Gopis of Oman experience divine bliss during Bhagavat Katha Gyan Yagna

A unique festival of immense religious and cultural significance was celebrated by the Indians staying in The Sultanate of Oman .The occasion was the narration of Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah Gyan Yagna by Pujya Bhaishri in Muscat from 8th to 17th May 2001.

Pujya Bhaishri and his troupe arrived at the Seeb International Airport at 8.40 p.m. on 8th May. The family members of Shri Dharamshi Nenshi families who hosted the Gyan Yagna, and other devotees gave them a very warm welcome.

Shobha yatra was celebrated on the morning of 9th May and the Shrimad Bhagwat was carried in a procession and taken to the Katha mandap of Daarset haveli amidst loud cheer and fanfare. The members of the host family performed the pujan of Shrimad Bhagwat and Pujya Bhaishri. Welcoming Pujya Bhaishri on behalf of the Gujaratis staying in Oman, Shri Ashwin Dharamshi Nenshi said that it was a great occasion for which they had been waiting and preparing since a very long time. Pujya Bhaishri in reply to the warm welcome congratulated the Indians for preserving and strengthening the Indian culture in spite of staying in a country that was so far away from their motherland

While narrating the Bhagwat Katha in his lucid and easy to follow style Pujya Bhaishri made interesting comments on all aspects of modern living, which left a deep impact on the minds of the listeners. The audience responded whole heartedly to the singing of Sanskrit and Hindi padavalis, the Gujarati lokgeets and bhajans sung by Pujya Bhaishri and his troupe and thus created a highly charged devotional atmosphere at the katha sthala. The Hindu community of Muscat were like the Gopis of Vraj who left whatever they were doing to listen to Krishna play the flute. Here people closed shop early to reach on time for the katha and stayed till late hours for listening, something that doesn’t happen usually in the sleepy city of Muscat. Everybody celebrated Shri Krishna Janmotsava and other auspicious occasions with great joy and fervour. Krishna janam sent the audience into another world and here in Muscat Lalan was born at the 12th hour of the night and the festivities; the garbha went on till even later. Bhaishri touched the hearts of the people by distributing prasad to the entire audience present for the Katha.

Pujya Bhaishri said that today when every one had a common complaint that no one listened to them, the very fact that so many people were eager to listen to the Bhagwat katha indicated the importance as well as the relevance of this ancient scripture and the incidents narrated in it. The reason why Shrimad Bhagwat has been so popular all through the ages is because it is a foolproof means of attaining Lord Shri Krishna. It is life itself and not just a means of earning a livelihood.

Elucidating the meaning of the word Bhagwat, Pujya Bhaishri said that ‘Bha’ means ‘deepti’ that is the divine light, ‘Ga’ means gyan (knowledge) ‘Wa’ means ‘vairagya’ (renunciation) and ‘Ta’ means ‘tapasya’ (ascetic practices). He further said that Bhagwat enunciated and expounded the Gayatri mantra. Therefore mother Gayatri protects the person who recites the Bhagwat. This story of the Lord transforms our life into a sea of feelings. It enables an individual to be positioned in his own spiritual self and consequently live a very healthy life. It also engulfs our consciousness in deep devotion. It teaches us that one who surrenders every thing attains God’s grace.

Pujya Bhaishri advised the youngsters and all devotees of Shrimad Bhagwat to keep themselves continuously occupied in their work saying that achievements follow when intentions are matched with endeavours. Listening to the narration of Bhagwat and its recollection facilitates the flowering of our mind. Hence every one must spread the sweet fragrance of the Lord’s name. Pujya Bhaishri further said that each individual was the signature (manifestation) of God. Therefore we should make our life fruitful by showing love and compassion for all living beings.

Indians staying in the remotest of places of Oman came to listen to this divine amrit.

On the final day of the katha, Pujya Bhaishri thanked and blessed the members of the Dharamshi Nenshi family and all others who demonstrated their love for Hindu culture.

Dharamshi Nenshi family in turn thanked Pujya Bhaishri and his troupe.

Renowned Gujarati folk singers Shri Niranjan Pandya and Miss Deepti Desai of our Sanskruti Parivar, Bhavnagar presented Gujarati and Hindi bhajans, while Shri Tushar Joshi of our Sanskruti Parivar, Bhavnagar compeered the program.

The Havan (of Purnahuti) was at a farm (owned by the Dharamshi Nenshi family) not very far away from the city where the organisers tried to recreate a village scene. Bhaishri wore a Mussar (a traditional Arabic headgear) and listened to bhajans that were being sung under a mango tree.

As always, farewell was tough. None at the airport could stop their tears as they bid goodbye to Pujya Bhaishri who though not physically with them will now forever remain in their hearts.