Right from stepping out of the house the yatra was full of joy, lessons and realizations.
We travelled absolutely by the mercy of Krishna who operates through His devotees (here Hrydayaram Prabhu). Dissolving identity was the lesson here. Had to travel forgetting absolutely as Meena or Mani.
Somnath Katha made the Darshan meaningful. Registered every bit of information heard from Jagannath Priya Prabhu.
The Triveni Sangam was the most serene Ghat I have ever witnessed and I also witnessed how inspiration of any devotee would be, in the sense, Mani prabhu having watched many Prabhujis have a dip into the ghat got inspired to dip himself and did so and enjoyed it thoroughly too. Waiting all the while on the banks watching the beautiful seagulls and chanting with the matajis the seagulls' behaviour unveiled a lesson to me which I came home and composed it as a poem. One was not enough and I composed another one. Would share the same in this forum, soon.
The Katha of Yadhu dynasty annihilation at Somnath near Balram Gufa (if I am not wrong) has gone as deep into memory as the back waters/river that kept us chilling through out the katha. The group photo was one of its kind.
Stay with all devotees brought us closer and association of matajis reminded us of my childhood friendship and cheer.
The play at beach was one of my best, long hours along the waves picking pebbles with the youngest of the yatries Ishani and Nandhana followed by Dumbsharads with the entire group. The love and affection shared among devotees in their full mirth and cheer was as big as the sea itself. Dumb sharads brought the best out of the devotees, that too Rachit finding outDhan and Rishi finding out Van for Dhanvantri, and Ayush finding out Bharat. It also goes on to prove that elders don't always teach and children don't always learn, it could be vise versa!
Mani prabhu's part in Kabbadi was significant in the mutual association of himself and other prabhujis.
The travel by bus to Dwaraka visiting Madhav Mandir, Krishna Rukmini Vivah place and Jambhavan Gufa entry and katha, all I have recorded in my notebook so that I can read again and relive the moments as memory could not be relied for long. The drama amidst our shortage of time was really awesome. Each one did their part so well. Mani Prabhu's dialogue triggering ripples of laughter before even I heard it properly was the height. The choice of Jagannath Priya Prabhu of characters deserves a big hats off. Audience were part of drama by enjoying it to full. The thrill in instant dramas are surely as much fun as prepared ones. Got an idea how I can get my kids do. The kids made my brows raise here as well. They stood near the partakers and I kept ushering them to get off stage as they were causing disturbance to the drama. They were lingering around there only and I found them having part as Krishna's friends and at the end as the horses of His chariot. When I told them they did their part well, one of them said, 'yes, see we had a part, thats why we stood there, you thought we were standing there and disturbing the drama.' The kind of justice and light that sparkled in her (Ishani I think) eyes made me feel its not always that we know everything. Awareness of our own ignorance is the top most lesson for melting our false ego.
Balka Teerth was the most peaceful place of all. Thankfully was neither commercial not crowded. The lesson that one should close their eyes detaching from worldly, social ties to go back to godhead at the time of death was the cherry on the icecream.
The bus travel with the exchange of eats and experiences of devotees made the journey time worth spent. I had not disclosed the fact that we would part from the group next day and travel quicker around Dwarka to catch our train at 1pm, till the last moment as I didn't want the feeling of 'missing' come among us matajis who by now had developed better friendship and sharing amongst us.
Yet got to meet the group at Bet Dwarka and had safe journey home with Manikantan Prabhu reminiscing the whole yatra. It was an excellent time spent with the devotees. Prasad was sumptuous.
Thanks to each member of the yatra. The youth made it great for the elders and thanks to Jagannath Priya prabhu and Sarvabhauma Prabhu.
Hari Bol
Malini Karuna Devi Dasi
