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Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji presents a miniature version of the Bhagavad Gita to Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (4th from left) at the International Gita Conference. When joining office, Gabbard had taken oath on the Bhagavad Gita. Path to Anandam founder Satya Kalra can be seen 2nd from left with entrepreneur Desh Deshpande, 2nd from right. (INDTVUSA photo)
SUNNYVALE, Calif. — The International Gita Conference opened to a packed house at the Hindu Temple here July 18 as hundreds showed up to learn and imbibe the teachings of Hinduism’s holiest book.
The Bhagavad Gita takes the form of a conversation between Lord Krishna and prince Arjuna in the battlefield. The young prince faces an existential crisis as he is forced into a war of good over evil. The book forms a bedrock of the Hindu belief system.
At the event, several spiritual leaders helped translate the teachings of the 700-verse scripture into simple tenets that anyone can practice and imbibe into their daily lives.
Satya Kalra, Indian American founder of Path to Anandam, the group that organized the conference, said their aim is to spread awareness of the Bhagavad Gita’s relevance in modern-day life.
“The Gita is a manual to everyday life. Continue to do your duty, your work, but make the Gita the guiding light that helps you make the right decisions in life. I myself made the effort and, based on my personal experiences, I can tell you, you can find a balance in life; just make the effort,” Kalra said. The entrepreneur-turned-spiritualist is also an author and has chronicled her journey from being a CEO to founding Path to Anandam.
Kalra introduced her latest book at the conference, called “108 Mantras to Awaken Your Soul,” a quick-reference guide as a compilation of cards with verses from the Bhagvad Gita in both Sanskrit and English. Each verse serves as an answer to a specific conflict or confusion in life.
Indian American entrepreneur Desh Deshpande and the country’s first Hindu Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard joined Kalra as examples of individuals who have embraced Hinduism’s deep spirituality while leading modern lives.
“I have continuously drawn inspiration, strength and peace from the Bhagvad Gita throughout my life,” Gabbard said. “No matter where I am in the world, I take refuge in Krishna simply by repeating and taking his holy name. When I was serving in the military deployed in Iraq, I witnessed first-hand the harsh cost of war. The Gita allowed me see the light in life. I wasn’t afraid, I was able to experience the inner peace that comes from Krishna. I wasn’t worried about what would happen to me,” said the congresswoman, who contrary to the common perception, has no connection with India and is of Samoan heritage.
Deshpande took a leaf from Gita’s Karma philosophy and talked about how he imbibes karma by the simple act of being focused.
“There are people who solve problems, who do karma, and there are people who sit and complain. I believe in karma and consider myself a ‘karma yogi’. The Silicon Valley is full of karma yogis,” Deshpande said.
“It’s inspirational to hear Congresswoman Gabbard and these amazing entrepreneurs,” commented Vedant Verma, a 16-year-old from Saratoga who gave up his movie plans to join his mother at the temple. “At school, we always see and hear them in the context of their work in business or elsewhere. It’s a completely different side here as we see them being so deeply spiritual,” he told India-West. “I wasn’t sure about coming to this conference, but my mother dragged me here. But having heard these speakers, I am quite interested in learning about the Gita. I always thought of it as an old scripture, but it’s like an incredibly fascinating story. I’ll explore it more now.”
Others were mesmerized by the spiritual leaders as they explained the Gita using examples from mythology, history, literature and modern-day scholars and thinkers.
“Gita is not just a text which is related to India only and narrated about 5,151 years back, but it represents all times and all ages and all people. It’s the only text which has taken place on a battlefield,” said Sri Shankaracharyaji Ji. “For many of us, life itself is a battlefield; it is oftentimes a struggle. Take these three things from Gita, and live them. Your struggles will not be struggles. Sincerity, selflessness and humanity. Make sincerity a habit, and remember your only aim in life is to do your duty to those around you. Don’t worry about results; you’ll be lost. Try it, and see how it simplifies your life.”
Also speaking at the event were Swami Gyananadji Gitamanishi ji, Swami Chidanand Saraswati ji, Guru Maa Geeteshwari ji, and Radhanath Swami ji.
“It’s a blessing to be in the company of such holy saints. The way they have explained the Gita will stay with me for life,” said 72-year-old Rama Tripathi, a Sunnyvale resident and grandmother to three teenagers. “Most of us have grown up hearing the Gita or at least about it, but it’s only when you get older, see the ups and downs of life, face happiness and sorrow that you realize how relevant these teachings are. I feel it was a mistake not having paid enough attention to this earlier in life. Things would have been much simpler. I try to tell this to my children now, and hopefully they’re understanding this.”
The day-long conference ended with cultural performances by children and was attended by several local dignitaries including Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves, newly-elected Saratoga and Cupertino council members Rishi Kumar and Savita Vaidhyanathan.