3 Day Bhagwat Katha at Praneel/Dylans house in Prestons

Radhe Radhe

Jai GuruNath

After the Ashtami, we had a three day talk on Shrimad Bhagwatam at Bhakta Praneels house (better known as Dylan's Dad :) funnily enough) .

On the first night we had a nice crowd of about 60-70. We covered the katha of Shri Dhruva Maharaja. His Katha being filled with inspiration for Kids and Adults alike. The main points being

"karyam sadhayami va deham patayami" - as the slogan goes. DO OR DIE. Dhruva Maharaja's INTENT to Fulfill his GOAL (even though Arthartic initially) was inspiring
We (all Jivas) as Uttanpaad and we have two rani's namesly Suruchi (Doing what pleases the Mind - sense gratification) and Suniti (path of righteousness and Truth) . The Jiva becomes the follower of Suruchi rather than Suniti. Suruchi has a son called Uttam and Suniti has a so called Dhruv. When one follows Suruchi, they will get Uttam phala (fruit) - Uttam = Ut (highest) tam (ignorance) meaning - AGYAN kI parakaashtha. However when one follows Suniti - one attains Dhruv - Bhajananand personified..that which is permanent and unshaking
If a mother wants..she can turn her child into a saint, a philisopher/Gyani, or if a mother wants she can turn her child in a thug or a criminal.
On the second day, we had a much migger group of devotees attending, around 100 or so. We were also graced with the presence of Sri Venkat jI and Shri Jayanti Mataji as well as Shri Vijayji and family.
The topic for the day was Maha Bhagvat Shri JadBharat (seems like an oxymoron to say Maha bhagwat and Jad at the same time) . Anyway we learnt the important role played by the mind.
Mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoho
"As the mind, so the man; bondage or liberation are in your own mind"
And how the penultimate moment of our lives decide our next state, Hence ante Narayana Smriti.
Secondly, Jad bharat when seeing the helpless baby Mriga, saw himself as the caretaker and believed that without him there was noone to look after this poor baby Deer. Shridhar Swamigals experience comes to mind when he believed if he left home, who would look after HIS Son, then suddenly and egg fell from the nest from above him and from it popped out a little baby bird. And Swamigal realised that the one who will look after this jiva will also look after my son..

On the third day of Bhagwat Katha, we discussed Sudama charitra – brahmano brahma-vittamaa. Very nice..touching Katha of Krishna Sakha. And his resolve to never ask anyone for anything. And how the LORD actually worshipped him upon Arriving in Dvarika.
kim anena kritam punyam
avadhûtena bhikshunâ
s'riyâ hînena loke 'smin
garhitenâdhamena ca
What pious acts has this unkempt, impoverished brāhmaṇa performed? People regard him as lowly and contemptible, yet the spiritual master of the three worlds, the abode of Goddess Śrī, is serving him reverently. Leaving the goddess of fortune sitting on her bed, the Lord has embraced this brāhmaṇa as if he were an older brother.
And so the 3 days of Bhagwat Katha concluded.

Overall it was a very nice as there was great feedback from all. Most importantly the 3 days of Bhagwatam were decorated beautifully with amazing Nama Kirtana from Everyone present. Everyone also took maha mantra CD’s of Guruji and Stickers as well. There were also people taking Malas as well.

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com.au/deepak.vinod/3DayBhagwatKathaAtPraneelDylansHouseInPrestons#

The funds that was collected actually went to a good cause as well. To a family whos house had recently burnt down in Fiji.

Thankful to G for making it all happen smoothly..

HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE

Jai Gurunath
Jai Sita Rama
Radhe Radhe