India Post News Service
FRISCO, TX: Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple, Frisco-TX, USA hosted the 16th annual Global Gita conference in conjunction with Avadhoota Datta Peetham and International Gita Foundation Trust. Chapter 16 – Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga was the theme of the 2018 Conference.
The International Gita Foundation Trust has been conducting Gita Conferences annually in different parts of the world including UK, India, USA to spread awareness about this invaluable treasure. One chapter from the Bhagavad Gita is covered annually since 2003.
This year Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji , founder and pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysore blessed the august gathering in the presence of Sri Sri SugunendraTheertha Swamiji, pontiff of Shri Puttige Matt (Udipi , Karnataka), Swami Japanandaji (Founder and chairman of Sri Ramakrishna Sevaashrama –Pavakada, Tumkur District), Acharya Sharada Kumar ji (Chinmaya Mission, Michigan) and Prof M.G Prasad of Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey and former trustee of the Hindu Temple and Cultural Society, Bridgewater, New Jersey .
There was active participation from Dr. Pathikonda Viswambara Nathji (Founder of International Gita Foundation Trust, Bangalore) and Terry Rann of UK, a big time supporter.
After the inaugural lamp lighting by the dignitaries and Sri PV Nath’s welcome, Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji enthralled the audience with a beautiful and amazingly easy to understand speech in Sanskrit highlighting the salient features of Sanskrit language, the glory of Bhagavad Gita and about the Bhagavad Gita movement envisioned by Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.
A unique program involving a group of 126 memorizers (children and adults) chanting the entire Gita of 700 Shlokas with 60 adult fluent readers accompanying them off stage was highly appreciated. The chanters were rigorously trained through a year-long disciplined program called “Gita Mahayagna”. The hallmarks of this program are authoritative memorization, authentic pronunciation with emphasis on meanings. The chanters performing belonged to Batch 3, hailing from various parts of USA, India, Malaysia, UAE, Germany and Switzerland.
The spellbinding and flawless rendition of the Gita, Gita Mahatmyam from Varaaha Purana, Gita Sara (set of 18 Shlokas composed bySri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji set to various Ragas) led to a rousing standing ovation by the packed hall.
Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji, in recognition of their efforts, presented all the memorizers with gold-embossed certificates bearing his signature and awarded them with gold medals.
The evening programs started with two short skits performed by the Mahayagna students on the influence of Gita in day-to-day life events. Prof M.G. Prasad gave a wonderful and informative overview of Chapter 16 Shlokas.
Conference attendees were treated to a unique dance ballet featuring three different dance forms. The ballet was based on Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji’s composition of Gita Sara.
On the second day the prize winners for fifth National Annual Gita Competition were announced. Later Acharya Sharda Kumar ji elaborated on few Shlokas (22, 23 and 24) of Chapter 16, connecting to the audience with day-to-day examples. Swami Japananadaji expanded on the principles of Chapter 16, specifically about the remedy given by Lord Krishna for dilemmas faced by humankind.
A youth forum followed with speeches by high schoolers Pavan Prabhala and Harsha Sankaran. The dignitaries were impressed and amazed by the profound depth and understanding displayed by them.
Sri PV Nathji and Terry Rann talked on Chapter 16. They were later treated to Gita related talent show – with Mahayagna students able to chant a Shloka given a number and vice versa, competing in parallel chanting, able to recollect meaning of a Shlokas given a Shloka number, chanting a Shloka given any word in that Shloka and chanting Shlokas in reverse order.
The afternoon session started with a speech by College student Sthitadeesh Nelapatla about ‘Sadhana in Bhagavadgita’. This was followed by a speech by Ms. Sravani Sreeram. A Q&A Session was conducted where the audience had the opportunity to ask questions to the panel. More fun Gita related activities like Antyakshari and Charades rounded up the afternoon session.
Sri PV Nath nicely summarized all the events that took place during the two days. Later Srikanth Datt announced a kind of special event “Sahasragala Sampoorna Bhagavad Gita Parayana” to be conducted with at least 1000 memorizers chanting the Gita as a gift to His Holiness on his 80th birthday in 2022. Sri Swamiji blessed the audience with a valedictory speech.
Sri P.V Nathji gave the vote of thanks on behalf of International Gita Foundation Trust. Smt Sunitha Cheruvu gave vote of thanks on behalf of Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple. As per the custom, the event concluded with the rendition of the US National Anthem followed by the Indian National Anthem.
