Devka – Gujarat Bhagavat Katha 8th Day
On the final day, day 8 of the katha, Pujya Bhaishri first bestowed his blessings and honoured all those involved in the Devka Vidyapeeth project and this katha on stage. Thereafter, Shri Guru Sharnanandji Maharaj summoned the audience and expressed his happiness with this project, the katha and the people of Devka. Shri D.H. Goyani, who has played a major role in this project was specially praised and provided blessings by Pujya Bhaishri and Maharaj Shri. Pujya Shri Muktanand Bapu ji also gave a small speech.
Pujya Bhaishri bowed to Maharaj Shri with love and respect. He mentioned that Maharaj Shri has been like a guard and guide in the projects we have been carrying out. He has listened to the katha for these 8 days and showered his love. Pujya Bhaishri said, “This katha has been a celebration of the 85th birthday for my mother from me. I had always thought, how can I celebrate my mother’s 85th birthday in a large scale? Maa, this is for you.”
Pujya Bhaishri said that he felt like narrating this katha in the local language of Devka and really enjoyed doing so. What language does God like? Hindi, English, Gujarati? No, God likes the language of love. Once when reciting the katha in USA, on talking a few words in the local Gujarati language, a man had jumped on the podium, hugged me and expressed his happiness in hearing this language after a long time. Pujya Bhaishri also described how he used have rotlo and yoghurt for breakfast and drink milk like water. He said that he was never taught by his parents to gather money but I am still rich with what I have. Whenever I desire to do a task and take one step, I automatically get the support from here and other countries who take many steps to fulfil the desire. My biggest gain ever is the company and blessings of saints.
Devka Vidyapeeth and Sandipani were the desires of God in which God made me a means to complete them. God gave me praise and a by product of this has been criticism. And I know that moving forwards, we will make more mistakes but my intentions and feelings have certainly no mistakes. Pujya Bhaishri wished Shri Muktanand Bapu ji a happy birthday and asked to oversee that we always walk on a virtuous path.
Shri Dwarkanath and Shri Rukmini ji’s wedding were celebrated with great fanfare. This is not just a worldly custom, we should all marry God and once married, we stay under the command and guidance of God. We will then not desire anything except God and keep doing his tasks. In the Shrimad Bhagavat, Vratrasur asked God that I do not want wealth or fame; I want to cry in your separation and memory and only do deeds that will keep you happy. A sadhu performs good deeds to become God’s beloved; which is why when we perform any yagya, pooja etc, we offer these to God.
The significance of Shri Rukmini ji marrying God is using wealth for the purpose of God’s work. Bhishmak is the incarnation of the ocean and Rukmi is the incarnation of poison. Be careful that your wealth is not used on the wrong path like addictions, adultery and too many pleasures. Rukmi, which is, the enjoyment of sensual pleasures, does not like money being used for good purposes. We are very happy when money comes to our house. Similarly, when we use money for good work, money remains happy. We will not attain peace in life if money will be crying. Our wealth will increase the more we use it for good work.
There are four purusharth (objects of life) in our religion: Dharma, arth (wealth), kaam (sexual desires) and moksha (emancipation). We should earn wealth morally and with dharma in focus. Any wealth earned immorally will certainly leave and also take wealth earned morally with it. Similarly, do bear children but with dharma in focus. Money and desires can make one do wrong. Is money bad or good? This is similar to asking, is a river good or bad? The answer is that if the river flows within its boundaries, it is useful, but if it breaks the boundaries, it can drown people. In fact, even money earned morally is not completely pure. This money only becomes pure if we utilise 10% of our earnings in Godly deeds.
The first son of Shri Krishna and Shri Rukmini ji is Pradyumna, the incarnation of Kaam dev. Sexual desire is natural and it is a way to keep life moving in this world. Shri Krishna has said that kaam linked with dharma is one of my forms. One who bears children to further the progeny and then lives with discipline, although this person may have 5 children, he will be considered as a bhramacharya even while living with family. Shri Pradyumna Maharaj killed the demon Shamrasur (kaam against dharma). Rape is a form of kaam against dharma. It is a pity and annoying to see that even little children are raped in this day and age!
Shri Krishna then also married Shri Jambavanti ji, Shri Satyabhama ji, Shri Kalindi ji, Shri Satyaa ji, Shri Bhadraa ji, Shri Laxmanaa ji and Shri Mitravindaa ji. These are his eight main queens. Thereafter, he married 16,100 women who had taken his refuge after being freed from Bhaumasur. Each queen had 10 sons and one daughter.
The son of Pradyumna ji was called Anirudha ji. Anirudha ji married the daughter of Banasur known as Usha. The story of how Usha married Anirudha ji is very interesting and famous and is also known as Okha haran. Pujya Bhaishri briefly narrated this story.
Thereafter, Shri Dwarkadhish attended the Rajsuya yagya performed by the Pandavas where they achieved victory over many states. There were many committees who split various tasks during this yagya. Shri Krishna thought, what can I help with? Him and his queens then decided to pick the dirty plates and sweep the area after everyone had eaten.
At this yagya, Shishupal was unhappy that the chief guest was Shri Krishna. He therefore began to abuse Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna killed him as soon as he abused him over 100 times. Shishupal’s spirit united with Shri Krishna.
Pujya Bhaishri briefly narrated the story of Shri Sudama ji visiting Dwarka. Sudama means life/ human. Each and every life is a friend of Shri Krishna. Sushila, Shri Sudamaji’s wife inspires us to do God’s darshan through plenty of satsang.
During the time Shri Krishna was about to retire to his abode, Uddhav begged Shri Krishna to take him as well. Shri Krishna said that we all came on this earth on our own, so how can we return together? Remember, help everyone but do not keep any expectations from anyone. No one is ours, only God is ours. Shri Krishna then preached to Uddhavji, gave his paduka (wooden sandals) and advised him to meditate in Badrikashram. Shri Krishna sent his charioteer to Dwarka to inform the resident to leave Dwarka as Dwarka will drown on the seventh day. The Yadavs were killed and Shri Krishna returned to his abode.
Shri Krishna resides in this body, Dwarka. When Shri Krishna leaves, this body will no longer exist. This body is precious of Gold, do not misuse it with enmity, lust and anger. We should spread the scent of incense sticks in this body, not the smoke from tobacco. Pujya Bhaishri summoned everyone again to get rid of their addictions, mainly chewing tobacco, smoking and drinking.
Dwaparyuga was now over, and the era of Kaliyuga began. Shrimad Bhagavat describes the sins that will increase in Kaliyuga. However, it is still considered the best era because God will be attained through only Hari naam sankirtan.
Shukdevji said to Pareekshit ji that he had narrated all the katha and asked if there was anything else he would still like to hear. Shri Pareekshit ji said that he had experienced God’s darshan. He said that I am experiencing God calling me. Shri Shukdevji explained that do not consider yourself as this body; the body is born hence it is bound to die. Do not even desire emancipation as only those who consider themselves bound will ask for emancipation. Shri Shukdevji then blessed Pareekshitji and left singing the shlokas of Shrimad Bhagavat. Shri Pareekshitji united with God and his body turned into ashes on being bitten by a poisonous snake.
Shri Sutji also completed narrating the Shrimad Bhagavat and ended with satyam param dhimahi.
The katha then ended with chanting God’s name. The Devka katha filled the devotees with bliss in a divine atmosphere on the land on which Pujya Bhaishri was born.
Jai Jai Shri Radhe.