Shrimad Bhagavat Katha at Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India
The South Indian Satsang Samiti organised Pujya Bhaishri’s Bhagavat katha in Srirangam (Trichinapalli) in Tamil Nadu, India on 9th September 2008. The chief hosts of the katha were Shri Bansilalji Rathi and his family. A grand Shobha Yatra of the Bhagavat pothiji took place from Shri Ayappa manadapam through the town. Devotees dressed in traditional South Indian clothes participated in the Shobha Yatra. Learned Brahmins and Vaishnavs welcomed Pujya Bhaishri with great aplomb at the gate of the katha venue.
Beginning the narration of katha, Pujya Bhaishri remarked that it was indeed an opportune occasion for him to narrate the Shrimad Bhagavat katha at Srirangam, which is believed to be the cradle of Bhakti (devotion) in India. Both Gyan (knowledge) and Vairagya (unattachment) are borne by Bhakti. Mukti (emancipation) too is Bhakti Maharani’s dasi (servant). Shrimad Bhagavat is the only means available to us to nurture our devotion for Lord Krishna. Therefore, Pujya Bhaishri prayed to Lord Srirangam that may the Lord bless every one who has come to hear this katha, with unwavering devotion for him.
Pujya Bhaishri further said that the world is transient and filled with problems. In fact ‘Problem’ is the intrinsic nature of the world. People gather money and riches to get rid of the worldly problems. While money and riches liberate us from our material wants and problems, Shrimad Bhagavat liberates us from our attachment to this world itself.
Shri Krishna janmotsav was celebrated with great fanfare during the katha. The host family staged an alluring presentation of Shri Krishna’s birth. Pujya Bhaishri performed an aarti of Shri Baal Krishna. People greeted each other amidst cheerful declarations hailing the divine birth.
On the occasion of Govardhan pooja, chappan bhog (56 delicacies) were offered to Shri Govardhandhari and the prasad then distributed to everyone. The wedding of Shri Krishna and Maa Rukmini was celebrated on the concluding day of the katha.
During his stay in Srirangam, Pujya Bhaishri had a bath in the divine river Kaveri and went for the darshan of Lord Srirangam.
