The cycle of births and deaths
is often described as an ocean that the soul must cross in
order to be liberated. Just as a person cannot cross an ocean
without the aid of a ship, the soul cannot cross this ocean
without the aid of God and His Saint.
On the first full day of the
National Kishore-Kishori Convention, the Jal-Jhilani Utsav
was celebrated, during which devotion is displayed by giving
a boat ride to Shri Harikrishna Maharaj. This represents the
need for God and His Saint to help our souls cross the ocean
of maya for ultimate redemption.
During this Utsav, aarti was
performed five different times, and after each aarti, Swamishri
gave Shri Harikrishna Maharaj a boat ride while saints sang
kirtans. Throughout the program, delegates learned about the
history and international growth of BAPS through speeches
by senior saints and multimedia presentations.
In his blessings to the assembly,
Swamishri described the reasons for the growth of satsang,
and explained how this growth can be sustained in the future.
At the conclusion of the assembly, Swamishri lovingly bathed
Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, and all delegates received sanctified
water.
)
)
)
