“Shrimad Bhagavat is the verbal form of Shri Hari” said Pujya Bhaishri during Bhagavat Katha at Aadhoi, Kutchh, India
The Aadhoi Bhagavat Katha commenced on 18th November and went on till 25th November, 2005. The chief aim of organizing this katha was to pay tribute to people who died in the earthquake and ensure that their souls rested in peace. The organizing of this Katha had been first thought of by the famous ascetic and monk Shri Muktanand Bapu. His resolve was blessed and supported by his Grandfather, Guru Shri Gopalanad bapu who is also the President of Akhil Bharatiya Sadhu Samaj. This small village with a population of ten thousand played host to thirty thousand people who came to listen to Pujya Bhaishri’s Bhagavat Katha.
The katha began with the Shobha yatra which passed through the entire village. Jagadguru Dwarkapeethaadhishwar Shri Shankaracharyaji also participated in this Shobha yatra. He paid heartfelt tributes to the departed souls with his inspiring and moving words. Explaining the importance of Shrimad Bhagavat, Pujya Shankaracharyaji said, “Shrimad Bhagavatji encapsulates the essence of the Vedas and the Upanishads. In addition it has been narrated through the sweet words of Shri Shukdevji which has rendered it extremely sweet and delightful. One gets the opportunity to listen to its joyous story only when the fruits of good deeds performed over many lives get ripened and bear their results. It is a joyful experience and very fortunate for an individual to listen to the story of Shrimad Bhagavat. And to hear it from Pujya Bhaishri is a lifetime experience which one will always relish. Famous Ramayan narrator Shri Kanakeshwari Maa also participated in the Shobha yatra and addressed the gathering with her inspiring words.
After the conferring of blessings by the saints present on the occasion, the auspicious lamp was kindled by them. The saints present included Shri Shafenath Bapu of Junagadh and Mahant Shri Jagadish Bapu of the Satadhar. During the Katha Pujya Morari Bapu also arrived. He also addressed the gathering with his ennobling words. In his engrossing address he said, “The story of Shrimad Bhagavatji removes all discords and re-establishes harmony. And removal of discord from life and establishment of concord and harmony in life is the only true fulfillment of our life. And that task is facilitated by listening to the Katha of Shrimad Bhagavat.”
Pujya Bhaishri began narration of the Bhagavat Katha saying, “Shrimad Bhagwatam Purana tilakam’ i.e. Shrimad Bhagwat is the most important of all puranas, scriptures. Just as an emperor is applied a tilak on his forehead on coronation, the epithet of Shrimad is applied before Bhagavatji. Just as the ordinary animals in the forest begin to tremble on hearing the roar of lion similarly the sins in our life begin to tremble on hearing the Bhagwat katha. Just as the sky is filled with the red tinge at the time of dawn similarly our life also gets filled with the beautiful red rays by listening to the Bhagavat Katha. Therefore ‘Sada sevya sada sevya Shrimad Bhagwat katha’ i.e. One should listen to Shrimad Bhagavat Katha again and again, at all times and always. Shrimad Bhagavat is the verbal form of Shri Hari. When Lord Shri Krishna prepared to return to his abode his bosom friend Uddhavaji arrived and said: “Hey Lord! You dwell in the Vaikuntha loka, but then what is the refuge for your devotees? How will they live now onwards? At that time Shri Krishna said, “Oh Uddhava, on fulfillment of the purpose of my avatar I return either to Kshirsagar or to the Vaikuntha. But this time I have changed my intention. This time I am entering into the Shrimad Bhagavatarnava composed by Shri Veda Vyasji which will serve as the refuge for all my devotees.”
All important festivals including Shri Krishna Janlotsava, Shri Govardhan Puja, Shri Rukmini Vivaha, etc. all were celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. This Katha was broadcasted live throughout the world by Aastha channel.
