Aranya Kand at SISS and Much More!
Aditi Someshwar
Chh. Sambhaji Nagar
Hari Aum!
Sree Ram ji’s blessings showered upon us (my son, Dhruv and myself), when an impromptu plan to go to SISS for Aranya Kand discourses materialized. Humbled by the Guru’s grace, everything followed effortlessly.
Our onward journey to SISS was fast, like the Vaayuputra being with us, and once we entered the ashram, we surrendered to the Guru’s abode.
The next two days went in being absorbed in the discourses on Aranya Kand, and in bhakti of Lord Sree Ram. Starting with Maa explaining us the Mangalacharan, we were taken into the mesmerizing paths of Atri Stuti, the wisdomful sermon by Anusuya Mata to Mata Seeta, the enlightening Sree Ram and Sree Lakshman samvaad, Shurpanakha katha and its true import, and much more.
I can still hear Mata’s words from the Aranya kand discourses ring in my ears, that are now points for contemplation,
“Seeta ji, Brahman (Sree Ram) aur Jeev (Sree Lakshman) ke beech ki Maya hain”.
“Aasakti chod kar anuraag, anurakti karni hogi”.
“Dharm hume virakti ki taraf le jaata hai. Abhimaan rahit virakt vyakti gnyaan ki oar jayega”.
I bow down to Bhagwaan Sree Ram, Mata Seeta, Sree Lakshman ji. Where Bhagwaan is, that is Panchvati. We were truly blessed and humbled to be in Panchvati!
To our surprise, and blessing, our journey continued…
The next day, Manish ji’s kindness and enthusiasm took us to Kurukshetra! Dhruv and I had never expected this to be a part of our blessed trip. It was Mata’s compassion that felt that Dhruv should visit the Holy place where Sreemad Bhagwad Geeta sermon was given to Arjun, before Dhruv embarks on his journey into his graduation college.
Manish ji was the pivotal force to drive the unforgettable day trip! Many thanks to him. We also had the pleasure of company of Prapanna ji.
After morning Arati and bowing down at the Altar of the Sadgurus, we started on our teerth. We were amazed at how many holy places we could visit, that too in the blazing heat, without it being a hinderance. We gathered all the auspiciousness in our hearts - The Sree Krishna Museum, Geeta Dham, Baan Ganga where Sree Bhishma lay on the bed of arrows, Brahma Sarovar, and lastly the Shaktipeeth blessed by the ankle of Sati Mata. As per Maa’s guidance, we chanted the Dhyaan shlok and fifteenth chapter of Sreemad Bhagwad Geeta at Geeta Dham, under the age old auspicious Banyan tree. We felt so grateful for it all!
Humble prostrations at the feet of the Guru,
I wish there was a way to express gratitude for this invaluable experience,
Hari Aum!