Bhagavat Katha in Nainital, India

Pujya Bhaishri’s Bhagavat katha was hosted by Ghaziabad’s Dadu family from 9th May to 16th May 2008 at the Flats stadium of Nainital. On 9th May, the women of the town, dressed in traditional clothes, carried kalash on their heads and participated in the Shobha Yatra. Pujya Bhaishri was welcomed with flowers on arrival at the venue of the katha.

The katha was inaugurated by the General Secretary of Bharat Sadhu Samaj, Swami Hansdasji, and Swami Ajasranandji, who conveyed their blessings on the occasion. Also, the chief Host, Shri Deepak Dadu and his family offered their worship to Pujya Bhaishri.

Pujya Bhaishri began the katha by saying that each and every dust particle of the land in India is a pilgrim centre, because every particle is sacred and has the potential of ensuring our liberation. One is born in India with the sole purpose of attaining liberation. In particular, the land of Uttarakhand is the sacred land which Lord Narayan himself selected to reside his ascetic life. The Lord of the Universe has invited us to Nainital for an intimate conversation with him. This katha will be an eight day session of our dialogue with Lord Krishna.

Pujya Bhaishri further said that Shrimad Bhagavat is relevant for all times. The conditions present today are the same as those that prevailed when the katha was first narrated. Extreme materialism gave and gives rise to all kinds of problems. When man blindly strives for material gains, he becomes a victim of demonic tendencies (aasuri vrutti). This aasuri vrutti can only be destroyed with the help of Bhakti (devotion). Resorting to devotion is not escapism. Rather, it is returning to one’s home. Bhakti involves surrendering to God and dedicating oneself to Him, which further leads to destruction of all our sins. In addition, the worship that we offer to God subdues our miseries.

Pujya Bhaishri said, “Immersing ourselves into Bhagavat katha is similar to taking a dip in the holy river Ganga. This process purifies our minds. Satsang is the arrangement made for cleansing of minds. Just as practice is essential to perfect any art, so is the regular cleansing of the mind. Hence, we should participate in satsang every day.”

Discussing the manifestation of Shri Krishna, Pujya Bhaishri said that the worship of motherhood began when the Supreme Being selected Maa (mother) to be born in the human form. Whenever he could not find a suitable mother to be born, the Lord came on earth in the form of an animal. Maa is the sweetest word of the world; it is a poem of just a single word.

Pujya Bhaishri enlightened the devotees by explaining the symbolism of Shri Krishna’s various leelas. He explained that Putna is the symbol of demonic inclinations arising due to avidya (ignorance). It has to be destroyed at the first instance. Shakatasur resembles the unrestrained living. Kansa symbolises dehabhiman, or the pride for one’s physical body, which gives rise to misery.

During the katha, Pujya Bhaishri’s devotional singing of kirtan transferred everyone to the divine Golok of Lord Sri Krishna.

The katha ground had a masjid on one side and a gurudwara on the other. Pujya Bhaishri visited both the holy places. At both the venues devotees were very happy to welcome Pujya Bhaishri and with great respect and honour welcomed him.

This is the beauty of satsang, making our faith so strong that it would also have one respect other faiths.