A record for the largest simultaneous Hindu text recital has been set in the Guinness Book of World Records. Two IHS Juniors, Maanya Mahesh and Aishwarya Adepu, participated in the Gita Sahasra Gala event, along with 1,327 memorizers singing Bhagavad Gita Shlokas.

The Bhagavad Gita Shloka is a poem that was composed in Sanskrit, a classical language from India. The shloka is a traditional Indian poem that makes up 700 lines out of 1400 lines of the Bhagavad Gita poem.

The Bhagavad Gita is an influential religious text in Hinduism between the warrior-prince Arjuna and the god Krishna who is driving his charioteer during the Battle of Kurukshetra, a conflict between Arjuna’s family and supporters and the family and allies of the ruler Duryodhana. 

Mahesh and Adepu first joined the 10-month-long program to learn the Gita in 2019, with the goal of earning a certificate and gold medal through a final assessment. Due to COVID-19, the 10-month-long program was extended to two years, thus the event was postponed. 

“I joined Gita because I was forced to by my dad. I initially had no idea or knowledge of this topic. I was really bad at pronouncing and memorizing; however, my journey came a long way and it was one of the best things I’ve done in my life,” Adepu said. “I was so blessed and lucky to be in the presence of Pujya Sri Swamiji and recite the Gita Slokas from the top of my mind and heart.”

Mahesh decided to join Gita to learn more about her religion. 

“Due to COVID and the extension of the program, I had to re-memorize everything to be in the final event,” Mahesh said. “It is a very intense program but was also a lovely experience. All the hard work paid off; breaking a Guinness world record was the best feeling ever.”

Adepu talks about how the benefits outway the hardships of joining the Gita program.

“I have heard so many stories of people’s struggles throughout this program but it was one of the best things I’ve done and learned in my life. Gita has proved me wrong and enabled me to overcome my obstacles and achieve my dreams no matter how hard something is.” Adepu said. “The things I’ve learned through Gita and the things Gita has done to people are uncountable and unbelievable; once I got to know that I earned a gold medal I was so happy and proud that I have come this far.