Bhagavat katha at Akola, Maharashtra, India
The Bhagavat Katha in Akola was organized under the auspices of Manav Kalyan Gyan-Ganga Seva Samiti, the chief host being Shri Shubhasji Chandak. The katha commenced on 10th November. The noteworthy feature of this katha was that medical camps were also arranged along with the katha. Heart surgeries, eye surgeries, dental surgeries were conducted in these medical camps. A grand blood donation camp was also organized. Thousands of patients were treated in these camps. The medical camps were held in the mornings while the katha was conducted in the afternoons. These camps were organized by the Jeevadaya Medical Surgery as part of celebrating Pujya Bhaishri’s ‘Golden Jubilee Year Celebrations’ 2007.
Beginning the katha, Pujya Bhaishri said that in our life there should be one sant (saint), one granth (scripture), one panth (path) and one kant (Guru-Guide) whom we can follow. By the grace of Shri Krishna we have all these four in our lives. Ke Rase sthiti karoti sa katha. Ke means God. Therefore, that which positions us in the Rasah, makes us engrossed in God, unites us with God that is katha. Rest all is useless or futile. ‘Hari kalikala na sadhan duja, jog, japa, tapa, vrat, pooja.’ i.e. Chanting God’s name alone is useful in this Kaliyug. Other methods like Yoga (Striving to attain union with God), Japa (Repeating Mantra), Tapa (Practicing austerities), Vrat (Undertaking fast and penances) and Puja (Offering worship), etc. are not so useful. Also, we do not have the required eligibility or ability for undertaking all those practices. In Kaliyug we should just remember God and sing his glory. ‘Ramahi Sumiriya gaayia Ramahi’. Just remember God and chant his name. Bhagwat Katha is not a sermon, it is a remedy. All of us are suffering from the affliction of our worldly existence, and we have to get cured of this affliction. Shrimad Bhagavat acts like a selfless physician who cures us from this affliction and does not expect anything in return.
Important occasions like Shri Krishna Janmotsav, Govardhan puja, Rukmini Vivaha, etc. were celebrated with great fanfare. The entire marquee along with the Vyaas-peeth and the entrance were decorated with flowers for Shri Krishna Janmotsav. The host family presented beautiful presentations of Vasudev, Devaki, Yashoda, Nandababa and Gwaal-bals. During the Govardhan Pooja, offerings of Chhappan-bhog were made to Bhagwan Girirajdhari Govardhan Prabhu. Prasad of these Chhappan bhog was distributed to all people who had come to hear the katha. A beautiful scene of Govardhandhari Prabhu was presented. On the occasion of Rukmini Vivaha a grand Shobhayatra of Bhagwan Dwarkadhish was taken out through the streets of Akola. The marriage of Goddess Rukmini was solemnized with prescribed rituals. After the marriage the prasad of Panjari was distributed to everyone.
During the katha a Vishal Hindu Dharma Sammelan was also organized in which more than 20 thousand devotees participated. Acharya Shri Dharmabandhuji Maharaj also remained present in this congregation. In his message Pujya Bhaishri advised Hindus to unite otherwise we will be crushed by others. In this Kaliyuga, staying united is the only source of strength. ‘Sanghe shakti kalau yuge’. He reminded the people of what Swami Vivekananda had declared that it was a sin to remain weak. In the absence of unity, the society would suffer due to its weakness. Therefore we should all unite and become strong.
