“Slow Down! Everybody,” said Pujya Bhaishri very vehemently during Muradabad Bhagavat katha
The Muradabad Shrimad Bhagavat Katha began on 29th Nov, 2006. This was the second occasion of organizing a Bhagavat katha in Muradabad. It was organized by Shri Hari Virat Sankirtan Sammelan Samiti. The Samiti organized a grand Shobhayatra of Shrimad Bhagavat which passed through the entire town of Muradabad amidst chants of the mahamantra, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare; Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.” The Samiti also organized a programme of Raasleela in which various incidents of Krishnaleela were staged.
On 29th of Nov., Pujya Bhaishri began the narration of the Bhagavat Katha. Before that Swami Shri Hansdasji of Haridwar addressed the congregation conveying his blessings. In his Speech Swami Hansdasji said that listening to Shrimad Bhagavat was fulfilling experience. Therefore in order to make our life fulfilled and meaningful we should unfailingly hear the Bhagavat katha “Janmantare bhavetpunyam tada Bhagavatam labhet”. i.e. When the good deeds of many births become ripe only then do we get the opportunity of listening the Bhagavat katha. That too hearing it from Pujya Bhaishri is truly a life enriching experience.
In his initial address Pujya Bhaishri said that it is Lord Sri Krishna himself who enters our heart through the narration of Shrimad Bhagavat and he himself cleans up our heart by wiping out our sins. “Shrunoti shamanam Krishnah salilasya yatha sharat”. Therefore giving up moha (attachments) and mamata (possessiveness) we should seek the refuge of Srimad Bhagavat. God in the form of Shrimad Bhagavat will protect us from the sins, the worldly allurements and grief. Having got this invaluable human life, if one does not aspire to be liberated from this worldly existence then he is truly killing his true spiritual self. In Shrimad Bhagavat it is described as committing suicide. Therefore in order to swim through this existential ocean come and seek refuge in Shrimad Bhagavat by merely listening to one assuredly gets liberated from the bondage of this world. However gruesome sins a person may have committed by his speech, mind or body, but merely by hearing the narration of Shrimad Bhagavat he gets liberated. Dhundhukari, though being a Brahmin, had given up all his prescribed duties. He was not performing any religious rituals nor observing any practices. He had committed five horrible sins. After his death he had become a ghost. When his own brother Gokarna maharaj narrated the Bhagavat katha to him he got liberated after seven days and attained his position in Vaikuntha lok. Envoys of Lord Vishnu arrived to escort him and he attained emancipation. Not just for the sake of the benefits of the next world but come and seek the refuge of Shrimad Bhagavat even for getting freed from the problems of this world like anger, lust, envy, etc.
All auspicious occasions like Sri Krishna janmotsav, Govardhan puja, Sri Krishna vivaha, etc. were celebrated with great enthusiasm. Various attractive scenes were presented by “Shri Hari Virat Sankirtan Samiti” during the katha.
In the course of narrating the katha, Pujya Bhaishri also commented on the current social and political issues. He said,”there should be Dharma in politics, but there should not be politics in Dharma. If Dharma is eliminated from politics, then nothing but filth will remain in politics. People too should think before casting their votes. After all, those whom they vote for are going to rule over the people. Leaders should be dharmavan (righteous) and sheelavan (integrity) Today politics has become the refuge of the rogues. The system of governance should be dharma saapekasha (committed to uphold dharma) it cannot be dharma nirapekasha (not committed to dharma).
During the katha Bhaishri also remarked that these days instant things have become quite popular. One day matches are more popular than the Test matches. And now 20-20 matches are becoming more popular than even the One day matches. Today people have become impatient. Everything is wanted instantly, everyone is in a hurry. But they do not know where they want to go. Therefore the slogan for the 21st century is “Slow down!”
Swami Shri Chidanand Saraswatiji (Muniji) of Rishikesh also came for this katha. He also conveyed his blessings in his lecture.
