Gita Jayanti: How to Celebrate at Home

The Hindu festival which is highly significant for the Hindu culture is Gita Jayanti, the day when Lord Krishna declared the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.

The Bhagavad Gita is simply an important scripture that has appeared in the Hinduism philosophy. It is conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna – the teachings of responsibilities towards duties of life and teachings how to attain salvation. It is a manual that can be followed in order to live a healthy, moral and a spiritual life. Gita Jayanti is not only an occasion to rejoice the delivery of this sacred discourse but also an occasion of introspection /penance / prayer/ rededication to the path of Dharma.

1. Recite the Bhagavad Gita: The most common and effective method of Gita Jayanti can be remembered by reading the verses of the Bhagavad Gita or listening to them. Voices or ‘recites’ it with feelings, some devotees just repeat the shlokas aloud or sit and listen to a priest or their Guru. If you know the Gita you can recite some select chapters with citations or chant verses with respect. Chanting or listening to these verses have the ability to bring the mind towards the divine knowledge of Lord Krishna and come to terms towards the intent and purpose.

2. Organize a Gita Paath (Recitation): If one cannot read it themselves then the idea of a collective Gita Recitation, or paath at home should be encouraged as a way to celebrate Gita Jayanti. Ask members of your family and friends to join you in the recitation. Such endeavours make the home environment unified and spiritual and assists in expanding the preaching of Lord Krishna.

3. Perform Puja and Offer Prayers: During Gita Jayanti, one pays respect to Lord Krishna. One can establish a simple altar or a hindu temple at home, where you set a picture or the statue of krishna and lamps or incense. Arrive at the temple with bananas, flowers etc and praying for peace, serenity and spiritual progress in the house. This puja blesses the home with positive energy and energy from the Lord Krishna as well.

4. Listen to Gita’s Discourse: A number of holy men and distinguished scholars expound on the Bhagawatha Gita that gives meaning.

It is also good to conduct a Katha Vachan on the same occasion of Gita Jayanti where people gather to listen the spiritual speech. Katha Vachan is ‘hearing’ stories from the Bhagavad Gita – that is an effective method of spiritual listening and learning its lessons. Temples and many spiritual organizations organize what is known as Gita Katha, this is where a priest or a guru sit down and read the story of the Bhagavad Gita and expound on what the scripture is saying. They are useful where the participants may have little prior knowledge of the text and could be a way of being introduced to further exegesis.

A Yajna, which is a fire ritual, is also offered on Gita Jayanti. Yajnas is done in order to invite divine spirits. Many gifts go into the sacrificial fire while the holy prayers recited are also from Bhagavad Gita. Worship: Charity by offering to the fire is a way of stating a person’s willingness to abandon himself and his pride in order to be sanctified.