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Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00119 Feb 2005

 
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SrI:

Dear Srimathy Subha :

Although mere recital of Sri VishNu Sahasra Naamam
confers all MangaLams on the reciter , understanding
the meaning of the NaamAs and reflection on them
brings us even closer to the Lord , cleanses the mind
and helps us to lead a rich spiritual life .This is true of
Vedam, Upanishads , Bhagavath GithA , the Divine works of
AzhwArs and the Blessed literary sthOthrams by AchAryAs . 

Instead of reciting the above divine works as mumbo-jumbo ,
it is much more enjoyable to know about the essence of
UpadEsam and their meanings by the Supreme Lord at
the battle field of KurukshEtham . There are messages there 
for all of us in every station of life .

I agree that a very young child may not be able to understand
the meanings of tough VedAnthic passages . The child at
this stage can easily learn by heart the 700 slOkams .For them ,
it is like hitting a nail in a green tree , which is easy to do
compared to hitting a nail in a older tree , which offers
all kinds of resistence .Once this material is absorbed by
the child , he or she can always begin the study of these 
universal truths revealed to us by BhagavAn for the upliftment 
of our souls towards the Supreme PurushArTam of MOksham .
May of the adults and the parents of children might benefit from
the study of Bahgavath GithA as well  and encourage their 
children . 

Bhagavath GithA is the churned essence of Upansihads 
and taught with compassion by Our Lord . The highlight of
the whole Bhagavath GithA is the Charama SlOkam ( 18.66):
and the three slOkams preceding it :

SlOkam 18.63: " Thus , the knowledge , the mustery of mysteries
has been declared to you by Me .Reflecting on it fully , do what
you will "

SlOkam 18.64: "Hear againMy supreme word , the most secret of all,
you are exceedingly loved by Me , I am telling waht is good for you "
(TathO VakshyAmi tE hitham) .

SlOkam 18.65 : " Focus your mind on Me; Be My devotee. Be My
worshipper ; Prostrate before Me . You shall come to me alone .
I promise you truly ; for you are dear to Me. 

SlOkam 18.66: Charama SlOkma

Sarva dharmAn parithyajya MaamEkam SaraNam vraja 
Aham ThvA SarvapApEpyO mokshayishyAmi maa sucha:

"  Completely relinquishing all dharmAs , seek Me alone 
for refuge . I will release you from all sins . Grieve not ."

A child blessed to learn Srimath Bahgavath GithA instead of
all trivia as a part of entertainment & amusement will gain
all goals of life as they climb the ladders of life .

The most important thing is to have a competent teacher ,
who can provide the right pronunciation and create a sense
of competetive atmpsphere among a group of children 
wanting to excel and have the GithA Saasthram recorded 
and stored in their  memory banks.

SrI GeethAchAryAya Nama: 
V.Sadagopan 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "nssuba03" <nssuba03@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tiruvenkatam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 4:04 AM
Subject: [t'venkatam] Question on Gita recitation


>
>
> I have a doubt and request the esteemed members of this group to
> kindly advise me. As far as my understanding (rather the lack of it)
> goes, Bhagavat Gita is a scripture in which a glorious teacher, Sri
> Krishna teaches Arjuna, a representation of an average man, whose
> intellect was riddled with thousands of anxieties and desires similar
> to us. The Gita provides an interpretation and elaboration of Vedic
> truth in a manner far more suitable for the ordinary people, than the
> Vedas themselves. Gita is a textbook discussing a way of living or
> the ideal way of living and therefore Gita ought to be lived and
> experienced. I presume that this view is broadly correct and if this
> is correct, my question is what purpose is achieved by reciting or
> chanting Bhagavat Gita and by learning to chant it by rote.  I
> understand that though we do not understand the meaning or
> significance of say, Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam or Sri Desika Strotras,
> reciting these and learning to chant these are highly rewarding -
> these works eulogizes the Lord or his Kalyana Gunas etc. Hence it is
> understandable that we should learn to recite such strotras praising
> Lord, though we do not understand the meaning. Is the same thing
> applicable to Gita - is Gita meant to be recited or chanted or is it
> meant to be understood and followed? What specific purpose is served
> by learning to recite the Gita?
> I'm not trying to say that one doesn't have to read or recite Gita
> since one doesn't understand it but I'm asking why should we learn to
> recite it. Should Gita be recited everyday or whenever time permits
> like other Strotras or Vishnu Sahasranamam etc. The reason why I'm
> asking this is - I have a young daughter (8 years old) and she says
> some of her friends have joined some Gita recitation class and now,
> she also wants to lean this. Apart from this, I often come across
> Gita recitation sessions and recitation competition for children.
> Frankly, I have never read Gita in my life and as such, I have to
> find a person who could teach my daughter this. Before I do this,
> grateful if the learned members of this group can clarify my doubt.
> Thanking you in advance for your advise.
> Subha







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