Geethaadhyayana-GeethaapaaTha

गीताध्ययन - गीतापाठ
(Study of Geetaa and recitation of Geetaa)

Mahaabhaarat is caled Panchamaveda. The Bhagavad Geetaa in the Mahaabhaarat is thus a sacred scripture on par with the Vedas. Vedas are revealed k nowledge whereas the Geetaa was delivered by the Lord in person.

All Achaaryaas have written commentaries on the Geetaa. Great Achaaryaas have written commentaries, in addition, on Brahma Sootras (the Essence of the Vedas, written by Sage Vyaasa) and major UpaniShads (twelve in number). Vyaasa condensed the Vedas into Sootras (consisting of short, terse sentences and phrases), which are collectively called the Brahmasootras. The Brahmasootras along with the Geeta and UpaniShads are collectively called Prashnatraya.

There are a few other Geetaas available. A year or two after the war, Arjuna requested the Lord to recount the essence of the Geetaa. This discourse goes by the name Uttarageetaa. Raamageetaa is Raama's discourse to LakShmaNa. This is a detailed version (140 shlokas) of what KruShNa told Arjuna in 18 shlokas on Advaitha. The Rubhu Geetaa in 1932 shlokas goes into further details on Advaita(Rubhu recounted the discourse he heard from Lord Shiva Himself). Avadhoota Geetaa , AShtaavakra Geetaa, Shiva Geetaa and others are equally inspiring. Uddhava Geethaa is KruShNa's discourse to Uddhava.

The Geethaas, all of tbem, have material to produce hundreds of PhDs. But the Bhagavadgeetaa, as propounded by KruShNa to Arjuna is considered the most sacred.

A scholastic study of the Geetaa is no doubt a lifetime effort. But the discoure has practical hints besides theory and priciples expounded upon in our scriptures, especialy the UpaniShads. It is a veritable mine of gems. Different paths are discussed and a pertson is welcome pick his path and pursue it with one-pointed devotion. Study of the whole of the Geetaa is not essential.

Recitation of the Geetaa is however recommended. And regularly. Aloud, not in one's mind.

Even if you do not know the language nor understand the full purport, keep up the recitation. The mind records and over the years you will come to know the language and the meaning will become clear. This is assured by sages of recent years like Shirdi Baba and RamaNa MaharShi.

Chaitanya Mahaaprabhu was on pilgrimage of South India. In a temple, a discourse on the Geetaa was going on. At a corner, he saw an old villager who was full of tears. After the discourse, Chaitanya asked him -Have you understood all that you heard? Why the tears? The man replied - I am illiterate. How can I understand anything. I was seeing KruShNa standing with one hand raised and delivering the message to Arjuna. Thinking that KruShNa was too tired, tears came to my eyes. Such was his faith, he saw the Lord Himself!

My Manjeshwara Ajja would shed profuse tears listeniung to Harikathas. Visions after divine visions must have crossed his mind. He was faith personified.