Krishna Leela Amrit Katha
by Shri Swami Govinddev Giri (Acharya Shri Kishorji Vyas), in Vanaprastha Ashram, on 9^th June 2012

Vanaprastha Ashram is beautifully located near the holy river Ganges in Pauri Garhwal. It is a place where occasionally spiritual lectures, Yoga camps, Kathas and other religious functions are being conducted.

From 3.6.2012 to 11.6.2012 a beautiful "Shri Krishna Leela Amrit Katha" was held by the Katha Vyas Param Pujya Shri Swami Govinddev Giriji Maharaj (Acharya Shri Kishorji Vyas), a great Saint, Sanskrit Scholar and Katha Vachak. Shri Govinddev Giriji is the Founder of Maharshi Vedavyas Pratishthan, Pune, Maharashtra, which runs many Vedic Centers and Sanskrit Schools all over India, in order to protect the ancient Vedic Wisdom and keep it alive by teaching it to young students.

From left to right: Shri Ladda, Chartered Accountant, Shri Sukumar, Swami Vishveshwarananda, Kumari Somashekhari.

On Shri Swami Govinddevji's special request, H.H. Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President, Omkarananda Ashram, Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary, Omkarananda Ashram, and Shri Sukumar, Member, joined the Krishna Leela Amrit Katha, in the afternoon of 9th June 2012.

The Delegates from Omkarananda Ashram arrived at 4:45 pm in the afternoon, when the atmosphere in and outside of Vanaprastha Ashram was vibrating with the beautiful sound of Bhajans and Kirtan and the holy words of the famous Katha Vachak Shri Swami Govinddev Giri.

One of the organizing members of the function brought Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, Kumari Somashekhari and Shri Sukumar near the heavenly decorated dais, where Mr. Ladda, a prominent Member of the Vedic Trust, Maharshi Vedavyas Pratishthan, gave them a nice reception. It was a very warm traditional welcome, with Arati and applying of Tilak. Then Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari were brought to the dais, where they together garlanded Shri Swami Govinddev Giri, sitting on the Vyas Peeth. Swamiji in his turn showered his blessings by garlanding all the three Delegates of Omkarananda Ashram.

Kumari Somashekhari, Swami Vishveshwarananda and Shri Sukumar offered a garland to Swami Govinddev Giri.	Swami Vishveshwarananda takes the blessings from Swami Govinddev Giri.

The entire atmosphere in the hall, which was packed full with audience from several parts of India, was sparkling with divine vibrations. Swamiji, in full command, brought the audience back to the life of the great Lord Krishna and His teachings. From time to time the musicians accompanied Swamiji with wonderful tunes and rhythm, which made the audience singing and clapping along in the same tune.

After some time Shri Swami Govinddev Giriji himself introduced Omkarananda Ashram and its Delegates to the audience. He was full of praise for Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, who had established so many Schools, Colleges and religious Institutions in the Himalayas. Shri Govinddev Giriji even went to that extent to say, that the Disciples of Swami Omkarananda are ideal examples of true Indians. He also compared the dedication of Swami Omkarananda's Disciples with others. Smilingly, in a humorous way, he informed the audience, that once he wanted to send a particular person from Kolkata, West Bengal, to Deoprayag, Uttarakhand, Himalayas, for one month for some work. But this person was not so happy and had all kinds of excuses, since he did not want to leave his home even for a few weeks.

Swami Govinddev Giri is blessing Shri Sukumarji Maharaj.	Kumari Somashekhari and Swami Govinddev Giri in joyous interaction.

Not so, emphasized Govinddevji, with the Disciples of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, who more than 28 years back, under the instructions of their Gurudev, took on a short notice the next plane from Europe to India, and started serving the people in the Himalayas in an exceptionally wonderful manner and never returned back to Europe, but became even Indian Citizens.

Swami Govinddev Giri also emphasized that Omkarananda Ashram is a very rare Ashram and that he will request anybody to go and see that place.

Later on he requested Swami Vishveshwarananda to say a few words.

Swami Vishveshwarananda speaks to the audience about the importance of a Guru and the spiritual life, while Kumari Somashekhari is translating the words of Swamiji into Hindi.	Shri Swami Govinddev Giri, the dynamic Katha Vachak of Krishna Leela Amrit Katha.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, in his fiery, divine speech, spoke to the audience, which was translated into Hindi by Kumari Somashekhari. He praised the audience and told them that they are lucky, that they have come to this place to hear the holy words of Swami Govinddev Giriji Maharaj. He also said, that it is a great blessing for them, that they have been born in a country, having a culture, which is second to none. He further told that time is passing quickly and they should use the opportunity for the chance they have been given to be close to a real God-man in form of Swami Govinddev Giriji Maharaj.

The hall in Vanaprastha Ashram is packed full with devotees, who are listening to the holy words of Swami Govinddev Giri.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, in his lively, inspiring address, said, that it is of paramount importance for spiritual progress and happiness to keep company with saintly, noble people. He cited a proverb which says: "Tell me, who are your companions, and I tell you, who you are!"

Concluding his speech Swami Vishveshwaranandaji expressed his Thanks, specially to his Gurudev, when he told, that he is grateful to his Guru Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, who made it possible to meet such great personalities like Swami Govinddev Giriji Maharaj.

Swami Vishveshwarananda and Swami Govinddev after the Katha.

Afterwards Swami Govinddevji went on with his inspiring Katha, and finally after 7 pm a beautiful Arati was conducted, which was the conclusion of that day's programme.

Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari were invited to a special room, where Swami Govinddev Giriji Maharaj and other important functionaries joined together.

While discussing the importance of a spiritual life according to the Vedic guidelines H.H. Shri Swami Govinddevji said with great Love and Affection spontaneously and emphatically to Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji: "God has sent you to save our Culture!"