The procession of Raja Rajeswari in the palanquin started at 8:45 a.m. After performing Kumari Puja, Sri Swamiji started the Avarana pujas. Sri Swamiji performed today's worship with Vishalakshi as the principle deity.
The morning music concert was Carntic vocal by Sri. Papanasam Ashok Ramani of Madras. He was accompanied by Sri. Dorai Swaminathan on violin, Sri. Trichur Narendran on Mridangam and Sri. Pudukotai Ramachandran on Ghatam.
Anna Archana to Vishalakshi was performed with Tilachurnaanna, a Sesame rice dish of South India. This prasadam was given to the devotees after the Purnahuti of Vishalakshi Homa.
The afternoon music concert was a Carnatic flute concert by Sri. V.K. Raman. He was accompanied by Sri. H.K. Narasimha Murthy on violin, Sri. M.T. Rajakesari on Mridangam and Sri. M.A. Krishnamurthy on Ghatam. Sri Raman played different Bhajans of Sri Swamiji during most part of his concert and gained the appreciation of Pujya Swamiji and devotees.
After theDolotsava the bhajan session started at 6:15 p.m. The first bhajan was "Gana Gana Gana Gana Ganapate" followed by a new bhajan "Hamsa Soham Hamsarate. The last bhajan was "Vishalalochane".
During the discourse tonight, Sri Swamiji while explaining the significance of Universal Mother described in detail that Cow, which nourishes celestials and humans is an aspect of Universal Mother, 'SURABHI'.
It is well known that the celestial Cow Kamadhenu dwells in Heaven. How could it reach there? Anyway why should we think of it? It is important for us to know that Cows are the progeny of Kamadhenu. Only due to Cows we can get milk, curd and ghee which are used by us as food. Not only that, Cow ghee is used in Yaga, which please celestials and we are blessed by them with good rains and wealth. By Yagas food is made available to celestials. Thus through Cows food is made available to humans and celestials.
Actually the genesis of Cows is due to the grace of Parashakti. Let us see how it happened.
Once Vishnu felt hungry in GOLOKA (Celestial world of Cows) Oh! Vishnu getting hungry. It is astonishing; Yes. The lord feels hungry to benefit those who offer food to Him. Though Vishnu is omnipotent, he works in a systematic way. Can't He kill Ravana in a moment? Why should Vishnu incarnate as Rama and use such a long series of events in His life? Killing Ravana is only a pretext. The purpose of the incarnation is to fulfill the promises given earlier to some pious souls and also to uplift countless sincere good people. Hence he conducted such a long chain of events in his incarnation as Rama.
God has created us as automotive machines. He gave us all sense powers and ordered us to go ahead. Don't we know that scientists have developed satellites controlled by machines operated on earth? Similarly we are all created as Computers with individual power to act. God stands as a observer. Hence we are squarely answerable for our deeds and we alone should face the result of our good and bad deeds. The movements of the satellite and its proper condition is always under the vigilance and control of the scientists on the ground. So also God makes us conduct ourselves and eventually enables us to reach Him at the proper time. Hence we should not entertain silly doubts about the divine play of God. However one may clarify one's doubts about the mysterious ways of God with devotion and sincere inquisitiveness . One should not heckle at God's play. Actually, it is only God who takes several forms -He eats butter, obtained from milk which we get from Cow, Grass is the food of Cow. Rain is essential for the grass to grow. Heat of the Sun's rays evaporate water from the ocean to form raining clouds. All these are pervaded by God. This is as wonderful drama enacted by God for our benefit and well being.
If one understands the subtle principle of this divine play then his entire life becomes an enjoyable pleasant wonderful purposeful play. However one who is ignorant of this cosmic play feels life to be burdensome and undesirable. What for is this play? Just to steal your heart-Not your money. The only purpose of God is just that. To achieve it, he has millions of plans. One devotee sang " Oh! Lord" you came walking all the way to save me !" The devotee would not feel so happy if God descends from his vehicle Garuda just like getting down from a helicopter. The devotee feels highly elated that God is so generous to undertake such an ordeal. God wants just this-Merger of the mind-Mano Laya. This is the climax of spiritual practice. To achieve this end, the good lord plays countless tricks due to mercy on us.
With this background let us study about God's hunger. Only he can create food to be offered by us to Him! Hence a pot of nectar came out of the left part of his body, with an aspect of Parashakti (Supreme Energy). He poured down the nectar. A lake was formed. A Cow came out of the lake. The exquisitely fragrant Cow was named "SURABHI" and milked the Cow. The milk is nothing else than our sins. The mere touch of God converted the milk to nectar (Amruta). God's intention is that Dharma (righteousness), Satya (truth), Nyaya (justice) and Gnana (knowledge) should be strengthened in the world. He drank some of the milk and poured down the balance of milk. A lake was formed. Radha stays at the lake. In the meantime, countless Cows, originated from Surabhi. The Cows spread out to several worlds. Thus the Cow which provides milk and ghee used in worship and as food for people and celestials caused health and wealth to mankind. However man hankers after change. Sometimes things result in dangers. Thus man's respect for Cows diminished gradually. Slowly Cows perished rapidly. Famine set due to lack of rains as no Yagas were performed (Yagas require ghee which was not available).
Famine was not only for mankind but also to celestials-due to lack of ghee offering in Yagas. The celestials prayed to Brahma for a way out of the calamity. He directed them pray to "SURABHI". On their ardent appeal, Surabhi created a Cow and gave it to Indra, saying "Indra! This is my main aspect. She fulfills all your desires. Hence it's name is Kamadhenu. (Kama -desire, dhenu-Cow). Worship her daily. Her progeny will spread out on Earth".
Thus an aspect of Parashakti just taking the form of Surabhi again caused
abundant creation of Cows on Earth, with her another form Kamadhenu. Earlier
she protected as Annapurna-this time as Cows. Thus let us realise that Cow
is an abstract of Parashakti. Let us worship and protect Cow and be benefited
for ever and ever.