Ram Katha in Khimsar, Rajasthan
On 1st April 2009, Ram Katha by Pujya Bhaishri was organised in Khimsar, Rajasthan by Shri Gangadhar Bansilal Rathi Trust. Khimsar is situated approximately 90 kms from the city of Jodhpur. The katha was held on the huge grounds of Shri Hanuman temple of Shri Sankatmochan Dham Lalawas. The people of Khimsar village were greatly pleased by Pujya Bhaishri’s arrival in their village. The katha was telecasted live on Sanskar channel. Thus millions of viewers obtained the opportunity to listen to this divine Ram katha.
After a grand shobha yatra and establishing the Pothiji at the katha venue, Pujya Shri Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Swami Sri Satyamitranandji Maharaj performed the deepa pragatya ceremony. He then commented in his speech that Shri Ram Charit Manas is an epic composed by Shri Tulsidasji. Our lives become noble and divine by listening to the Ram Charit Manas. He thus encouraged everyone to listen to this katha keenly for whatever little time that could be spared. He then continued to say to the devotees present that they were even more fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to this katha from an accomplished narrator like Pujya Bhaishri who is capable of inspiring devotion for Sri Ram in our hearts.
Pujya Shri Govind Devji Maharaj and Acharya Shri Kishorji Vyas also came to listen to the katha. In his address, Maharaj ji described the importance of chanting the name of Shri Ram. He mentioned that Pujya Bhaishri is living a Rishi’s life and that his life is living manifestation of Ved and Vedant. He paid his tributes and offered his pranams to Pujya Bhaishri who has dedicated his life to sanskar & sanskriti.
In his sermon Pujya Bhaishri reminded the listeners about the importance of Ram katha as described by Tulsidasji in Shri Ram Charit Manas: “Ehi kali kaal na sadhan dooja, jog, jagya, jap, tap, vrat, pooja”. This means that in Kaliyug, there is no other means, including yog, yagna (fire sacrifice), jap (reciting mantra), tap (meditation) and pooja, of achieving God and emancipation except chanting the Lord’s name. This does not mean that the above methods serve no purpose. Indeed they do. However, in Kaliyug, the easiest method of obtaining emancipation is by chanting and remembering God’s name day and night. Even the greatest of sages have resorted to this easy method in order to attain God’s grace.
Pujya Bhaishri gave many sutras (tips) to make life better and noble. He said that the best way of living a peaceful life is by adhering to the triveni (three rivers) of:
neeti (ethics and morals),
reeti (dharma) and
preeti (love).
We should earn money with the right morals and ethics, live life according to what dharma advises and worship God with love and affection. One who abides by these three rules indeed bathes in the sacred confluence of the three holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.