TBP Satsangam - 2 October - My Personal Assessment

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Dear Learned Devotees of TBP,

 

Love and Love alone….

 

As you are aware, we had a wonderful Satsangam under Telugu Bhakti Pages on 2

October 2009. In spite of pouring rain, nearly 75 devotees turned up to

participate in the Satsangam, which was opened to every one, both the members of

TBP and outsiders. In fact, we were hesitant to open the doors to every one, as

we do not have the capacity or wherewithal to cope up with the demand, and we

did so, after a lot of deliberations, but when we look back at the whole

Satsangam, the way the proceedings smoothly moved forward, it gave us a lot of

confidence and a moment of proud that HE has been with us throughout to make it

a grand success.

 

The proceedings started exactly at 10.00 a.m. with the lightening of the lamps

by some of the esteemed guests and participants.

 

A two-minute silence was observed in remembrance of the departed souls,

well-wishers and supporters of TBP, Sri I V S Rao Garu (Who recited Potana

Padyalu for TBP) and Sri Mahadev Garu (Guru of Sri Shanmukha Sarma Garu).

 

The first item in the agenda, unusually, was the speech by Dr. M. Narasimha Rao

garu on Rigveda Sookta Anmuvaada Bhoomika from the point of view of Yoga. It was

unusual because, the proceedings should have begun with some light topic, but as

Mr. Rao insisted that he would leave immediately after his speech due to some

prior commitments he has, we were compelled to have him first. Sri Rao garu is a

learned scholar and started it well. Though he was very lucid in his expression,

in spite of some digressions here and there, he could keep the audience

attentive. However, unfortunately, the audience could not cope with the heavy

dose of the subject matter and therefore not as receptive as they should have

been for the simple reason that many of the participants were not well

acquainted with the depth of Vedas.

 

After a small tea-break, the proceedings restarted with a brief introduction on

TBP by Mrs. Rajya Sri. It was a well drafted and very well narrated document,

highlighting the ups and downs in the journey of TBP from the day of its

inception in 1998 and in the process introducing the Initiator-cum-Owner of the

group Sri K.V. Raghava Rao (Raghava to TBP) to the present Moderators Sri B.G.

Sastry (not present), Sri. Jajisarma, Sri S.V. Swamy and Sri P. Gopi Krishna.

 

The next item in the agenda was the introduction of all those who had made it

possible to participate in the TBP proceedings and to honour them with all love

and respect. A bag containing the following spiritual books has been handed to

each and every participant:

 

1. Gita Makarandam by HH Swamy Vidya Prakasananda

2. Aatma Sakshtkaaraniki Anuvaina Maargaalu by Swamy Sivananda Maharaj

3. Amrutha Varshini by Sri I V S Rao

4. Jayam Jayam by Sri Puranapanda Srinivas

5. Sri Upamaka Kshetra Mahaatyam by Sri Viswapathi

6. Sri Venkateswra Vratakalpam by Sri Viswapathi

7. Bhaje Srinivasam by Sri Viswapathi

8. Sri Padmavathi Parinayam by Sri Viswapathi

9. Karma Siddantham by Sri Devisetty Chalapathi Rao

10. Samshipta Gita by Dr T S Ramakrishna

 

Then it was the time for lunch break and a sumptuous lunch was served to all the

members present. It looked as if a marriage reception was on.

 

Immediately after lunch, one of the Moderators, Sri Jajisarma introduced Sri B.

Nageswara Singh garu to the participants. Sri Singh gave a discourse on

Kathopanishad, trying to bring out the salient points. But, due to paucity of

time, he could not do justice to it fully. However, had he concentrated more on

the content than on the initial introduction, the participants would have been

benefited more.

 

Dr. RVSS Avadhanulu Garu has taken up the subject of " Interesting Aspects of

Ramayana " , highlighting some of the hidden meanings of the conversation between

different players in the epic Ramayana. The way he was explaining the nuances

and the inner meaning of the conversation, especially the words used by Mahakavi

Sri Valmiki in explaining the intricate meaning in the exchange of words between

two actors, it was amazing how much the ordinary readers are missing the beauty

and the depth of the subject matter. It was a treat, but unfortunately the time

at the disposal was so limited, he could not do justice to the subject fully.

 

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the day was the unscheduled last but not the least

item of the evening on Sri Annamacharya Kirtans by Sri Sankar. Though he spoke

hardly for 30 minutes, he stole the hearts of all those present by his

exposition on Sri Annamacharya Kirtans and the comparison of Annamayya Kritis

with the slokas in Srimad Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures. He started his

brief speech well, highlighted the subject matter and ended it well within the

time. He spoke extempore, exceedingly passionate and with a lot of fervour and

authority. Every participate was so happy to have it as a concluding subject.

 

As Sri Naraparaju Ramesh Babu and Sri D.V. Subbarao, who have to could not turn

up due to some unexpected official commitments, they did not participate in the

proceedings. However, their absence has been very well covered by the other

speakers.

 

Dr. B.G. Sastry, one of the Moderators, could not make it to the Satsangam due

to illhealth. We all prayed for his early recovery and active participation in

our future events.

 

The Satsangam was concluded with the Vote of Thanks by one of our Moderators,

Sri S.V. Swamy.

 

Many of you, who missed it, I must say, missed a great opportunity to share

happiness, wisdom and above all brotherly rapport to live together for a day in

a wonderfully surchaged divine fervour.

 

Love and Love alone.....

 

P. Gopi Krishna