Jodhpur Diary

September saw our Beloved Mathadhipati - Parama Pujya Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji embark on a yatra to Rajasthan where three illuminating shivir-s were conducted for the overwhelmed local sadhaka-s. Here is the first section from the extensive reporting done by Ameeta Shiroor          (December 2019)

जनयित्वा निजानन्दे रक्षित्वा मां क्षणे क्षणे ।
पाययन्तं भक्तिरसं मातृभूतं गुरू भजे ॥

 

Parama Pujya Swamiji arrived in Jodhpur on 26th October, 2019 at 4pm and was received at the Jhalamand Chouraha by a cavalcade of six cars of Samvit Sadhaka-s. Eight motorcycles joined the procession at the Grameen Police Lines. The outriders of the Samvit Taru Sena (equivalent of our Yuvadhara) were carrying orange flags. Slowly the cavalcade proceeded towards the Swarna Jayanti Dwar of Samvit Dham. Here, Pujya Swamiji alighted from his vehicle and got into a decorated horse-drawn buggy. The procession was led by their Vaidiks and our Vaidiks reciting the “Ved Ghosh”, till we reached the Raj Dwar of Samvit Dham. Here, Swamiji was received by Smt. Usha Rani ji of the Royal Family of Jodhpur with a traditional arati. Young girls from the Taru Sena , dressed in traditional dresses led Pujya Swamiji to the Bhagavati Girirajeshwari  temple – for the Poorna Kumbha Swagat. The festive atmosphere and the camaraderie was indicative of the love that was showered upon all of us till we left Samvit Dham!

PP Swamiji paid respects to the Devi and the holy Padukas of Parama Pujya Shrimad Ishwarananda Giriji. After a welcome speech by Shri Bharat Joshi, PP Swa miji then addressed the sadhaka-s concluding with a bhajan जयति गिरीराजेश्वरी . . . . a befitting ode to the presiding deity!

Each day’s routine commenced with PP Swamiji conducting sessions of exercises, Surya Namaskar, Yoga, Pranayam, Wim Hof and Ninaad for the Tarus of the Taru Sena. PP Swamiji constantly reminded us that these techniques are essential in building a healthy body and developing a peaceful mind – the pre- requisites to do one’s japa successfully. HH was ably assisted by Haldipur Sharyupacchi, Harite Sabitapacchi, Mavinkurve Shyamalapacchi and Chandel Chaitanyamam  during these sessions.

Every morning after breakfast it was time for Swadhyay with PP Swamiji and post-lunch after some relaxation, उदबोधन (as termed by the Samvit Sadhakas) again by PP Swamiji. HH conducted Swadhyay on श्री गुरु भजन स्तोत्रम्‌, भासुरा श्री भवानी and श्री गुरू पादुका स्तोत्रम्‌ 

In the उदबोधन HH stressed that one must do japa everyday and that male sadhaka-s should chant the Gayatri Mantra at least 28 times every day. HH introduced the Samvit Sadhakas to the Devi Anushthan after explaining the meaning and significance of the stotra-s that are used in the Anushthan. PP Swamiji also explained how the देवी कवच could be used to benefit us and our near and dear ones. The Samvit Sadhakas were very interested in learning the Devi Anushthan and our Amchi Pacchis (Haldipur Sharayu, Harite Sabita, Bhat Gauri, Shirur Chitra, Mavinkurve Shyamala and Shiroor Ameeta) guided them accordingly. They were also familiarised with the Navratri Nityapath.

Mavinkurve Shyamalapacchi conducted bhajan classes for the Taru-s everyday post-lunch. What was noteworthy was that the Taru-s were always present for all the activities - Swadhyay, Udbodhan, informal interactions, bhajan classes   and all other sessions in spite of being the backbone for volunteer services for almost everything!

On  29th September, the first day of Navaratri, the घट स्थापना was performed at the Divine hands of PP Swamiji, after which the दुर्गा सप्तशती पारायण
commenced. It was performed daily till Navami from 6.30 am to 9.30 am. On Durgashtami, there was a Navachandika Homa in which both the Samvit Sadhaka-s and us, Chitrapur Saraswats participated whole heartedly. On Navami there was “Kumarika Pujan” by PP Swamiji in the morning. 

On 8th October, Vijayadashami, the day began with घट विसर्जन by PP Swamiji. The head Pandit at Samvit Dham mentioned that it was the first time he had seen such a luxurious growth of the धान्य
 from the seeds planted by our Beloved Swamiji! The water from the kalash was taken to the well in a procession and emptied into it after a small puja. From there it would be distributed through pipes to all parts of Samvit Dham. In the evening, PP Swamiji performed the Shami Pujan- pujan of the Shami tree. HH mentioned that it is also called the Aparajita Pujan and explained how the Devi manifests Herself in various forms as is mentioned in the Aparajita Stotram.

A व्याख्यान विमर्श was conducted by PP Swamiji  on the shloka यदेव विद्यया करोति . .HH also conducted a Vimarsha on the shloka  आचार्यात्‌ पादमेकं स्यात्‌....  The Taru-s wanted to know the meaning and significance of नन्दन्तु साधकाः सर्वे.. PP Swamiji asked Haldipur Sharayupacchi to conduct a विमर्श- on this for both – Taru-s and seniors, after which HH cleared the doubts that arose during the विमर्श. PP Swamiji also performed the Devi Pujan one evening as per the request of the Samvit Sadhaka-s.

A cultural programme Antarangini was organised in the evenings to acquaint us with traditional Rajashthani folk dance and music. Enthusiastic Taru-s, women and men folk alike also danced the Garba after the completion of the cultural programme. The opening bhajan for the Garba was sung by PP Swamiji, followed by others.

PP Shrimad Samvit Som Giri Swamiji arrived at Samvit Dham on 04th October and left on 07th October. PP Som Giri Swamiji expressed happiness over the Samvit Sadhaka-s assimilating all the knowledge that our revered Swamiji had shared with them. “Even the Vigraha-s in the Garbh agudi  seemed to be exuding a unique radiance and dancing with happiness after our PP Swamiji had arrived” is what PP Som Giri Swamiji exclaimed! Naturally, our hearts swelled with pride upon hearing this!


On 9th October, we were all invited to Ajeet Bhavan- the residence of Smt.Usha Rani ji, for dinner with a quick en route visit to Khaas Bagh to see the vintage car collection. The evening commenced with PP Swamiji visiting their puja shrine in the precincts of Khaas Bagh. PP Swamiji performed arati of the deity and then toured the Khaas Bagh and saw the vintage car collection. Later, PP Swamij was driven down to Ajeet Bhavan in one of the vintage cars. Here, the evening commenced with the Taru-s singing melodious bhajan-s. This was followed with an Aashirvachan and bhajan by PP Swamiji. The evening ended with a sumptuous dinner in the Bhavan. Everyone relished the delicious Rajashthani spread laid out after careful planning by Smt. Usha Rani  ji.

10th Oct was the last day at Samvit Dham. The Samvit Sadhakas were feeling very sorry that PP Swamiji would soon be leaving and were misty-eyed as they spoke of the days that had flown by so swiftly. We Chitrapur Saraswats felt a bit sad too for the Taru-s had endeared themselves to us, while the senior Sadhaka-s had looked after us so well !

In the विदाई समारोह in the evening, one of the senior Samvit Sadhaka-s rightly portrayed the emotions of the rest saying :वैसे तो यहॉ से विदा करने का मन नहीं करता, पर क्या करं मजबूर है । All of us Chitrapur Saraswats also bade farewell to Samvit Dham with a heavy heart, for we had had a divine and uplifting time there. The Taru-s sang the befitting –आनन्दलोके... after which Pujya Swamiji left for Saraswat Bhavan for the second phase of  the Jodhpur visit.
                                                                                                                                          (To be continued...)

                 

Photo credits - Ravi Sorab