Mumbai Shrimad Bhagavat Katha graced by many saints and filled with knowledge and devotion
Shri Nathaliya Uneval Brahma Samaj organised 1008 Shrimad Bhagavat recitation Gyan Yagya Mahotsav, by Pujya Bhaishri, to mark their Centenary festival celebrations.
First day 10-05-2015
The celebrations began on the morrow of the first day of the Gyan Yagya with boundless blessings of Paramba Shri Kankeshwari Maa and Bhaava Bhaaveshwar Devadhidev Mahakaleshwar Mahadev.
The grand Shobha Yatra set out at 8:30am. from the home of the chief host, Shri Trambak Parekh and Shrimati Saroj Parekh. It passed through the streets of Kandivali amidst the enchanting rhythmic beats of drums and full bloated sounds of a well-orchestrated band, thrilling the hearts of thousands of devotees who followed Pujya Bhaishri’s magnificent chariot. The whole atmosphere surrounding the Yatra was electrified with devotional fervour. After traversing about 1.5km, the Shobha Yatra reached the venue, Vraj Vihar, located in the campus of Naravane School.
The Shobha Yatra was accorded a warm traditional welcome accompanied by chants of Vedic mantras. The ritual of lighting the auspicious lamp was performed by the President of Vile Parle Sanyas Ashram, 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Param Pujya Shri Vishwehwaranandji. In his benedictory speech, Shri Vishweshwaranandji expressed his happiness at convening in such festivals that united people. He expressed his blessings and good wishes for the success of the festival. Other dignitaries who remained present at the inaugural function included Shri Pramodji Joshi, C.E.O of Aastha channel, Shri Mukeshbhai Mistry, local municipal councillor and MLA, Shri Yogesh Sagar.
Before the commencement of the katha, the Chief Convenor and Trustee of the Nathaliya Uneval Brahma Samaj, Shri Karunashankar Oza, who had been ceaselessly striving for the successful organisation of this festival, extended a very warm and heartfelt welcome on behalf of the community to all the assembled saints, guests, host families and people in the audience for their support and co-operation. He also praised the members of the community for their enthusiastic participation in making the festival a grand success.
The inaugural day, also being Mother’s day, Pujya Bhaishri commenced narrating the katha by paying rich tributes to the importance of mother, motherland, mother-tongue and the strength and spirit of all mothers of the world. After that, Pujya Bhaishri congratulated the spirit of unity and brotherhood unifying the members and families of Shri Nathaliya Uneval Brahma Samaj, conveyed his appreciation for completing its 100 years and extended his blessings in succeeding in its objective of constructing a community building. He also praised the philanthropic spirit of the families of Chief Host, Shri Trambak Parekh and the host for the day, Shri Rameshbhai Janani and expressed his feelings of gratitude for them.
Pujya Bhaishri said that the katha makes us fearless. It also begets nirvana. This katha is no ordinary story. Shrimad Bhagavat is a veritable confluence. It was manifested on the banks of river Saraswati, it describes the story of Shri Krishna that happened on the banks of river Yamuna and it was narrated to king Parikshit on the banks of river Ganga. Hence it is similar to Prayag Tirtha. Though all Puranas are important, Bhagavat Purana is the king of Puranas. At the end of the first day, Dr. Deepak Rajguru, Chairman of Vibrant Group of Schools, Surat, conducted the proceedings of the function on the first day.
Second day 11-05-2015
The katha began on second day with the singing of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra by the rishikumars of Sandipani Vidyaniketan. Param Pujya Shri Nirgunadasji of Santram temple Nadiad and Revered Saint, Pujya Shri Ganeshdasji of Santram temple, Umreth, graced the commencement of the katha on the second day. In their address to the assembled audience, they conveyed their blessings for the members of Nathaliya Uneval community.
Pujya Bhaishri extensively quoted extracts from Padma Purana, describing the glory of Shrimad Bhagavat Mahapuran.
Third day 12-05-2015
The katha session began on the third day with the rhythmic chanting of Medha Suktam by the rishikumars of Sandipani Vidyaniketan rendering an aura of enhanced spirituality to the atmosphere. The revered saint of Swaminarayan sect and founder of Davrodi, SGVP Pujya Shri Madhavpriyadasji, graced the function at the beginning on third day. He congratulated and blessed the Natahaliya Unewal community and commended their good qualities. Speaking about, caste discrimination he said that our misunderstandings in this matter need to be cleared. Remember, that the Bhagavat katha was narrated by Sutji and the same tradition needs to be maintained. He said that all human beings are gifted with intelligence and this should be respected. He paid his obeisance to the hosting of 1008 Bhagavat recitation.
On this day Pujya Bhaishri presented a detailed explanation of the words ‘Satyam param dhi mahi’ from the Shrimad Bhagavat. He said, “Although Shrimad Bhagavat is elixir and manifests bliss, one has to be prepared for the poison that is bound to spring before the manifestation of elixir. We have to invoke Shri Jatadhari Shiv who can retain poison without being affected by it. Though we feel our world to be like a deep sea of misery, our proximity to Shrimad Bhagavat enables us to experience a boundless ocean of bliss”.
Pujya Bhaishri said that that which places us in a state of blissful trance is katha. Since God is the core essence of all creation, he is said to be the supreme essence and joy of our being. Thus, katha is that which transports us in the state of ultimate bliss. It is that which merges us with Lord Krishna who is the supreme essence of all existence.
Pujya Bhaishri gave insightful definitions of Mantra and Sutra saying that Mantra is the exhalation of God while Sutra is that which enunciates a great truth in minimum syllables. Devotion does not dwell on the peak of ego. Instead, it dwells in the heart of the meek.
In the evening, Ms. Falguni Pathak and her group presented their programme of devotional songs.
Fourth day 13-05-2015
On the fourth day of katha the rishikumars of Sandipani Vidyaniketan recited Laxmi Sukta after the traditional ritual of worship and aarati. Param pujya Shri Sharadbhai Vyas and Pujya Shri Batukbhai Vyas registered their presence on this day. They extended their blessings to Shri Nathaliya Unewal Brahma Samaj and expressed their good wishes for the success of the centenary festival of the community.
Revealing the deep secrets of Bhagavat in his simple but lucid style Pujya Bhaishri said, “This body gifted to us by God is the most beautiful and smart. God has given us five smart applications: Annamaya kosha (the material sheath formed by the food that we eat), Pranamaya kosh (the sheath of our vital body), Gyanmaya kosh (the sheath formed by our mind and intelligence), Vigyanmaya kosha, the sheath of higher awareness and Anandmaya kosha (the sheath of joy or bliss). Compared to other living beings, God has specially endowed human beings with Vigyanmaya kosha and Anandmaya kosha. We are losing our sensibilities and to regain them, we must hear the Bhagavat katha again and again. The sensitivity that pervades through the Bhagavat, its verses, joy and fluidity are all attributes of Shri Radha”.
At the end of his katha Pujya Bhaishri issued a strict warning against the harshness meted out to children in the name of educating them and asked people to refrain from it.
Sixth day 14 – 05 – 2015
Pujya Bhaishri quoted the famous Sanskrit saying which advises to leave aside a hundred tasks and have one’s meals, leave aside a thousand tasks and get one’s bath, leave aside one hundred thousand tasks and do charity and leave aside 10 million tasks and pray.
He further said that Moksha or liberation is not the goal of Bhagavat. Instead its proclaimed aim is to manifest one’s devotion or love for Lord Shri Krishna. The liberation is bound to happen as its by-product. There should not be any doubt about it.
Shri Vinodji Sadhu, Shri Indiraben Sadhu and Shri Nimisha Sadhu were the hosts of today’s katha. Manifestation of Lord Shri Krishna was celebrated with great fanfare.
The sixth day of the katha was its best day. The katha was graced with the presence of Saint Shri 1008 Param Pujya Mahamandaleshwar Karshni Peethadheshwar Shri Gurusharananadji Maharaj. Shri Gurusharananandji Maharaj conveyed his blessings for the centenary festival of Shri Nathaliya Unewal Brahma Samaj. He also asserted that erudition of Pujya Bhaishri who is a veritable crown of Audichya Brahmans and his devotion to Shrimad Bhagavat and felicity of narrating it has become known throughout the world. Moreover he has also been specially blessed by Shri Ramanvihariji. He also extended his good wishes to all people saying that the good works undertaken by them may be successfully implemented. Pujya Bhaishri reciprocated by performing the pujan of Shri Gurusharanandji and honouring him from his Vyaspeeth.
The family of Shri Bajranglalji Taparia was the host of Govardhan Utsav celebrated on the day.
Seventh day 16-05-2015
Yoga Maharshi Baba Ramdev graced the katha session with his presence on the morning of the seventh day. He demonstrated yogasanas and other yogic methods for getting relief from diseases and ailments. Pujya Bhaishri also joined in demonstrating the importance of gaining good health through physical cleansing through various yogamudras, yogasanas and pranayam.
After the practical demonstration, Pujya Ramdevji Maharaj paid rich tributes to the widely acclaimed learning and erudition of Pujya Bhaishri. He also extended his many blessings to Shri Nathaliya Unewal Brahma Samaj. Baba Ramdevji expressed his great pleasure and satisfaction for having been able to find time to come to this programme and meet Pujya Bhaishri in spite of his tight busy schedule. This meeting of Shri Baba Ramdev and Pujya Bhaishri is bound to be to be truly memorable for a long time. Pujya Bhaishri also expressed his happiness and said that he was thankful to Pujya Ramadevji for coming to this session. Pujya Bhaishri explained the finer meanings implied through various amusing leelas of Shri Krishna.
Before concluding the day’s katha, Rukmini vivah was celebrated with great fanfare. The family of Muljibhai Gopalji Mehta were the host for the bridegroom’s party while the host for the bride’s side were the families of Shri Jagat Mahendrabhai Shah and Dineshbhai of Nairobi. The other dignitaries that registered their presence in today’s katha included Shri Sharadbhai Vyas, Shri Batukbhai Vyas, Shri Bhupendra Ambani, Shri Pravinbhai Kotak and the family of Shri Ghanshyam Dholakia of Surat.
Eighth day 17-05-2015
Param pujya Shri Vallabh Kalavasant 1008 Pragatyapeeth Yuvaraj Shri Dwarkeshlalji graced the katha with his presence. He conveyed his blessings in his address. The session began with the rhythmic recitation of Shiv Sankalp Sukta by the rishikumars. In his katha Pujya Bhaishri revealed the spiritual significance of Sudama Charitra, Lord Shri Krishna’s return to Dwarka and his final journey to his abode. He also explained the katha’s importance for mortals by describing the story of King Parikshit’s liberation.
On the concluding day, Pujya Bhaishri expressed his sense of gratitude towards the members of the convening committee and volunteers. He also praised lavishly the enthusiasm of all wings of Shri Nathaliya Brahma Samaj. Finally, Pujya Bhaishri honoured the members of the convening committee.
