By Shrikant N Shenoy

Udupi, November 30, 2009: The chants of "Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu" ("May all the beings in the world become happy; Peace, peace and peace be everywhere!") reverberated at Shri Mahalasa Narayani Devi Kshetra at Harikhandige on the concluding day of the Ati Vishnu Mahayanga, which started on November 8 for peace and goodwill of all peoples in the world.

"Jana Kalyan" or people’s welfare was the main theme behind this Yagna, according to Guruji Shri Suresh J. Pai, Dharmadarshi of Shri Mahalasa Narayani Devi Kshetra. It is Daiva Sankalpaha or God’s will, that this message reaches out to people, Shri Suresh Pai said.

Shri Suresh Pai envisaged the involvement of Vaidiks and general people at large for this Yagna and it was gratifying to note that this had happened. He noted that there was support from all sections of the society, vaidiks and lay men alike, for this divine ritual, which went as planned and with Goddess Shri Mahalasa Narayani’s blessings.

It may be noted here that Shri Mahalasa Narayani is the avatar (incarnation) of Lord Shri Vishnu himself! Another name for Shri Mahalasa is Shri Mohini of the Amrit Manthan fame, where in Gods and Demons (asuras) came together to churn from the sea immeasurable treasures, including Amrit, the nectar of life.

Ved Murthy Shri Madan Bhat, chief priest of Shri Mahalasa Saunsthan, Mardol, Goa, thanked everyone for co-operating in making this ritual successful. Though such an anushtan (ritual) was not easily done, by God’s grace, the Ati Vishnu Mahayagna at Harikhandige was carried out smoothly and without any hurdle, he said.

Shri Madan Bhat thanked Guruji Shri Suresh Pai for organizing the Yagna, which was these days a rare event. He said it was a great opportunity for Vaidiks and Purohits, especially those undergoing training at various Pathshalas belonging to different maths to hone their skills in vedic traditions and rituals.

Top Veda scholars, vaidiks and other Brahmins from different Maths of different sects, including Kashi Math, Kavale Math, Gokarna Math, Chitrapur Math, Daivajnya Math, Puttige Math and Pejawar Math, participated wholeheartedly in this grand Yagna. On an average about 60 to 100 vaidiks participated in the rituals daily.

Many laypersons also took part in the programme, either at The Devi Kshetra or in their homes and offices, by reading the Shri Vishnu Sahara Namavali and Stotras, considered to be among the most sacred of all stotras.

In an answer to Yudhisthira, after the Mahabharata war, Bhisma had stated that mankind will be free from all sorrows by chanting the Vishnu Sahasranâma, which are the thousand names of the all-pervading Supreme Being Vishnu, who is the master of all the worlds, the supreme light, the essence of the universe and who is Brahman. Those who chant this sahasranamam will attain betterment in this life and thereafter.

Datta Jayanti celebrations

Shri Guru Datta Jayanati celebrations also have commenced at Shri Mahalasa Narayani Devi KShetra, Harikhandige, with Shri Guru Charitra Parayana and Shri Datta Gayatri Japa Pathana, in which vaidiks and laypersons alike are participating.

On Tuesday, December 1, Shri Datta Jayanti Utsav is being held and will conclude in the evening with a Palakhi Utsav.

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Ati Vishnu Maha Yagna at Harikhandige