Sri Swamiji in USA, 6th Global Gita Conference, New York, 02 - 03 Aug 2008
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The two day conference started with the inaugural session on 2nd August 2008, conducted by Dr. Atul Choksi, Cardiac Surgeon, Sri Krishna Cardiac Hospital, Allahabad. SRI. Subhanu Saxena chanted the Veda mantras. Dr. P.V. Nath introduced the event and welcomed His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, His Holiness Swami Dayananda Saraswati and Consul General of India in New York, Smt. Neelam Deo. Dr. Jayaraman, Chief, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New York, offered garland to Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji. Dr Nath offered the garland to Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Dr. Dinakar Rai presented a bouquet to Smt. Neelam Deo. This was followed by the lighting of the lamp by His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji and His Holiness Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji released the CD ‘Rishi Vani’ and blessed the organizers and delegates with an inaugural address (click here for the speech). Audio tape of His Holiness Sri Swamiji’s composition "Geeta Saara" was played from 6th to 16th chapters. Consul General Smt. Neelam Deo released the souvenir and addressed the audience. The keynote address was given by H H Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji on “Bhagavad Gita - A Classical Spiritual Dialogue.” Eminent scholars including Mr Subhanu Saxena, Dr. Dinaker Rai, Dr. Atul Choksi, Mr. Jugal Mehta, Dr. P. Jayaram, Sri. Harish Ramchandani, Dr. Mahendra Jani, Pandit Swasti Narayan Dube, Dr. M.G. Prasad, Dr. V.V. Raman, Dr. Satya Agarwal and Dr. Yegna Subramanian spoke on various subjects like ‘Yogasthah kuru karmani’ ‘Samatwam yogamuchyate’ ‘Bhagawatgita and Vedanta’ and ‘Message of Bhagavadgita.’ Special attraction was the participation of youth Ms. Krishna Choksi, who spoke on ‘Bhagavadgita and Mahatama Gandhi’ and Jasmine Gadhavi and Shekar Krishnan, Alumni of Vivekanada Vidya Peeth, Wayne, NJ who spoke on ‘The Role of three Gunas’ ‘Inner freedom- the message of Bhagavadgita’ respectively.
Many young children recited the verses from the Gita and received prizes. H H Swami Tyaganand ji, Ramakrishna Vedanta Society, Boston, MA, H H Swami Nikhilanand ji, Barsana Dham, Austin, TX, H H Swami Yogatmanand ji Vedanta Society of Providence, Rhode Island and H H Swami Sadasivanand ji, Sivananda Vedanta Yoga Center, NY presided during various sessions. The cultural program included the Flute recital by Steve Gorn accompanied on Tabla by Ray Spiegel.
The concluding program on 3rd August 2008 consisted of Valedictory address by Sri Vijay Nambiar, Chief de Cabinet under the United Nations Secretary General. Special awards of recognition were presented by H H Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji to Dr. Yegna Subramanian, Sringeri Bharati Vidya Foundation, USA, Dr Mahadevaiah and Dr. Perna Mahadevaiah. H H Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji blessed the organizers, audience and volunteers with an inspiring message (click here for the speech). Dr. Deepa Awal proposed the vote of thanks.
Message of Pujya Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji on 2nd August 2008
The word BHAGAVAD GITA in Sanskrit has five letters BHA, GA, VA, DGI, and TA. These five syllables represent five elements. BHA represents Earth element, GA represents Water element, VA represents Fire element, DGI represents Air element and TA represents Ether element. Similarly there are five important entities starting with the Sanskrit letter GA – GANGA, GITA, GOMATA (Cow), GURU and GOVINDA- worshiping each of these five gives different merits to man. Therefore, Adi Shankara said ‘Bhagavad-Gita kinchidadhita (reading at least a few verses from the Bhagavad Gita) meaning thereby that each Shloka from the Bhagavad Gita gives immense merit. It can change the life of a person. That is why GITA is called the essence of all Upanishads. A few people have a misconception that just by chanting the verses of GITA one does not get any merit, you need to understand its meaning. This belief is false. On the contrary, each chapter from the Bhagavad Gita gives a different merit.
In Padma Purana, Lord Shiva narrates the chapter wise merit of Bhagavad Gita to Parvati in the form of a story. Let us try to understand, the immense merit of the sixth chapter ‘Atma Samyama Yoga’ in the words of Lord Shiva. There was a town named ‘Pratishthanapuram’ on the banks of the river Godavari. King Janashruti, a pious, virtuous and a spiritual king ruled the land. He regularly performed the fire worship or Homa. The fire worships were so gigantic that the Kalpavruksha (wish granting tree) in the heaven had become black because of the flames. He would give away so much in charity that even the Kalpavruksha (wish granting tree) felt shy. King Janashruti would treat his countrymen like his own children and provided in time everything they needed.
The celestials were impressed with the King and wanted to give him boons. They assumed the form of Swans and started coming to Pratishthanapuram. While they were flying, a few Swans were flying fast. The Swan, Bhadraswa was leading them. The swans in the rear shouted at them and said, “Bhadraswa! Why are you speeding so much? Don’t you see, we are reaching Pratishthanapuram. If you are not careful the flames of Janashruti’s penance will burn you down. Go slow”. Bhadraswa, the leading swan, immediately laughed and said, “Don’t worry my friend. Follow me. Nothing will happen to us. This king’s merit is nothing before Raikwa Yogi’s penance”. King Janashruti who was walking on the terrace overheard the swans, and immediately felt an urge to see Raikwa Yogi.” He summoned his charioteer and instructed him to search for Raikwa Yogi and plead him to come to the palace on behalf of the king. The king’s charioteer searched for Raikwa Yogi in Gaya, Kashi, Mathura, Ayodhya and finally he reached the Manikyeshwara temple in Kashmir, where he found someone sitting under the tree similar to the description given by the king. In a state of ecstasy, he rushed to that person and prostrated to him. Humbly with folded hands the charioteer said, “Oh Mahatma! Raikwa Yogi! What is your full name? Where do you stay? Are you capable of traveling every where? If so why are you staying here? What do you plan to do now?” Raikwa yogi was pleased at the politeness and replied, “I don’t need anything. The devotees on their own come here, do service and go” The charioteer understood the mind of Raikwa Yogi and returned back to his kingdom and narrated the experience to his king. King Janashruti wanted to meet Raikwa Yogi immediately. He reached Kashmir with a thousand cows, two donkeys fully loaded with plenty of ornaments, money, clothes, gems etc. As soon as the king saw Raikwa Yogi, he prostrated and offered everything he had brought with him. Raikwa Yogi immediately shouted at the king and said, “You stupid fellow, do you think, I will be pleased with all these things. Take them away and get lost from here.” The king was terrified. However, he gathered some courage and requested Raikwa Yogi with folded hands, “What is the secret of you spiritual energy. How did you attain this state of equanimity? Please tell.” Raikwa Yogi replied, “Oh king! I chant the sixth chapter of Bhagavad Gita at all times and so I have attained this spiritual bliss and equanimity of mind. Even the celestials cannot tolerate the vibrations of my penance.” The intelligent king went back to his kingdom and started practicing Dhyana Yoga and finally attained salvation. Raikwa Yogi continued his Atma Samyama Yoga and attained spiritual bliss. The celestials returned back to their abodes.
Shiva says to Parvati, “Those who practice this chapter of Gita will attain the form of Vishnu.” So, please chant this chapter and get the grace of Lord Sri Hari. Jaya Guru Datta.
Many people have a misconception that Bhagavadgita is a subject meant for the highly intellectuals. It is not for a man with common intelligence. Further, it has so many chapters, so many translations and interpretations, so many apparently contrasting discussions. At some places, Krishna says I am everything, at other places, He says that He is only a witness. All these are misinterpretations, and arise out of a confused lazy mind not willing to make effort for understanding the spiritual truth. One must try and make effort to read and understand at least one Shloka of Bhagavadgita. It is a very practical scripture suited for everyone. If you love it, you will understand it. There is no confusion in the various elaborations that exist for the Shlokas.
Bhagavadgita is as essential to everyone as is the Prana or breath. The breath reiterates the penance of the Jeevatma (SO-HAM meaning ‘THAT OMNISCIENT PARAMATMAN IS ME). This essentially is the spiritual practice of every seeker irrespective of the religion. If you want to understand SELF (Atma Gnana), then you must read Bhagavadgita. It is therefore a natural phenomenon belonging to one and all. Many people wish that they be born in BHARATA just because this great spiritual wisdom roots itself in this holy land. BHA stands for BHAVA, RA for RAGA and TA for TAPAS or TANMAYATVA i.e. merging in the emotion and attachment with the Paramatma, another important message of the Bhagavadgita. That this body is like the Kurukshetra field, a constant tug of war going on within, the Jnanedriyas (sensory organs) and Karmedriyas are being misguided away from the Jeevatman by the powerful and illusive Maya, reiterates the ideology that this great text is essential for every Sadhaka who wishes to make this body an embodiment of the divine (DEHA DEVALAYA – the body temple). Krishna is the Paramatman. Arjuna is the Jeevatama. Then how come this science can belong only to the intellectuals? It is a method of salvation for one and all. It is like a mirror reflecting your true self. It is like the SADGURU itself. That is why, for your ease and convenience Swamiji has given you Gita Parichayam an introductory collection of few verses from the Gita, to help you to begin your journey into the Bhagavadgita, to improve your interest in this sacred self illuminating text (Swaprakasha). This is like a chocolate or an appetizer before a big meal. You must forego all reservations on Bhagavadgita and start reading at least one verse everyday to make your journey across the ocean of life comfortable. Swamiji blesses the organizers, delegates and all volunteers who participated in this program.
