MIND IS THE CAUSE OF BOTH BONDAGE AND LIBERATION: UMESH BHAI

30-DEC-ENG 8

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR------------------------------A devotional atmosphere prevailed on the tenth day of the Sant Sadgurudev Smriti Mahotsav (Saint Sadgurudev Memorial Festival) being held at the Shri Hanumat Dham temple complex in Kamarpur village of Sadar block. The program began in the morning with the collective recitation of the Shri Ramcharitmanas. In the afternoon, Shrimad Bhagwat Katha was organized, and in the evening, bhajans and kirtans were held. This event is being organized after the passing of Shri Ramcharitra Das Ji Maharaj, the first blessed disciple of Shri Narayan Das Bhaktmali Mama Ji Maharaj, and will conclude on December 31st with a grand feast.

On the third day of the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha, the narrator, Umesh Bhai Ojha, emotionally described the story of Sage Kardama's penance, marriage, and the birth of his son. He said that the family in which a devout son is born is liberated for twenty-one generations. He said that a mother should wish for a devout, generous, or brave son. Calling service the root of devotion, he said that there is great power in service, and the person who serves becomes fulfilled.

Umesh Bhai said, "The mind is the cause of both bondage and liberation. The body seeks the world, and the mind seeks God." He also said that God is not in the form of action but in the form of emotion. Keep the body engaged in the world, but engaging the mind in God is true devotion.

In the evening bhajan program, bhajan singer Shri Dharmendra Vyas enthralled the devotees with his devotional songs. Due to the program, a devotional atmosphere prevails in the area, and saints, sages, and devotees are arriving in large numbers from far and wide.

A grand Shrimad Bhagwat Katha was organized at the Hanumat Dham temple in Kamarpur, Sadar block, on the occasion of the Sant Sadgurudev Smriti Mahotsav, held after the passing of Pujya Shri Ram Charitra Das Ji. The narrator, Umesh Bhai Ojha, described the glory of Shrimad Bhagwat in detail, which left the devotees deeply moved.

Before the Katha, a collective recitation of the Ramcharitmanas was sung melodiously in the morning. During the discourse, Umesh Bhai Ojha said that Shrimad Bhagwat Katha gives life the right direction and inspires one to walk on the path of truth, love, devotion, and service. He said that listening to the Katha destroys fear, disease, and sorrow, and eradicates sins accumulated over many lifetimes.

Through the story of Dhundhukari, he explained that even a great sinner can attain liberation by listening to the Bhagwat Katha. As a result of listening to the Katha for seven days, Dhundhukari was freed from the ghostly realm and attained Vaikuntha Dham (the abode of Lord Vishnu). A large number of male and female devotees are participating in the Katha every day and reaping spiritual benefits.