THE GREATESTNESS OF GEETHA

One of the religious discipline, as well as spiritual discipline

which is prescribed as compulsory duty is the study of scriptures. Many

varieties of discipline are there; which are very popular. Among all those

disciplines, one of the important one is the study of scriptures. In Thaitriya

Upanishad the teacher repeatedly says, “Several Acharyas highlight several

disciplines. Some say Rhytham is important, some say sathyam is important,

some say Swadyaya pravachana is important”, but Upanishad says

Swadyaya Pravachana alone is the highest and important sadana. Swadyaya

means study of scriptures – its is two fold (1) learning to chant the

scriptures.(2) learning the meaning of the scriptures – includes sabdha and

artha grahanams. This is the first commandment of veda – known as

swadhyaya vidhihi.

The next stage is to follow the disciplines prescribed. Among

the Panchamaha Yagya, this duty of scriptural study is called

Brahmayagyaha and it is supposed to be “NITHYAKARMA” and one has

to spend some time for this daily.

Since our scriptures are vast, a person cannot study all of them

daily, therefore they give a small list of selected scriptures for one to study.

The slokas themselves give a list (Swasaka Upanishad, Gita,

Vishnurnamasahasrakam, Rudram and Purushasuktham. In short Bhagavad

Gita is included in the compulsory duty. Even if a person goes by Ashtanga

now). People practice all aspects of Yoga and leave out first two steps,

which Pathanjali has compulsorily prescribed – (i.e) Yama, consisting of

five disciplines and Niyama, consisting of another five disciplines. Among

these ten disciplines, scriptural study is compulsory. Only after this you

have to do the other things. Since the Sastra prescribe the study of scriptures

as a compulsory duty, violation of this study is considered to be one of the

Papam known as PRATYAVAYA PAPAM. In those days it was part of the

life because every body during education went to gurukula, and there, they

did study material sciences and also compulsorily studied religious

scriptures also. Therefore when a person goes thro Bhrahmacharya

Ashrama, he had the scriptural knowledge. Unfortunately this sampradaya

got broken now.

Thanks to Swami Chinmayananda & Swami Dayananda, a new

form of revival has been created, exactly as in Gurukula set up, in which

people are taught the scriptures in systematic way, as one studies the other

subjects (like Physics, Chemistry etc., ).

Veda Purva Bhaga was systematically studied in

Bhrahmacharya Ashrama, Veda Antha Bhaga was studied in Sanyasa

Ashrama.

Veda Yagna are there in plenty – like pooja etc., Pithur Yagna

is also going on. Manushya yagna is also going on in plenty (social work).

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Bootha Yagna is also there where animals are taken care of. But one Yagna

which people do not emphasise at all is Bharhma Yagna – meaning

systematic consistent study of scriptures for a length of time under a

competent live Guru. This we have to do for our own good. The study of

scriptures is as efficient as any other pooja.

Many think that the study of scripture will only nourish our

ego, boost our intellect, and so they criticise the study and discredit the

same. All these are unfortunate and scriptural study is very important for a

religious person.

To study all sadanas and practice, it is essential that you study

those sadana.

Before practising anything, you should know the theory of the

subject. In the same way you have so many sadanas, as mentioned like,

Japa, Pooja, Meditation, rituals as talked about.

Now, what is the role of each sadana, where does it begin and

where does it end? Unless I know the theory behind the sadana how can I

practice? Therefore Swadyaya tell you – what is karma yoga, how to do it,

and how far will it take you. Without that knowledge you cannot practice

karma yoga. Without studying the scriptures and knowing what is what,

people talk about the practice of all type of religious discipline. Hence the

importance of studying the scriptures is forgotten and people do not give

due importance to that and therefore it is our responsibility to revive the

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study of scriptures and if there are some people who are coming to study of

scriptures it is only because Purva Janma Punniyam.

The desire to learn is not there in many people and only some

who develop a Susrusha (desire to learn). Krishna calls this as Jignasa

Bhakti.

The very desire to study scriptures is higher level of bhakti

called Jignasa Bhakti. Artha Bhakthi, Artharthri bakthi are in plenty, but

Jignasa Bakthi, the very desire to study scriptures is a higher level of Bakthi,

is rare and you must have done some punya, because of which alone you get

the desire to study Gita. Your duty now is (1) try to keep it alive whatever

you have studied (2) secondly try to share it with others.

Gita Mahatmiya

This occurs in Varaha puranam in th form of a dialogue

between Vihnu and Prithivi Devatha. Prithivi Devatha is asking Vishnu ‘O

Lord, I want to develop Bakthi because Bakthi, is prescribed as the most

important attitude and discipline and Bakthi is the ultimate means of

liberation also. But I find it very difficult to develop devotion to the Lord.

So, the 1st level of Bakthi is SRVANAM. You can develop Bakthi by

listening. Through scriptural study alone you can develop bakthi.

Study what? You have a vast scriptures and puranas. The crash

programme is to study the Bhagavadgita, the condensation of all our

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scriptures. Why Gita is great? Sri Vshnu says “you might have any number

of problems, obstacles and other priorities and whatever may be, your daily

duties and responsibilities, you have to allot some time for the study of

Gita”. Both listening and revising (Sravanam and Mananam,

Nidhithyasanam)). That person will get liberation and Ananda and he will

not be afflicted by Karmas thereafter. If the Gita study is practised by a

person (Mahapapas, all papas) even the Pancha Mahapathakam will be

destroyed. The papas will not come near you, just like the lotus leaves are

not wetted by water, even though they are in the water all the time.

If you have a Gita book, it is not for worship alone and to keep

in the shelf. But it has to be studied for transformation. If you do that, all the

scared Thirthas, holy waters (Ganga, Yamuna, Cavery etc.,) are in your

house itself. Suppose in a house the study is taking place and also Padanam

(Gita sharing) share at least with your family members. If you do this at

home, since many people rush to your home, it will be place of pilgrimage

for other Gods – viz – Veda Rishis, Sanadaha, Gpoikha, Naradaha, Uthara

(ho) etc. They all want to come and stay in your house. Naturally, if they are

staying in your house, they will certainly like to help you whenever you are

in problem. Hence you are getting a benefit for the study, even though it is

prescribed as a duty or Nithya Karma. Then Vishnu Says - once all my

people come to your house, what will I do? Therefore, helplessly I am also

forced to come to your house, because Bhagawan loves his Baktha. Once

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Vishnu comes Lakshmi Devi also follows the suit – not only spiritual wealth

but material wealth is also bound to come. Vishnu says – I will come and

definitely dwell in that house, if many people are reading Gita in whose

house he will dwell? This problem is only for us. Vishnu is not having the

problem, Vyapnothi is Vishnu – so he can simultaneously stay in

everybody’s house. He says Gita is my ashrayam, so wherever Gita is there,

I have to be there. If I am doing my duty – Bhagawan has also duty –

Lokaparipalana is Lord’s duty – for that I require knowledge, which I get

from Gita. Gita inspired me. Why he says Gita and not Veda? He says Gita

contains the highest Vidya (wisdom) which is called Brahma Vidya

(Brahma can be taken as Veda also) Brahma roopa, Parama Vidya / Veda

roopa parama vidya, is the Gita. Gita is given out by Krishna himself /

narayanena swayam, from Lord’s mouth, it has come, it contains the essence

of all Vedas, it is the source of infinite ananda because it contains satvartha

jnanam / brahma jnanam. Till now the mahathmyam of Gita has been talked

about.

Now the prayojanam for Gita parayanam is given. If a person

studies all the 18 chapters of Gita, with a focused attention, he will get

knowledge helplessly even if he does not want, he will attain the highest

state called Moksha. If you cannot study all the eighteen chapters do atleast

9 chapters. If you cannot study the meaning at least do Parayaam (have to be

recited). Then what is the punyam? moksha cannot come, still there will be

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phalam - godhanamca (punyam) - you will get punyam equal to doing cow

dhanam. If you cannot read half of Gita, atleast read 1/3 of that, 6 chapters.

Then you will get the phalam of bathing in Ganga. If you do not have time

for 6 chapters, then do 1/3 or 3 chapters you recite, which will give you the

benefit of doing Soma Yaga. If you cannot do 3 chapters, then atleast read

one chapter, which ever chapter it may be, daily read the chapter. The

benefit is Rudra Loka, serving Lord Rudra, for a long time Rudra ganahood.

If you cannot read one chapter, further concession is given. At least ¼

(quarter) of a chapter, you read daily, then you will get the benefit of a

human birth again and again 71 chaturyugas. Another concession is if you

can read at least 10 slokas if not 7,4,3,2 or at least I or even half sloka. If

you do this you will go to Chadra Lokha and enjoy for thousands of years.

He who dies while reading Gita, will be born (by the Gita Phalam) as human

being again even if the previous sanchita Karmas is there, it will be pushed

by the Gita phalam and you will get human birth.

If you do Gita abyasa (study of the meaning) you will get

highest benefit of Moksha (Mukthi). The last concession given is atleast at

the time of death you utter the word Gita, even that person will get benefit.

This is only an exceptional choice given. (It is arthavada, for stuthi, it should

not be taken literally. It is only glorification). If a person listens to Gita

even if he has committed sins in the previous janma, (or) in this janma the

benefit is Vaikundam and for the study of Gita you need not drop your

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family duties; the request is that before you go to bed, you spend few

minutes reading few slokas with meaning, it will insulate you from the days

worries. He will get Jeevan Mukthi and Vidheha Mukthi. It is time tested

wisdom, by making use of Gita teaching, many kings, who had much more

responsibilities like Janaka, have attained knowledge and attained Moksha

also free from all papams. If you read Gita and do not read the

Mahathmiyam the benefit (phalam) will not come. Hence we are asked to

read the Mahathmiyam always, so that we will know the value of what we

are associated with. Do not take Gita for granted. If a person studies Gita

along with Mahathmiyam either in the beginning or in the end, he will attain

those goals which are very rare to get for any ordinary human being.

The general convention is studying the Mahathmiyam in the

beginning. If you have not read in the beginning at least read it in the end so

that you will have proper attitude. You will also get the same benefit. This is

the greatness of Gita. You read and assimilate the teachings and get

transformed. Assimilate, share and transform yourself and that is the best

Guru Dhakshina you are giving to the entire GURU PARAMAPARA.

OM TAT SAT

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