Gopi Geet in New Jersey, USA
Thousands of devotees attended the Gopi Geet katha by Pujya Bhaishri from 26th June to 28th June 2009 in Wayne, New Jersey. This katha was sponsored by the Vidya Vikas Charitable Trust (VVCT), for the benefit of the Devka Vidyapeeth School construction project.
The Gopi Geet katha was held in the large auditorium of the Passaic County Technical School. The grand decoration of the stage and creation of the vyaspith was entrusted to the creative priest of Shri Sanatan Mandir of Parsippany, Shri Pravinbhai Shastri. In harmony with the theme, Gopi Geet, the stage was enhanced with a backdrop decoration of flutes. There was also commendable contribution by the volunteers of Shri Sanatan Mandir and VVCT to decorate the stage and the entrance areas.
The pothi yatra and the welcoming ceremony were carried out by the chief hosts Dr. Navin Mehta and his wife Rashmiben Mehta, the welcoming hosts Shri Kenny Desai and his wife Truptiben Desai, and host ladies including Ms. Leena Mehta.
Mr Kenny Desai, the vice president of VVCT, gave a speech in which he explained and outlined the goals of the educational project of Devka Vidyapith, currently shaping up in the town Devka in Saurashtra, India, the birthplace of Pujya Bhaishri.
Pujya Bhaishri began the discourse by elucidating the significance of the Gopi Geet from the Shrimad Bhagavat with specific emphasis on the 19 shlokas of Gopi Geet written by Shri Ved Vyasji. He said that Shrimad Bhagavat is a scripture of devotion through which flows emotions of simplicity, piousness, calmness and pleasantness. The other five emotions, love, creation, peace, companionship and happiness are also products from this scripture.
On 27th June, the president of VVCT Dr. Navin Mehta, expressed in a speech his admiration for Param Pujya Bhaishri for his tireless efforts to promote education and literacy in rural areas, and declared him a true proponent of the Hindu Culture.
On 28th June, Pujya Bhaishri quoted chopais from the Ramayan and shlokas from the Shrimad Bhagavat in his sermon. He explained the significance of the universal sound ‘Aum’. He further said that there are four types of devotees, amongst whom a gyani bhakt is God’s most beloved and one who truly experiences the Raas, that is, the essence of a Gopi’s love.
At the end of the discourse, Dr. Navin Mehta gave a concluding speech where he explained the goals of VVCT. Dr. Mehta talked about the great warrior Sikander. He said that while Sikander was a great warrior and victor overcoming high mountains, his pockets were empty when he laid in a coffin after death; this means that he could not take anything with him when he died. Hence everyone should share their accumulated wealth for a good cause.
The whole event was a great success. Hundreds of devotees and supporters took part, and more than $300,000 was raised. These funds will provide hundreds of needy children from Rajula District with the lifelong gift of education. Construction of the new school building with a library, computer rooms, and recreational facilities is already underway, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed in 2010. More information on this can be obtained on www.vvctusa.org or by contacting Shri Ashok Mehta on vvctusa@gmail.com.
