MYSURU: “We had never thought we will be coming to India to recite shlokas. These days are very special and unforgettable in our lives,” said NRI children who have travelled from the United States to chant shlokas of the Bhagavad Gita at Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram and Kurukshetra, where Bhagavad Gita Upadesha was given to Arjuna.
The children chanted more than 700 shlokas of the Bhagavad Gita from 9 am to 12 pm. Apart from academics, the children devoted time to learn the shlokas with proper pronunciation listening to the CDs in just seven months. They also read the history of Lord Krishana and Arjuna.
The children who are between 15 and 17 years have memorised all shlokas and were rendering them continuously for about three hours.
“Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swami had come to Dallas, USA to inaugurate Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple. During his stay at Dallas for more than 40 days, he performed Mandala Puja and before leaving he asked us to learn Bhagavad Gita and memorise all 700 slokas and render them during the 1st Anniversary of Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in July 2016. It was then we decided to learn the shlokas. We formed groups and started learning shlokas, and their meaning. We are very much thrilled, excited to chant Bhagavad Gita in Kurukshetra,” the children said.
Swami was surprised to find about 80 children had learnt the shlokas and rendered them during the first anniversary of the Hanuman temple. He asked the children to visit India and chant the shlokas.
“We never thought we would learn Sanskrit and chant shlokas so gracefully. This is the first time I am coming to Karnataka. When I was 5, we settled in abroad. I am very happy coming to India to chant shlokas,” said Praputha, a native of Kerala.
The Swamiji will take all these children to Kurukshetra on January 26. The children be render Bhagavad Gita slokas at Kurukshetra on January 28 at 8 am.