DHARMA, BRAHMAN AND THE SCRIPTURES CONSTITUTE TRUEN STRENGTH: ACHARYA BHARAT BHUSHAN

DHARMA, BRAHMAN AND THE SCRIPTURES CONSTITUTE TRUEN STRENGTH: ACHARYA BHARAT BHUSHAN

21-MAY-ENG 16

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------Delivering a discourse today—the third day of the *Shrimad Bhagavat Katha* week organized by the Shri Sanatan Shaktipeeth Sansthanam at the Shri Sahadev Giri Temple in Katira on the auspicious occasion of *Purushottam Maas*—the renowned *Bhagavat* orator, Acharya Dr. Bharatbhushan Pandey Ji Maharaj, stated that in his invocatory verses (*Mangalacharan*), Lord Ved Vyasa has expounded upon the concepts of Brahman, Dharma, and the Vedas. For all living beings, the strength of Brahman above (in the heavens), the strength of Dharma below (on Earth), and the strength of the Vedas and Scriptures—which serve to harmonize both—constitute the only true support; furthermore, to truly comprehend these three, taking refuge in a *Sadguru* (true spiritual guide) is essential. The eighty-eight thousand sages of Naimisharanya accepted the traditional custodian of the Puranas—Suta Ji Maharaj—as their Guru and commenced the worship of the *Purusha* (Supreme Being), who is the very embodiment of Dharma and Brahman. The Acharya remarked that the moment one harbors a sincere curiosity regarding Lord Krishna, the soul begins to experience profound bliss. The essence of all the Lord's incarnations converges and finds its complete expression within the single incarnation of Shri Krishna. The mere utterance of Shri Krishna's name causes all forms of sorrow, misfortune, and adversity to flee in fear. A devotee who remains fully immersed and dedicated to the love of the Lord's name or His divine pastimes (*Lilas*) attains eternal fearlessness and bliss. He emphasized that the Lord is an ocean of compassion; He does not delay even for a moment in responding to His devotee. However, it is imperative to call upon Him or remember Him with a pure heart. The Acharya asserted that the realization of the Divine is possible only through Dharma; therefore, one must strictly adhere to the principles of Dharma as prescribed in the Scriptures. In the present *Kaliyuga* (Age of Strife), due to the scarcity—and often complete absence—of traditional spiritual preceptors (*Acharyas*) and of devout Brahmins (and others) who uphold scriptural Dharma in every village, the practice of virtuous conduct (*Sadachar*) is gradually fading away from society. Any region or locality that lacks the presence of such devotees of the Lord—specifically Brahmins and others who are dedicated to the study and practice of the Scriptures—is described as a "dead zone" (*Mrit Kshetra*).

During the *Katha* (discourse), prominent figures—including Priest Ajay Mishra, Shivdas Singh, Madheshwar Nath Pandey, Nand Ji Singh, Janardan Mishra, Raviranjan Singh, Vijay Rai, and Umashankar Prasad—extended a warm welcome to the assembled congregation of devout listeners.