Bhagavat Katha in Patan, Gujarat, India

Shri Ram Rahim Annakshetra Trust of Patan town in Gujarat organised a Bhagavat katha by Pujya Bhaishri in March 2008. The purpose of the katha was to collect funds in order to continue providing public services. The trust visits the needy at their homes and distributes free food to these people. Both Hindu and Muslim members jointly undertake all activities of the trust.

The katha commenced on 26th March with a grand Shobha Yatra. Distinguished Jain aacharya Pujya Bhanu Vijayji maharaj inaugurated the katha by deepa pragatya. In his opening speech he said that Shrimad Bhagavat is the literary form of Lord Shri Krishna himself. At the end of Dvaapar yuga Lord Shri Krishna did not retire to his abode but reposed himself in Shri Bhagavataarnava (Shrimad Bhagavat). Hence Shrimad Bhagavat should be worshipped by all vaishnavas. Vaishnavas should not consider Shrimad Bhagavat different from Lord Krishna. The Lord is one and indivisible; we should not divide or compartmentalise his forms.

During the katha, Pujya Bhaishri commented that there is a need to make fundamental changes in the education field in India. The present system of education robs children of their childhood. The weight of the childrens’ school bags exceeds their own weight. Children are placed in school from 3 years of age. They are not allowed sufficient time or opportunity to enjoy their childhood activities. Parents pressurise their children in studying hard as they do not want their kids to lag behind others in the race of life. Lord Ram and Lord Krishna did not lag behind in life even though they commenced their studies quite late. They indulged in childhood pranks and mischief until they were 11 years old. Sending children to school very early in their lives leads to stunting of their emotional development.

Shri Krishna janmotsav, Shri Govardhan pooja and Shri Rukmini vivah were celebrated with great fanfare during the katha. The host family presented beautiful scenes of these occasions.

Whilst in Patan, Pujya Bhaishri visited the Ram Rahim Seva Trust, Gurjarwada Youth club and Shri Sai Baba temple. He also visited the school for deaf and dumb children, where he distributed prasad to these children. In addition, Pujya Bhaishri went to see the famous historical lake of Rannki vav.

The Education Minister of Gujarat, Shrimati Anandiben, came to listen to the katha. Pujya Bhaishri conveyed his blessings to her from the vyas-pith.