H.H. Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati as Chief Guest and Speaker during Gita Sadhana Shivir, conducted by H. H. Shri Swami Govinddev Giri (Acharya Kishore Vyas) in Vanaprastha Ashram, Swargashram, Rishikesh, on 1^st July 2012

Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda (middle) is guided to the Satsang Hall of Vanaprastha Ashram by devotees of Shri Swami Govinddev Giri.

H. H. Shri Swami Govinddev Giri (Acharya Kishore Vyas), a great Saint, renowned Vedic Scholar and Katha Vachak had specially requested the President of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, H. H. Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, to attend at least one day of the 8 days Gita Sadhana Camp, conducted by him in Vanaprastha Ashram, and give a spiritual lecture to his devotees, who had come for this great event from several parts of India.

Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, in spite of his busy schedule, agreed to follow Shri Swami Govinddevji's affectionate invitation, and came to the Gita Sadhana Shivir, on Sunday, 1st July 2012, accompanied by Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, and Shri G. Sukumar, Trustee of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

Shri Swami Govinddev Giri gives a spiritual lecture about "Jnaneshwari" to a huge crowd of devotees.

The huge Satsang Hall of Vanaprastha Ashram, which is situated near the Ganga, in Pauri Garhwal, Swargashram, Rishikesh, was decorated very beautifully and befitting for the holy occasion.

H.H. Shri Swami Govinddev Giriji was seated on the dais, surrounded with beautiful, almost life-size Murtis of Lord Krishna and Saint Jnaneshwar, and a huge crowd of devotees was listening attentively to his spiritual discourse.

When Swami Vishveshwaranandaji arrived, he was immediately led to the dais and given the seat of honour, just next to Govinddev Giriji Maharaj.

For quite some time Shri Govinddev Giriji spoke to the audience about the essence of Bhagavad-Gita and the essence of "Jnaneshwari", a commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita, written by the great Saint Jnaneshwar in the 13th Century.

In a strict, disciplined way, while sitting in proper postures, devotees are listening to Guruji.

"Jnaneshwari"  is a profound and very subtle work of great depth, written in old Marathi Language, which is out of vogue now. Only few Saints and Scholars, like Shri Govinddev Giriji, are capable to understand the deeply spiritual and mystical content of "Jnaneshwari"  and convey it to the spiritual Seekers.

Govinddev Giriji cited selected original portions out of "Jnaneshwari" and translated them into Hindi for the mostly Hindi-speaking audience. He explained the subtle meanings of these portions, while also using citations from Upanishads, Shiva Manasa-Puja Stotram, etc., in order to make it easy for the audience to grasp the meaning of the content of "Jnaneshwari".

Most of the participants of the "Gita Sadhana Shivir" were writing down the essential points, Swami Govinddev Giri was teaching them.

There was pin-drop silence in the audience and everybody listened full-heartedly to Swamiji's discourse.

After some time Shri Govinddev Giriji interrupted his divine lecture and started speaking about Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, the President of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

He said to all devotees, that he is not hesitating to tell everybody, that there is no Ashram, doing so much praiseworthy works in the field of education as Omkarananda Ashram, under the capable leadership of Swami Vishveshwarananda and his team. Swamiji further said, that the deep devotion and sincere dedication, which Swami Vishveshwarananda and other Sannyasi Disciples of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati are having for their Gurudev, is unique and rarely seen.

Swami Vishveshwarananda is being honoured with a nice fragrant rose-flower mala and many books.	Kumari Somashekhari receives a flower mala and spiritual books from a lady devotee.

Swami Govinddev Giri further told to his devotees, sitting in the audience, to visit Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and see for themselves the divine beauty, cleanliness and inspiring holy atmosphere of this Ashram.

Then Swamiji requested Swami Vishveshwaranandaji to inspire and bless the audience with his spiritual lecture.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, in his speech, expressed his deep adorations for Shri Swami Govinddev Giriji, whom he described as an exemplary Saint and highly learned Scholar and Katha Vachak.

Swamiji also praised the huge crowd of his devotees, sitting in such a highly disciplined and calm manner in an almost "military" perfection in the hall and listening attentively to the spiritual discourse for hours and making also written notes of it.

Swami Vishveshwarananda delivers his divine lecture.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji's divine speech, which lasted for more than 30 minutes, was very lively and inspiring and one could see from the positive reactions and the smiles of the people, sitting in the audience, that they very much liked it.

In order to bring essential spiritual guidelines very close to the hearts of the devotees, Swami Vishveshwaranandaji often used practical examples and humorous stories, in order to show, that spiritual progress can be achieved only, if one is deeply dedicated, sincere and determined about it and if one is ready to sacrifice worldly attachments, not only in words, but in real actions. Swamiji emphasized, that mere "lip-service" is not at all sufficient for spiritual progress.

The audience appreciated Swami Vishveshwaranandaji's speech with great, rhythmic clapping and afterwards many devotees came to him and thanked him for his wonderful inspiring talk.

Devotees of Swami Govinddev Giri standing in line and showering a rain of flowers upon Swami Vishveshwarananda, while on the way to the holy river Ganga.	With great joy and chanting everybody proceeds to the holy river.

Right: Starting of prayers on the Ghat of Vanaprastha Ashram. Opposite on the other shore of the Ganga, one can see Omkarananda Ganga Sadan and Omkarananda Gita Sadan.

To conclude this divine event Swami Govinddev Giriji invited all delegates of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and all devotees to come with him and attend the evening Ganga Arati nearby.

It was sunset time and the strong flow of the holy river Ganga had a refreshing impact on everybody.

Many devotees had orange coloured flags in their hands and were waving them happily, standing either inside the strong current of the Ganga, or at the shore.

Left: Kumari Somashekhari, on the dais along with Swami Govinddev Giri and Swami Vishveshwarananda, sings a famous Ganga Song.

The holy river Ganga must have been very happy, to witness so many lights from truly dedicated devotees of Swami Govinddev Giri.

Directly at the beautiful Ganga Ghat, touching the holy waters, a small dais had been erected, on which H.H. Shri Swami Govinddev Giriji, H. H. Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswatiji and Kumari Somashekhari were seated.

With the assistance of several Pandits they performed Ganga Puja.

On special request of Shri Swami Govinddev Giriji, Kumari Somashekhari sang a popular Hindi Bhajan, dedicated to the Greatness of Maa Ganga. The talented musicians of Swamiji, who had also come to the Ganga Shore, nicely accompanied Somashekhari's song with Tabla and other instruments.

At the most auspicious moment of sunset, Ganga Arati was performed, among chanting and waving of flags and lights.	Overwhelmed by the great divine spiritual atmosphere, everybody is dancing in joy and happiness.

Then it was time for Ganga Arati.

It was an unforgettable event, when the huge, excited crowd of devotees, along with the Priests and Swami Govinddev Giri, Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati and Kumari Somashekhari were waving lights and chanting in adoration of the holiest river in the world.

The atmosphere was ecstatic, and many people even started dancing in joy.