Rajiv Malik, Hinduism Today Correspondent
NEW DELHI, INDIA, November 3, 2006: “A true saint and guru is one whose life and actions are totally transparent. The lives of saints are so very transparent that our robes do not even have room for any type of pockets. A true guru is one who is never to be treated like an ordinary mortal. At least I never treated my guru as just a guru but I always treated him as a form of God Almighty Himself.” These views were expressed by world renowned saint, Junapeethadheeshwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shri Avadheshananda Giri Ji Maharaj amidst the thunderous applause of a gathering of over fifteen thousand devotees on November 1, 2006, the concluding day of the seven-day Sri Mad Devi Bhagwat Katha held in a huge pandal especially created for the event at Dussehra Ground, Janakpuri, a well known colony of southwest Delhi.
Delivering his message in a very down to earth manner and in language that touched the hearts of the thousands of devotees Swami Ji said, “I often hear people saying that they want to have a break and go for a change. Sometimes when you want to have a change and go for a holiday, instead of going to some hill resort, visit an ashram with your family and be in the company of the saints for some time and chances are that by the impact of the satsang, you will be a changed and transformed person.”
He went on to say, “Some small but significant things that can help you evolve as better human beings are: time is extremely precious do not waste it, do the japa of mantras, try to do at least one good thing everyday, take a vow to get up early and do some vyayam (exercises) and pranayama, spend some time on the study of scriptures, take care of your old parents and last but not the least, be vegetarian so that your thoughts are pure and divine.”
The highlight of the program was the collective singing of bhajans by thousands of devotees along with Swami Ji and a team of accomplished singers and musicians accompanying him. Some devotees were so charged with the divine nectar that was flowing through bhajans that they kept on dancing whenever the bhajans were sung. The most mesmerizing part was the arti of the guru in which the whole audience participated by collectively singing and simultaneously standing with folded hands throughout. The seven day event will be telecast by Aastha and Sanskar Channels everyday for the benefit of the thousands of people who could not attend this well organized seven day Bhagwat Katha festival.