Gita provides a direction on how a Bharatiya should spend life. Hence, the study and practice of Gita becomes essential for everyone
Pune: “Not turning back on a problem and to face that with courage is the first lesson of the Gita. Even though Gita may sound unintelligible, but it has to reach the masses. If it reaches every home and we practise it in truer spirit, Bharat can become hundred times better than what she is today,” said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat while inaugurating the Golden Jubilee Year celebration of Geeta Darshan, a monthly magazine, published by Geetadharam Mandal on December 18. President of Geetadharma Mandal Shri Mukund Datar, secretary Shri Vinaya Mehendale, members Shri Mukund Kidvekar and Shri Moreshwar Joshi were also present.
Shri Mohan Bhagwat speaking at the function in Pune
Shri Bhagwat further said: “Gita provides a direction on how a Bharatiya should spend his/her life. Therefore, the study and practice of Gita becomes essential. It is necessary to take Gita to everyone. This is not a task of any individual or organisation, but of the entire society.” He said the first lesson of Gita is not to turn one’s back when one is faced with duty. One should not run away from the problems but a way should be found out. The confusion that Arjun found himself in was not because of the cowardice, but because of the conscience. The virtuous people think in the interests of the society, which is why such problems often arise for them. On the contrary, the wicked only look at their selfish goals and immediate gains, which is why they do not face such predicaments. That is why they do whatever they want.
Shri Bhagwat said Gita teaches the path of sacrifice and endurance as also the virtuous happiness instead of consumerism. The essence of all the ideologies prior to and after Mahabharata is found in Gita. Not only this, it reflects even the beliefs of other sects, even if their ways of worship are different. This is the power of Gita. We call dharma as taught by Geeta as ‘Gita Dharma’. But it is actually the universal dharma and eternal Sanatana Dharma. It is continuing since the origin of the world and has continued to this day. The world’s status, movement and rhythm are in accordance with it. He said one should read chapter 2, 12 , 15 , 16, 17 and 18 of Gita every day and ponder over them. Another important teaching of Gita is that whatever we do should be for larger well-being of the people.
The RSS Sarsanghachalak said a person or an organisation may work diligently but the right time has to come to get the results. The RSS was banned during the Emergency and we would do satyagraha at the time. We used to ask questions to our senior Pracharak Nana Mule why such a time befell on good people and organisations and did God not see all this? He used to say, “Do not give up the efforts”. Saying that what someone achieves has a contribution of many behind it. Even our habits are instilled in us by others. “Gita says that we should do our work, not expecting the results. What is to be done should be done by immersing oneself in it but one should not get attached to it. We tell RSS workers, do whatever by becoming one with the work, but don’t get involved in it. That is the reason our workers do anything naturally,” he added.
Working president of Gita Dharma Mandal Prof Dr. Mukund Datar said Gita Dharma is the national dharma. Gita has provided the key of Nishkam Karma Yoga. It gives a person the devotion of divine and betterment to the society.
Editor of ‘Gita Darshan’ Shri Vinay Mehendale described the journey of the magazine. A souvenir was also released by Shri Bhagwat. Smt. Vasudhatai Palande was honoured with Saraswati Bai Apte Award for spreading Bhagwad Gita.
(Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Pune)
