Pujya Bhaishri enlightens us on the importance of cows in Nandgau
The small town of Nandgau, based in Rajasthan, is now well-known as the land dedicated to gau seva (service to cows) after a great gau seva project initiated by Param Pujya Gau-Rishi Dattasharnanandji Maharaj. This land dedicated to gau seva is spread over a sprawling area of 2300 acres amidst the range of Abu mountains. Each and every person who views this delightful place with countless cows considers oneself blessed. One experiences as though Shri Gopal Krishna is present among these cows.
Under Pujya Sharananandji Maharaj’s inspiring guidance, a divine Bhagavat Katha by Pujya Bhaishri, based on cows, was organised from 3rd to 10th November 2011. Param Pujya Radha Krishnaji Maharaj was the secretary in charge of welcoming the guests and Param Pujya Shri Govind Devgiriji, the president, for this great festival.
The various programmes organised during this event commenced at early dawn and continued until midnight. On the first day, the Shobha Yatra began from the Gau Surabhi Mahamantra Yagyashala with the participation of many saints and cow devotees. The katha was inaugurated by the saints with the kindling of the auspicious lamp. Thereafter, Param Pujya Chidanand Saraswatiji (from Parmarth Niketan) and Param Pujya Ramanandacharya Hansdevacharyaji conveyed their blessings in short speeches.
Throughout the katha, Pujya Bhaishri elaborated on the importance, protection and welfare of gau mata (our mother cow). Pujya Bhaishri said, “A cow is innocent and is the abode of many deities. We should strive to serve the cows, protect them and work for their welfare. Just as no human being can forget the nurturing of mother and remains permanently indebted to her for feeding us in our infancy, similarly we will always remain indebted to our mother cow who nourishes us by providing milk and looks after us.”
Pujya Bhaishri also said that In Islam those who attend the Hajj pilgrimage are known as Hajji; likewise those who look after cows and offer their service to cows should have the words gau-vrati added in front of their names as these people highly deserve such respect. In addition, during the katha, Pujya Bhaishri explained the utmost importance of pancha-gavya (the five pure products from a cow – milk, yoghurt, ghee, urine and dung) and gau-vaas (the dwelling place of cows).
The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Honourable Shri Narendrabhai Modi, paid his visit during the katha. In his speech he shared with the audience the measures that have been adopted by the Government of Gujarat for the service and protection of cows. Also, during the last three days of the katha Param Pujya Mahamandaleshwar Karshni Gurusharananandji Maharaj, Param Pujya Rajendradasji Maharaj, other saints and dignitaries graced everyone with their presence and gained bliss from this katha.