Gita Jayanti

Gita Jayanti is the auspicious day of the advent of Srimad Bhagavad-gita. This is the day on which Lord Krishna imparted the essence of Vedic knowledge to Arjuna over 5,000 years ago and enlightened him about the ultimate goal of life. This day is also called Mokshada Ekadashi, and it generally occurs in the month of December.

As stated in the Gita-mahatmya, if one properly follows the instructions of Bhagavad-gita, one can be freed from all miseries and anxieties in this life, and one's next life will be spiritual.

"imam vivasvate yogam proktavan aham avyayam
vivasvan manave praha manur iksvakave bravit"

"The Blessed Lord said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikshvaku." — Bhagavad-gita 4.1

Gita Jayanti is not simply a historical birthday; it is the day the Bhagavad-gita was spoken for the first time on this planet during this particular yuga cycle. As Lord Krishna explains, this supreme science was received through the chain of disciplic succession, but in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science appeared to be lost (BG 4.2). This shows that the message of the Bhagavad-gita is eternally present, and Lord Krishna delivers it in its original form as and when it needs to be revived.

Krishna's discourse to Arjuna at Kurukshetra

Key Teachings from the Bhagavad Gita

• Sensitivity to Reality: Teaches awareness of both the material and spiritual realities.
• A Willing Dialogue: The conversation between an eager disciple and a caring teacher.
• Stability in Action: Impels us to understand our field of activity (Kshetra) and function with stability.
• Harmonizing Opposites: War on the outside, peace on the inside; fierce action without attachment to outcomes.
• Selfless Service: Balances self-growth with dedicated, selfless service to the Supreme.
• Respect for Time: Reminds us to respect eternal time and make every moment thoughtful.
• Divine Vision: Inspires us to see divinity everywhere and see everything within the divine.
• Unforced Wisdom: Krishna explains everything but allows Arjuna the freedom to decide (BG 18.63).

Preaching & Book Distribution

Following the revolutionary preaching of Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON, Gita Jayanti has become one of the most widely celebrated festivals. Bhagavad-Gita As It Is has been translated into practically every major language, and millions of copies have been distributed.

On Gita Jayanti, devotees gather to read all 18 chapters of the Gita, offer oblations in fire sacrifices (yajnas), and distribute Gita copies.

"Anyway, print books, distribute profusely, and that will be the best preaching work. What will your three minutes preaching do? But if they buy one book, it may turn their life. So, make this your important task, to print our books and distribute widely, and that will please my Guru Maharaja."
— Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Bhagavan das, 5 November, 1972