MADHWA’S TEACHINGS - JNYANA SATRA AT SHURPALI IN JANUARY 2007.

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MT16/JSS/1206

 

MADHWA'S TEACHINGS

 

 

 

JNYANA SATRA AT SHURPALI IN JANUARY 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A doctor, after thorough examination, informed the middle-aged patient from Kerala that there was nothing physically wrong with him. The continued uneasiness he complained of, the Doctor said, was related to stress, a fall out of urban living. Instead of prescribing any medicines, he advised the patient to visit his native village, for recovery.

 

 

 

 

Most of us living in concrete jungles suffer from common mental disorders like fear and low tolerance, which often translate into mental fatigue and the resultant uneasiness. Remedy lies in a temporary withdrawal to a place of quietude in rural settings for rejenuvation and if such place offers discourses on works like Shrimad Bhagawatam by acknowledged scholars on the Vedanta, the effect would indeed benefit one immensely. Such an opportunity is being provided to those living in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh; in fact, the opportunity is knocking on our doors.

 

 

 

 

Shri Laxmi Narasimha Devasthan, Shurpalaya and the Satyadhyan Vidyapeeth, Mulund (Mumbai) have jointly organized a 5 day Jnyana Satra at Shurpalaya from 14-01-2007 to 18-01-2007. Pandit. Vidyasimhacharya, Kulapati, Satyadhyan Vidyapeeth will give discourses on Shrimad Bhagawatam, which, as we all know, was written by Bhagawan Veda Vyasa exclusively for commoners like us to evolve and reach the highest goal.

 

 

 

 

Shurpalaya or Shurpali as it is now called; a remote village on the banks of river Krishna near Jamkhandi is unlike any other village. It is regarded as one of the prominent centres of pilgrimage in South for long. Lord Narasimha, the main deity of the kshetra has, for centuries, been attracting devotees including yogis and scholars from far and wide. In the past, H.H. Vidyadheesa Teertha Swamiji of the Uttaradi Mutt had his Chaturmasya at Shurpali for 12years. Shri. Yadavarya, one of the greatest scholars had at Shurpali for a considerable period. In the recent past, H. H. Satyapramod teeertha Swamiji the former Pontiff of the Uttaradi Mutt loved Shurpali so much that he never missed an opportunity to visit it. These are but a few names of great men, who have sanctified Shurpali. A number of highly evolved souls also lived at the Kshetra. If the threshold stone of the temple were to speak, it would narrate stories of a large number of blessed souls having visited the temple to pay respects to the Lord Narasimha and an equally large number of greatly evolved souls having lived there worshipping the Lord and contributing to the sanctification of the kshetra. Some of the stories the villagers tell of men who lived there are beyond one's imagination.

 

 

 

 

The Narasimha temple built on an elevation by the side of the river under two large peepal trees and the open space on its left surrounded by giant trees against the backdrop of green fields and meadows resembles a hermitage. The temple assumes a different dimension of serenity in the evening. The fading light, cool breeze from the river front, fluttering of the leaves and chirruping of birds in the trees lend the temple complex a touch of antiquity. Traditional oil lamps in the sanctum sanctorum enhance the beauty of the Lord many times and prayers by the temple priest while performing evening arati accompanied by the ringing of the bells lend an air of divinity to the scene. And jnyana satra by an enlightened person like Pandit. Vidyasimhacharya at such place would truly be elevating and a spiritual reward.

 

 

 

 

"Madhwa's Teachings", therefore, most earnestly appeals to all its readers staying in the states mentioned above to attend the proposed Jnyana Satra. We are sure, it will prove to be an experience of a lifetime.

 

 

The Laxmi Narasimha Devasthan has arranged for transportation by State Transport Busfrom Miraj to Shurpali and back for the convenience of the devotees. Of course the devotees will have to bear the transportation charges, which will be approximately Rs 60 per head one way. The bus will leave the Miraj Bus Stand for Shurpali via Athani at 8 am on 14-01-2007 and Shurpali for Miraj at 5pm on 18-01-2007. The arrangements are made with the anticipation that a large umber of devotees would come from Mumbai.

 

 

 

 

Still there is one month's time for the event and the month of January being off-season should not pose any problems for booking Rly tickets on the required dates. The readers are requested to book tickets in time and also make use of the transportation facilities provided by the Devasthan.

 

 

 

 

 

The readers are also requested to bring their own medicines although bare medical facilities are available at Shurpali. They are also advised to bring sufficient warm clothes and bedding etc, for it would be quite cold at Shurpali during mid-January.

 

 

 

 

"Madhwa's Teachings" would make every effort to e- mail the summary of the Jnyan Satra for the benefit of all our readers in due course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With kind regards,

 

 

 

R. T. Gutti.

 

 

P. S. Devotees desirous of availing of the transportation facilities by the Devasthan are requested to furnish their names to the above address well in advance so as to enable the Devasthan authorities to make adequate arrangements.