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Beyond Bhagavad Geeta, Many Geetas!

July 28, 2012

Just back from a camp with Param Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji and Swamini Vimalanandaji at Chinmaya Gardens trust.

An interesting thing that was mentioned by both Guruji and Swamini was the existence of multiple Geetas in our spiritual texts. The literal translation of the word Gita or Geeta is song. However, Swamini explained that in the scriptural sense, Geeta refers to a discussion between teacher and disciple where the focus is on the Truth. We were fortunate to hear talks by Pujya Guruji on:
Param Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji, himself has spoken on two other Gita texts as far as I am aware:
  • Sri Rama Gita, a dialog between Shri Ramachandraji and his brother, Lakshmanji sourced from Adhyatma Ramayana
  • Ashtavakra Gita, a dialog between Ashtavakra Rishi and Raja Janak. This is a fairly complex dialog revealing some intricate nuances of Vedanta and should not be attempted for self study
Besides, talks of Pujya Guruji on several other Geetas have been published:
  • Kapila Gita, a dialog between Kapila muni with his mother, Devahuti
  • Hamsa Geeta, sourced from the 11th canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam
  • Bhikshu Gita, a dialog between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Uddhavji also sourced from Srimad Bhagavatam
Lastly, if you are interested in a nice overview of many such, then make sure to get the book "Divine Songs: The Gītās of India". Pujya Gurudev says in the introduction to this wonderful book: 
"In everyone of them, there is a clear unveiling of the supreme center of Truth within each of us, which is the one Essence behind the entire universe of names and forms."
Shortly, I will share you a few of the gems from the Swamis teaching. Hard to believe that 10 days flew by so quickly. A very useful system recharge...

Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post
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