A Katha by Pujya Bhaishri That Left All With Food For Thought – London, UK

A divine Shrimad Bhagavat Katha was organised in London, UK, by Vajubhai Pankhania and family at the Wembley Arena attended by over 3,500 people from 12th August to 19th August 2018.

The Katha was telecast live on several TV channels in India, internationally and online on sandipani.TV and the Sandipani Facebook page.

We share below summaries of words of wisdom provided by Pujya Bhaishri for each day of the Katha based on themes he covered on each day. Thank you to Shri Sushma Thakkar for sharing the summaries with Sandipani.

Day 1 – Let us mature (paknā) and not get tired (thako matta)  in this world

The Vedas are God’s eyes. Astrology is part of the Vedas. Astrology is connected to Time.

Each Nakshatra (Lunar mansion) is regarded as the wife of the Moon God.

During the month of Shrāvan, the moon is in the Shrāvan nakshatra hence the name Shravan month. Shravan means to listen. Hence in Shrāvan month we should listen to religious/spiritual discourses and katha. The Ekadashi that falls before Guru purnima is called Devpodhi or Nimi ekadashi. This is when the demi-gods go to sleep. Before sleeping, they raised their concern on how the work they perform will carry on which is essential for the world to survive. At this time, devotees tell the demi-gods that they will do the work and take a resolution to stay awake/alert by listening to the Guru’s messages hence it is called Nimi ekadashi. This is also why for four months, there is importance given to listening to Katha/discourses in order to stay alert and awake.

This world is full of miseries. We are constantly unhappy either due to the lack of something, for example, not having a child, or due to having something, for example, having a child who is disobedient. We are all tired. However, we need to refine and mature ourselves. We can refine through tap (tolerating the adversities in life). When we are spiritually mature and refined our lives will be filled with sweetness. Katha is an opportunity to connect to the self and get answers to our questions and solutions to our problems. Katha bestows us peace of mind.

Watch the video below which explains regarding tap, tiredness and refinement.

Day 2 – The four qualities of a server

The Vedas signify a tree. Shrimad Bhagavat signifies the ripe fruit of this tree.  Shrimad Bhagavat is the essence of the Vedas.

Ved Vyasji signifies a cook and Shukdevji signifies a server. A server (narrator) must serve with four qualities which are described in this short video clip from this katha.

Day 3 – Importance of a Sutra (quote)

Only one Sutra (quote) is sufficient to change our thinking, hence our character and future. If a listener understands a sutra correctly then the narrator is regarded as being successful. If a listener implements this sutra in one’s life, then the listener is regarded as being successful.

Ram is Suryavanshi (belongs to Surya dynasty). The sun is the god of the intellect which is dominant in men. Men should thus follow Shri Ram’s footsteps of conduct in life. Be true to your word. Krishna is Chandravanshi (belongs to Chandra dynasty). The moon is the demi-god of the mind which is dominant in women. Women should therefore follow Shri Krishna’s example of always being in bliss. Always keep a smile on your face, be happy regardless of circumstances and try to understand another’s perspective.

Day 4 – Three Things Taught by Shrimad Bhagavat

We should set our priorities in life as such in ascending order: money is less important than material objects which is less important than people who are less important than thoughts.

A spiritual society is people centric whereas a materialistic society is object centric.

If the following three professions are on the right path, a country/government will be on the right path:

1) Journalists

2) Katha narrators

3) Artists/Writers

The above instil noble thoughts in the minds of the citizens of a country. Katha is for planting the seeds of noble thoughts in people’s minds.

Shrimad Bhagavat teaches us three things:

1) How a person should behave with another person

2) How a person should treat other living beings

3) How a person should treat mother nature

The above is Dharma (code of conduct). It is a universal message which is beyond caste, creed and colour.

Day 5 – Three Qualities of a Devotee

A devotee must possess three qualities like Lord Shiva:

1) Trust

2) Filled with compassion and love

3) Innocence

The soul is the most powerful and must control the Intellect. The Intellect should control the mind and the Mind should control the senses.

Day 6 – Discrimination and Caste System

Man is the most intelligent being and to make the best use of this intelligence the following provide guidance:

1) Dharma (Right conduct)

2) Society’s customs, traditions and rituals

3) Government’s law & order

There are four age based life stages as follows:

1) Brahmacharya – student

2) Grihastha – householder

3) Vānaprastha – retired

4) Sanyāsa – renunciate

There are four varnas (social classes) based on one’s qualities and duties as follows:

1) Brahmins – priests, scholars, teachers

2) Kshatriyas – rulers, warriors

3) Vaishyas – agriculturalists, merchants

4) Shudras – labourers, service providers

Our body’s organs are interconnected, for example when there is an injury on the foot, the hand will apply ointment on the foot for it to heal. The same principle should apply between the four varnas for a successful nation where the social classes support each other rather than discriminate amongst each other.

This short clip was taken from the katha in which Pujya Bhaishri talks about discrimination amongst people, casts and colour.

Day 7 – The two desires of all people

Every individual desires two things: Happiness/Bliss and Love. One can experience happiness on their own but one needs another to experience Love. We are free to give love and we must spread love to all but we need to become deserving to receive love.

Day 8 – Bhagavat is a Universal Scripture Applicable to All

In this day and age most people are either confused or blinded by religion, hence religion has become a problem instead of a solution.

It is said by learned scholar, that in the future we will need a new Dharma (right conduct) of humanity. The Bhagavat and Bhagavad Gita’s messages can contribute hugely to this new dharma of humanity as the principles in the Gita are universal. The word ‘Hindu’ is not mentioned anywhere in the Bhagavad Gita or Bhagavat. Law is mandatory but Dharma is to be accepted. This new dharma of humanity will be universally accepted by all.

The Katha was attended by respectable Katha narrator Shri Sharadbhai Vyas and many dignitaries such as the Minister of Ireland and other MPs from the UK.

The Katha was attended by respectable Katha narrator Shri Sharadbhai Vyas and many dignitaries such as the Minister of Ireland and other MPs from the UK.Pujya Bhaishri paid a special tribute to the Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee who left his mortal body on 16^th August 2018. Pujya Bhaishri also fondly remembered Late Shri Pragji Bapa during the Katha.

More than 12,000 people celebrated Shri Krishna Janma on the fifth day of the Katha with great enthusiasm.

The Katha left everyone with great food for thought on how to refine oneself and achieve the two desires all have: bliss/happiness and love.