Bhagavat Katha flows to Kudal Sangam, Karnataka, India
Kudal Sangam is a very famous pilgrim center in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. It is also known as the mini Tirupati-Balaji. The Karnataka government has allocated a fund of Rs. 100 crores for the development of this pilgrim center. A huge hall having the capacity to accommodate an audience of 400 people has been built in this pilgrim town by the Karnataka government at the cost of Rs. 10 Crores. Pujya Bhaishri’s Bhagavat Katha was held in this hall. The katha began on 13th July 2006. This was the first occasion of holding a Bhagavat Katha in this pilgrim town and was organized by Shri Dagadulal Marda Charitable and Research Foundation.
A grand Shobha-yatra of Bhagavatji was taken out prior to the beginning of the katha. A special buggy had been beautifully decorated which carried Shrimad Bhagavat accompanied by Pujya Bhaishri. The Shobha-yatra began from the famous Basaweshwar temple of Lord Shiva. Before the Shobha-yatra commenced its journey Pujya Bhaishri worshipped Lord Basaveshwar. Hailing the glory of God the Shobha-yatra arrived at the katha venue where it was welcomed by Brahmins and women holding auspicious kalashas on their heads. After offering the initial worship of the Bhagavatji Pujya Bhaishri kindled the auspicious lamp. This was the first time where Pujya Bhaishri kindled the auspicious lamp by himself before his katha. How can the darkness of ignorance ever remain when the lamp of knowledge is kindled by an accomplished Guru of Pujya Bhaishri’s caliber? Only the brightness of knowledge can prevail at such place.
Pujya Bhaishri began the katha by explaining the importance and glory of Shrimad Bhagavat. Pujya Bhaishri explained that when a fire breaks out in the forest, the birds fly away but the animals get trapped in the fire and burn themselves in the process. But the elephant being an intelligent animal runs straight towards the pond where it goes daily to quench its thirst. Thus the flames of the fire cannot burn it. Today when the fire of materialism rages all around us, people who are intelligent like the elephant seek refuge in the soothing lake of Shrimad Bhagavat where they experience the cool comforting protection from the scorching heat of the worldly affairs and its sinful activities. If we wish to save ourselves from the serpent of the Kali-kaal we should seek the refuge of Shrimad Bhagavatji narrated by Shri Shukadevji which prevents Kali from affecting us and instead the divine plane of Shri Hari comes to transport us to the Vaikuntha Lok. Even if someone has committed most gruesome sins, chanting the name of God absolves him from all his misdeeds. Though Ajamil was a downfallen Brahmin, because he uttered ‘Narayan’ at the time of his death Lord Vishnu himself came to rescue him from the minions of Yama and took him to Vishnu Lok. “Nama sankirtanam sarva paap pranaashanam” i.e. Singing the glory of God’s name destroys all sins.
During the katha the host family presented beautiful scenes of Vaman avatar, Vasudeva, Devaki, Yashoda, Bala-Krishna, Govardhan utsava and Rukmini vivaha. Shri Krishna janmotsav was celebrated on 17th July at 10 p. m.
Pujya Bhaishri exhorted all Hindus to learn and understand Sanskrit since all our scriptures are written in this language. Our young boys and girls should follow the example from the famous pop singer Madonna who came to Varanasi and learnt Sanskrit.
Cultural events like a presentation of Kathak dance, Bhajan-Sandhya etc., were also organized along-with this katha. The principal hosts of this katha were Sarvashri Bhikhulal Marda, Laxmilal Marda, Shyamsunder Marda and Rajgopal Marda.
