From a message by Pt. Manideo Persad, FLMI (Dist.) ACII, Founder and Chairman of International Gita Forum, Spiritual Leader, SWAHA Shree Raam Dhaam
Sri Gita Jayanti is celebrated on December 14, 2021 in Trinidad and Tobago, being the day that the Bhagavad Gita, the most profound of scriptures, was made public to the world representing the words of Bhagavan Shree Krishna. This event has been dated as occurring more than 5,100 years ago when Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita on the battlefield of Kurukshetra just prior to the commencement of the Mahabharata war. This means that first and foremost, it should be clearly understood that the eternal knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita has not been influenced by any religious traditions practised today as it predates them all. The most astounding aspect of its antiquity is the fact that its message is ever new, relevant and holds out to mankind eternal hope as a guide to achieve greatness and ultimate self-realisation. It does not present any dogma but a pure philosophy that is eternally relevant.
Up to recently, there have been those who questioned the historicity of Shree Krishna as an actual living person, while there is so much evidence of his life. There is now such a body of evidence available that confirms the authenticity and historical record of the person of Shree Krishna including the discovery of Dwarka, his capital, the sunken city off the coast in Gujarat, seals, coins bearing his name as well as the evidence and information on the Mahabharata war in Kurukshetra, which is in present day Haryana, India. The Bhagavad Gita has been revered and transmitted from then to this day, has been translated in virtually all the languages of the world and has the remarkable distinction of being perennially relevant to mankind in our quest for continued and sustained development.
In 2012, SWAHA started the International Gita Forum in Trinidad. At that time the idea was taken from the IGF, which started in Singapore and which I experienced while stationed in New Delhi, India. The intention is to create greater awareness of the festival, and the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita which has always historically been low-key in Trinidad and Tobago. We believe that an event as significant as the day the Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Shree Krishna should be celebrated with the reading and analysis of this most profound of scriptures. In Kurukshetra, India, another great development over the last few years has been the International Gita Mahotsav, with participants from around the world, organised on a massive scale.
As a result of the pandemic restrictions, this project was held virtually and on ieTV. At this time of year we know there are many things competing for our attention, interest and resources, but we need as individuals and as a people to objectively analyse what is in our best interests for sustained development. May Shree Krishna’s blessings be with us all. Jai Shree Krishna.
