Pujya Bhaishri elaborates on the meaning of religion in the Shrimad Bhagavat Katha at Johannesburg

The eternal stream of Shrimad Bhagavat Katha at the beginning of the Hindu New Year began to flow from the city of Johannesburg in South Africa. The families of the Gupta brothers: Shri Ajay Gupta, Shri Atul Gupta, Shri Rajesh Gupta and Shri Anilji Gupta organised this katha in fulfilment of their mother’s wishes.

The katha began with the Pothi Yatra to the katha venue, the military museum, on 18th November 2012. The entire area of Saxonworld became alive with the colourful procession of horses and buggies.

On one hand, the atmosphere was divine from the katha and kirtan by Pujya Bhaishri and on the other hand the Rishikumars of Sandipani Vidyaniketan intensified this atmosphere by reciting the Sanskrit shlokas of the Shrimad Bhagavat in their rhythmic and melodious voices. It felt as though this stream of Ganga was purifying the land of South Africa.

During the katha, Pujya Bhaishri explained that our conduct should be such that we attain detachment from the worldly affairs. This is because, ‘vairagyamev abhayam‘, meaning, fear is spread everywhere and fearlessness only lies in detachment to worldly affairs.

Pujya Bhaishri also said that if religion is understood and looked after well, religion will become a solution to problems; otherwise it becomes a problem itself. In the present day, it is imperative to define religion correctly. The practice of religion is not merely the worshipping of deities in a temple, performing yagya, building places of worship and organising religious feasts. Religion has a direct relationship with life. According to our scriptures, ‘aachaaraha prabhavo dharmaha dharmasya praburachutaha’ meaning religion is the practice of good conduct.

Pujya Bhaishri further explained the importance of religion and the difference between religion and irreligion by saying that people hate one another and indulge in violence in the name of religion. This is not religion. Religion binds people together. It does not separate them. Religion teaches love, goodwill, ethical and noble values. That which spreads love and inspires affection is religion.

The people of Johannesburg were deeply enlightened by the inspirational teachings of Pujya Bhaishri. Shri Krishna janmotsav, Goverdhan leela and Shri Rukmini vivah were celebrated with great thrill.