Bhagavat Katha at Prayag during Ardhakumbha
Prayag katha commenced on 10th January, 2007 and progressed till 18th January, 2007. It was organized by Mahamandeleshwar Swami Hansdasji Maharaj. The Shobha-yatra of Shrimad Bhagavat was taken out in the presence of many saints and sadhus who had come for the Ardhakumbha. The prominent amongst them were Karshni Shri Gurusharananandji Maharaj, Paramyogi Swami Ramdevji Maharaj, Swami Mahamandaleshwar Gyananandji Maharaj, Swami Mahamandaleshwar Shri Hansadasji Maharaj and others. Kirtans were sung by the group of sadhus that had come from Ramanreti, Vrindavan. The assembled saints delivered their benedictory speeches.
Yogiraj Sant Shri Ramdevji Maharaj said, “Getting to hear the Bhagavat katha was indeed a rare opportunity. Bhagavat katha is a priceless treasure of our life. Many saints narrate Bhagavat katha but do not put it in practice. But Pujya Bhaishri is such a saint who practices in his life all that that he says. It is for this very reason that even I have come to hear his katha.”
Pujya Shri Mahamandaleshwar Gurusharananandji Maharaj said, “Sada sevya, sada sevya Shrimad Bhagavati Katha. Bathing in the Triveni sangam during the Ardhakumbha has great importance. Therefore during your stay over here bathe daily in the Sangam and hear Pujya Bhaishri’s katha everyday. That alone is the most worthwhile thing to be done in the lifetime. That alone adds a sense of fulfillment to our life.
Pujya Bhaishri commenced narrating the katha with Mahatmya saying, ”Satsang should be done daily. Wherever the word Satsang appears in Shrimad Bhagavat and Ramacharitmanas it is always preceded by the word Sada implying that Satsang needs to be done daily on a regular basis. In Ramacharitmanas it is said:
“Deepshikha sam jubati, man bani hoi patang
Bhajahu taji kama mad karahi sada satasang”
And in in Shrimad Bhagavat it is said:
“Sada sevya sada sevys Shrimad Bhagavati katha”.
Thus Satsang is not some seasonal activity. It has to be done regularly on everyday basis.
The Prayag katha was one of its kind which saw numerous saints visiting to listen to the katha.
Pujya Bhaishri also bathed in the Triveni Sangam on the important days of the Ardhakumbha and visited saints who graced Prayag during that time.