Dubai: Samoohik Sathyanarayana Katha by Mogaveeras UAE
Report:  Shodhan Prasad
Photos: Sujay Bendore
Daijiworld Media Network
  
Dubai, Jun 13: Mogaveers UAE,  the main organizations for Mogaveers in UAE organized a ‘Samoohik Sathyanarayan Pooja’ at Karama Centre Community Hall, Dubai today the 12th June, 2009.  Mogaveers UAE have recently had their 1st Anniversary held at Sheraton Hotel Deira and this is the 2nd year they are holding the Satyanarayana Pooja.  The  pooja was conducted by Purohit Raghu Bhat one of the well know archaka in UAE for most of the Mangaloreans. It started at around 9 AM and went on till 1.30 with pooja, narration, chanting of mantras, abhishekas, aarathies and Maha arathi.  Yadhava Kotian and his wife sat on the pedestal on behalf of the Community to seek blessings from the Lord.  More than 500 devotees not only from Dubai but also from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain and other emirates attended the pooja and have attained blessings from Lord.
 
The pooja was opened with lighting the lamp by Shaileja Yadav Kotain, Nalini Deepak Kotain, Rekha Jaganath Kunder, Asha Harish Amin, Sarita Suvarna and Shashi Sundar Kanchan.There were three groups singing melodiously some of the well known devotional songs and bhajans who were accompanied by some of the masters in table and piano.  Even L.V. Puthran, the President of Mogaveers UAE was singing bhajans and devotional songs all throughout the pooja ceremony. The beats of tala, jagante and shanka vaadana in between created a holy atmosphere and pounded full of positive energy into all the devotees who attended.  The fragrance of the flowers, the burning of camphor, the deepaaradhana, the smell of the ghee burning in diyas, the incense sticks all these give out chemical energy and the effect of all these energies are turned into positive energy and absorbed in one’s body and mind.

Satyanarayan Pooja is one of the best & easiest ways to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu, who is the God responsible for maintenance of this Universe. Typically Satyanarayan Pooja is to be performed before and/or after the fulfillment of our desires e.g. if you want to achieve some important milestones in your life like success in Higher Education, Success in career, promotion, buying a new vehicle, new house, starting a new business, negotiating big professional deals etc.

Satyanarayan is also useful if someone in the family is not well.  In order to maintain general happiness, prosperity and well being of the family it is advisable to perform Satyanarayan Pooja at least once every year.  There is no hard and fast rule as to when Satyanarayan Pooja to be performed.  Morning or evening time is ideal for Pooja.  You can perform it after major achievements in life.  So also it is ideal to perform Satyanarayan Pooja once every year.  It is a great auspicious occasions to invite friends and relatives.

Satyanarayan Pooja is to be performed on an auspicious day in consultation with Panditji and is about 3.5 to 4 hours Pooja.  So it is advisable to start early around 8-8:30 am and finish in time before 1 PM.

Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita (Ch4.9) " Janma Karma cha may divyam yevam yo veththi tha-thwathah...." " One who knows My divine birth and activities will not be born again". Sri Sathyanarayana katha is one such activity of the Lord, by studying which we have every chance of being liberated. Sri Sathyanarayana katha forms a vital and integral part of this pooja. Not listening to the katha will be a major loss. Repeatedly hearing this story and meditating on its different aspects will make us more and more interested in the Lord and His activities. As the Lord Himself says further in Gita (Ch9.14) "Sathatham keerthayantho maam yathanthascha dradhavrathaah: "The mahaatmaas among devotees, always speak and sing My glories, and try with determination, to realize Me"

Shri Sathyanaranayana katha is from Skandha purana, Reva kaanda. Sutha Puraanikji was the narrator of these stories, in Neimishaaranya to the rishis lead by Shounakji who were performing a 1000 year yajna for the benefit of mankind.

Shounakaji and others now ask Suta Puranikji an important question. "When a man has a desire, how can he fulfill that ethically sound desire? By worshipping whom, by what vrita, or tapas? Please let us know.
 
Sutaji was pleased to know that this question they asked, was for the benefit of the mankind and not for their personal benefit, for, they had abandoned their homes and all desires. Sutaji said " this question was also asked by Devarshi Naradaji once to Lord Narayana Himself; and thus the story continues.

Purohit Raghu narrated the story in tulu language to all the devotees before the Maha Aarathi.  He poured the blessings from Lord into all the devotees and distributed Maha Prasada.  Mogaveers UAE distributed all the devotees with a bag containing Prasada, Fruits, Flowers, A beautiful photo of Goddess Mahalakshmi and a Vishnu Sahasranama Audio Cassette.
 
The total pooja ceremony including taking due care of the devotees attended was beautifully arranged by Mogaveers UAE and all their active volunteers with Bala Krishna Salian being their leader in a purely traditional way.
 
Concluding at around 2.30 PM all the devotees savoured the sumptuous Maha Prasad Vegetarian Lunch arranged through Shiva Saagar Restaurant and returned home happily with all the energy and blessings of Lord Sathyanarayana.