Chant Geeta | Enchant Krishna | Celebrate Chinmaya
Chapter 12 | Bhakti Yoga: The Art of Devotion

MARCH 23 & 24, 2019

Registration is now closed for this event.

Learn more about Geeta Chanting Competition and view other years’ resources!

The Bhagavad Geeta

Swami Chinmayananda breathed, lived and talked Bhagavad Geeta throughout His life. He carried the message of the Geeta to kindle the knowledge of the Self in millions worldwide! For that reason Srimad Bhagavad Geeta is the heart of Chinmaya Mission.

The Bhagavad Geeta is a manual for living, a book of direct experience. It Instructs on how to live a productive life, attaining fulfillment here and now.

Has the Bhagavad Geeta gone through YOU? For more comprehensive resources and invaluable inspiration, please visit www.theholygeeta.com!

Why Chant Geeta?

From the recitation of the Bhagavad Geeta arises the desire to know its meaning. Thence arises the Knowledge (of the Self). From this Knowledge arises fulfillment.

The study of the Geeta is the key to opening the vast treasure of God’s love for us. It starts with chanting, then study, and over time, assimilating (embracing) that same love wholeheartedly and completely.

Geeta Chanting allows one to begin this journey here and now, and opening themselves to the embrace of the infinite love.

Geeta Chanting Competition

Swami Dheerananda nurtured our Geeta Chanting Program from its initial beginning as a small competitive event with love and care. Geeta Chanting has now been institutionalized into Children Summer Camp curriculum and Weekly Bala Vihar Common Time agenda. As our Geeta Teacher, Swamiji has expanded participation categories to include reading and comprehension, to invite greater adult participation.

In keeping with His Guru’s mission, Swamiji is sowing the seed of Geeta Jnana in every CMWRC member, and through chanting and comprehension, making each of us more and more conscious of the knowledge of the Self.

Chinmayam

Chinmayam
46 Norwood Road
Silver Spring MD 20905

March 23, 2019
1 pm – 5 pm

Chinmaya Somnath

Chinmaya Somnath
4350 Blue Spring Dr
Chantilly, VA 20151

March 23, 2019
1 pm – 5 pm

Frederick Chapter

Urbana Middle School
3511 Pontius Court
Ijamsville (Urbana), MD 21754

March 23, 2019
1 pm – 5 pm

We encourage all children to participate in the memory categories. The participation categories also include reading and comprehension for adult participation. By participating in chanting and comprehension, we will be more and more conscious of the knowledge of the Self.

Open to Pre KG, KG & Grade 1 Children

Participants will chant by memory

  • Introduction
  • Chapter 12: Verses 1-8
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter 18: Verse 66

Open to All Adults & Children

Participants will chant by memory

  • Introduction
  • Chapter 12: Verses 1-20
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter 18: Verse 66

Open to All Adults & Children

Participants will chant by memory the verses listed below. The judges will then read the English meaning of a random verse, and the participant will need to recognize and chant by memory the relevant verse. This will be repeated for a total of 4 verses.

  • Introduction
  • Chapter 12: Verses 1-20
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter 18: Verse 66

Open to All Adults & Children

Participants will chant by reading

  • Introduction
  • Chapter 12: Verses 1-20
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter 18: Verse 66

Open to All Adults & Children

Participants will chant by reading the verses listed below. The judges will then read the English meaning of a random verse, and the participant will need to recognize and chant by reading the relevant verse. This will be repeated for a total of 4 verses.

  • Introduction
  • Chapter 12: Verses 1-20
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter 18: Verse 66

Open to All Adults & Children (Grade 8 & higher)

This category can be selected by itself or in addition to any of the above categories.

Reflect on one or more of Chapter 12: Verses 1-20 by studying the word meanings, the shloka meaning and the associated commentary. Then, write a short passage in your own words on what impressed you or inspired you most about what you studied.

  • Passage should not exceed 500 words
  • All written submissions will be published in Chinmaya Smrithi Magazine.
  • Submit your passage via email to smrithi-editor@chinmayadc.org by March 31, 2021.
  • Passages exceeding 500 word count will be published only at the discretion of Chinmaya Smrithi editorial team in a later edition.

Chapter 12

Practice Video: Swami Dheerananda and Children
Practice Video: Children
Chapter 12: Introduction
Chapter 12: Verse 1
Chapter 12: Verse 2
Chapter 12: Verse 3
Chapter 12: Verse 4
Chapter 12: Verse 5
Chapter 12: Verse 6
Chapter 12: Verse 7
Chapter 12: Verse 8
Chapter 12: Verse 9
Chapter 12: Verse 10
Chapter 12: Verse 11
Chapter 12: Verse 12
Chapter 12: Verse 13
Chapter 12: Verse 14
Chapter 12: Verse 15
Chapter 12: Verse 16
Chapter 12: Verse 17
Chapter 12: Verse 18
Chapter 12: Verse 19
Chapter 12: Verse 20
Chapter 12: Conclusion
Chapter 18: Verse 66

Swami Dheerananda has gone extra lengths to provide many means of practice for all age groups: YouTube, audio, booklet. A simple tip is to listen to the audio with a booklet in hand and listen again and again. In a short time, you will become intimate with the Chapter.

Sanskrit is the language for chanting the Geeta. Please pay close attention to Swamiji’s pronunciation as you practice.

Read Swami Chinmayananda’s commentaries during your practice and preparation. As you grasp the meaning of what you are practicing, your intimacy with the Chapter will be even deeper. Swami Tejomayananda explained knowledge as unstirred sugar in a tea cup. The tea becomes sweet only after we stir the sugar thoroughly. Listening and chanting places the knowledge in our minds. Comprehension and writing begin the stirring process for growth.

The ‘Presentation’ aspect of Geeta Chanting competition draws judges focus on two key attributes – Dress and Attitude.

  • Dress: Preferably, the participants should wear customary Indian dress. Other attire is acceptable as long as it is appropriate for a spiritual/prayer activity.
  • Attitude: Participants should adorn a respectful and prayerful attitude during the entire chanting session (entry, chanting and exit).
  • Each Participant chants in front of two judges in a closed room.
  • On the Recitation date and timing, the designated Judge will call the participant over phone.
  • One Adult in the family will let the Judge know which category each participant in the family will participate.
  • Each Participant will chant based on their own confirmed category.
  • The Judge will listen and mark the participation. Judge will not score for this year’s competition.
  • Parents can recognize their children and reward them for their effort.