Glorifying the Bhagavad-Gita Through Gita Jayanti Festival in Indonesia
Knowledge is meant for distribution. Although there is already much scientific knowledge, whenever scientists or philosophers awaken to a particular type of knowledge, they try to distribute it throughout the world, for otherwise the knowledge gradually dries up and no one benefits from it. Now, therefore, the Kåñëa consciousness movement has been set up to distribute this knowledge as it is, without distortion. Although previously there were attempts to distribute the knowledge of Bhagavad-gétä, these attempts involved distortion and compromise with mundane knowledge. But now the Kåñëa consciousness movement, without mundane compromises, is distributing Bhagavad-gétä as it is, and people are deriving the benefits of awakening to Kåñëa consciousness and becoming devotees of Lord Kåñëa. Therefore the proper distribution of knowledge has begun by which not only will the whole world benefit.
As Srila Prabhupada stated in his letter that “we should try our best to our best capacity, and victory will come from Krsna. We should never sit idly and ask Krsna to do everything. That is the teaching of the Bhagavad-gita. It is clearly said in the Gita: yudhyasva ca mam anusmara. So ordinarily, we have to try our best to our best capacity to achieve something, and by Krsna’s Grace, all of a sudden we shall see everything is there. This sort of help from Krsna is transcendental happiness. Our principle should be therefore that we should work for the mission with great enthusiasm, with certainty for its success, and patiently follow the regulative principles, and associate ourselves with pure devotees, and work being completely in Krsna consciousness, that will make us happy and successful.” (SPL to Brahmananda, February 20th, 1968)
The enthusiasm of devotees in Indonesia under the flag ISKCON in Indonesia held a festival in glorifying the Bhagavad-gita through Gita Jayanti Festival- a celebration of the appearance of Bhagavad-gita. This festival adds another color among many festivals that celebrated by the devotees in Indonesia.
”It is very nice that you are holding festivals in San Diego center. We are finding these festivals very successful for attracting the citizens to our activities. More and more these festivals may be held, at least very large festival in a year, simply for glorifying Krsna in public places. It is not that a specific holiday or theme has to be chosen. We are simply calling our Indian programs ‘A Hare Krsna Festival.’ But if there are some holidays you specifically like, you plan them together with Karandhara by adjusting to the local taste.” (SPL to Bhakta dasa, November 20th, 1971)
The Gita Jayanti festival was started on November 2016 through series of activities. Seminar on Bhagavad-Gita open the series of the festival. The seminar was held at Pura Parahyangan Agung Jagatkarta, Bogor on November 5, 2016. Many Hindu Religious Leaders attended the seminar. The committee distributed Bhagavad-gita to the participants of the seminar. As stated in Bhagavad-gita that yad yad äcarati çreñöhas, tat tad evetaro janaù, sa yat pramäëaà kurute, lokas tad anuvartate mean Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues. (Bg.3.21). Therefore, the committee hoped leader must follow the principles of çästra (scripture) to teach the common man because People in general always require a leader who can teach the public by practical behaviour. The second series was ISKCON go green. The devotees and the committee planted Mungrup trees. The program was held on December 3, 2016 at Segara Temple, Cilincing, North Jakarta. The next program was seminar on The Great of Bhagavad Gita. This seminar was held on December 4, 2016. The seminar attracted many people to participate. The seminar took place at Parahyangan Jagad Guru BSD, Tangerang, Banten. The committee was supported by the authority of the temple. Blood donor also done in this place before the seminar.
On the Tenth of December, Gita Puja that was observed at Pura Aditya Jaya, Rawamangun, Jakarta on December 10, 2016. This program was supported by Indonesia Hindu High school Indonesia Hindu Parisad, and ISKCON in Indonesia. In this place the committee done a Hindu Leadership Seminar. The seminar took place on December 18, 2016. The seminar was supported by ISKCON and Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia. The speakers of the seminar was Prof. Dr. Ir. I Made Kartika Dhiputra, Dipl.-Ing and a senior devotee in Indonesia KRT Gaura Mancacarita Dipura (H.G. Gaura Mandala Bumi Dasa).
The peak of the Gita-jayanti festival was held at Grand Ballroom Pertamina, Jakarta on December 24, 2016. Many Hindu from around Indonesia participated on the celebration. Minister of Religious Affairs Republic of Indonesia through Director Jendral of Indonesia Hindu Council said that he was delighted appreciated that ISKCON in Indonesia along with Hindu organization in Indonesia celebrated the Gita Jayanti Festival. This festival could be the the seed of peace that could be spread into the heart of Indonesian. H.H. Atmanivedana Swami Maharaja also attended the celebration. He gave a speech about the sacred of the Bhagavad-Gita. Other guests who attended the festival were Indonesia Hindu Parisad, Indonesia Dharma Adyaksa Hindu Dharma Council, SDHD Pertamina Indonesia, Indonesia Hindu Dharma women, Indonesia Hindu Scholar Organization, and many others Hindu Organization in Indonesia. A panel discussion about Bhagavad-gita presented by KRT Gaura Mancacarita Dipura (H.G. Gaura Mandala Bumi Dasa), Prof. Drs. I Ketut Widnya, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D., Dr. Tri Handoko Seto, Ph.D., and Dr. I Nyoman Marpa, S.E., M.M. attracted many audiences to participate in the discussion. Ir. I Ketut Astawa, M.Sc., Ph.D.became the moderator and lead the discussion into an attracted discussion.
There were some art performances that performed by Hindu people and devotees from Lampung, Jakarta, Java, and Bali.
Closing the festival, all leader of Hindu in Indonesia sign the declaration to make 2017 is the year of Bhagavad-gita. A colossal dance of the appearance of Bhagavad Gita performed by Bali Ranganeketan captivated the audience.
“These public festivals have proven very effective in spreading knowledge about Krsna consciousness to all the citizens.” (SPL to Galim dasa, November 20th, 1971)
The celebration was supported by Ministry of Religious Affairs Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia Hindu Parisada, and all Hindu Organizations in Indonesia, and all devotees.
Our ever grateful obeisance are due to HH Kavichandra Swami and HH Ramai Swami, the GBCs of Indonesia, for their support and guidance. Our gratitude toward Minister of Religious Affairs Republic of Indonesia, Director Jendral of Indonesia Hindu Council, PERTAMINA, SDH Pertamina, PHDI, BPJS,,BANK BNI,,PERADAH, STAH, PAGUYUBAN MAJAPAHIT, KMHDI, ICHI, PSN, PRAJANITI, WHDI, and all devotees for the great support.
Comments