“The purpose of dharma is to unite”, says Pujya Bhaishri in the Kutch Shrimad Bhagavat Katha
Pujya Bhaishri narrated a divine Shrimad Bhagavat katha organised in Kutch, Rampar (Vekra) from 8th December to 15th December 2013. A grand Shobha Yatra set out at 9:30am on the first day, joined by the entire village, in which Pujya Bhaishri was seated on a grand, well-decorated swan-shaped chariot. Thereafter, Pujya Mahantshri and other saints of the local Swaminarayan temple kindled the auspicious lamp.
Leading members of the local Muslim population attended the katha on the fourth day and paid their respects to Pujya Bhaishri. Pujya Bhaishri too extended his blessings to all of them. On the occasion, Pujya Bhaishri said that the purpose of Dharma is to unite people. There is no place for hatred in Dharma. Dharma is the elixir of love. Citing the example of the famous mystic Rabia, Pujya Bhaishri said that she was so engrossed in worshipping God that she had no time to hate the devil.
While narrating the katha of the churning of the ocean, Pujya Bhaishri said that even in present times we have amidst us large hearted people who consume the poison emerging from societal turmoil in order to maintain peace & harmony. Our society and country is truly very fortunate that we have such people amidst us.The head of the family, who wears tattered clothes with patches stitched on them and worn out sandals, but somehow manages to pay education fees for his children, buys a tablet for them on their request, works day and night to fulfil the needs of his wife, forgoes any personal needs but makes every effort to fulfil the wishes of his family members; such a person is not just the head of the family but is Lord Shiv of the house. The members of such a family should take good care of him and ensure his happiness.
On the fifth day, Shri Krishna’s birth was celebrated with great fanfare. The katha began at 9.30am and continued till 6.15pm. Everyone was so immersed in the merriment of celebrating the Lord’s birth that no one felt tired. The entire atmosphere was filled with joy and excitement. Many saints, political and social leaders were present in the katha. Shri Govardhan pooja was celebrated on the sixth day and Shri Rukmini vivah was solemnised on the seventh day of the katha.
Emphasising the importance of satsang, Pujya Bhaishri said that in modern times man has made arrangements to ensure that fruits, vegetables, milk and medicines do not decay and remain fresh. On the other hand katha is the only means of ensuring that the minds of people remain pure and righteous. Satsang truly enriches our life. Through Satsang we can eliminate the darkness of our ignorance and liberate our self from attachment. It is due to ignorance and attachment that we feel imprisoned. At this instance Bhagavat shows us the right direction. Bhagavat empowers us to discriminate us between the eternal and the transient. This sacred katha of Bhagavat eliminates our grief, attachment and fear. One does not have to concentrate the mind Shri Krishna’s katha. Lord Krishna himself draws unto him the attention of the person listening to His katha.
During the course of the katha, Pujya Bhaishri also visited the local temples of Rampara – Vekra and the surrounding villages. The arrival of Pujya Bhaishri in this village had spread joy on the faces of the people who were in addition filled with even more happiness from the katha.
