With the grace of HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji, Sri Poornimaji conducted a 3 day Utsav series in New Jersey from April 1st to April 3rd. During Ramayanam discourses we usually hear the stories of Rama and His devotees. For this Ramanavami, New Jersey devotees were treated to a unique discourse series showing the gunas of Ramas as enjoyed by Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata and Hanuman as devotees of Rama.
Throughout the discourse series Sri Poornima Ji, spoke about the supreme devotion that Sita, Lakshamana, Bharata and Hanuman had for Rama. Devotees were spellbound by the various ways in which they did Bakthi towards Rama. All days started with rendering of Madhura Geethams on Rama.
On the first day, Sri Poornimaji discoursed about Sita and Lakshmana at a devotees place in Monroe. Sita never asked for anything from Rama even though she was a princess before marriage. She had immense faith that Rama would take care of her. When Rama did not agree for Sita to join Him for the exile, she asked just one question “Would you not protect me, why should I fear when you are next to me”? That did it for Rama, he could not say no anymore. Lakshmana had immense love for Rama and his Kainkaryam was second to none. He would never spare an opportunity to serve Rama. Although he was sometimes quick and jumpy in his actions, he acted only according to Rama’s wishes.
On the second day, in the presence of Sri Swamiji’s divine Padukas in Princeton, Annual Day celebration of Gopakuteeram program took place and kids received certificates from Sri Poornimaji. During the day’s discourse, Poornimaji beautifully brought out the differences between Lakshmana’s and Bharata’s devotions. Lakshmana had the opportunity to be always with Rama making it easier for him. However Bharata was rarely in Rama’s presence but his devotion was unmatched. He always thought about “What would Rama think of my actions? Would He approve of those?”. Poornimaji used this to highlight that we as devotees should think “Would my Guru approve of my actions?”. When Bharata’s entourage approached Chitrakuta, when everyone doubted Bharata’s noble motives, Rama did not doubt him. The Guru knows about His disciples isn’t it?
On the concluding day at a devotee’s palace in Edison, Poornimaji extolled the devotion of Hanuman and highlighted how Hanuman is the Guru Tatva. Hanuman was the guru for Sugreeva through bringing this normal Jeeva to the Bhagavan through friendship. Lakshamana tested Hanuman’s intelligence by saying “Rama desires Sugreeva as the Lord” (sugreevam nAtham icchati). He did not distinguish between “Sugreeva desired to be lord of the kingdom” or “Sugreeva desired to be Rama’s Lord ”. Hanuman aced the answer and said Sugreeva is very blessed to have a lord like Rama. Hanuman also served as the Guru by bringing Sita (Jeevatma) to Rama (Paramatma) through the ring inscribed with Rama Nama, while he himself acted as the arrow of Rama.
More than 75 devotees attended the satsangs and were blessed to enjoy the Rama Gunas. We pray at the lotus feet of our Guru Maharaj to bless us with more and more satsangs. To see Facebook updates, visit “GOD Satsang New Jersey” on Facebook. To join our WhatsApp group for regular updates, please call or whatsapp 609-647-9555, email newjersey@godivinity.org.
