Other Discourses

Other Kathas and Discourses

Pujya Bhaishri is invited to give other Kathas and discourses in addition to Shrimad Bhagavat Katha, Shri Ram Katha and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, throughout the year. They could be on a specific topic or related to an occasion.

Pujya Bhaishri expounds the characters of Lord Shiv and Shri Hanuman ji in Shiv Charitra Katha and Shri Hanumant Charitra Katha respectively wherein their greatness is learnt through their various stories of strength, perseverance, knowledge and devotion.

Pujya Bhaishri has also spoken on themes like Gopi Geet, Raas Panchādhyāyee, Bhishma Stuti and Gau Katha for many years.

Pujya Bhaishri has addressed the prisoners of Tihar jail in India and the army at our borders, an audience at the National Space Centre, UK and Wharton University in the USA.  Young or old, people relate to his teachings and anecdotes. Question and answer sessions are often held, especially for young people to discuss their queries.

Below are brief details of what is entailed and a few learning points from each katha and discourse.

Hanumant Charitra Katha, Kolkata, 2016

Shri Hanumant Charitra Katha

Held over five days, here are some extracts of what Pujya Bhaishri teaches about Hanumanji in the Hanumant Charitra Katha:

• There are three important elements of life:
  • Art of loving where faith is of utmost importance;
  • Art of living with equality, equanimity and affection;
  • Art of Surrender, by forsaking ego;

Shri Hanumanji had no other desire in life than to surrender at the lotus feet of Lord Ram. Everything else was insignificant to him. He who is ready to abandon all pleasures automatically rids himself of all the pains of life.

• Reciting Hanuman Chalisa blesses the devotee with health, knowledge, strength and intelligence. Therefore, one should recite Hanuman Chalisa daily.

• Nothing can please Shri Hanumanji more than listening to the glories of Lord Ram. Hence Hanumanji stayed on earth when Lord Ram returned to His abode. Hanumanji remains present at all places where Shri Ram Katha is being narrated.  So great is the character of Hanumanji that if we could imbibe even one characteristic of His, our lives would change forever.

Shiv Charitra Katha

Pujya Bhaishri’s Shiv Charitra Katha is attained from Shri Ram Charit Manas, Shrimad Bhagavat and Shiv Puran. Pujya Bhaishri elucidates on the divine Shiv Katha from Shri Ram Charit Manas explaining the symbolism of each event of this Katha in detail, therefore providing us guidance in our day to day life and planting the seed of devotion within us.

Pujya Bhaishri also covers many topics in Shiv Charitra Katha, such as:

• How to live life in harmony
• Significance of the human body
• Philosophical meaning of Shiv Linga
• Importance of the sacred bel tree, Rudrāksha beads, the holy ashes and the temple of Lord Shiv
• Creation of grammar from Aum.

The list is endless with this divine Katha on Lord Shiv and fills many with devotion.

Shiv Charitra Katha, Rameshwar, 2014

Gopi Geet, New Jersey, 2009

Gopi Geet and Raas Panchadhyayee

Gopi Geet is the song sung by the Gopis to express their pain of separation from Lord Krishna.

Pujya Bhaishri elucidates the significance of Gopi Geet with specific emphasis on the 19 ślokas (verses) from the 28^th Chapter of the 10^th canto of Shrimad Bhagavat written by Shri Ved Vyasji. Gopi Geet is the supreme highlight of Shrimad Bhagavat.

Raas Panchadhyayee is the life source of Shrimad Bhagavat. Raas means to experience nectar. Krishna is no different from this divine nectar and we only experience Raas when we make the effort of coming closer to Shri Krishna. Even if we have a little appreciation for Shri Krishna, we can be blessed with the Raas.

Pujya Bhaishri describes the philosophical symbolism behind each of Lord Krishna’s attributes and features, from his flute to the colour of his clothes. Each fine detail has a deeper meaning.

Bhishma Stuti

This Great Prayer, Bhishma Stuti that occurs in Mahabharata, was sung in 11 ślokas by Pitamaha Bhishma who lies on a bed of arrows in the battlefield of Kurukshetra.  Pitamaha (grandsire) Bhishma was a great warrior and grandfather to Pandavas and Kauravas and above all was a devotee of Lord Krishna.  Pujya Bhaishri elucidates on this stuti by Pitamaha Bhishma describing the valour and true friendship of Lord Krishna and educates us on what the message is behind the Stuti.

Gau Katha, Ahmedabad, 2013

Gau Katha

In this Katha, carried out once in Ahmedabad in 2013, Pujya Bhaishri explains the importance of cows based on scientific and spiritual knowledge provided in our scriptures.

Pujya Bhaishri says, “Cow is the mother of the entire universe. Cows nourish and protect all beings, be one of any religion, caste or creed”.

God says, “I, myself, reside in cows”. Hence whenever we get the opportunity, we must dedicate our services to cows. Providing our services to cows leads to increase in our wealth, fame and purifies our mind. Above all, we acquire love for Lord Krishna.