“The mind is the sole cause of our bondage and liberation”, said Pujya Bhaishri during Shrimad Bhagavat at Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

Shri Ramkrishnadas Seva Trust organised a grand Bhagavat Katha at Aurangabad on 14th February 2008. The chief host of this katha was the family of Shri Pradeepji Dhoot. The Videocon family helped in the seamless organisation of the katha.

After the Shobhayatra of the Pothiji, the katha commenced with deepa pragatya. The MP of Aurangabad, Shri Rajendraprasadji Darda, expressed his honour in being the one to welcome Pujya Bhaishri on behalf of the people of Aurangabad. He said that getting the opportunity to listen to Shrimad Bhagavat Katha was a priceless delight of one’s life. This experience is further gratified when the one gets the chance to listen to the katha by Pujya Bhaishri himself. It is indeed a truly fulfilling experience of our lives. He then extended a warm welcome again to Pujya Bhaishri to the town of Shambhaji Nagar on behalf of the Lokmat group of newspapers.

Thereafter, Pujya Bhaishri began narrating the katha by explaining the important role of the mind. He said, “Manah eva manushyanam karanam bandh mokshayoh”; That is: “The mind is the sole cause of our bondage and liberation. It is due to the mind that we are either happy or sad. It is so fickle that in a fraction of a second it runs to the farthest places.”

“In Bhagavat Gita too, Arjun laments: Chanachalam hi manah Krishna; pramadhi balvad dridham; meaning: Oh Lord my mind is extremely fickle. Show me the way of controlling my fickle mind.”

Pujya Bhaishri further said that until the elixir of satsang and that dust of the feet of great souls or a guru do not sink into the mind, the mind will continue to wander. Therefore one must remain in the proximity of saints, listen to what they say and follow the path they show.

Shri Krishna janmotsav, Shri Govardhan pooja and Shri Rukmini vivah were celebrated with great aplomb.

During his stay in Aurangabad, Pujya Bhaishri visited the sacred Dhushmeshwar temple and performed an abhishek on the jyotirling of Lord Shiva. He also visited the office of the Lokmat group of newspapers. Then entire Darda family remained present on the occasion and gave a warm welcome to Pujya Bhaishri. Pujya Bhaishri explained to them that journalism is not a business but a responsibility which should be taken up as a mission. The society should be educated through it.