Pujya Bhaishri narrates Shirmad Bhagavat katha at Salemabad, Rajasthan, India

The Salemabad Katha was organised to celebrate the centenary of Shri Balkrishnasharanadevacharya maharaj, the Guru of Shri Shriji Maharaj the present Chief of Jagadguru Shri Nimbarkacharyapeeth. This was the first occasion when Pujya Bhaishri narrated the Bhagavat katha at this 300 year old historical religious centre. The katha began on 10th March 2007 and went on till 17th March.

The Shobhayatra commenced from the temple of Sarveshwar Prabhu Shri Radha Madhav, the presiding deity of Nimarkacharyapeeth. Many saints and sages participated in the Shobhayatra. The Shobhayatra arrived at the katha venue amidst the chants of Vedic hymns. Shri Laxminarayan Dave, the Minister of Forest and Mines, Rajasthan kindled the auspicious lamp. Shri Bhagirathji Chaudhary the MLA of Kishangarh also graced the occasion. Shri Laxminarayanji in his speech said that this land of Rajasthan was today being sanctified by the narration of Bhagavat katha by Pujya Bhaishri. He appealed to the people of Rajasthan that each person should plant more and more trees. Otherwise a time will come when we will need to carry a bottle of oxygen with us just as we carry the bottle of mineral water when we go out on a tour.

Shri Shriji Maharaj the present Chief of Nimbarkacharyapeeth in his benedictory speech said that the holding of Pujya Bhaishri’s katha at this holy place signified the ripening of our spiritual merits, punya. It is truly said that wherever the sacred katha is being narrated the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati manifest like the sacred confluence spot of Prayag. Therefore it is indeed very fortunate of us to be present here and bathe in the holy stream of God’s glory (katha).

Tatreiva Ganga Yamuna Triveni, Godavari Sindhu Saraswati shcha
Sarvani tirthani bhavanti tatra yatrachyutodaar katha prasangah.

Firstly, it is very difficult to get a human birth. And after being born as a human it is rare to meet and listen to a God’s devotee who is fond of singing God’s glories. By the grace of Sarveshwar Shri Radhamadhav Prabhu we have got this rarest of rare opportunity and our lives have become fulfilled. It is indeed an extremely merciful grace of Sarveshwar Prabhuji.

Speaking on the significance of Shrimad Bhagavat Pujya Bhaishri said that the Bhagavad Gita is ‘Yogashastra’ (Scripture of Yoga), Ramayana is the ‘Prayogshastra’ (Scripture to be imbibed) and Shrimad Bhagavat is the ‘Viyogshastra’ (Scripture of experiencing separation). Shrimad Bhagavat describes the condition and the yearning of the soul when it is separated from God.

Commenting upon the various sects Pujya Bhaishri remarked: ”We have so many sects in our country which is our great treasure. It is not bad to have different sects, but sectarian narrow mindedness is bad. Our Acharyas have been very benevolent to us. The paths may be different but there is only one goal – God. As there are different types of dishes in a hotel and we order dishes that suit our tastes. We relish eating if the food is of our taste. Similarly even while worshipping God we get greater enjoyment and satisfaction if we select the method of worship that suits our temperament. Our great sages like Shri Vallabhacharya, Shri Madhvacharya, Shri Shankaracharya and others have done great service to us. Therefore we shall always remain indebted to them.

Many celebrated saints like Anant Shrivibhushit Jagadguru Vallabhacharya of Surat, Goswami Shri Vallabhraiji Maharaj etc. came to hear the katha. The Governor of Gujarat H.E. Shri Navalkishorji Sharma also came to hear this katha.

Sri Gopal Mahayajnya and a Bhajan sandhya were also organised during the katha. Celebrated artistes like Smt. Anuradha Paudwal, Shri Ravinandan Shastri, Shri Govind Bhargav and others presented their bhajans during the Bhajan Sandhya.