Laxmi Narayan Temple-Amritsar
DURGIANA-Laxmi Narayan Mandir -AMRITSAR
(A collection of ARTICLES from the book YOGESHWAR GURU GANGESHWAR -1 BY SMT RATAN BEHAN FOZEDAR.)
DURGIANA–LAXMI NARAYAN TEMPLE-AMRITSAR.
INTRODUCTION
The character of great people is indescribable. It seems that they are not really doing anything but actually all their tasks get accomplished spontaneously!
They appear like ordinary people!
Raj Marg shows human beings the way to achieve goals in a risk-free manner.
To be firm and dedicated to a cause cannot be termed as being emotional or partial to the goal at hand.
Raj Marg shows human beings the way to achieve goals in a risk-free manner.
To be firm and dedicated to a cause cannot be termed as being emotional or partial to the goal at hand.
This firmness and dedication in their behaviour serves as a role model to teach lessons to others.
It teaches—
अनारम्भो मनुष्याणां प्रथमं बुध्दिलक्षणम्।
आरम्भस्यान्तगमनं द्वितीयं बुद्धिलक्षणम्।।
First of all, do not start any endeavour because only then you will be considered as the best amongst humans. A wise man of the first order.
If at all you do start something, then work towards its conclusion, and complete it.
In that case, you will be considered a wise man of the second order.
If you leave the work mid-way then you will be simply excluded from the category of wise men. You will not have any status then!!
From the philosophical viewpoint also, the above thinking is applicable.
Do not be ‘KRIYA SHEEL’ (indulging in various activities).
Just stay in your true state of being —JUST BE!
You will be considered BUDDHIMAAN –intelligent. The saying is– Buddhimatam Varishtam ’बुद्धिमत्ताम वरिष्ठम’
If at all you take up activities and get into PRAPANCH- प्रपंच ( activities that involve the five senses ) and get involved in various projects, then you should surely complete the task, taken up.
If you leave it mid-way then you will be considered a sinner ‘Hitva Paapmavapsyasi’.
This is a ‘Mahaan Shaap’ from God.
‘महान् शाप’
A great curse!
No one will consider you as intelligent then!
It is for this reason that one should study the life and activities of Sants with great reverence and sincerity and learn from their actions and make them role models in our life!
We should make such sincere efforts.
Compassionate Guru Maharaj Ved Darshanachraya Shri Swami Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj’s soft heart was disturbed and moved, by the distress of the religious people of Amritsar and it is for this reason that He took up the task of building the canal for the Durgiana Lake.
He had returned to Amritsar after a period of five years and accomplished the main task of fund collection and then disassociated Himself and proceeded to Haridwar after doing the needful.
He got busy in the Kumbh Mela and engrossed in the work of spreading Dharma and working for the welfare of the people.
This was a perfect example of Vairagya that great Mahatmas practice.
They have zero attachment.
आसक्ति शून्यता
And yet, His determination was so strong that He became active and worked towards its cause and accomplishment.
He started the work and saw to it that it was completed. He left no stone unturned!
He finally completed the project.
How?
To know this, let us now go towards the the third phase of Loka- Sangraha as described in the book
YOGESHWAR GURU GANGESHWAR Part 1.
THE DURGIANA LAKE – THE WATER PROBLEM.
A group of leading members of the Durgayana committee met Gurudev. In order to understand the problem that they were facing, for which they met Guru Maharaj we all must first know the prior history regarding the Durgayana Lake.
This is during the year 1922. Before that, in the Golden Temple the Sikhs and Hindus both offered their prayers according to their belief systems. There was peace and harmony amongst them. The Sikh history chronicler the foreigner McCallauy Sahab had this policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ and it was because of this that the youth of the Akali Sikhs started to float an independent identity of their own. They no longer considered Hindus as one of their own. There was an Andolan/revolution after which they captured and took control of the Golden temple and did not allow the Sanatan Dharmis to chant the Geeta, Vishnu Sashranaam and other sacred books within the precincts of the temple.
It did not just stop at the prohibition on chanting but they also showed displeasure when the Sanatan Dharmis did the parikrama and sat near the lake after taking a holy dip to do their paath and pooja. They troubled them in various ways and this behaviour was not agreeable with the Hindus.
During that year Guru Maharaj were in Amritsar for some work. The disgruntled community members met Guru Maharaj and expressed their grief.
Guru Maharaj suggested that they should not get into an argument with the Sikhs and that they should construct a temple in the Durgiana lake and continue their practices there.
He gave encouragement to the Sanatan Dharmi Shri Guru Sahaymal who was a very influential person in the city.
In no time he had collected three lakhs of Rupees. Guru Maharaj had by then left Amritsar and proceeded to another city.
While Guru Maharaj were away the Hindus had been able to collect eighteen lakh Rupees and had built a grand Laxmi Narayan temple in the middle of the lake. This temple was very much like the Golden temple. Shri Malviyaji did the consecration of the idols of Laxmi and Narayan at the temple and the dry Durgiana Lake was now filled with water.
But it is said that it is very difficult to know about the Leela of the Lord!
One of the committee members said, “It is my belief that due to the competition among the Gurus, we had to construct the Durgiana temple and fill the lake. It is because of this competition only that the lake keeps getting dried up again and again.
Guru Maharaj immediately replied—Where is the question of competition here? The ten Gurus are worshipped and respected by all of us. Earlier everyone could worship in the Golden temple. It was because of the ill treatment meted out by the new Sikhs that the Sanatanis had to build a separate temple for themselves.
Regarding the question of the water not being able to stay in the lake.
This problem can be easily resolved if we build a canal. This is not a curse as you are thinking! You are showing your weakness and losing your shraddha just because of these new Sikhs.”
The people were embarrassed at their behaviour when they heard these words from Guru Maharaj.
This year Diwali was celebrated in Amritsar only. The program that was on in Amritsar was concluded so that He could proceed to Nadiyad. On the day of the ‘Poornaahuti’ a few devotees offered a bag containing Rs 500 to Guru Maharaj. After the Katha, He went to Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir with the committee member of the Durgiana temple, Shri Pahad Chand who was the secretary.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANAL AND THE LARGE HEARTED NESS OF DHANWANT KUNWAR.
While going for the Nadiyad Maha Satr in Samvat 1991 (1938 AD) ,Guru Maharaj had told the people of Amritsar –“ A new canal must be constructed for the Durgiana Lake and you all must collect funds for that. Here is a token amount of Rs 500 from my side and consider this as an auspicious beginning – Shri Ganesh.You all must collect at least three Lakhs of rupees from the eminent traders of the city for this purpose.”
Just after Guru Maharaj left, the energetic and enthusiastic Dharamveer Gursahaymal passed away suddenly.He was the one who had collected three lakh rupees in one day for the construction of the temple. He really had the knack of collecting funds!
Seth Daulatram, the agent of ‘Railey Brothers’ and Shri Nathu Shah Rangwala , Lala Lachhmandas and other rich people of the city were charitable but they lacked the ability to collect funds from the other people.
During the interim period of four years from 1934 to 1938 they were able to collect only Rs 25,000/ and were totally disappointed.
As soon as they heard about the arrival of Guru Maharaj in the city they went to meet Him. They said-“ Maharaj, we have failed and are tired! People are not interested at all. We have not been able to collect even Rs.30,000/ so where is the question of collecting three lakhs! Please ask ‘Bua’ Dhanwant Kunwar for help and she may be able to complete this task.”
Guru Maharaj maintained silence. He neither said , Yes nor No.
We should know that Dhanwant Kaur can be considered the ‘Sulabha’ or ‘Gargi ‘ of this age and time. She had been married to Raja Harkishin, the younger brother of Raja Ram Sharan of Lahore. She was widowed early in life. She had a natural interest in Vedanta, Sant Seva and Yagnas and other Dharmic activities. She had spent One Lakh rupees and constructed a huge Dharmashala, close to the Laxmi Narayan temple to serve the visiting devotees.
Since she belonged to Amritsar and this was her ‘MAIKA’ she was called BUA by the people of the city.
( MAIKA is the home of parents and a father’s sister is called a BUA.)
Finally, one day the members of the Committee met Buaji Dhanwant and coincidentally Guru Maharaj were also present there at that time.
They explained the whole story about the construction of the temple and the problems they had been facing regarding the construction of the canal. They requested her to shoulder all the costs for its construction.
The members of the Committee assumed that Guru Maharaj would second their appeal. Guru Maharaj gave His honest opinion though it was at the cost of sounding harsh.
He addressed the members and said, “Let us suppose that Buaji has some jewellery or cash . She also gets Rs 1200/ per month but she is not able to earn any new income. Whatever she has at the moment are the only assets with her. There is no way that she can increase these assets. On the other hand, all of you are big traders. By way of trade, you are able to make sufficient profits and on a daily basis make huge turnovers. It is indeed surprising that instead of volunteering the money, you all are approaching Dhanwant Bua for the funds and putting all the burden on her!”
Hearing these words of Guru Maharaj the members of the Committee were ashamed of themselves!
Buaji belonged to a good family and she was also very intelligent. She respected the members of the committee and said, “I shall surely think it over and reply to your proposal. You may now proceed back to your homes.”
It was around 11 o’clock at night. Guru Maharaj were preparing to retire to bed. Suddenly He heard a knock at the door. He asked from inside, ” This is not the appropriate time for darshan. Who is knocking at the door. Please find out.”
There was a voice from the outside, “Maharaj, this is your sister here.”
Guru Maharaj said, “All the ladies are my sisters but I am not able to identify who it is. Please tell me your name.”
Sham Devi accompanying Dhanwat Kaur replied,“ Maharaj, it is Dhanwant Kaur of the Dharamshala. She has something important to say. During the day there are too many people and there is no respite or free time to talk to you. It is for this reason that we are troubling you at this late hour.”
With the permission of Guru Maharaj the Sant serving Him , opened the door. Dhanwant Kaur and her companion, sat at the feet of Guru Maharaj.
She said, “The water in the lake does not stay and the people are unable to carry out their Dharmic activities like a ritualistic bath, Sandhya or Tarpan. It is only befitting the Lord of the Ksheer Saagar Narayan ( क्षीर सागर नारायण ) that His Nivas Sthaan is amidst the water and the waves flutter and adorn it”.
She further added, “It is a matter of shame, that we are such a large Hindu community and yet we are not able to construct this canal for the temple! A handful of Sikhs have made such a beautiful Golden Temple for themselves. The lake over there has pure water. I have heard that in the beginning even over there the water never stayed and the lake would turn dry. The onus of getting the canal to the Golden temple goes to the Udaseen Sant Nirvaan Pritamdasji. I don’t only hope, but am very sure that this work of building the canal can be accomplished by you, and surely our desire will be fulfilled.”
Guru Maharaj replied-“ Then, Mataaji , what should be done?”
Dhanwant Kaur said, “Maharaj, there are around three thousand people who attend your Pravachans. If each person makes a contribution of at least Rs.5 and some funds are collected from the wealthy philanthropists then we can have a sufficient amount of money.
In case we fall short, then we can collect funds from the people. With your benevolence and blessings we can easily collect three lakh rupees within a few hours and not a few days !”
Guru Maharaj replied, “Maataji, I never ever, make an appeal for funds from the people either for myself or for any organization. People give out of their Shraddha ( faith ) and I never insist or put pressure on them as I do not like to do that . Maataji this is as per the wishes of my Gurudev and the promise that I had given Him.
In Kaashi we have an Udaseen Sanskrit Vidyalaya which is run with my guidance and supervision and several scholars are groomed here to become teachers and orators of Sanatan Dharma.
I, myself have also studied there and yet I have never asked for funds from anyone to run this Vidyalaya. I do not even talk about this matter to anyone! I have total belief that whatever work that the Lord ordains, happens with His will as He Himself makes the necessary arrangements. Why should I try and make the arrangements then? It is useless to worry!
Then, on the other hand we are also running short of time, as I have to go for the Haridwar Kumbh. The ‘Anna Kshetra’ has already started there. My Pravachans are scheduled there and if I do not reach on time the program will be disrupted. The people are eagerly waiting for me to arrive.”
Buaji Dhanwant Kaur ji said, “Maharaj, staying at your feet and in your service I have learnt that the Lord Himself completes all our work but yet He is so ‘NATKHAT’ नटखट (prankster or the one who plays games) that He remains behind the scenes and puts someone else in the forefront. In the Geeta He has acknowledged and said, “It is true and beyond any doubt that I do everything, but yet I give the credit to my devotee for the completion and for the execution of the job!”
It is His old habit of making others do what He wants to execute! He would eat the curds and butter Himself and the rest of the butter and curds He would smear on the faces of the monkeys, so that the people would think that the monkeys were the culprits ! It is also true that when a person does not put in ANY effort of his own then the Lord ALSO does not help him in any way!
‘Daan Vitt Saman’ is a very famous Punjabi proverb.
As soon as the people heard this message of Khushi Ram there was a renewed sense of energy in the people.
On the other hand, those who were against Sanatan Dharma started gossiping. Look this saint has asked for donations. Surely no one will attend His pravachans from tomorrow!
NOTE-
(Photo courtsey:Amar chitra Katha books)
This Katha of the mongoose is from the episode of the Mahabharat.
At the end of the Ashwamegh Yagna, Maharaj Yudhistra had just completed his ritualistic bath when suddenly a mongoose fell into the water. Half of the body of the mongoose was of pure gold. Yudhistra and the people around him were stunned to see this mongoose who was rolling in the water. They could not understand the mystery regarding this mongoose.
Seeing their bewilderment, the mongoose spoke to them in a human voice and said, “O! King I was rolling in the water here because I want the rest of my body also to turn into gold. This water is very holy. Just by touching the holy water half of my body immediately turned into gold. I am trying my best by jumping in the water to make myself turn completely into gold but somehow am unable to do so.”
The people asked, “Which water was that which has turned half of your body into gold?”
The mongoose replied, “This is a long story. I will tell you in brief regarding it. There was a poor Brahmin family. One afternoon a poor man visited their home. That day the Brahmin had only a handful of ‘sattu’ in his house. The Brahmin’s wife made four round balls from that flour and brought it out in a plate. This was supposed to be the mid day meal of the couple and their son and his wife.
The householder Brahmin offered his own share to the visitor ( atithi) to welcome him in their home. The guest was still hungry, so one by one the Brahmini, then their son and next their daughter in law, offered their portions also to the guest. It was only then that the Atithi Dev was satisfied!
While making the guest wash his hands, the joy that the family experienced was unparalleled.
The mongoose who was relating this story to Yudhistra and the other people said“ At that moment , I was passing from there. Half of my body became wet from the water that was splashing from the hands of the guest whilst he was washing them. The part that became wet immediately turned into gold!”
Hearing this story of the mongoose and the greatness of donation the crowd became enthusiastic. Each one stood with a silver coin in his hand. Some of them even had notes in their hand.
Their mind set had totally changed ! If there was one person in the family who was donating one rupee, the others in the family did not want to be denied that privilege and so they too came forth with their coin.
Today the people came to donate money and not to hear the pravachan! They arrived as a family. Husband, wife, children, brother, sister all arrived together to give the MAHA DAAN.
Today the crowd was not in thousands but exceeded many lakhs.
Seeing the enthusiasm and the sea of people, the opponents of Sanatan Dharma retraced their steps and were startled and felt defeated.
They wondered what magic this saint had done on the people of Amritsar that they were so eager to give charity!
Each person wanted to come on the stage to give the money which caused a great confusion. Khushi Ram ji had to make an announcement to request people not to come on the stage. He told them that volunteers would go around and collect the money from them and that they should offer their contributions into the bag without any hesitation.
Within an hour all the bags were filled!
As soon as each bag was filled it would be brought to the committee members sitting on the stage who would promptly start the counting.
Some of the wealthy people of the city were also excited and would come on the stage and announce their contributions.
The people enthusiastically said,“ One thousand, Two Thousand, Five thousand etc etc .”
Soon the total amount collected was Rs. Three Lakhs.
Khushi Ramji made the announcement from the stage .
He announced, “Now, please listen to the glory of donation from the Shri Mukh of Guru Maharaj.”
Gurudev wanted to be low key and so spoke only one Shloka which meant—
“Your left hand holds the reins of the horse and also does the task of pulling the hair of the enemy. On the battlefield it holds the sheath and the bow. It kills all the evils from life with bravery and yet at the time of donation that same hand is hesitant and shaky! It is for this reason that the Lord has given a lowly status of a BHANGI ( a sweeper) to the left hand. Whilst giving charity always be like the right hand and donate enthusiastically.”
This was the message of Guru Maharaj.
The Mahima and the greatness of giving charity became very explicit by the example quoted by way of the shloka.
This impressed the minds of the people and got embedded in their psyche.
A MEETING WITH SIKANDAR HYATT KHAN
During the previous year in 1938, Guru Maharaj had gone to Lahore especially to meet
*Sir Sikandar Hyatt Khan who was the current chief minister of Punjab* and was known to the Muslim gentleman who had refused to give permission to allow the canal to flow besides his Kothi.
It was Guru Maharaj’s desire , that somehow or the other Sir Sikandar Hyatt Khan should convince the Muslim gentleman , who happened to be his good friend and benefactor to give the requisite permission.
Since Guru Maharaj travelled to Lahore often several important people were known to Him and it was with their help that Guru Maharaj could meet Sir Sikandar Hyatt.
Khan Sahab was a gentleman by nature.
One of the committee members of the Durgyana Mandir met Khan Sahab accompanied by Guru Maharaj and said—
“We are constructing a canal, so that the Durgyana Lake can get some water. There is a gentleman who is known to you and we need his permission to construct the canal adjoining his property. He is not agreeable and is and our plans have been thwarted .You are Punjab’s destiny maker and the people of Punjab have total trust in you. We request you to explain to this person so that he agrees and does not hinder our plans. We will build the canal according to his instructions so that there is no problem for his car to come and go .”.
Sikandar Hyatt Khan agreed. He advised his friend and the gentleman finally agreed. One obstacle was out of the way!
Now, the second obstacle was regarding the land occupied by the military. Guru Maharaj had travelled here to resolve this matter.
Sometime back an Army officer who was a Dharma Premi had met Guru Maharaj at the Birla Mandir in Delhi.
When Guru Maharaj requested him to help in getting the permission for the canal the officer simply smiled. He said-“ Swamiji. You are *Antaryami—you know everything! I have the papers that have been sent by the Durgyana Committee! These papers are the ones asking for permission and they have been sent for my approval! The military rules are not easy to bend . It is not only in my hands. Please come to Simla and somehow arrange a meeting of the committee members with the Military officers. I will also try my best. God willing, ,this task will be accomplished.”
THEY PROCURED THE MILITARY LAND.
मिलिटरी की ज़मीन मिल गयी
In the interim period the respectful committee members of the Durgyana project arrived. They had a meeting with the military officers accompanied by Guru Maharaj. As all the other hurdles had been overcome by now, the military officers also gave the go ahead and permission. They kept one condition however! They wanted them to purchase the adjoining land also and not just the land required for the canal. This was about 2000 yards. They priced it at Rs. 3000/.
Durgyana Committee became a little confused to hear this condition. It was not going to be easy to collect more funds for the land which they did not even require!
Finally, a decision was made that the land must be purchased or else the project would forever remain incomplete. If they would not purchase it at this juncture, then perhaps in the future they would be even denied the land altogether!
The land was bought. The construction was also completed in a short time and now only the inauguration had to be performed.
THE INAUGURATION OF THE CANAL IN AMRITSAR.
Samvat 1997 ( 1940 AD )
On Bhadrapad Shukla Tritiya day, Guru Maharaj arrived in Amritsar with Sitaramji.
Members of the Durgyana Committee, the Nagar Committee, Amritsar Sanatan Dharma Sabha and other similar Sabhas, all came to meet Guru Maharaj.
Other distinguished citizens were also invited. The topic of discussion was the decisions to be made regarding the opening ceremony of the canal and who should perform this auspicious task.
Guru Maharaj said- “We should invite some Raja –Maharaja or any rich Seth to do the inauguration so that the required publicity and fame is achieved for the temple. The people of the city would be also impressed.”
Several names of different Raja-Maharajas cropped up during the discussion. Among the rich Seths, the names that were mentioned were- Bagad, Birla, Raja Ram Sharan, Diwan Krishna Kishore and some others.
Seth Lachhmandas, who was one of the respected and esteemed member of the Durgyana Committee spoke to Guru Maharaj on behalf of all the other members- *“ We all think that there is no need to get the inauguration done by anyone else as this is a religious occasion and this Dharmic work should be carried out by you, Dharm Acharya Swamiji Maharaj with your pious lotus hands. We think this is the best thing to do!”*
This proposition put forth by Lala Lachhmandas, was accepted by all those collected there with a thunderous applause and the clapping of hands echoed in the hall.
Even though this was not what Guru Maharaj wished to do, but yet he consented as this was what the people desired.
Now the program was outlined and the necessary decisions were made to organise a Gyan Yagna. It was agreed that the water from all the rivers like Yamuna, Ganga, and other holy teerths should be brought to be poured into the lake.
From Bhadrapad Shukla Trittiya, onwards pravachans of Guru Maharaj had commenced. Nearly 30,000 to 35,000 people would come to hear the pravachans every day.
The people were very anxious for the inaugural ceremony of the canal as they wanted to take a holy dip in the waters of the lake.
The Committee would meet several times to discuss the other details and at last one day the crowd of people, all spoke in unison and said, “Maharaj, do not worry regarding the expenses, the celebrations should be done with a lot of festivities घूम घाम से .”
Bhadrapad Shukla Paksh Navmi, was celebrated as the ‘Janm Utsav’ day of Jagad Guru Shrichandra Maharaj.
It was from this day onwards that the activities for the celebrations for the inauguration of the canal speeded up. Chosen few people were appointed to bring the water from the different rivers and oceans.
Shreemad Bhagwat Saptah, Valmiki Ramayan and Ram Charitra Manas Paath for nine days .
Paath पाठ of all the four Vedas, 1515 Paath of Bhagwad Geeta and the ‘Kulya Pravesh Maha Yagna कुल्या प्रवेश महा यग्न’ were all organized for the festivities. ( Kulya or Nahar,कुल्या & नहर both mean canal and प्रवेश Pravesh means to enter ).
‘Hare Ram’ Maha mantra was chanted from Shrichandra Navmi day until Purnima day. The sky resonated with the Naam Jap.
From Ashwin Krishna Paksh Pratipad to the Amavasya day there was Geeta chanting.
101 paaths पाठ were chanted every day for fifteen days making it a total of 1515 paaths. पाठ
Besides the Brahmins there were a few devotees also who participated in the Geeta recitation.
Morning 5am to 7am was the Ved Parayan.
Morning 7am to 8 am was pravachan by Guru Maharaj.
Morning 8am to 11 am would be the Geeta Paath.पाठ
The vibrations spread all over the lake as the Geeta and Ved paaths पाठ echoed all around.
*Ashwin Shukla Pratipadthe ‘Valmiki Ramayan’ and ‘ Ram Charitra Manas’ paath पाठ commenced for a period of nine days. The Poornaahuti was done on Ashwin Shukla Navmi day*.
Ashwin Shukla Saptamiday Shrimad Bhagwat Paath पाठ started. The speaker was Pandit Gauri Shankar .
Ashwin Shukla Trayodashi day was the Poornahuti of the Paath. पाठ.
On VIJAYA DASHMI day the Kulya Pravesh ( जलप्रवेश ) commenced. It was the Shree Ganesh day of the Kulya Pravesh Yagna.
Ashwin Shukla Trayodashiday the Poorna aahuti ( the completion ) of the Yagna was performed.
A Shobha Yatra was decided and for this, many traders were informed and arrangements were made to decorate the streets and to construct gates for the procession to pass through.
Guru Maharaj were to sit on a bedecked elephant.
Everyone participated with full enthusiasm for the preparations.
By the Ashwin Shukla Chaturdashi day all the necessary work was accomplished by Shri Raghuwar Dayal, Shri Sita Ram ji and others.
*A HISTORICAL SPEECH.*
*ऐतिहासिक प्रवचन*
The much- awaited day of Sharad Purnima finally arrived. From 7 am to 8 am there was a Pravachan by Guru Maharaj.
He said—“With the blessings of Prabhu Shri Laxmi Narayan. the Saptah, the nine day paath पाठ Ved and Geeta Parayans , Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah and the ‘Kulya Pravesh Maha Yagna’ were all accomplished and completed without any obstacles. The volunteers, the paathaks पाठक and the organisers are all worthy of appreciation.
The ladies need special mention for their participation.
The designated number of 100 paaths for the Ramayan became 500 as many ladies also did the nine- day chanting of the Ramayana.
Those ladies, who were unable to come here to read the paath पाठ , did the reading in their homes during their free time, for all the nine days and submitted their copies to me over here.
Their courage and enthusiasm is really praise worthy because along with their domestic duties they also completed their religious obligations and duties. The number of paaths पाठ that were done at home were a total of 1000!
Amritsar is in the lap of Bhagwat Prem and is enjoying the adulation. The city has become Sakshaat Vaikunth Dham –( the abode of Lord Vishnu is called Vaikunth).
The golden moment is going to happen any minute now for which all of you have been eagerly waiting. Today evening at 5 o’ clock, the canal will be inaugurated in the presence of the public.”
Guru Maharaj choked and became emotional while saying these words!!!!!!!!
Tears started flowing from His eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He then continued His speech and said—“ The Durgyana lake will receive water by this canal and the waters in the lake will be brimming with which the people can fulfill their dharmic duties by bathing in the lake and performing their Sandhya Vandana and Tarpana without any problem whatsoever.
The darshan of the divine Jhanki झाँकी of ‘Bhagwan Laxmi Narayan’ will satisfy their sense of vision . which has been a long -cherished desire of the the people of Amritsar.
*I will not like to thank anyone on this occasion because it was the duty of everyone to complete this work as soon as possible. Everyone did fulfil their duty for which there is enough proof.
Let us all join together to thank the Lord with whose grace we all are able to see this day.
We are indeed blessed.
It is our Saubhagya सौभाग्य ( good fortune ).
(above is inside Durgiana Temple-Amritsar)
*शरत् पूणि॑मा स्नान—पर्व हो ।*
Sharad Purnima to be celebrated as the day for the Holy bath.
Guru Maharaj said-“It is not necessary to make my speech very long today. Everyone has to finish their daily chores and then participate in the Shobha Yatra. Nevertheless, I may not get another occasion to give the important message that I want to give so I will say it now and complete my speech thereafter.
As a saint ,I will pray to the Lord that the enthusiastic people of Amritsar celebrate such Dharmic festivals every month or at least once a year.
*The Tithi of Sharad Purnima was decided for this occasion which is indeed very significant. We are fortunate that this day which happens to be the day Lord Banke Behari did the Raas-Behar, was chosen for the inauguration.
I have complete faith that seeing the enthusiasm and emotions of His devotees, *Murli Manohar Shri Krishna is also present here along with His Mandali in an invisible form!
Since the day of Shrichandra Navmi the Ved Parayan had started and it will be now completed today. It has been a total of 36 days. The unanimous chanting in one voice , by the Ved Paathis gave an ambiance of the Sat Yuga.
The confluence of the holy water of all Reerths and rivers is here because of your bhakti bhav. It is my earnest request to everyone that if they cannot take a dip in the lake every day then they should resolve to come here on the day of Sharad Purnima , once every year and take a holy bath.
The Lord by His Shri-Mukh gave me this message at the seat of my meditation early morning today and said –“ Punya can be accrued by taking a bath in this lake on the day of Sharad Purnima, which will be equivalent to the bath in all the teerths”
As soon as the pravachan was over everyone went to their homes because they all had to return by 10 am at the Durgyana lake.
*IT WAS NOT JUST A PROCESSION———–IT WAS A SEA OF PEOPLE !!*
जुलूस नहीं—मानव समुद्
At the appointed time the sea of humanity surfaced near the lakeside. (the large crowd of people , looked like a sea of humanity).
Udaseen Mahants and saints of Vaishnav and other Sampradayas and other Maha Purush of Amritsar all arrived punctually.
They held their staffs and RanSinghas छडियाँ और रणसिं॑गे ( hand held poles with a head of a lion ).
The elephant was also well decorated with flowers etc. The people standing on the rooftops of their homes showered flower petals. A beautiful parasol covering Guru Maharaj was seen shining from even afar. Two people were fanning Him with a chavar. चंवर
The jaloos did the parikrama of the city and reached back at the Laxmi Narayan temple by 5 pm.
Guru Maharaj alighted from the elephant and went to the spot where the inauguration was to be performed.
*With the loud chants of “ HAR HAR MAHADEV” the canal was inaugurated by Guru Maharaj.*
Within no time the Durgyana lake was filled with water. Until today Shri Laxmi Narayan stayed amidst a dry Durgyana lake but now, Bhagwan Varun Dev came and made them Samudra – vaasi समुद्र वासी in the true sense.
*समारोह की व्यापक प्रतिक्रिया*
*THE GENERAL RESPONSE TO THE FUNCTION.*
The elderly people of Amritsar said that they had never witnessed such a large jaloos ever before in the city. Men and women had for the first time participated with zeal and enthusiasm and were filled with devotion.
The newspaper had headlines which said, “Two lakh people attended the inauguration of the canal.”
Reporters from the different newspapers like the Tribune, Pratap, Milap, Veer Bharat, Daily Herald etc attended the programme from the first day of the festivities. The newspapers carried detailed reporting of the daily programme.
The Utsav became an occasion of celebration for all of Punjab and not merely Amritsar. On the main day, people came from Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bhatinda, Ferozpur, Peshawar, Dera Ismaila and other places.
Camera men were seen capturing pictures at many places. On the next day, the newspaper columns were filled with the news coverage and pictures of the event.
Kulpati Shri Krishnanandji, Sat Swarup Shastri were caught up in the crowds at Prabriti Mahama Marg and therefore they were unable to reach on the day of the Utsav.
They read about the Utsav in the train only as the newspapers had details about the function and also had pictures. When they arrived in Amritsar Shri Sudarshan and other saints expressed their disappointment regarding their absence and inability to participate in the function.
*They replied–“We enjoyed seeing the pictures and reading about the complete program in the newspapers and I am sure that joy even you all may not have experienced even though you were here amidst all the action.”*
After the Utsav the people insisted that Guru Maharaj stay for a while in Amritsar , till Kartik Purnima.
Guru Maharaj complied with their wishes and stayed back and gave daily pravachans and enthralled the people of the city.
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LOK SANGRAHA KA TRITIYA 3rd CHARAN
*THE FOURTH PHASE OF LOK SANGRAH.*
