Srimad-bhagawata-saptaham1

Srimad Bhagavatha Sapthaham at Chedda Nagar, Chembur

Srimad Bhagavatam the Mahapurana is the confluence of the triveni, the three streams – Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Gyana Yoga. It is a great literature and it is an epic of devotion, which deals with the glory of Mahavishnu, the adoration and praise of Krishna Avatar in particular and other avatar in general. Maharishi Veda Vyasa had the grace of Lord Mahavishnu, which enabled them to depict the Bala Leelas of Lord Krishna with fervour and joy. Maharishi Vyasa had visualised the swaroopa of the Lord, experienced the ecstasy of knowing him. He has gifted the world and had made it possible for his Bhaktas to enjoy his presence. Just by reading Srimad Bhagavata with devotion and dedication one can be enraptured and hear the irresistible music of Lord Krishna’s flute and tinkling of his feet.

The Original script of Srimad Bhagavata is in Sanskrit. Geeta Press at Gorakhpur has brought out a number of editions and is being sold at a subsidised rate with the sole objective of promoting and spreading Krishna Bhakti. Srimad Bhagavatham has been translated into many Indian Languages latest being in Tamil published by Shree Bhagawan Nama Publications, Chennai.

Srimad Bhagavatham discourses are held all over the country by eminent scholars to enlighten the people reading the essence and beauty of this great literature. It requires a special talent to deliver lectures and keep the audience spell bound. This capacity and inborn talent is a gift of God. Such persons are well read scholars. They have the capacity and the boon from Goddess Saraswathi to hold the audience captive, continuously for hours.

Sri Sri Krishnapremi Swamiji is one such humble orator who speaks from his hearts. Words and the stories of Krishna pour out like crystal clear water. The lucid descriptions and narration coupled with quotations, simple yet deep in content, reach out to the devotees in His magnetic powerful and echoing voice.

Sri Sri Krishnapremi Swamiji is the founder president of Akila Bharatha Saadhu Sangam. He has to his credit the honour of having occupied the Gyana Peedam (Also called Vyasa Peedam) for Hundreds of Bhagawatha Sapthaham all over the country. He conducts a number of benefit programs for the upliftment and maintenance of several temples.

Sri Sri Krishnapremi Swamiji maintains several Ashrams in important places like Mathura- Brindavan, Pandharpur, Paranur, etc. and a Gosala near Madurai.

Sri Sri Krishnapremi Swamiji authored a number of Bhajans and more than Hundred books in Tamil and Sanskrit the latest being Veda Vigyanam. This book deals extensively with vedic periods as well as the four Vedas and Hindu Rituals. He has concluded the book by elucidating the moral standard to be followed by the humanity. He has published various books on Bhagawatham, Ramayanam and also numerous AudioCassettes on pravachan and bhajans.

Following are the Audio Cassettes of Swamiji -

Sri Sri Krishnapremi Swamiji is publishing a monthly magazine called Bhagawata Dharmam, which has a wide circulation.

Sri Sri Krishnapremi Swamiji’s discourses have been recorded and published in both audio and video tapes. His masterpiece discourse on Ramayana, Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagawatham, Bhagwat Gita, 108 Divya Kshetras of Mahavishnu, Panduranga Charitra, etc. are like "Karnamrutham" to every listener. Cassettes released so far are listed below:

Sri Sri Krishnapremi Swamiji’s Srimad Bhagawatham is conducted every year during October at the Basement Hall of Sri Subramanya Samaj temple complex Chedda Nagar, Chembur, Mumbai. This Bhagawatha Sapthaham is unique in its own way. On all seven days the Program is held from 7 A.M. to 7.P.M. A devoted crowd numbering 600 to 700 attends this function and remains spell bound. It is relevant to mention that the seven day festival of Srimad Bhagawatha is held purely on the donations received and further more the participants / devotees are all given free food, tea, etc. on all the days.

For Mumbaikars had so far enjoyed listening to Srimad Bhagawatham for the last 26 consecutive years by a great scholar of the stature of Sri Sri Krishnapremi Swamiji.

Shri Hari:

Mahatma Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal

Our Country BHARATA VARSHA is the beacon light of the world in propagating ATMEEKA way of life. Many a celebrated souls had appeared in this BHARAT at various periods to propagate the same.

In this kaliyuga, among the various enlightened souls Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal is one who has appeared to redeem the people from the sufferings.

Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal was born on a Gokul Asthami day in a village called Sengannur in Tanjore district near Kumbhakonam. Right from his very early childhood he was absorbed in divine thoughts and lived a very simple life. He was benefited by the study of Sri Vaishnava and Sri Shaiva. His life of austerity made him learn all about the epics and Bhagawat Gita. He spent his life in Dhyana right from the age of 12 years.

He has established Schools of ‘thought of bhakti’ by training students in the discourse of Ramayana, Bhagawatha and Bhagawat Gita for the same he instituted various centres in different parts of BHARAT and elsewhere. He has a good line of disciples who entertain people in Bhakti Marga through Pravachans, Bhajans, etc.

He has established temples for Sri Radha Krishna in Brindavan, Panduranga in Sengannur - his village and elsewhere.

He has even reconstructed dilapidated temples of Sri Vishnu which were once propitiated by the Great ALWARS and arranged for daily Poojas and Aaradhanas. For this, he established a Sabha to administer the work.

He has instituted Gosalas for the upkeeping and maintaining old cows that were otherwise sent for slaughtering.

His Akhila Bharata Sadhu Sangam is constituted for propagating Sri Krishna Bhakti by conducting Saptahams of Srimad Bhagavatham in various parts of BHARAT and has established its centre in various towns, cities, etc.

His services and contributions in the Bhakti Marga are indeed laudable in this Kaliyuga to redeem the people of their miseries.

The Correspondent of www. chembur.com had the privilege to interview Sri Hari Krishna Premiji, son of Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal during his visit to Mumbai in October, 2000.

Following are the highlights of the interview:

Swamiji, Tell us something about the Institution?

Akhila Bharata Sadhu Sangam is constituted in the year 1958 by Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal for propagating Sri Krishna Bhakti by conducting Saptahams of Srimad Bhagavatham in various parts of BHARAT and has established its centre in various towns, cities including Sengannur (Birth Place of Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal), etc.

Akhila Bharata Sadhu Sangam has branches in all the Metro Cities in Bharat and also at Ahmedabad, Jamshedpur etc.

What are the prime activities of Akhila Bharata Sadhu Sangh?

Propagating Sri Krishna Bhakti by conducting Saptahams of Srimad Bhagavatham in various parts of BHARAT & publishing a monthly magazine called Bhagawata Dharmam, which has a wide circulation.
Maintenance of several Ashrams in important places like Mathura- Brindavan, Pandharpur, Paranur, etc. and a Gosala near Madurai. Further he has established temples for Sri Radha Krishna in Brindavan, Panduranga in Sengannur - his village and elsewhere.

Nitya Bhajans, Divya Namams Nagar Sankirtanams, Unchavarthis and Nama sankirtanams, at all our ashrams and camps as traditionally followed by the predecessors.

Conducting benefit programs by Swamiji for the upliftment and maintenance of several temples.

Would you please tell us about other contributions by Swamiji towards propagation of Sri Krishna Bhakti/Sri Rama Bhakti…?

Well, there are plenty to tell. However, the important contributions could be mentioned as under -

Sri Sri Krishnapremi Swamiji’s discourses have been recorded and published in both audio and video tapes. His masterpiece discourse on Ramayana, Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagawatham, Bhagwat Gita, 108 Divya Kshetras of Mahavishnu, Panduranga Charitra, etc. are like "Karnamrutham" to every listener.

Reconstructed dilapidated temples of Sri Vishnu which were once propitiated by the Great ALWARS and arranged for daily Poojas and Aaradhanas. For this, he established a Sabha called Divya Desha Samrakshana Sabha to administer the work.

Swamji has devised schemes by which Bhaktas and Archakas in South India get monthly income. By devising such scheme, Swamiji has managed to cover about 60 temples in South India.

Some temple's Kumbhabhishekams (renovation) were specially undertaken by Swamiji by way of conducting saptahams at various parts of India.

Inspired by Swamiji's discourses, many Bhaktas all over India have taken up chanting of Rama Namas, Sahasra Namams, many have even started writing Rama Namas which are collected and preserved for public display. About 100 crore Rama Namas written and submitted by Bhaktas are collected and preserved at Ayodhya.

Apart from Ayodhya do you have any other centre where such written Rama Namas are collected?

Yes. There are centres at Bhadrachalam, Pandharpur, Paranoor where bhaktas can write and submit any Number of Namas.

How do you differ the Bhaktas from various parts of India? I mean the basic difference in north and South India especially..?

Well, the devotion aspect is more or less the same. There is no much difference in their Bhakti. However, Bhaktas in North India are more inclined towards 'Satsangha' whenever events like Bhagawata Saptahams are conducted, they turn out in large number, involve themselves as a part of the event which is slightly lacking in South.

Finally, what is the message you would like to convey to the younger generation people?

My message to the younger generation is " First Do your Nitya Karma (Regular Duties) promptly, and devote yourself in BHAKTI towards Rama, Krishna… or any of your Ishta Devata by chanting their names, Bhajans, etc."

Thereafter the correnspondent of www. chembur.com thanked Sri Hari Krishna Premiji for sharing some time for the above interview.

RADHEKRISHNA