Gita Mahotsav
Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the human race, a living creation rather than a book, with a new message for every age and a new meaning for every civilization.
Life is full of surprises and questions!! Ever wished you had a manual of life that would help you navigate your way through this big and amazing maze called life?
Then consider your wishes answered because THE BHAGAVAD GITA is hailed as one of the best life manuals ever written and we bring to you a much awaited event THE GITA MAHOTSAV, on the occasion of Gita Jayanti, to explore the scripture and extract meaningful teachings from it.
In the words of Vinoba Bhave, In the Bhagavad Gita, there is no long discussion, nothing elaborate. The main reason for this is that everything stated in the Gita is meant to be tested in the life of every man; it is intended to be verified in practice.
We are hosting a week-long event to unravel the hidden teachings of this great scripture. We will witness talks from personalities who have a deep understanding of Gita followed by a Q/A session where you can ask your doubts.
The details are as follows:
An Introduction to Bhagavad Gita
Date: 3rd December
Talk: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Question - Answer session : 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Abstract of the Topic:
Life throws challenges at us quite often. Sometimes we lack courage in facing them and feel depressed or the situation breaks us down. A similar situation occurred in the life of a great hero of India, Arjuna and he also got deluded to choose his right duties amidst a great crisis, which was the famous Mahabharata war. Arjuna was an accomplished and invincible warrior and had experienced intense life in all its aspects. But in the battlefield his mind went into delusion and despondency. Not that he was afraid of fighting or not confident of his skills, but his problem was different. What was his problem, what was his difficulty that ushered his awakening? What type of questions arose in his mind and how were they answered? If his best friend, philosopher, and guide, Sri Krishna, would not help him in this process of evolution, who would?
Thousands of Arjunas are still facing a similar crisis in their life's journey and the Bhagavad Gita still offers them solutions. It is for us to pay attention to that call and resolve the crisis. Here in this talk, we shall see in detail how Sri Krishna's teachings can help us to face life boldly and joyfully.
How to Face Life: Wisdom from Gita
Date: 7th December
Talk: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Question - Answer session : 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM
About the Speaker:
Swami Nikhileswarananda is the Head of Rajkot centre of Ramakrishna Mission. He graduated in Chemical Engineering (with honors) in 1970 and post graduated in Industrial Engineering in 1972. After working for a short period as a Management Consultant, he renounced the world and joined Ramakrishna Order at its Headquarter at Belur Math in 1976. For 11 years he edited the Gujarati Monthly 'Shri Ramakrishna Jyot' published from Shri Ramakrishna Ashram, Rajkot ( Gujarat) – from 1989 to 2000. Earlier he was in Ranchi (Jharkhand) from 1977 to 1986 when he guided the rural and tribal development project – 'Divyayan Krishi Vigyan Kendra' which received the award of best KVK of the country. Before coming to Vadodara he was the Head of Porbandar centre for eight years. He was instrumental in constructing 37 school buildings and three colonies in Porbandar district as a part of earthquake rehabilitation project and in starting Vivekananda Institute of Value Education & Culture (VIVEC) which was inaugurated by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, H.E the President of India on January12 , 2006. He tours extensively preaching the universal message of Vedanta in industrial houses, management institutions and educational institutions. He has visited hundreds of educational institutions for preaching the character-building message of Swami Vivekananda and has conducted training programmes on Stress Management, Productivity through Holistic Management, Management of Mind, Total Personality Development, Women Empowerment, Happiness and Peace in everyday Life, Mind Medicine and Meditation, Management of Everyday Life etc. for many reputed companies like IPCL, GSFC, GNFC, GACL, Tata Chemicals Ltd., Reliance, Birla Copper Ltd. etc. He has contributed a large number of articles on various topics in English, Hindi and Gujarati journals. His books, – 'Happiness and Peace in everyday life'. 'Teacher as a torch bearer of change' and other books in Hindi and Gujarati are quite popular. He visited U.K. in 2004 for participating in the Second International Conference on Disaster Management at Coventry University, U.K. He has visited many countries for preaching the universal message of Vedanta – South Africa, Mauritius, Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, etc. He has participated in many inter-faith conferences. He was one among the few selected Hindu leaders invited to participate in the Hindu-Catholic dialogue which took place in Mumbai on June 12, 2009 at the instance of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious dialogue headed by Cardinal Tauran, the representative of the Pope from Vetican. His presentation after the inter-faith prayer service at the Holy Name Cathedral on June 12, 2009. was very much appreciated.
Karma as Yoga: The Gita Way
Date: 11th December
Talk: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Question - Answer session : 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM
About the Speaker:
Swami Shuddhidananda is the Head of Mayawati centre of Ramakrishna Mission and Advaita Ashram Kolkata, an organization started by Swami Vivekananda more than a hundred years ago which is having its Headquarters at Belur Math, (near Kolkata) and having 173 branches all over the world. He has authored many books, some of which are "Vivekananda as the turning point : the rise of a new spiritual wave", "An exposition of Vivekacūḍāmaṇi in the light of modern thought & modern needs", "Western Admirers of Ramakrishna and His Disciples".