The shibir at Mount Abu was conducted from 28th October, 2001 to 30th October, 2001. The shibir boasted of around 80 shibirarthis from different places like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mithapur to name a few. On 27th October, 2001, the shibirarthis were given an orientation of the shibir schedule, requirements and duties. The lodging arrangements were made at Dhuleshwar math dharamashala.
The ambience around the Samvit Sadhanayana ashram was so serene, we could feel the vibrations, the shiva spandhana. The silence was so engulfing, that we happily lost ourselves in it. The calm waters of the Sant Sarovar added to the beauty of the Lord’s scenic creation. So enraptured were we, that it felt like Goddess Arbuda had enveloped us in her warm, motherly embrace showering her grace upon each of us.
Our day would start with meditation sessions at 5.30 a.m. conducted by His Holiness Shrimad Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji. At 6.30 a.m., it was time for exercise and yoga. Fitness of the body forms an important part of our sadhana, as the body is the medium/instrument through which we can rise in our spiritual pursuit, to be one with the Lord. We all participated in the morning aarti performed at 7.00 a.m. Then it would be breakfast time, to relish the wonderful food prepared by Mr. Ajay Shirali from Hubli. Swamiji then conducted Swadhyaya sessions at 10.00 a.m. He explained to us Adi Shankara’s Updeshapanchakam and Somnath Panchakam. Swami Iswaranandagiriji Maharaj also enlightened us with his beautiful words of wisdom at one of our Swadhyaya sessions. His discourses left us spellbound, so much love overflowing for the Lord, for us sadhakas, it brought tears to our eyes. During this session, He told us a story about how an ant wanted to reach out for the moon and the the path it chose to get there. The ant went and hid inside the most beautiful flower in the garden. The flower was plucked and placed on the head of Lord Shiva, the Chandrashekhara. The ant crawled from the flower on to the moon on the Lord’s head. He likened this story to the Kailash Manas Sarovar yatra. He said that we were like the ants trying to reach the Kailash & Swamiji was the beautiful flower which was offered to the Lord of Kailash. It was only because of Him that we could be there.
We would go for outings after Swadhaya. Swamiji took us on a tour of the jyotiralingas around the Samvit Sadhanayana math. At 4.00 p.m., it would be time for Vimarsha. Two topics were taken for discussion (1) the last para of the bhajans `Tanmaya ho ja mere man’ i.e. `Jagan mata ka smit aanan…’ wherein the discussion centred on the Divine Mother’s smile. One would never have thought that an entire discussion could be held on the Mother’s smile and we felt that we still hadn’t explored the mystery behind Her enchanting smile, there was so much more. (2) Chakshurno dyehi chakshushe………. The mantra from the Rig Veda which is the motto of our math. On the day of the first Vimarsha, Swami Narayangiriji graced us with his presence, he was full of praise for our Swamiji and our Saraswat Samaj. He was our Swamiji’s sahapathi at Mount Abu.
Evenings were reserved for outings and Ashtamurti Upasana around the Sant Sarovar lake with His Holiness. Swamiji guided us through the Ashtamurti Upasana & we could connect so well with the beautiful surrounding. Silence was truly golden at those times, so much peace & tranquility. We went for a picnic one evening with Swamiji & Bade Swamiji in the mountains. Swami Bhuvanandagiriji took us out for a walk through the woods and mountains one evening around the math. The scenery around was mind blowing.
On 30th October, 2001 , Swamiji performed Pooja of Devi Rajrajeshwari, with all of us participating in chanting of the Devi Pooja. That day, we were graced by nearly 50-60 Mahatmas who attended the Devi poojan and stayed for Prasad bhojan.
There was also a rare occasion that evening when Bade Swamiji gave some wonderful advice to three shibirarthis, who were soon-to-be brides, on the institution of marriage. This different perspective of marriage was an eye-opener and beneficial to both married as well as unmarried shibirarthis.
On 31st October, 2001, we celebrated the ocassion of Sharad Poornima or Khojagiri Poornima. (Kho jagaraha – one who keeps awake). It is said that on this full moon night Devi Bhagawati comes with her pot of amrita, bestows her grace and pours bliss from her pot of amrita on all those who keep awake. The day started with a Laghu rudra performed for the good health, welfare of Swami Iswaranandagiriji Maharaj & the Samvit sadhakas. It was Bade Swamiji’s 70th birthday. Bade Swamiji spoke to us that day, and later we had a couple of performances by the shibirarthis to mark the end of the shibir. Later that day, Swami Iswaranandagiriji Maharaj inaugurated the Madhyadwar to Devi Arbuda’s temple. Three idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Skanda & Devi Bhagwati were also unveiled by Swami Iswaranandagiriji Maharaj and Shrimad Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji. They led the procession with Swami Narayangiriji, Swami Himgiriji, Swami Bhuvanandagiriji & Swami Shankargiriji. We all went to Devi Arbuda’s abode singing bhajans. There the priest of the temple performed bel patri archana on Bade Swamiji. After worshipping the Goddess, we were treated to sumptuous food at the bhandara. The evening started with the continuation of the shibir samapti programme. Few shibirarthis gave an account of their experience at the shibir and how they had benefitted from it. Bade Swamiji later blessed us with a rudrakshamala each as a momento of the shibir. This was followed by a presentation of the Kailash Manas Sarovar yatra by Shri Prabhakar & Smt Sumalata Bantwal. Later Swamiji performed Guru Poojan on the lotus feet of Bade Swamiji. The Sharad Poornima programme started at 9.00 p.m. with the students of Samvit Bodhayana performing a one act play on Sharad Poornima wherein they explored the aspects of Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga & Jnana yoga and the importance of Sharad Poornima. They ended the programme with a song they had composed. Actor Nitish Bharadwaj was the athithi on this occasion. He spoke and sung the bhajan `Anjaneya Swami…’. Later Swamiji performed Pooja on Devi Bhagwati & at twelve o’clock, we all started singing bhajans in gay abandon to celebrate Sharad Poornima. We also had a treat awaiting us……yummy kheer.
On 1st November, 2001, Swamiji and Bade Swamiji took us on a visit to Achaleshwar temple where the linga is in the mouth of a small crater, which some believe to be the mouth of the volcano from which the mountain of Abu was formed. Some said, the linga was the left toe of Lord Shiva. We sat in the temple premises chanting stotras and singing bhajans. Later we visited Guru Shikhar with Swamiji, it is the place where Bhagawan Dattatraya had done a lot of meditation. There is also a cave wherein ash materializes, even some fumes are seen emanating. Each one of us collected the holy ash. We later sat on the rocks with Swamiji and sang bhajans.
We rushed back from Guru shikhar to the math for lunch & for phalamantrakshat from Swamiji as most of us were leaving that evening for our journey back. We left with a whole lot of memories but were also sad that the wonderful time at Mt. Abu had come to an end. We said our goodbyes to everyone with whom we had grown close to by then.
The Mt. Abu shibir was over but the shibir within ourselves continues to go on. We are learning each & every moment with our Guru Shakti guiding us at every step. May all of us emerge successful in this shibir of ours with His grace always by our side.