Hanumat Charitta Katha in New Jersey, USA

Shri Sanatan Mandir in Parsippany, New Jersey organized a three-day religious discourse on “Hanumat Charitra” by Pujya Bhaishri. This Katha was the first on the subject of Hanumat Charitra, and offered the attendees a unique opportunity to learn and understand the life of the most devoted disciple of Lord Ram.

The pearls of wisdom Bhaishri shared enlightened the hundreds of devotees who attended the event’s five three-hour sessions at the Parsippany Hills High School (Parsippany, NJ). He focused on the many manifested attributes of a true devotee, bhakta in such a way that all age groups could relate to and understand.

The spellbound audience learned how to utilize the God-given gifts of strength, bal, intellect, buddhi and knowledge, vidya with humility, patience, simplicity, sensitivity, and devotion. The discourse also emphasized the importance of considering oneself as nimitta, an instrument of God, and not as karta, the doer.

Through Shri Hanumanji’s exemplary life and the teachings of Bhagavad Gita, Bhaishri explained the three important elements of life. The first one is the art of loving. When faith and love grow beyond reasoning, tarka, the art of loving takes birth. The second element is the art of living with parity samata and affection mamta. The third element, the art of leaving tyaag, is not about abandoning the worthless things but rather about holding on to the auspicious elements. The most important tyaag is to forsake ego. Shri Hanumanji had no other desire in life except to hold the lotus feet of Lord Ram; everything else was insignificant for him. He who is ready to abandon all pleasures automatically rids himself of all the pains of life.

The devotees were mesmerized by the Bhakti Sangeet and by Bhaishri’s beautiful and precious words and left with a new sense of meaning in their lives. The temple priest, Pravinbhai Mehta, was instrumental in the design and preparation of many beautiful decorations placed throughout the high school. The stage decorations in particular were spectacular, creating a serene effect reminiscent of the Himalayas.

Pujya Bhaishri, the exceptionally devotional preacher, has blessed countless devotees of Shri Sanatan Mandir with his annual visits. The discourse from June 22 through 24, 2007, however, left an indelible mark.