Sri Srivaths Bhagavathar’s Satsangs in Muscat

With the immense blessings of our Sri Swamiji, Muscat sathsang’s annual event started with Udhaya Asthamana Sapthaham at the residence of Sri Chandrasekar from 27th March to 02nd April 2025. Parayanam started at 6.30 am and concluded at 4.30 pm each day. Around 30 devotees recited Srimad Bhagavatham and enjoyed the Bhagavatha Katha along with related Madhurageethams.

This year, the annual event at Muscat was blessed with the presence of Srivaths Krishnaji. This young proponent from Sudhha Premika Vidhya Kendra, Senganoor, landed on 31st March and joined from the 5th day of the Saptaham. His return to Muscat Sathsang brought immense joy to the devotees, most of whom have known him since his childhood there.

There was much curiosity among the devotees about how he would lead the sathsang, as it was the first time listening to his pravachan. Srivathskrishnaji started with a Keerthana from Sri Sri Anna’s Yugala Shathakam, “Smarane sukham Sri Hari nama…” and explained the meaning of the song along with its bhavam. The abundant grace of Sri Swamiji on Srivaths was clearly observed by all. That very moment, it became evident that this annual sathsang event would be a grand success despite the long public holidays in Oman, during which many usually travel overseas.

03rd April, being Rohini Thirunakshathram, featured a sathsang in the presence of the Divine Padhuka of Sri Sri Anna at the residence of Ganeshraman ji. That day’s pravachan of Srivathskrishnaji was unique as he took the audience to Senganoor Padhuka Purappadu. Further, he immersed everyone in the greatness of Shankapuri (Kshethra Mahathmiyam) as well.

From 04th April to 10th April, Srivathskrishnaji conducted Sangeetha Upanyasam on Krishna leelas from Srimad Bhagavatham at Muscat Krishna temple hall. On 4th April, the Uthsavam started with the purappadu of Shri Madhurisakhi sametha Premika Varadha Takurji on Garuda Vahanam. The first day’s Sangeetha upanyasam concluded with Shri Krishna Jananam. Aligning to this, Gopakuteeram children enacted Krishnaavatharam and celebrated Nandothsavam on the morning of 5th April. In the evening, the sathsang started with the Yanai Vahana Purappadu of our Takurji. The crowd enjoyed the majestic walk of Thakurji’s yanai for the Namavali sung by our Sathsang Baagavathas, and the dance for the Mallari Vadhyam.

6th April coincided with Sri Ramanavami as well as Muscat Shri Padhuka Day. The Divine Padhukas of our Sri Swamiji were placed on Yanai Vahanam; Pushpanjali was performed by singing the Mahamantra and Gurukeerthans, after which Srivathskrishnaji continued his Sangeetha Upanyasam. While narrating Krishna Katha, he quoted the bhaavas of Leelashukar from Krishnakarnamrutham in which Yashodhamaiya told the Ramayana to her little Krishna as a bedtime story. Srivathkrishnaji narrated the entire Ramakatha as described in Kothanda Rama Dhashakam by Sri Sri Anna. The audience were awestruck by Srivathskrishnaji’s narration of Ramayana within the Krishnaleela discourse. This proved everything is possible when one has Sri Swamiji’s boundless grace. This way, Rama Navami and Muscat Shri Padhuka day were jubilantly celebrated.

On the last day, anukaranam of Rukmini vivaaham was performed by bringing Thaayaar from Kaathyaayini Sannidhi for the divine couple’s puarappadu on Kudhirai Vahanam. This was well attended by more than 250 people. Srivathskrishnaji concluded the Sangeetha Upanyasam with Rukmini Kalyanam, after which mangalaakshadhai and prasaadam was distributed to everyone.

After the temple Uthsavam, a few house sathsangs were conducted where Sangeetha Upanyasam on Badhrachala Ramadasar, Vittala Vaibhavam, Sri Srinivasa Mahatyam, Puradharadasar, Andal Thirukalyanam, and Nama Mahimai were performed.

Highlight of the Uthsavam:

• Bhagavatha Slokas were widely quoted in different ragas that aptly fit the context. Slokas from Sri Sri Anna’s scriptures and keerthanas, along with Madhurageethams, were also quoted/rendered. Most importantly, every bit of the Upanyasam was rendered seamlessly without any reference. This was a real surprise to everyone.
• People who missed even a day of the Uthsavam and heard about it through word of mouth attended the next day, realizing they should never miss another day. This was observed with each passing day of the Uthsavam.
• Audience of all age groups attended the Sangeetha Upanyasam on all days from the start and stayed till the end of Dolothsavam.
• On the 5th day of the Upanyasam, Srivathskrishnaji beautifully picturized, with the help of a flutist, how Krishna would play his Venu to call each gopi with a raga that resembled her name.
• People in Muscat who knew Srivaths earlier, seeing G’s grace radiating through him in his extempore pravachans, started to address him as Srivathsji.
• Another noteworthy incident in the House Sathsang series was the pravachan done at the residence of Srivathsji’s former school teacher (Sanskrit Vaadhyaar), who was in awe of Srivathsji’s fluency and in-depth knowledge in the language of Sanskrit and the subject, and was very happy to see his student in Gurukainkaryam propagating the path of BAKTHI.

In all, it was a grand celebration, and devotees did not realize the passage of the entire fort-night in such a blissful manner.