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 ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> What would our lives be like without music, dance, and theater? Donate or volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good! http://us.click.yahoo.com/WwRTUD/SOnJAA/i1hLAA/XUWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! 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