Ashadi Ekdasahi - Day 1 - 1st July 2009

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Ashadi Ekadashi...

Veda Chanting Procession and Hindustani Musical Concert

Posted on 2nd July @ 0015 hrs IST

Ashadi Ekadashi, one of the most auspicious days in

the Maratha vernacular calendar brings the legacy of Maharashtra along

with the state’s devotional fervour for her presiding deity, Lord

Vittal Rakumai of Pandarpur. In fact, Ashadi is the day, when lakhs and

lakhs of Varkaris from all parts of the country, especially from the

state of Maharashtra throng the spiritual capital of the state,

Pandarpur to have darshan and blessings of their chosen deity, Vittal

Rakumai.

Ashadi Ekadashi marks the beginning of the

Chaturmasa and ends with Kaarathik Ekadashi. It is celebrated during

the months of June-July, known as Ashada Shukla Paksha in the

vernacular calendar. People consider the two eleventh days, “Ekadashiâ€,

of every month to be of special significance. The eleventh day of

Ashadi is known as the great Ekadashi or Maha Ekadashi. This is the day

on which people go on walking in huge processions to the Abode of Lord

Vittala in Pandarpur, which is popularly known as Vaarkarari

Sampradaya. This is a time honoured cult and an important landmark in

the colourful history in the state of Maharashtra. According to

historians devotees have been performing Vaari long before the advent of Sant Jnaneshwar in the 13th century and the current practice of carrying the paadukas

of the saint in a palki from the Samadhi of the saint to Pandarpur for

the holy darshan of Lord Vittala was started by the son of Sant

Thukkaram by name Sant Narayan Maharaj in 1685.

Like the previous years at Prasanthi Nilayam, a

large contingent of devotees from the twin states of Maharashtra and

Goa arrived at Prashanti Nilayam to celebrate Ashadi Ekadashi in the

Divine Presence. The celebrations that began this morning would

conclude on 3rd July 2009, the day of Ashadi Ekadashi. Bhagawan was

accorded a traditional welcome with Poornakumbham by Veda chanting Bal

Vikas children and Youth. Chanting of the Vedas in unison by about 300

people, young and the old surcharged the atmosphere with divine

vibrations. Bhagawan listened to their Vedic chants for about an hour

before retiring for the session.

 

 

 

 

Speaking on the preparations and the hard work put

in by about 300 people ranging from 8 to 72 years of age in learning

the Vedic Mantras, one of the core member of the group who is also a

former student of Bhagawan, said that Veda chanting classes started in

the scorching summer month of April in the twin states of Maharashtra

and Goa. The classes were held in different parts of these two States,

namely, Nagpur, Akola, Amaravati, Goa, Sholapur, Parbani, Bhiwandi,

Thane, different parts of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Nasik and Pune. The

classes would commence at 11 a.m. and would go on till 8 p.m. in the

night; such was the dedication of the group, said the leader. The group

members were supplied with Veda Mantra books and CD. At each and every

stage of their learning, Bhagawan’s presence could be felt. Speaking on

a wonderful experience, the leader said that on one of these classes

which was held in a temple, there was a secluded cloud cover over the

temple which proved that Bhagawan’s unseen hand was guiding and

guarding them. After the primary preparations, combined practice

sessions for the whole group were held in Dharmakshetra, Mumbai.

Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu (May all

the beings of all the worlds be happy!). Peace and welfare of the world

was their motto. Even the Samana Suktam, which they chanted at the end

of the morning session speaks of Unity, Purity and Divinity, said the

team member.

 

 

 

 

The

programme for the evening session was a Hindustani classical concert by

Kalapini Komkali, the daughter and disciple of Pandit Kumar Gandharva

and Vidushi Smt. Vasundhara Komkali.

Pt.

Kumar Gandharva was a Hindustani classical singer, famous for his

unique vocal style and innovative genius. The name Kumar Gandharva was

a title given to him when he was a child prodigy; a Gandharva is a god

of music in Hindu mythology. Kalapini could be said to possess an Alto

just a little husky but true as a blade. Her Akar is perhaps the

closest yet to that of Kumar Gandharva, a magical mixture of the five

vowels that make language ring true and unforgettable. She uses much

the same technique her father used to do, that lets you hear the Swara

as part of the Raga and the Swara also as pure Swara kindled separately

and individually.

Smt. Kalapini, after

offering her obeisance to Bhagawan said that all the songs that she was

going to sing during her concert were sung by her late father Pt. Kumar

Gandharva. Beginning with a Tukaram Abhang: “Lakshmi Vallabha …â€, the

songs of Smt. Kalapini grew from strength to strength both in terms of

tenor, pitch and clarity. Singing in her booming voice Kabir Das’s

Nirgun Pad, “Sunta Hai …†Nirgun Pad is a form of devotional song which

believes in formless God. After singing a Mira Bhajan she concluded the

concert with a Gorakhnath Bhajan. Bhagawan blessed the singer by

materialising a chain and presented her with a Sari. The accompanying

artistes were also presented with clothes by Bhagawan.

It

was the turn of the students of the University to take over; they not

only sang bhajans in tandem, but also sang solo songs. When Bhagawan

asked a student to sing a Hindi song, he sang the evergreen

composition, “Hey O’ Vitthale Bhakta Jana Vatsale …†with such beauty

and mellifluousness that the entire audience was enraptured at the

devotional height combined with artistry. At the end, Prasadam was

distributed to the entire congregation and Arati was offered to

Bhagawan at 6.30 p.m. before He retired to His “Divine Abodeâ€, Yajur

Mandiram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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