Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – December 23, 2017 – evening – Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple, Dallas, USA
Compiled by: Archana Penukonda
Notes from: Chandra Sekhar Chaganti
In all eons and generations, it is our duty to carry forward this tradition of Gita. It is wonderful that the kids memorized the Gita while listening to their parents and continuing their studies.
Swamiji’s wish is to have the Bhagavad Gita chanted in every home – Har Ghar Gita (literally means Gita in every home)
With firm determination, all of us and our kids must learn to recite the Gita. If you learn the meaning, you will attain salvation. It is not enough to memorize, you must learn the meaning and philosophy of the Gita. By memorizing the Gita, you will increase your memory power. You will learn to be a human. When you grow old and look back at this memorization, you will realize you accumulated a huge wealth. Adults can learn to fluently read from the book. Even reading a chapter or half a chapter, or even one shloka will yield benefits. The first and second batches of Bhagavad Gita are over. The third batch is in progress now. Many participants from 5 years of age to 50 years of age memorized the Gita so far. I pray to the Lord to shower blessings on everyone.
I am telling all kids to listen to your parents. Do not forget the Gita. Study well. Be disciplined. Your life will be good. Always remember Tataji.
The Bhagavad Gita memorization is like a penance. I give blessings to you. Continue today’s Parayana. I am also joining you due to your good luck. It is my good luck to join you.
Jaya Guru Datta. Sri Guru Datta.
In future also, many such Yagnas should happen. Train your children who are yet to learn.
It is a great treasure and is important to their life. You are giving them blessings and energy of Goddess Lakshmi, Durga and the Mother Goddesses.
Not only children, but parents also must practice and join in this Bhagavad Gita Yajna. There are so many books explaining the meaning of the Bhagavad Gita. You can pick one up and read. All faiths hold the Bhagavad Gita in high regard. It is a simple teaching from our Sadguru Srikrishna. He is a Parabrahma, Paramatma. He demonstrated so many miracles in His incarnation. He also taught Vedanta to Arjuna. Lord Hanuman who was on the flag of Arjuna’s chariot was also listening when it was taught. That’s why we are chanting in Lord Hanuman’s presence. He heard the entire Bhagavad Gita.
Krishna taught Vedanta (philosophy) to Uddhava. It is called Uddhava Gita. It is a great treatise on philosophy. It is very difficult to understand. Only when we read it 7 times do we begin to understand it. The Bhagavad Gita was taught many years ago before this.
Everything Lord Krishna spoke was Bhagavad Gita. Lord Krishna was not human, he was an incarnation of the Almighty. Whatever is taught in Bhagavad Gita was also mentioned all through the 125 years of Krishna’s life. The Bhagavad Gita is very powerful. It does not have a religion. It is a universal moral code for all human beings. It includes good things from all religions. If you research the Gita you will see this for yourself. It is similar to how sugar is the ingredient in all sweets. We are making so many sweets out of the sugar. But sugar is one.
Many religions exist in the world, but Gita’s essence is in all of them. Do not let go of the Gita. Teach your kids the Gita, it will be beneficial to you.
Did everyone read this hand out? You must take the following oath.
Oath:
I hereby promise Tataji that I will
1. always respect my parents.
2. learn my language
3. always respect my teacher.
Kids respond: We promise you Tataji.