month, especially ending a leap year, a very scary thought that entertains negative imagination with overlapping and confusing findings. This year 2020 has presented unprecedented challenges and exacerbated the components of strong compensation, destruction and destruction. The Jewish community celebrated their “Festival of Lights” called Hanukkah, earlier this month from the 10th to the 18th. These nine days of “consecration” are observed by lighting candles on a menorah. Africa’s seven-day celebration of Kwanzaa will follow on the 26th of the month until January 1st. This period is devoted to preserving life and to honoring their heritage. The long-awaited Christmas is celebrated on the 25th to observe the birth of Jesus Christ by Christians, a national holiday around the world. Incidentally, Hindus around the world are also celebrating Gita Jayanti, the “birth” of the Bhagwat Gita, on December 25 this year, to coincide with Christmas Day.
Gant Jayanti Mahotsav has enormous significance and importance as it is considered the birthday of the Bhagwat Gita, which is regarded as the most godly and influential scriptures of Hindu Philosophy. It includes political, spiritual, psychological, practical and philosophical values. Thus, to commemorate the sacred day when Lord Krishna offered his philosophical teachings to Arjuna during the battle of Kurukshetra, people celebrate Gita Jayanti. Gita Jayanti descends on the Shukla Ekadashi in the waxing phase of the Moon in Hindu Margashirsha. Gita Jayanti celebrations take place in many parts of India but the great craze can be seen in Kurukshetra. Devotees all over India assemble in Kurukshetra to take part in the ritual of taking holy baths in the sacred pools called Brahm Sarovar and Sannihit Sarovar. To celebrate the day, a fair is organized every year lasting nearly seven days popularly known as Gita Jayanti Samaroh. Thousands of people assemble and celebrate the festival with Gita readings, dance performances, skits, plays, acts, bhajans, aartis, talks, etc.
The text is written in the third person, narrated by Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra as it emerges 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 see from afar the events that were happening on the battlefield of Kurukshetra (today’s Haryana, India) as they came to ‘ r, about 5000 years ago. . Gita Jayanti is celebrated all over the world by all the Lord Krishna sanctuaries who respect Bhagavad Gita as their Divine Mother because she teaches (in a non-sectarian and scientific way) how to reestablish our lost relationship with Almighty God ( The Supreme).
The 700 verses of the Gita are chanted throughout the day. Devotees also fast on this day as it is Ekadashi day (Ekadasi is the eleventh day of the waxing moon and the waning moon) – it happens twice every lunar month and observed by the fasting of grain and lentils (peas, beans, dhals) by those who seek to advance spiritually. Special bhajans and kirtans are sung and poojas are held on this day. In places where this festival is celebrated grandly, Gita’s stage playing and chanting competitions are held for children to show off their talents as a way of encouraging their interest in reading Gita. Yogis, Sanyasins, Swamis and learned scholars give talks and hold forums of this Holy Scripture. Leaflets, pamphlets and books containing the essence of Gita are distributed to the public. It is especially promising to distribute free copies of the Gita on this holy day.
This has been a year especially when the need for caring and sharing was highlighted and a man tested for a spirit of generosity and charity. The Bhagwat Gita teaches us, “A gift is pure when it is given from the heart to the right person at the right time and in the right place, and when we expect nothing in return.” No matter how big the struggle for survival becomes, no matter the humorous challenges when we are faced with many obstacles and obstacles, the attitude to a determined decision is stifled by the will of strength and resilience and the a strong belief in faith devoted to that “Higher,” Power, “referred to by multiple names but shaded on one path to unity. The Gita reminds us, “The imminent appearance of happiness and misery and their eventual disappearance is like the appearance and disappearance of the winter and summer seasons. They arise from a sense of perception, which must be learned to be tolerated without being disturbed. ”
On this grand and dual occasion, peace, bliss, joy and happiness will transcend all with Lord Krishna’s most chosen blessings. May the spirit of the season stay with everyone throughout our lives. Happy Gita Jayanti and Merry Christmas.
Respectfully,
Jai Lall