Sant Milan Samaroh 2003
Pujya Bhaishri’s birthday on 31st August was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Sant Milan Samaroh held at the Birla Matushree Hall, Mumbai.
Saints gracing the occasion were Pujya Swami Balakramji from Vrindavan, Pujya Swami Vishwatmanandji from Haridwar and Pujya Swami Jagdishprasadji from Nanded. The function began with a few bhajans, deep pragatya and a documentary of the activities and development projects at Sandipani Vidyaniketan.
Pujya Bhaishri and all the saints were greeted on stage and special wishes were given by Parivar members and the entire Taparia family. A few hours earlier the Parivar ghoshti was held in the same hall where Pujya Bhaishri was wished and showered with flowers and garlands by hundreds of parivar members. A lot of parivar members had come to participate from all over the country and some from abroad too.
Five new books were released on this special occasion; The Bhagwat Bhagirathi, a thousand page compilation of satsangs from various kathas narrated by Pujya Bhaishri; Ram Priya Bhai, a book on Bharat; Katha Ganga, a book on the mangalacharan that Pujya Bhaishri explains in the beginning of Ram katha; Jigyasa Volume 1 in Hindi, a compilation of questions and answers asked to and answered by Pujya Bhaishri and a colourful book of pictures captured by a photographer Sanjay Vaidya from Calcutta. One of the trustees, Shri Karunashankarbhai Oza informed the audience about the academic results of the Rishikumars of Sandipani Vidyaniketan. He also spoke about the website and Sanskruti Sandesh, a quarterly periodical being published and distributed in the UK.
Pujya Bhaishri gave the Bhagwat Bhagirathi as Prasad to all the people who were involved with the publications.
Pujya Karshni Shri Gurusharnanandji Maharaj was to grace the occasion too but he couldn’t eventually. He called from Nasik and his message was relayed by the master of ceremonies, Shri Yagnikji by saying out aloud all he heard from Swamiji over the mobile phone. Pujya Maharajji showered his love and blessings in words and had also organized a yagya in Nasik on this auspicious occasion of Pujya Bhaishri’s birthday. 10,000 modaks were offered to Lord Ganeshji too.
Pujya Swami Balakramji then gave aashirwaad to Pujya Bhaishri and said that this day is indeed special as not only is it Ganesh Chaturthi today but Bhaishri’s birthday falls between Janmashtami and Radhaashtami. How wonderful that is! Pujya Swami Balakramji also put chandan on Bhaishri’s face and decorated him like Shriji (Radhaji) by putting a string of juhis round his head. Pujya Bhaishri was looking beautiful. Pujya Vishwatmanandji also gave his blessings and best wishes.
The much awaited time finally arrived when Pujya Bhaishri spoke. He narrated a story of a young man who lived in a village where it hadn’t rained for a very long time. Everybody was worried and had given up hope. This young man had a strong belief that it will rain and was walking around with an umbrella in his hand and within a few minutes, clouds gathered and it started raining. Pujya Bhaishri said that one strong belief in one young man can change a situation for the benefit of so many hundreds of people. One man can make a whole difference to the society, the nation and mankind at large. We all have that kind of potential. All that is needed is faith. All that you do, do it with faith. Even God tells us “Mantra jaap mam drida vishwasa.” Do your jap with full faith, and not only jap but all your endeavours. Kaliyug has its disadvantages but it also has a great advantage. It is said that only by sankritan one can attain God realisation then why don’t we do that? What is the point in blaming the Kaliyug for everything? Atleast do what you are supposed to! In fact these yugs are about our status of endeavour. If we are still sleeping, we are in Kaliyug, if we have woken up then we are in Treta yug, if we’ve stood up then Dwapar yug and if we have begun our spiritual journey then we are in Sat Yug. You decide for yourself where you are. Look at yourself in the mirror and then judge yourself. See yourself from others eyes and you’ll know who you are, what kind of a person you are.
Pujya Bhaishri gave his blessings once again to all the people who were involved in various projects and said that the day any of you feel this seva has become a burden then leave it. Because if this work has become a burden then it is no longer sevaand is meaningless. We are not social service workers. Whatever these projects and seva karya have been taken up so that we as individuals benefit and grow by doing satkarma. Pujya Bhaishri thanked the saints for their blessings and for gracing the occasion. He said I am wearing a sant kavach and this is my true protector. He acknowledged what Swami Balakramji said about his birthday falling between Janmashtami and Radhaashtami. Just like a child walks between his father and mother holding their fingers, so do I holding the fingers of Krishnaji and Radhaji who take me where I want to go and I have asked them if they can take me to Rameshwaram for a katha! The audience applauded and a divine evening came to an end.
