Become Vaidehi, said Pujya Bhaishri to the soldiers during Bhagavat Katha at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
The Jaisalmer Bhagavat Katha by Pujya Bhaishri began on 25th February 2008. It was hosted by Dr. Rameshbhai Vyas and family of Mumbai. On the morning of the 25th, devotees dressed in traditional Marwari attires enthusiastically participated in the Shobha yatra of the Pothiji. Horses and camels were a part of the Shobha yatra too creating a unique grandeur. Along the way, devotees danced and sang traditional Marwari bhajans and kirtans, while the Brahmins chanted Vedic hymns. The Shobha yatra arrived at the katha venue after traversing the whole town.
Pujya Bhaishri began narrating the katha by saying, “All the addictions in the world destroy the life of a person. However, the addiction of the Bhagavat katha is such that it emancipates our lives. The addictions in the world are pale compared to the intoxication experienced by listening to the Bhagavat katha. For instance, the intoxication of alcohol lasts for only a few hours, while the intoxication experienced after listening to the katha lasts for an entire lifetime. In the worldly addictions, we lose our balance and directions; however, the addiction of listening to Bhagavat katha makes us aware of our actions; we tread our path in life carefully with understanding. At the same time, we live life blissfully. Shri Shukdevji maharaj indulged in this divine intoxication and served it to the whole world via Parikshitji. Consequently, rather than having an addict that will be of no benefit to us, we should get ourselves addicted to listening to the Shrimad Bhagavat for our kalyaan.”
Describing Shrimad Bhagavat as a medicine, Pujya Bhaishri said that we should consume this medicine daily, that is, get engaged in the shravan and pathan of the Shrimad Bhagavat daily. Some people may argue that medicine should only be consumed when one is suffering for a disease. Shrimad Bhagavat is medicine for those who are ill; but for those who are well, it is a tonic which prevents one from catching an illness, i.e. bhavrog. Just like tonics such as chyavanprash or kesari jeevan are taken daily to build the immune system and keep one healthy, listening to the Bhagavat katha daily will prevent us from suffering from the worldly afflictions.
During his stay in Jaisalmer, Pujya Bhaishri visited many historical places including the Haveli, the historical fort of Jaisalmer, Gadisar, Rajbhavan and Vyas Chataria. The Brahmin families staying in the fort extended a very warm welcome to Pujya Bhaishri and offered their pujan.
On 2nd March, Pujya Bhaishri visited the historic Tanotama Mata temple situated on the border about 100km from Jaisalmer. After darshan Pujya Bhaishri talked to the jawans at the border. He said that a saint and a soldier can only serve the country when they become vaidehi, that is, when they rise so high that their body becomes insignificant. He further informed them that a recent survey conducted in the country revealed that soldiers were the most popular people. Hence, people have great love and affection for soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the sake of their country.
