On Saturday, November 28, New Vrindaban Community will host a free public festival in honor of Gita Jayanti, or the day Lord Krishna spoke Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. All 700 verses of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is will be read aloud in the original ancient Sanskrit text, along with the English translations. “Sanskrit is the oldest known language. In India, people believe that Sanskrit is the language spoken by the residents of the spiritual world, or the Kingdom of God,” says Sikhi Mahiti, President of New Vrindaban.
In addition to the reading of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, the festival will include a fire sacrifice. The fire sacrifice will be performed in according to the ancient Indian scriptures called the Vedas. The Vedas, which are also in Sanskrit, are the oldest known scriptures. Festival-goers will also be invited to participate in kirtan, or group singing accompanied by traditional Indian musical instruments. A free vegetarian feast will also be served.
Bhagavad-Gita, or “the song of God,” is part of the ancient Indian epic tale, The Mahabharata. The Mahabharata describes a world war that took place in Kurukshetra, India, 5,000 years ago. Lord Krishna spoke Bhagavad-Gita As It just moments before the war commenced.
Lord Krishna spoke Bhagavad-Gita loud enough for everyone on the battlefield to hear. Because it was a world war and there were soldiers from all over the world gathered, Bhagavad-Gita was thus transmitted around the world.
Bhagavad-Gita has been transmitted orally for nearly 5,000 years. It has been written down only recently. Although most authors translate the Sanskrit verses nearly the same, there is great variety in the written interpretations. Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, however, is the written version that is currently being transmitted around the world. Bhagavad-Gita As It Is is available in forty-eight languages, including Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Icelandic, Russian, Swahili, and Ukranian.
There will be guided children’s activities during part of the day.
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