Kettunera at Pampa

Swami Sharanam.

Why is that it's said that Kettunarai shouldn't be done at Pamba ? Can you pls. thro light on the traditional

reason for the same. 

Additionally, at Pamba Ganapathi we can see a lot of Kettunarai happening by Pamba Ganapathi priest...

It would be great to listen from you....

Regards, 

Mahesh

Mumbai

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Swamy Sharanam

The rules for the Sabarimala Yathra is prescribed by Sage Agasthya as instructed by Lord Himself. But if one observes carefully, it actually forms the daily routine of a devout person.

The rules are same for any Vrutham - be it Pradosham or Sashti or Navarathri. 

Waking up in Brahma Muhurtham, Taking Bath in cold water, Nama Japam, Food restriction, Avoiding physical Comforts, Sleeping on floor, Not Shaving, Brahmacharyam etc etc 

- this is common to any Vrutham. The only difference is, all these Vruthams like Pradosham, Ekasadi or Sashti ends within 24 hours; Skandha Sashti may extend upto 6 days and Navarathri Vrutham extends to 10 days. Whereas Ayyappa Vrutham extends beyond 41 days(or 56 Days in some other cases).

So the rules are to be followed with utmost sincerity for Ayyappa Vrutham. And what is the main purpose of the Vrutham ? To carry the irumudi and climb the 18 steps. To understand this we need to look back to the history.

There is a traditional way to have the darshana of Bhagawan Hariharaputra Swami at Sabarimala. This was told by my grand father. What I have been taught -by Gurus and elders... Iam just repeating it here in my words.

In earlier days, Sabarimala was opened only for Makara Vilakku and people start their Vrutham well before that. The only route to Sabari was Via Erumeli. In other words - the official route is via Erumeli.

It took almost one week to complete the Yathra and reach Sannidhanam. 

One has to understand that Maha Sastha is the supreme Lord and he has two Shaktis namely Poorna and Pushkala. That divine Sastha's embodiment is Lord Ayyappa who is instilled at the holly Sabari Hills - on the top of Neeli Malai. 

The pilgrims travelling through the long route have to cross seven streams and climb eighteen leaps during the yatra. If one looks upon all the eighteen leaps, actually a person is stepping higher and higher on each hill - ie each hill represents a step. So the eighteen steps in front of the Lord at Sabarimalai temple actually represents the eighteen hills and their guarding Devata. In short, the padi puja is a pooja to the Long route itself.

So the actual yathra or Shrine starts from Erumeli. Erumeli is the first Kottai or the Lord. One should always visit the Erumeli shrine of Lord Kiratha Moorthy and get the permission from Him  to enter the poonkavanam and get the grace of the Supreme Lord. Only when a person comes through the long route, the yathra is fulfilled.

So entering Erumeli is similar to climbing the first step of 18m padi. 

The Chalakkayam route, Pampa route etc are of very latest origin. FYI, the pampa ganapathy, Ramar  temple itself is a very recent one. In other words only after these convenient routes, Maasa Puja became popular. For convenience, people started using these routes, but that doesnt allow us to skip the Long route. 

But when we go for Maasa Puja, its almost impossible to travel through the long route. So as an alternate practice, we worship at Erumeli and seek his permission and forgiveness and then proceed to Pampa. 

So coming back to the point - the Kshetram (or Poonkavanam) starts from Erumeli. So to cross Erumeli, one needs irumudi and beyond that point no one is allowed to do the kettu nerai or fill the irumudi. 

You have already entered the exam hall; Now how can one fill the entrance form here?

As you said now we can witness a lot of Kettunarai happening at Pamba Ganapathi Sannidhanam... (I also heard a news, dont know whether its true - that the ghee which is offered at Nei thoni is being recycled at Pampa ganapathi and used for Kettunerai again). A devotee gave me a best comment on this : "When a person is doing his Kettunerai at Pampa, he doesnt have any right to lament amount sasthram. He actually deserves this"

Sampradhayams of olden days are easily broken today and does not seem to be a full fledged practice any more. 

The very thathwam of Sabarimala revolves round the concept called Guru. Today we see, Maaladharanam is done at some Ayyappan temple, the nature of Vrutham by ones own rules (GOK), and Kettunerai is done by some X or Y at someother place and people go to sabarimala - all one without a Guruswamy.

Its no wonder if these rituals are considered as traditional sampradhayam.

This is the state of Kaliyuga and no body can understand the leela of Lord Ayyappa.

True bakthi always means - following the Sasthras strictly and have a faith with Gurus words.

I fall at the Feet of my Guru to grant satbuddhi and unwavering devotion towards the Lord.

Swamy Sharanam

V.Aravind Subramanyam

Dharma Sastha's Pratishta

Swamy Sharanam

Aravind Subramanyam-anna please tell us about this pic...

Sankar Narayanan Sanki
Muscat


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Swamy Sharanam

After a long gap of silence, Iam back to the blog to answer a query.

Though I have a lot to say about this, at this point of time Iam not going into much details, but explain the outline.


Kerala -  is known as God's Own country becasue it was created by Parasurama, the warrior sage and sixth incarnation of Maha Vishnu. After creating a land for himself, Parasurama wanted to installed the Supreme Lord there. He performed severe penence and prayed to Lord Sastha that his divine presence should always protect the land.

Bagawan accepted his request and instructed him to construct 18 temples and promised that he will stay there and protect the Land.

He further indicated that "Very soon Iam going to incarnate in this Land and during that time, install my idol at the Maha yogapeetam at Garudadhri.  That place is going to be my headquarters in future. "

As per the divine will the Lord incarnated as Manikanta - in human form. The Advent of Lord Manikanta is well known to everybody. He was an incarnation of Lord Sastha who was adopted by the Rajashekara Pandiyan. The Ministers at the palace, developed hatred towards Manikanta and planned a plot to kill him. According to this plot, Manikanta undertook the forest expedition single-handed to find Tigress milk.

This was actually the divine intervention as per the Lord's plan, The purpose of Manikantan's advent had dual purpose 1) To annihilate Mahishi and 2) Establish Dharma in Kaliyuga.

So, as per the promise made earlier, Manikanta came to the forest called Matanga Vanam. Devas and Rishis descended to the earth and waited for Lord Manikanta in the forest with a prayer to fulfill the object of his mission.

Killing of Mahishi happened in no time. The sages installed the Lord as Poorna Pushkala Samedha Maha Sastha at the Srimoolam Kavu -  a golden temple on a hill nearby. This hill,  is now known as Ponnambalamedu (the hill of Golden Temple). But the Devas and rishis wanted Lord Manikanta to stay there for ever. Bagawan promised them to stay there permanently and bless all the people of Kaliyuga. But Ponnambalam is reachable only by Yogis. So for the sake of ordinary mortals, the Lord instructed them to find a place nearby, so that a temple is built there. Finally the Lord decided the spot as the Mahayogapeetam of the Garudadri hill; This was later this was named as Sabarimalai after Sabari, a huntress.

Manikantan went back to the palace and everybody understood that he was not an ordinary being.

Manikantan indicated that the king can know about his divine mission only through a Guru and he further added that Lord Agasthya shall come there and guide him further.

Manikantan then blessed the King and all others assembled there, and vanished. Everybody felt helpless and the king was deeply distressed at the departure of the Lord. At that time, the sage Agasthya appeared before him and consoled him. He reminded the king of his duty ahead, the construction of a temple for Dharmasastha. The Rishi told the King that he could construct a temple at Garudadhri, a hill-top of Matanga Mountain range - north of the holy river Pampa.

As per Lord Agasthya's instructions, everybody undertook the Vrutham and the auspicious Makara Sankaranthi day was fixed for the pratishta. Soon Parasurama came there with the idol of Lord Dharma Sastha - which was earlier prescribed by the Lord himself.

Agasthya, being the foremost among the Rishis and Yogis, presided the function and formulated the mode of worship and poojas to be done at the temple. Parasurama took charge of the installation. The idol was enshrined with appropriate rituals and ceremonies by both Parasurama and Agasthya on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranthi. Lord Manikanta's divinity merged with the Dharma Sastha idol installed.

The King duly constructed the temple at Sabarimala, dedicated to Him.

This picture depicts the scene of Lord Dharma Sastha’s installation by Agasthya and Parasurama.

Vipra Poojyan

Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam is proud to release its Souvenir “Viprapoojyan”.

The major purpose of this Souvenir is to record the glorious Hariharaputhra Santharppanai which we could witness in our life time. There are few other sections too.


As Lord Sastha has 8 Avatharams - the book contains 8 parts. The special highlight sections are - A commemorative article on the life history of Shri CV.Srinivasa Iyer  and an introduction to List of Great and Veteran Guruswamis who undertook the Sabarimala Yatra since a long time (some 50- 60 years ago). A special treatise on Sastha Mantras is given by Shri.Anish Krishnan Nair

Apart from all the above, very rare photographs of Sabarimala and other temples are unearthed from our “treasure trove” and is published here.

We are yet to come out of the impact of last year’s Santharppanai. Words cannot accurately express the deep sense of gratitude we cherish for all who supported, participated and witnessed the historic event.

The success of this souvenir is due, besides the advertisements, to the illuminating articles by Upasakas, Scholars, our members and other devotees.

Those who are in need of the book may contact us through : aravindsastha@gmail.com

A brief idea about the contents of the book is given below. In short its not just a book to browse, but a treasure  to read, enjoy and preserve.

This is dedicated to the Lotus feet of Sri Gurunathar and Sri Bhaktaparipala Maha Sastha.

Members
Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam

A meaningful day in my life

Last Tuesday I had been to Elathur Agraharam, Thenkasi - for my "Sastha Mahathmyam" pravachanam. My special thanks to Shri. Anand Mecheri who organized the program, Without his push I would have missed the opportunity to meet a wonderful person like Shri.Ramakrishnan.

I have been hearing for a long time about this great person; But never had the opportunity to meet him in person. The things he had achieved is something unimaginable.  Due to a mishap during his early 20s, Shri Ramakrishnan is paralysed from the neck downwards. He is totally immobile; But he is running one of the largest centers for people with disabilities. When he welcomed us with a "Namaskaram" - my ego shattered in front of my eyes

The 2 hours I spent at Aykudi Village with Shri.Ramakrishnan, founder-president of Amar Seva Sangam  was indeed a meaningful day in my life.

As rightly attributed by "THE HINDU" in its article,Shri.Ramakrishnan is a "REAL HERO"

Swamy Sharanam

Aravind Subramanyam

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 The Real Hero

“My body does not work. I have no sensation neck down. But I am still me.” After 37 years in a wheelchair, S. Ramakrishnan, founder-president of Amar Seva Sangam (ASS) in Tirunelveli, smiles when he tells the story of his life. That smile reveals his inner convictions and proves that life does not end with a grievous injury.

“I didn't want to belong to the dead,” he adds. “The Almighty and the people around me believed that I could take care of myself.”

And he did. After a near-fatal accident when he was barely 20, he learned to live all over again. Today he heads the country's largest establishment offering services for the differently abled in rural areas. The Sangam rehabilitates and empowers people with physical and mental impairment. In its three decades, it has embraced 330 villages in four blocks of Tirunelveli District touching a population of six lakhs.

Just back from Mumbai after receiving the IBN7 Super Idols Award for Lifetime Achievement-2012, Ramakrishnan says, “Life is all about choices. The ability to succeed is a direct reflection of the ability to try.”

“The date was 10th January, a cold winter morning in Bangalore in 1975.” Ramakrishnan's razor sharp memory battles daily with his limp body.

He remembers names and faces, every minor and major date and incident in his life as if it happened yesterday.

The youth from Ayikudy, five kilometres from Tenkasi, had left for the big city to live his dream. A Fourth Year mechanical engineering student at the Government College of Technology in Coimbatore and an NCC cadet, he was enthusiastic about a career in the Navy.

Ramakrishnan recalls the gruelling rounds of interviews and endurance tests spread over four days. In the final round on the last day, he was asked to negotiate 10 obstacles in three minutes. In the fourth obstacle he had to leap 15 feet from a tree on to a platform and another 10 feet to the ground.

“I was in a hurry and fell on my back. Obviously God had other plans for me,” he says. There was no external injury but the crash dislocated and fractured his cervical spine. “I remember telling the guards who lifted me that my hands are missing and to search for them in the grounds. They lifted and showed me my hands still attached to my shoulders. The loss of sensation was instant.”

The battle begins

He battled medical complications for 19 months at the Air Force Hospital in Kirkee, Pune. As his batchmates came to visit him before the start of the academic year, he realized he would not finish the course.

At the hospital, he found his guide and friend in orthopaedist Air Marshall Dr. Amar Singh Chahal, after whom, six years later, he named his Sangam. “He taught me to acquire wheelchair independence. He prepared me to understand that I will have to live the rest of my life with a dysfunctional body and never be able to do any of those things I took for granted earlier.”

Once Ramakrishnan returned to his village, he began learning to live with his disability. He developed leg spasms. He couldn't lift his hands even to slap a mosquito. His sweat glands became non-functional and he became intolerant to variation in temperatures due to profuse sweating. The initial years were tough but his parents, siblings, friends, neighbours, relatives and later his wife stood by him.

“Once I realized there was no denying my condition, I was keen to know what was in store for me. I wanted to continue living life to the fullest.” Ramakrishnan toyed with the idea of starting a printing press or a match stick factory. And there were times when he was depressed. “But I couldn't have even committed suicide without anybody's help,” he laughs. The radio was his constant companion, and it was during the International Year of the Disabled in 1981 that some programmes and the advice of a relative sparked off a dream.

He started a school for children with disabilities on a piece of land gifted by his parents, with five students under a thatched shed.

He simultaneously launched health awareness camps in the villages and started gaining recognition among the locals.

Publicity helped

Sivasankari's article on ASS in a magazine earned him public trust and support. A friend's father wrote about ASS's work to the then President of India and to cricketer Vijay Merchant. Merchant then invited him to Mumbai, where another newspaper article made his work known.

 Today, the ASS's comprehensive services are spread over a campus of 30 acres supporting more than 300 families who have physically or mentally challenged kids. Ramakrishnan's self-rehabilitation, spirit of service and sense of independence attract people to him who willingly offer their services. One of them is S. Shankar Raman, currently the secretary of ASS, who has muscular dystrophy. The other is his wife, Chitra, who was earlier a teacher at ASS. “I did not take sympathy on him but fell in love with his spirit and commitment. I look after him, but he looks after so many disadvantaged others,” she says.

The organization and its founder have won many awards. “It is the recognition of my team's work,” says Ramakrishnan. A dedicated band of teachers, doctors and other staff teaches skills in daily activities and provides education and vocational training.

The students get free shelter, food, clothing, transportation, mobility appliances, physiotherapy and medical attention. As a result, they are daring to dream. Many are also living their dreams.

What Ramakrishnan dreamt as a young boy did not happen. “But what I had not planned has also happened. Nobody leads a predictable or problem-free life. It all depends on how we react to every situation.”

“God keeps my spirits up,” he says. “And I am blessed to have helpful friends and family as support system. In my next birth, I wish to help all those who helped me in this life.”

Nobody leads a predictable or problem-free life. It all depends on how we react to every situation.”

Triprayar Sastha

Lord Bala Sastha at Triprayar Temple; He is one among our family deities. During the course of time, the idol was totally damaged and the Lord gave us(our Family) the opportunity to rebuilt the temple structure and re-cast a new idol.

Triprayar Temple, located in Thrissur district is one of the important temples dedicated to Lord Rama. Originally the presiding deity of this temple Srikovil was Sastha, (who is in the southern side of the courtyard now). Let me brief the story.

The history of the temple dates back to Ramayan Era. During Rama's exile, Ravana abducted Seetha. Rama was totally dejected on this blow and wandered fitfully through the jungle: he was searching for Seetha everywhere. As per the instructions of Jatayu, thereafter the brethren went towards the south. There he met Sugriva and Hanuman. Sugriva deputed his army in search of Seeta. Slowly passed the days of waiting. Rama started grieving for Sita. At this juncture, Rama arrived here (at Triprayar) and worshipped Lord Sastha.  Rama understoos the importance of thid placr and camped here and sincerely worshipped Sastha for many days and Lord Sastha favoured him, since Hanuman could find Seetha. Hanuman rushes back to Triprayar and declares "Drishta Seetha" - "Kanden Seethayai" -Seen Seetha. An emotional Rama hugs Hanuman, declaring him dear to him.

( In the mandapa opposite the sanctum sanctorum, Hanuman is believed to be present though there is no image as such. Devotees generally bow before the mandapa imagining the presence of Hanuman there before worshipping Sri Rama.  Firing of kadinas(Vedi Vazhipaadu), which is an important offering here, is to commemorate the return of Hanuman after the search of Sita, with the words, "Drishta Seeta"-seen Sita )

With the arrival of Hanuman, and because of the vital episode of Ramayana. Lord Sastha wanted Rama to be the main deity thereafter and so moved to the south in the present location. Now Thriprayar Thevar (Rama) is the presiding deity of the temple. 

It is to be noted that Lord Sastha of this temple participated in Arattupuzha Pooram, one of the important festivals of central Kerala - this happened even before the installation of Lord Rama. 

This Sastha is always my favorite temple. I have a feeling that this Sastha is one among our family and have a personal attachment with Him.This temple may not be an architectural wonder,but for me it has no parallel because the God I pray to lives there. 

சிஷ்யர்கள் விலக்க வேண்டிய பாபங்கள்

சிஷ்யர்கள் விலக்க வேண்டிய பாபங்கள்
(பூர்ண வித்யா - என்ற நூலில் இருந்து தட்டச்சு செய்தது)

பல சிஷ்யர்கள் அனேக சமயங்களில் குருவிடம் செயல்படும் தன்மை, பழகும் விதம், பேசுகின்ற முறை, தனித்து சொல்கின்ற சொற்கள், கேட்கின்ற விதம் முதலியன ஸத்சிஷ்யர்களுக்கு உகந்தவைகளாக காணப்படவில்லை.

அதலின் சிஷ்யர்கள் விலக்க வேண்டிய சில தவறான விஷயங்கள் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளன:

1.குருவை கேலி அல்லது தூஷணை செய்தல்

2.குருவை தன் மனம்படி செயல்பட கட்டளையிடல்

3. குருவுடன் கொடுக்கல் வாங்கல் முதலியவை செய்தல்

4.குருவின் எதிரியோடு பழகுதல். குரு தூஷணையை காதால் கேட்டல்

5. குருவின் சொல்லும் செயலும் - உலக இயல்புக்கு மாறாக உள்ளதே என்று நினைத்தல்; சொல்லுதல்

6. குருவும் மனிதப்பிறவிதானே அதனால் குறைகள் இருக்கும் என்று எண்ணுதல்

7. பகவானே குருவாக எழுந்தருளி இருக்கிறார் என்பதில் சந்தேகம்

8. குரு ஸமர்ப்பணத்தில் லோபமான எண்ணம்

9. குருவின் கட்டளையை உலகுக்கு பயந்து செய்யாமல் இருத்தல்

10. பிறர் பார்க்கிறார்களே என்று குருவுக்கு நமஸ்காரம் செய்ய வெட்கப்படுதல்

11. குருவை நீண்ட நாட்கள் பார்க்காது இருத்தல்

12. குருபாதுகை தான் கிடைத்து விட்டதே இனி ஸ்தூலமாக குரு எதற்கு என்ற எண்னம்

13. குருவிடம் இன்ன பலன் பெறுவதற்கு இன்ன மந்த்ரங்கள் கொடுங்கள் என்று கேட்பது. இந்த மந்த்ரம் எனக்கு ஏற்கனவே தெரியும் என்று அவரிடம் கூறுதல்

14. எனக்கு ஒரு விதமாகவும் அவனுக்கு ஒருவிதமாகவும் கொடுத்தீர்களே என்று குருவிடம் கேட்டல்; மந்த்ரம் இவ்வளவு சின்னது தானா? என்று கேட்டல்

15. வேறு சிஷ்யர்கள் குருவிடம் நெருங்கி பழகுதல் கண்டும், அவர்களுக்கு குரு செய்யும் அதிக சலுகைகள், உபசாரங்களைக் கண்டோ அல்லது வேறு காரணங்களுக்காகவோ அஸூயை(பொறாமை) கொள்ளுதல்

16. பிறர் குருவிடம் பேசும் போது அது என்ன என்று அறிந்து கொள்ள முயற்சி செய்தல்

17. எல்லா மந்த்ரங்களும் உபதேசம் பெற்றாகி விட்டது; இனி என்ன பயம் என்ற எண்ணம்

18. (குரு உறவினரக இருப்பின்) உபதேசம் செய்து கொண்ட பின்னரும் உறவு கொண்டாடுதல்

19. உபாஸனைகள் பல இருக்கும் போது, தான் செய்வதே சிறந்தது அல்லது முக்யமானது எனக் கூறிக் கொள்ளல்

20. தான் இதை இவ்வாறு செய்து முடித்தேன் என்று தன்னை தானே புகழ்ந்து கொள்ளுதல்

21. வாழ்கை நடத்த வேண்டிய பணம் இல்லாத நபர்களையும், உபாஸனைக்கு பணம் செலவழிக்க முடியாதவர்களையும் கேலி செய்தல்

22. தன் அனுபவங்களை குருவிடம் கூறாமல் பிறரிடம் கூறுதல்

23. மந்த்ர சாஸ்த்ர ரஹஸ்யங்களை ப்ரஸித்தமாக வெளியே பேசுதல்

24 அங்க ஹீனர்களை கேலி செய்தல்

25 ஸ்த்ரீகளை தூஷித்தல், துன்பம் உண்டாக்குதல் - மரியாதையின்றி அடி என்று அழைத்தல்

26 ஸ்த்ரீகளை அடிமையாக நினைத்தல் கேலியாக பேசி சிரித்தல்

27. எல்லா ஸ்த்ரீகளும் தேவியின் வடிவங்களே என்ற அடிப்படை உண்மையை நம்பாமை

28. நான்தான் குருவிற்கு அத்யந்தம், ப்ரியமானவன் என்று கூறல்

A Tribute to Gopalji

With a heavy heart, we wish to inform the demise of Our most beloved Gopalakrishnan Mama who passed away last wednesday morning 3.30 am in Muscat. A renowned and perfect devotee of Swami Gnananandha and showed the glorious path of Swamigal to all who came to him.

Gopalji, as he was fondly called - was a highly intellectual person, a devotee of great caliber  and a good human being. Mama was a perfect Adhwaithi and practiced what he believed.

He came in contact with H H Swami Gnananandha Giri Swamigal of Thapovanam Mutt at a very young age and received his guidance at every step. He then undertook the guidance of  Mother Gnanananda Sarasvathi of Sri Gnana Advaitha Peetam.

As instructed by a divine command - he was an ardent worshiper of Amba in the form of Sri Bala Tripurasundari, and He was also a composer who has composed various songs under the pen-name Baala Daasan- But he was very rarely known to the outside world; But all his songs contained excellent value and has a unique style of narration and poetic expression.

The respect he had for Indian culture and its spiritual heritage did not hinder him from exploring the current world. He was employed in the very famous business empire of  Oman and he was promoted as the Executive Director and CFO of the company.

Mama greatly valued literature and books, and had a lot of collection of Philosophy and spiritual works in English, Tamil, Sanskrit and Hindi. Not only an avid and eclectic reader, he was also a writer. His command of both Tamil and English was exceptional.

His stay at Tapovanam during his childhood and youth deeply awakened him to the possibility of realization in this human life. He always clarified several misconceptions, sweeping aside unhelpful superstitious beliefs, and had his own way of interpreting things.

I still recollect our late evening discussions - which would continue even after 3.00 AM. We would share all our spiritual experiences; debate on philosophies; Life history of  various Maha Purushas and the spiritual journey of many souls. Quite often - we would come to a conclusion that Bhakthi Marga is the Mukti Marga.

The Sathsang members of Muscat can never forget the Soul-stirring Bhajan rendered by him. Radha Kalyanam, Sampradhaya Bajan, Tiruppugazh and Ayyappan Pujas - his voice is simply unforgettable. His knowledge on the Bhajan field, its sampradayam, Music, Raagas,Bhaavas etc was something remarkable.

My association with Sri. Gopalji started only three years ago - I visited Muscat on his invitation for a Lecture Series and to conduct a Sastha Preethi. From the very first sight we had a sense of attachment- as if we knew each other for years.

He was staying some 2000 kilometers away - But our bondage was something unique. May be this is the reason Bagawan wanted me to be there during his last days. Unusually I took my Bagawan(Vigraham) along with me this time- may be he wanted a proper send off !

When he called me some two months back to discuss on His recent experience - it left me speechless. He was in the state of ecstasy. And he wanted me to come early even before the scheduled programs.

And so, I was told he was eagerly awaiting my visit - to discuss a something in person - But unfortunately this could not materialize.

He personally came to the airport to receive me and took me home. As soon as I kept the Lord in the puja room - he did a Namaskaram to the Lord and we had our dinner together; the very same night he developed a sudden ill health and was hospitalized and things went the unexpected way. I had an opportunity to be with him and his family during his last days.

In the last days of his life, Gopalji was often unwell. More recently, he suffered from a liver problem, which caused his multi organ failure and finally his heart stop beating.

A stream of well wishers and friends took their final chance of seeing him before he was sent to India for the last rites. On behalf of Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam - our prayers to Lord Bhaktaparipala to grant strength to his family and friends to bear the immense loss.

He is no more and on the Muscat Astikas will feel the Vacum so hard to fill.

I will end here: “Those who walk with Guru always reach their destination.”