PROGRAM AT HYDERABAD-------
Sri Hari Anna's program at Hyderabad was well received and enjoyed by one and all. The upanyasamas were conducted at Vedha Bhavan from Dec 10th to 16th. many vedic students also attended the lecture and listened with keen interest.
PROGRAM AT SINGAPORE
Write-up by Shri Prabhakar Rao ( Singapore)
The concluding day was with a Rukmini Kalyanam- bhajan being planned after the upanyasam, the discourse itself was a short one. It took place between 7pm and 8pm. Sri Hariji was still in the previous day’s Sita Kalyanam “bhaavam”. He started off with the Sita Kalyanam slokam “Iyam sita mama sutaa”. King Janaka, who has been extolled in upanishads too as a totally detached karmayogi, proudly states that Sita is his daughter. Such is the greatness of Sita Devi. The avathara of sakshat Mahalakshmi Devi Herself. The sacrifice after sacrifice that Sita Devi makes and the patient forbearance that she displays while suffering what no woman should suffer makes Valmiki refer to Ramayana as “Sitayaah charitam mahat”.
After undergoing unbelievable suffering in her avathara as Sita Devi, Jaganmatha Lakshmi Devi takes avathara again as Rukmini Devi. Why? Because the very Narayana who had taken avathara as Ramachandramurthy had taken avathara as Krishna now. Hence, Lakshmi Devi follows him to the earth as Rukmini Devi. Now the discourse moved into Rukmini Kalyanam.
Her famous epistle starting with “Shrutvaa gunaan bhuvana sundara” is a display of saranagathi, highlighted Hariji. “Arpitah ca bhavatah” (I am surrendering myself to you) says Rukmini in this letter. Here, Hariji elaborated on the terms ‘gunaan’ & ‘bhuvana sundara’. ‘Shrutvaa gunaan”
indicates shravana bhakti. The young kid Rukmini had heard about the qualities of Krishna from many Sadhus and Yogis who used to visit their royal household. She grew up in this atmosphere of satsang and the bhakti towards the Lord was growing all the time. The power of satsang. This was not the case with her brothers, who did not care for the satsang of sadhus and yogis.
The term ‘bhuvana sundara’ has two interpretations, pointed out Hariji. One is that Krishna is the most handsome being in this universe. Another one is that He is the One who makes the universe beautiful.
The Sadhu to whom Rukmini handed over this letter reaches Krishna in Dwaraka. Krishna majestically asks him to read the letter aloud. Understanding the contents, Krishna calls for his chariot. Rides over to Vidarbha Kingdom. Balarama also joins him. Krishna heroically and openly abducts Rukmini from the Ambal Temple, fights the kings who are friends of Sisupala and brothers of Rukmini successfully. Brings Rukmmini to Dwaraka. And gets married to her. Thus it is a heroic wedding befitting the stature of the Lord and Devi. There is a great rejoicing in Dwaraka among the subjects of Krishna and also in the Heavens. Drumbeats, dancing and shower of flowers all around!
It is the idol of Balakrishna that Rukmini Devi fondly did puja to in Dwaraka, which found its way to Sri Madhwacharya in Kaliyuga, and is established as Udipi Krishna in Udipi.
With the description of Krishna Rukmini Vivaha vaibhavam, Sri Hariji concluded his discourse. And over the next one hour the Rukmini Kalyanam was performed by Sri Premika satsangam, through a highly devotional and charmingly musical bhajan, under the guidance of Sri Hariji. The entire hall was rejoicing in this festive atmosphere.
On this joyful note, the six day discourse series of Sri Hariji came to an auspicious conclusion. Due honours were done to Sri Hariji for enthralling the audience with a burst of Bhakti & Gnanam over a six day spell. The audience was very glad to demonstrate its gratitude to the Upanyasakar with a cheerful applause …. and eagerly wait for the next opportunity of listening to him next year.
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Reported by:
V.Prabhakar Rao
Singapore
Dec 3 2014
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