Renowned saints grace Pujya Bhaishri’s Bhagavat Katha at Deshalpar, Kutchh, India

The Bhagavat Katha at Deshalpar (Kutchh) was organized by Akhil Bharatiya Laxminarayan Sanatan Samaj for the benefit of Shri Laxminaryan Kendrasthan and Sanskardham. The funds collected through this katha were to be used for the school and the hostel that would be built at the Sanskardham. The Laxminarayan Samaj resolved to construct the school, the hostel and a temple of Sri laxminarayan on the 25 acres of land acquired by it at Deshalpar – Vandhaya. The construction of Shri Laxminarayan temple has commenced in full swing.

The katha commenced on 2nd May with the auspicious Shobhayatra of the Pothiji. It started from Shri Umiya Mataji Sansthan of Vandhaya and after passing by numerous places such as Shri Ram Mandir, Sadhana Kutir, Ishwar Ashram it reached Sri Laxminarayan Sanskardham. Renowned saints who participated in the Shobhayatra included Pujya Shri Karshandasji Maharaj (Ishwar Ashram – Vandhaya), Pujya Swami Shri Paramatmanand Saraswati (Arsha Vidya Mandir – Rajkot), Pujya Shri Shantidasji Maharaj (Ravibhan Ashram- Virani Moti), Pujya Swami Shri Atmanand Saraswati (Bhajanand Ashram- Botad), Pujya Shri Haridasji Maharaj (Kutchhi Lalrameshwar Ashram- Haridwar) and Shri Haribhai Kothari (well known philosopher of Mumbai).

The assembled saints lit the auspicious lamp and all of them conveyed their blessings. Pujya Swami Paramatmanand Saraswatiji in his speech said: “The Shrimad Bhagavat Katha removes the dirt of the sins accumulated over many births and fills our hearts with devotion. Though the katha of Shrimad Bhagavat is being organized in all villages and in all lanes, it is a rare pleasure to hear this katha being narrated by Pujya Bhaishri who is an authority on our scriptures. The people of Deshalpar are very fortunate to have got such an exceptional opportunity. Honourable Shri Haribhai Kothari in his unmatched style said: “God himself has said that:

“Naham vasami Vaikunthe, Yoginam hridaye na cha,

Madbhaktah yatra gaayanti tatra tishthami Narada.”

“Hey Narad, I do not stay in the Vaikuntha, nor do I reside in the hearts of the Yogis. But wherever my devotees come together and sing my glory there verily is my abode.

Today when this katha is commencing at this place the Lord will therefore reside here from this moment on. Moreover when the katha is being narrated by a saint like Pujya Bhaishri, God will have to come here.”

Beginning his katha Pujya Bhaishri narrated the importance of Shrimad Bhagavat Katha. Reflecting upon many current issues Pujya Bhaishri said that today the Hindus do not have knowledge of their religious scriptures, while a Muslim does have knowledge of his scripture. A Hindu boy studying at university level does not know as to how many chapters are there in the Gita. Often even the father of the boy is not aware of such simple facts. Today, Hindus are even afraid of keeping scriptures like the Mahabharat in their homes and give them away to the Brahmin when he comes to narrate the katha. He laid importance on the fact that we must inculcate proper sanskaars in our children and give them the proper knowledge about our Sanatan Dharma and are revered scriptures.

Dayeraaz (Gujarati folk music programs) were organized in the nights during the katha sessions in which celebrated folk artists like Bhikhudanbhai Gadhavi participated.

Festivals like Shri Krishna Janmotsav, Govardhan Puja and Rukmini Vivaha were celebrated during the katha with great enthusiasm.