When is Gita Jayanti? What are the teachings of the Gita?

Gita Jayanti is celebrated on the Ekadashi Tithi of the Hindu month of Margashirsha. It is believed that over 5,000 years have passed since the teachings of the Gita were imparted. The Gita offers profound wisdom on how to navigate life, delivered by Lord Krishna to his friend Arjuna. When Arjuna faced uncertainty about participating in the war, Lord Krishna used the Gita to guide him toward living a life of righteousness.

Gita Jayanti 2024

The 5161st anniversary of the Gita
Gita Jayanti – December 11, 2024
Ekadashi Tithi begins: December 11, 2024, at 03:42 AM
Ekadashi Tithi ends: December 12, 2024, at 01:09 AM

Why is Gita Jayanti celebrated?

During the Kurukshetra war, as the Kaurava and Pandava armies prepared for battle, Arjuna felt disheartened upon seeing his relatives among the enemy and put down his bow. In that moment, Lord Krishna encouraged Arjun to fight to restore Dharma. Krishna imparted crucial lessons on living a meaningful life. According to tradition, he spoke around 700 shlokas in approximately 45 minutes. These teachings were shared on the day of Ekadashi, and each year, this day is commemorated as Gita Jayanti on the Ekadashi of the Margashirsha month.

The Bhagavad Gita is part of the Mahabharata

The Bhagavad Gita is a section of the Mahabharata and is often regarded as the essence of the Upanishads. In the Gita, Lord Krishna articulates the fundamental principles that lead to Moksha (liberation). It comprises a total of 700 shlokas and is divided into 18 chapters.

It is said that not only Arjun but also all the gods listened to the teachings of the Gita. According to the Mahabharata, Krishna spoke 574 shlokas, Arjun contributed 85, Sanjay spoke 40, and Dhritarashtra had one. Everything Krishna conveyed to Arjuna was overheard by Sanjay, who then narrated it to Dhritarashtra. The 18 chapters primarily explore Sankhya Yoga, Darshan Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Dhyana Yoga, and Karma Yoga.

Key Teachings of the Gita

When you feel anger, it leads to confusion. Confusion can challenge your intellect. A perplexed intellect results in poor actions, which in turn lead to impure speech.
A person who is filled with doubt will never achieve anything worthwhile.
The mind can be your greatest adversary.
Those who consistently seek knowledge and apply it in their lives are the ones who find happiness in this world.
You become what you think.
No action is ever in vain. The outcomes of your efforts reflect the nature of the work you undertake.
The mind often prevents you from finding peace in one place. If you manage to control it, everything else will align.
You need to have faith in both your actions and in God. Those who depend solely on fate will find it hard to make progress.
Concentrate on your breath as it flows in and out. This practice brings mental tranquility.
True devotion is found in dedicating all your actions to God.