Sree Geetanidhi – Chapter – “0”

The Rarity and Significance of Human Birth

Vedic scholars say that getting a human birth is extremely rare. A soul attains human birth after passing through 84 lakh different species and lifeforms. Hence, it is essential to utilize this birth meaningfully and spiritually.

To guide mankind toward a righteous life, great Vedic sages composed numerous Sanskrit scriptures. Sri Sri Sri Veda Vyasa Maharshi and Valmiki Maharshi are among the most revered sages in this tradition.

Works and Legacy of Veda Vyasa Maharshi

  • He divided the Vedas into four parts: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda.
  • Authored 18 Puranas, 18 Upa Puranas, and 564 Brahma Sutras.
  • Known by many names:
    • Paarasharya – son of Parashara Maharshi
    • Krishna Dvaipayana – born on an island in the Yamuna River
    • Badarayana – resident of the holy Badrinath region

We celebrate his birth as Guru Poornima or Vyasa Poornima, also honoring our teachers and spiritual guides on this day.

His major literary contributions include:

  • Sri Bhagavatam
  • Sri Mahabharatam

The epic Mahabharata was dictated by Sri Vyasa and written by Lord Ganesha with his tusk. It is also called Jaya and Panchama Veda, as it encapsulates the essence of the four Vedas.

Highlights of Mahabharata

  • Injustice by Kauravas towards Pandavas
  • The holy Bhagavad Geeta
  • Vishnu Sahasranama
  • The historic Kurukshetra War

The Mahabharata contains:

  • 1,00,000 verses
  • 19 Parvas (main chapters)
  • 81 Upaparvas (sub-chapters)

Kurukshetra War

The Kurukshetra War is the pivotal event in Mahabharata. It was fought between the Kauravas and Pandavas for 18 days at Kurukshetra, a sacred battlefield in present-day Haryana, India. King Kuru received a boon from Lord Brahma that anyone who dies in Kurukshetra while performing righteous duty or in battle attains heaven. It was here that Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Geeta to Arjuna, right before the war.

Sri Bhagavad Geeta

  • Found in the Bhishma Parva of Mahabharata (Chapters 25 to 43)
  • Total of 18 chapters, 700 verses
  • Each chapter is called a Yoga (a spiritual path)

🕉 Composition:

  • Krishna: 576 verses
  • Arjuna: 82 verses
  • Sanjaya: 41 verses
  • Dhritarashtra: 1 verse

🕉 Context:

  • Delivered around 3137 BC (~5000 years ago)
  • A divine dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna
  • Also, a narration by Sanjaya to Dhritarashtra, enabled by divine vision from Vyasa Maharshi

🕉 Names:

  • Lord Krishna has 27 names in the Geeta (e.g., Hrishikesha, Achyuta, Madhava)
  • Arjuna has 20 names (e.g., Anagha, Gudakesha, Kapidwaja, Dhananjaya)

Significance and Global Influence

  • Celebrated with a unique festival called Geeta Jayanti, on Shuddha Ekadashi in Margashira month
  • Sung in Anushtup Chandassu (metrical form)
  • Widely followed by spiritual leaders and thinkers including:Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Lokmanya Tilak, Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Emerson, Rudolf Steiner, and many more.
  • Translated into many world languages
  • Its teachings cover Karma (Action), Bhakti (Devotion), and Jnana (Knowledge) philosophies, guiding humanity toward Moksha (liberation)

Philosophical Interpretations

  • H.H. Madhvacharya emphasized devotional aspects in his first work, Geeta Bhashya
  • His other major work: Sri Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya
  • ISKCON Founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, promoted devotional interpretation
  • Lokmanya Tilak emphasized the Karma Yoga philosophy

Cultural & Legal Importance

  • Bhagavad Geeta is used while taking oaths in Indian courts of law
  • Vedic scholars divide the Geeta into three Shatkas (sets of 6 chapters):
    1. Karma Shatka
    2. Bhakti Shatka
    3. Jnana Shatka
  • The Geeta Mahatmyam in the Varaha Purana elaborates the benefits of reading the Bhagavad Geeta
  • It is a tradition to recite Geeta Mahatmyam after completing the reading of the Geeta

Core Teachings of Bhagavad Geeta

  • Lord Krishna is the Supreme Divine
  • He is the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the universe
  • He protects devotees and grants Moksha to the faithful

Organized by

JAGIRDAR MADHVA SEVA SAMITHI
REGD NO: 84/2010 OF BOOK-IV
FOUNDER: JAGIRDAR PARTHASARATHI
HEAD OFFICE: KURNOOL. A.P.

SRI GEETA NIDHI - ONLINE COMPUTER TEST DETAILS

  1. Objective of the Test:
    • This is an objective-type online test based on the book "Sri Bhagavad Geeta" or any other prescribed book by the Trust, including Management and Chapter-“0”, which is available for free download from the Trust’s official source.
  2. Eligibility
    • Open to children (boys & girls), youth, general public, and senior citizens (above 60 years as on the date of registration or as prescribed by the Trust).
    • Eligibility is determined solely by the Trust Management.
  3. Dispute Resolution:
    • The decision of the Trust Management is final in the event of any dispute or doubt regarding the test or its process.
  4. Registration Process:
    • Applicants must enroll/register on the official Trust website.
    • After successful registration, User ID and Password will be provided via SMS or Email.
    • The test date and instructions will be shared accordingly.
  5. Application Fee:
    • Applications without the requisite fee will be rejected.
  6. Test Format:
    • Total Questions: 50
    • Each Question: 1 mark
    • Time Limit per Question: 1 minute
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
  7. Question Pattern:
    • 25 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
    • 25 True/False Questions
    • Note: Test pattern may change with software upgrades.
  8. Donor Contributions:
    • Devotees may donate cash, gold, or other forms of support to the Trust as per their capacity and willingness.
  9. Test Duration:
    • The total test duration is 50 minutes.
    • Post time-out, the test will be automatically submitted.
  10. Code of Conduct:
    • Non-vegetarians, alcohol consumers, and smokers are not eligible to participate in the test.
  11. Prescribed Book for the Test:
    • Children Bhagavad Geeta
    • Publishers & Availability: (To be updated/provided by the Trust)

Prize Details:

  • First Prize: Devotional Book (Value: ₹350 approx.)
  • Second Prize: Brass Pooja Articles (Value: ₹250 approx.)
  • Third Prize: Copper Pooja Articles (Value: ₹175 approx.)

Offline Physical Test Format (SRI GEETA NIDHI):

Section Questions Marks
Multiple Choice Questions 10 x 1 10 Marks
True or False Questions 10 x 1 10 Marks
Fill in the Blanks 10 x 1 10 Marks
Jumbled Sentences 5 x 2 10 Marks
Match the Following 5 x 2 10 Marks
Total — 50 Marks