Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 28: As part of its centenary celebrations, the BSKB Association, Sion–Gokul, in association with Gopalakrishna Public Trust, organized a spiritually enriching Srimad Bhagavata Saptaha, led by Paramapujya Sri Sri Satyatmateertha Sripadaru of Uttaradi Math. The event was held from June 18 to 24, at the Saraswati Sabhagraha in Gokul, Mumbai.

The inaugural session began with a grand welcome of Sri Satyatmateertha Swamiji to the shrine of Lord Gopalakrishna. He was received with poornakumbha by general secretary Anantapadmanabha Poti, treasurer Haridas Bhat, trustees of the Gopalakrishna Public Trust—B Ramananda Rao, Krishna Acharya, Jagadishchandra Kumar—along with Vedic scholars Krishnaraj Tantri, Daregudde Srinivas Bhat, Ganesh Bhat, and Ramavithala Kalluraya.

After offering aarti to Lord Gopalakrishna, Swamiji was felicitated by the sponsors of the event—Suma and Vedic scholar Krishnaraj Tantri, Sumati Harish, and Chandrashekar Shetty in memory of the late Bola Subbaya Shetty. They offered shawls, tulsi garlands, and fruits, receiving his blessings in return. Swamiji also blessed the office-bearers and assembled devotees with phala mantrakshate.

In his welcome speech, Treasurer Haridas Bhat opened the week-long discourse, while Vidyasinha Acharya from Mulund introduced Sri Swamiji, praising him as a beacon of knowledge, devotion, and renunciation. Vice-president Vaman Hollar shed light on the centenary journey of the BSKB Association.

Throughout the week, Swamiji offered profound interpretations of stories from all skandhas of the Bhagavata—from the avatars of Vishnu for the establishment of dharma, to the inspiring lives of devotees like Dhruva, Prahlada, and Ambarisha. He vividly narrated the childhood leelas of Krishna, his lifting of Govardhana Hill, Kaliya Mardana, destruction of demons, and his role as protector of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata—emphasizing the path of devotion through insightful analogies and references from Sri Madhvacharya’s commentaries.

Swamiji’s eloquent delivery captivated the packed auditorium daily. Concluding the Saptaha, he prayed that may all attain the grace to chant the Lord’s name and perform righteous deeds through every birth.

In appreciation, Vedic scholar Krishnaraj Tantri extended heartfelt thanks to Swamiji on behalf of Gokul.

As a special event, national award-winning vocalist Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi, a devotee of Swamiji, offered a Bhajan Sandhya and Harinam Sankeerthana during the Saptaha. On the occasion of Ekadashi, Swamiji also performed Mudra Dharana for hundreds of devotees.

At the conclusion, president Dr Suresh S Rao, office-bearers, and sponsors offered shawls, tulsi garlands, and fruits to Swamiji, receiving his blessings and mantrakshate. Swamiji, in turn, honoured the president, office-bearers, and sponsors with shawls and blessings. Around 400 devotees received blessings on the final day.

Gokul had made arrangements for daily upahara (meals) and live-streamed the event via YouTube for wider access.

In parallel, Gopalakrishna Public Trust organized a series of Vedic homas and havans from June 18 to 24, 2025 (excluding Ekadashi), led by principal priest Vedic scholar Daregudde Srinivas Bhat. The rituals included Vasudeva Mantra Homa sponsored by Shyamala and Avinash Shastri, Ashtakshari Mantra Homa by Meera and Jagadish Acharya, Namatraya Japa Homa by Radhalakshmi and Dr Chandrashekar, and Sudarshan-Bala couple, Purusha Sukta Homa by Vinodini and Rajesh Rao, Krishna Shadakshari Mantra Homa by Shyam–Vijay Acharya and Jagadish Kamath couples and Sukruta Homa by Shantala and Srinivas Udupa.

The culmination Udyapana Homa was performed by Anantapadmanabha and Sahana Poti under the guidance of Vedic priest Prakash Acharya. Each day concluded with poornahuti, mangalarati, and ceremonial honouring of the sponsors with shawls and mantrakshate.

Additionally, Bhagavata parayana was held for all seven days by Vedic scholar Srinivas Bhat from Udupi, in the presence of Lord Krishna’s sanctum.

The Srimad Bhagavata Saptaha stood as a spiritually uplifting event, reinforcing the values of devotion, tradition, and Vedic wisdom.