Sri Swamiji in Shukratal (Shuka Sthala)

On 27th October 2009, Tuesday, Pujya Sri Swamiji traveled by road from Haridwar to Shukratal. This place is known as "Shuka Sthala" and is the revered spot where the great sage "Shuka Maha Rishi" recited the "Bhagavatha" to Parikshit Maharaja. There is a Banyan tree believed to be from those days. The large and sprawling tree is revered by devotees. Sri Swamiji went around the tree and later spent time in the Krishna shrine nearby. The beautifully decorated lord Krishna statue is flanked by Shuka on the left and King Parikshit on the right. Sage Shuka is in a pose of reciting Bhagavatha and the king is posed as an intent listener. Marble statues of the Saptarshis - Seven sages too are placed around. Sri Swamiji sat before the idol and received Samskruta Bhagavatha books offered by Pujya Bala Swamiji.

Sri Swamiji later went to a near by auditorium where "Sant Yugal Sharan Das" was performing "Bhagavatha Katha". Sri Swamiji sat along with common folks and listened to the story telling. Later, Sri Swamiji honored the saint and mutual respects were offered to each other. Sri Swamiji later drove to Delhi and reached "Gam Datta Natha Mandir in Delhi's Swarupa nagar at 7 PM.

After coming back from Shukratal , Sri Swamiji made an impromptu decision to visit Kurukshetra the very next day. Immediately arrangements for Pujya Swamiji visit commenced.

Sri Guru Datta

The revered banyan tree in Shuka Sthala

Banyan tree Ganapathy

Pujya Sri Swamiji touches the holy banyan tree

 

Sadgurudeva writes on the Bhagavata book

Pujya Sri listens to Bhagavatha Katha

Sri Swamiji honored the saint who was speaking on Bhagavata

Sri Swamiji meditates in the Krishna temple. The idols of Shuka Maharshi & Parikshit Maharaja are on either sides of the Krishna idol.

The exquisite Krishna idol

The original Shuka shrine

*********