MAGICAL MOMENTS!
In the concluding half of Ameeta Shiroor’s in-depth report on our Beloved Mathadhipati- Parama Pujya Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji’s camps in Rajasthan, read about the shivir-s at the Saraswat Bhavan, Jodhpur and Sant Sarovar Somashram, Mt. Abu and also about the memorable visit to Ishwarashraya Ashram, Kacholi Saraswat Bhavan Jodhpur ( 10th – 15th October 2019) (January 2020)
PP Swamiji arrived at Saraswat Bhavan from the Samvit Dham at about 5 pm on 10th Oct and was given a Poorna 
Kumbha Swagat by the women of the Saraswat Samaj Jodhpur. About twenty of them dressed in colourful Rajasthani traditional attire, carrying the मंगल कलश
on their heads, escorted PP Swamiji towards the venue singing traditional Rajasthani folk bhajan-s.
The main arch was beautifully decorated with a rangoli at the entrance. Upon entering the Bhavan, the office bearers of Saraswat Samaj did Pada-prakshaalan of PP Swamiji who then proceeded towards the well decorated stage. After PP Swamiji was seated, the committee members of the Samaj did Paduka pujan followed by the offering of a shawl .
Shri Ram Kishore Ojha (President of the Samaj) in his welcome speech expressed his gratitude that PP Swamiji had accepted their invitation to come and bless the Saraswat samaj. In the Ashirvachan that followed, PP Swamiji explained why it was necessary for Saraswats to do the aradhana of Ma Saraswati. HH stressed the importance of our body as the vehicle for the Devi to come into our being. For this, it was of utmost importance to have a healthy body and mind. This could be achieved through Pranayaam, controlled diaphragmatic breathing and Ninaad. PP Swamiji also explained the meaning of the concluding prayer of our Math नन्दन्तु साधकाः सर्वे. The sadhaka has to be sincere in his sadhana and only then can he become a shishya. In this manner he can achieve eternal happiness and also make his Guru happy.
It was heartening to see many Chitrapur Saraswats from Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Goa, Nasik in the Bhavan. Each day would begin with a session of stretching exercises, Pranayaam, Wim Hof and Ninaad conducted by Haldipur Sharayupacchi and her group of volunteers. In the morning session after breakfast, PP Swamiji would conduct Swadhyaya-s - one was on the bhajan Bhasura.. and another on the Ardhanarishwar Stotra. Swamiji also spoke about the Navaratri Nityapath , Devi Anushthan and about the importance of doing japa everyday. He also said that the menfolk must chant the Gayatri mantra at least 28 times every day.
The afternoon puja of Lord Bhavanishankar was performed by our Vaidiks at 11am on the dais .After this, was Paduka Pujan by the laity and Tirtha Vitarana by PP Swamiji. Every evening after the दीप नमस्कार PP Swamiji would perform the Devata Pujan – Devi Pujan on Friday 11th Oct and Shiv Pujan on Saturday 12th Oct. This was followed by the Ashthavidhaan Seva. 13thOct being Kojagiri Purnima, PP Swamiji performed “Lakshmi Pujan”. It began at 10 pm and went on till midnight. Everyone was wide awake and participated in the pujan with great devotion. We were then served Prasad of kheer and khaja- a typical Rajasthani delicacy. A lively and vibrant garba session ensued with the opening bhajan “Aaj sakhi sun...” sung by Swamiji. The Jodhpur Saraswats were so impressed with PP Swamiji’s bhajans, pujans and our participation in them that they even purchased the Stuti Manjari from the Math Publications Stall to enable them to participate too!
“Samskruta Sambhashana” classes were conducted by Mudur Shilpapacchi from 4 to 5 pm every day. and everyone participated wholeheartedly! The Saraswats were also taught the Devi Anushthan by Awasthi Ashapacchi and Pawar Sangitapacchi and the Navaratri Nityapath by Mudur Shilpapacchi and Soukoor Varadapacchi.
On 14th Oct, PP Swamiji visited the Senior Citizens’ home “Aastha” and the Orphanage “Luv- Kush” , both institutions run by the Jodhpur Saraswats. HH was very happy to see that these institutions were being run so efficiently, had all the basic amenities, were neat and clean and were providing such good service to those in need.
PP Swamiji made it a point to interact with the Jodhpur Saraswats informally every day. HH would answer all their questions and clear their doubts patiently. Several of them also took Mantra- diksha from PP Swamiji and a few others expressed their desire to do so in the near future. Most of them showed a keen interest to visit Shirali. “We have never seen a Guru who gives so much without expecting anything in return!” were the sentiments echoed by all.
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On 14th October a Dharmasabha was organised by the Jodhpur Saraswats. The Mayor of Jodhpur, Shri Ghanashyam Ojha, offered a shawl to PP Swamiji on behalf of all the citizens of Jodhpur city. Shri Kailash Saraswat gave the kshamayachana.. He sought the forgiveness of PP Swamiji and His entourage for any mistakes and shortcomings that may have happened during PP Swamiji’s stay in the Saraswat Bhavan..
Shri Ramkishore Ojha, a senior member of the samaj, in his farewell speech again expressed his gratitude that PP Swamiji had spared His valuable time, blessed all the Jodhpur Saraswats and guided them towards the correct way of doing Anushthan and Pujan. He stressed on the importance of a Guru, who alone can help sadhaka-s in their spiritual journey and said that we were really lucky to have been blessed with such a Guru. It indeed fills our heart with pride to see our revered Swamiji winning over the hearts of people wherever He goes!
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This was followed by Pujya Swamiji’s Ashirvachan on सारस्वत उद्ययनं . HH stressed that as Saraswats we were all upasaka-s of Saraswati and Her Upasana is primary to us in our spiritual journey. Swamiji also stated that while it is important to participate in social activities it is equally important to undertake sadhana at a personal level in order to establish a soul connection with the Divine, which should be the ultimate goal of one’s life! This would also help one to get rid of the notion of “doer-ship” by offering one’s seva to “Ishvara”.
It was farewell time on 15th Oct. The mood among the Jodhpur Saraswats was sombre. Swamiji came down from His quarters around 9.30 AM and held an informal discussion with the sadhaka-s who had come to seek blessings. Swamiji then proceeded to Mt. Abu after a brief en route stopover at Shri Ghanshyam Ojha’s residence.
Sant Sarovar Somashram, Mt.Abu
After the fulfilling camp at Jodhpur (from 26th September to 15th October, 2019) , Parama Pujya Swamiji arrived at Sant Sarovar Somashram, Mt. Abu around mid afternoon on 15th Oct 2019 on a five- day visit. The Jodhpur visit had been in two phases (phase 1 at Samvit Dham from 26th September to 10th October for Navratri celebrations and phase 2 at Saraswat Bhavan from 10th to 15thOct at the invitation of the Saraswats of Jodhpur). Despite this, and the travel from Jodhpur to Mt. Abu, Swamiji came down to the hall almost immediately for an informal interaction with all the sadhaka-s present there!
he morning of 16th October opened with a Tai Chi class conducted by Chandel Chaitanyamam, especially for senior sadhaka-s. After this Pujya Swamiji conducted a session of pranayaam (laying emphasis on Bhastrika and Kapalabhaati) followed by Ninaad. Swamiji concluded the session with the bhajan “ Bhasura Shri Bhavani..” .
Every day after breakfast, Pujya Swamiji conducted Swadhyaya-s. The first of these was on the prarthana:
ॐ आप्यायन्तु ममड्गानि वाक्प्राणश्चक्षुः
श्रोत्रमथो बलमिन्द्रियाणि च सर्वाणि ।
सर्वम् ब्रह्मोपनिषदम् माऽहं ब्रह्म
निराकुर्याम् मा मा ब्रह्म
निराकरोदनिराकरणमस्त्वनिराकरणम् मेऽस्तु ।
तदात्मनि निरते य उपनिषत्सु धर्मास्ते
मयि सन्तु ते मयि सन्तु ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
This was the routine set for the days to follow. The most wonderful part of the camp was the presence of the Taru-s (youngsters) from the Taru sena of Samvit Sadhakas of Jodhpur who followed Pujya Swamiji like the proverbial Mary’s lamb! Their curiosity, thirst for knowledge, and need for clarification of doubts from Swamiji was commendable indeed and contagious for all of us! With Pujya Swamiji’s encouragement and bhajan classes by Mavinkurve Shyamalapacchi, the Taru-s started singing bhajans very well and their bhajans became an integral part of every session !
Parama Pujya Swamiji would personally teach and supervise the morning exercises – stretching, Yoga, floor exercises et al before commencing Bhastrika, Kapalbhati and Ninaad. On some days, Haldipur Sharayupacchi would help us with the exercises after which Swamiji would teach us Pranayaam. Every day PP Swamiji would reiterate the fact that it is only with a healthy body and a peaceful mind that one can sit for prolonged periods for doing japa.Swamiji also took up “Mahishaantakari Suktam” and “Guru Paduka Stotram” for Swadhyay and explained them in great detail. The greatness of our Beloved Swamiji is that we get fresh insights each time we hear Him de-mystify the same prayer.....
There were “Samskruta Sambhashana” classes for us conducted by Mudur Shilpapacchi post- lunch. She has the knack of making the learning process fun-filled by using games, enacting situations and making us memorise the words used therein ! Everyone enjoyed the classes thoroughly. Shirur Chitrapacchi and Haldipur Sharayupacchi also taught us how to string a japamala!
One evening, PP Swamiji took all of us to the Adhar Devi temple for Her Darshan. The temple is one of the Shaktipeetha-s and situated atop a cliff in a cave. Some of the more adventurous amongst us trekked up the cliff ! The rest of us took the steps -365 in all ! It was worth the climb because we could spend considerable time inside the temple with Pujya Swamiji while He performed Archana and Puja. After that, there was a joyful session in the house of Shri Bharat Rawal, who manages the temple. We were treated to a much- needed hot cup of tea, after which Swamiji sang a few bhajans followed by the Taru-s and other singers in the group.
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Every day, after dinner, Swamiji would come to the hall for an informal interaction with the sadhaka-s. Swamiji recollected the time spent with Parama Pujya Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj and how, all that Swamiji had learnt there had helped in His spiritual journey. He also mentioned how He had been extremely happy working both in and around the Ashram! During these interactions, almost magically, all our doubts would just melt away without our having to ask a single question!
On the last day (20th October) at the Sant Sarovar Somashram, the Samvit Sadhaka-s became very emotional as they bid farewell to Parama Pujya Swamiji. When Swamiji asked them to come to Shirali all of them readily agreed! They too implored PP Swamiji to come to the Ashram again and again!.
Ishwarashray Ashram, Kacholi
Swamiji and all of us then proceeded to Ishwarashraya Ashram, the Samadhi Sthal of Parama Pujya Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaaj . A Navachandi Homa was being performed there. This was part of a monthly Homa Anushthan for the Devi, from April 2019 upto March 2020. A Sankalpa had been taken by Bade Swamiji for the Pancha Deva-s – Shiva, Surya, Ganesha, Devi and Vishnu. Upon completion of the Navachandi Homa, they will begin the Vishnu Homa , which will be performed monthly from April 2020 to March 2021. Pujya Swamiji was present for the Poornahuti of the Navachandi Homa.
The nakshatra on that day was Ardra Nakshatra. It was Bade Swamiji’s birthday as per the tithi and nakshatra. Swamiji performed Guru Pujan at Bade Swamiji’s Samadhi. His Holiness also soulfully chanted the Guru Bhajana Stotram and we all followed. It was a poignant moment for all of us, a moment to be treasured in our hearts for eternity!
In the Ashirvachan that followed, Pujya Swamiji dwelt upon the powers of the Guru Shakti. He explained that this Shakti is always there with us but we are incapable of recognising it. For this it is essential that we develop a Samvit-drishti which would lead us to moksha.
Post- lunch, Swamiji met the Trustees, Samvit
sadhaka-s from Mt. Abu and Kacholi and the local devotees. In the evening around 6 pm, Parama Pujya Swamiji left for Shankarlok, Ahmedabad with His retinue.
Being in the Sannidhya of Pujya Swamiji is indeed like a tirth yatra !
काशीक्षेत्रं निवासस्तव चरणजलं जान्हवी श्रीगुरो नः ।
साक्षात् विश्वेश्वरो नस्तव वचनतया तारकब्रम्हबोधे
त्वव् श्री पादांकिताभूरिह भवति गयास्त्वत् प्रसंग प्रयागः।
त्वत्तोन्यत् तीर्थं देवः क्वचिदपि च वयं न प्रतीमः पृथिव्याम् ॥