A ‘never before seen’ katha at Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
The Muzaffarpur Katha was organized under the auspices of “Haryana Sewa Sangh”. The katha commenced on 25th Dec. 2005. It was for the first time that the town of Muzaffarpur witnessed a katha of such a large scale. The arrival of Pujya Bhaishri had electrified the entire town. A grand Shobha yatra was organized on the opening day. The whole town was decorated with flowers and buntings. Horses and elephants were included in the procession too. Shrimad Bhagavat Pothiji was placed on a chariot which was also decorated with flowers. After winding its way through all roads and lanes of the town enabling every one to get its divine glimpse, the procession reached the venue of the katha where women carrying the auspicious kalash welcomed and worshipped the Bhagavat Pothiji. After placing the Pothiji on the Vyaspeeth the host family worshipped it. Pujya Bhaishri performed the pujan of learned Brahmins and gave them gifts and charities.
In his inaugural speech explaining the significance (Mahatmya) of Shrimad Bhagwat Pujya Bhaishri said that the pleasure of partaking off the divine elixir (listening to the divine story) of Shrimad Bhagwat is not available in the Swarga Lok (Heaven), Satya lok, Kailash nor even in the Vaikunth lok, the very abode of Lord Vishnu. Such divine privilege is available only to us, the mortal human beings living on this earth. It was only for this reason that Hanumanji did not go to Saket dham the abode of Shri Ram and instead opted to stay back on this earth. For, Lord Sri Ram would be present there but his divine Ram Katha would not be. Even in the heaven there would definitely be Sudha, the elixir but the divine elixir of Katha the God’s Glory would be available only on this earth. It is capable of curing and healing all human afflictions and miseries. However downfallen an individual may be, however gruesome sins he may have committed by his thoughts, deeds or words, yet he is instantly emancipated merely by listening to Shrimad Bhagwat. Pujya Bhaishri explained his point with the example of Dhundhukari. Instead of wasting our precious life in foolish pursuit of transient sensual pleasures we should utilize it for attaining our emancipation by partaking off the divine elixir of this Bhagwat Sudha.
All important festivals like Sri Krishna Janmotsav, Sri Govardhan Puja, Sri Rukmini Vivaha, etc were celebrated with great zest and enthusiasm. Due to the single timing of the Katha sessions Sri Krishna Janmotsav was celebrated at 4 p.m. Attractive Cribs of Sri Krishna Janmotsav were also exhibited. After the Krishna Janmotsav, Prasad of Panjari was distributed. Next day Chhapan bhog was offered to Bhagwan Sri Govardhandhari. A grand Shobha-yatra of Lord Sri Krishna was taken out on the day of Rukmini Vivaha. The marriage with Rukmini was duly consecrated with appropriate rituals.
The main aim of organizing this katha was to protect and nurture the cows and their progenies. The amount collected through this Katha was donated to the Gaushala. During the Katha, Bhaishri visited the local Gaushala and addressed the audience saying that while the temple was the office of God, Gaushala was his abode. God calls his selfish devotees to his office i.e. the temples. But he calls his selfless devotees who were dearest to him, to the Gaushala. Hence Gaushala is God’s residential address.
Pujya Bhaishri also visited the Eye Hospital during the katha and met the patients there winning their hearts. Speaking there, Pujya Bhaishri said that the patients were the deities worthy of being worshipped, while the doctors were the priests. The doctors should serve all patients with devotion. By doing so they would earn the blessings of the patients.