Gita Jayanti is the celebration of holy appearance of the sacred scripture Srimad Bhagavad Gita. It is celebrated on Ekadashi, that is the eleventh day, of the Shukla Paksha (the bright half) of the month of the Hindu month Margaseersha (November-December). In the year of 2009, Gita Jayanti is observed on 28th of November.

Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavad Gita:

Srimad Bhagavad Gita appears as an episode in the Mahabharata, the greatest epic of India that tells the events of ancient world leading upto the present Age of Kali. It was the begining of Kali Yuga, that is about five thousand years ago, the Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to His friend and devotee Arjuna.

The story of the Mahabharata revolves around the fratricidal conflict between two branches of the Kaurava family: the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra headed with Duryodhana and the five sons of Pandu headed by Yudhishtira.

Pandavas were men of highest moral stature and were very devoted to Lord Krishna. Duryodhana was very envious of them and challenged Pandavas to a gambling match. Duryodhana cheated Pandavas in the game and vent his anger on them by condemning them to exile of twelve years followed by a year of incognito.

Upon returning from the exile, Pandavas requested their share for kingdom for which the jealous Duryodhana bluntly refused to give. Duryodhana was arrogant and wanted war to decide for the Kingdom. Several allegations of Pandavas and Lord Krishna could not moved Duryodhana. This called for the ferocious war of Kurukshetra. Duryodhana took Lord Krishna’s armed forces, while Pandavas had Lord Krishna with them. Lord Krishna became the charioteer of Arjuna.

Appearance of Srimad Bhagavad Gita:

Arjuna being very compassionate throws away his weapons just before the war. Arjuna accepts Lord Krishna as spiritual master and questions Him: What is right for him, to fight or not fight.

Lord Krishna begins His divine song: Geeta, in form of dialogue with Arjuna. The whole Bhagavad Gita features questions asked by Arjuna and answered by Lord Krishna. In conclusion of Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna says:

Sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja
Aham tvam sarva papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucha

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

At last Lord Krishna could convince Arujua to fight the war and destroy all irreligious things. Thus followed the battle of Kurukshetra and Pandavas emerged victorious.

Importance of Bhagavad Gita:

As Srimad Bhagavad Gita was spoken by the Supreme Lord Krishna, every word of Gita is very, very important. Bhagavad Gita is a science. Though it was spoken thousands of years ago, it is still applicable in today’s life. This science can be understood by the disciplic succession coming directly from the Lord.

Bhagavad Gita is also called as Gitopanishad. The book is the cream of all Vedas and Upanishads. It is the most important of all Vedic literature. Being a source of power and wisdom, Gita teaches everyone what is right and what is wrong. It exclusively teaches the gospel of surrender to the Supreme Lord Krishna.

There is great deal of information on Bhagavad Gita on internet as well as in books. We recommend you to read ‘Bhagavad Gita As It Is’ by His Divine Grace Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as the book has proved authenticity coming from the perfect disciplic succession starting by the Supreme Lord Krishna Himself.

Celebrations:

Bhagavad Gita Jayanti is observed with great enthusiasm all over India and world. All Hindu temples, especially those dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu, are decorated and special poojas are conducted on the day.

Several seminars and discussions on the subject matter of Bhagavad Gita are organized on the day. People observe ekadashi fast on the day and spent maximum of the time by reading and contemplating Bhagavad Gita. The most ideal way to celebrate Gita Jayanti is to hear Bhagavad Gita from a bona fide spiritual master who is expert in the science of Bhavad Gita.