Soaked in love and devotion: A Bhagwat Saptah event to honor filial love
Rakesh Rajdev (રાકેશ રાજદેવ) and his wife Rupal Rajdev are a dynamic duo hailing from Gujarat, India. Not only are they successful business owners in the gold bullion industry in Dubai, but they are also known for their generous charitable efforts. Rakesh Rajdev has stated that he draws inspiration for his charitable work from his late father, Prataprai Rajdev, who was a great philanthropist in his own right.
The couple’s charitable nature has been described as “spellbinding,” with Rupal Rajdev also being recognized for her contributions to social welfare. Together, the couple has participated in various forms of charitable giving, always looking for opportunities to give back to their community.
One particularly noteworthy event that the couple organized was the Bhagwat Saptah, which took place from January 4th to January 11th, 2022 at the Seasons Hotel in Rajkot.
Bhagwat Saptah
Srimad Bhagvatam is divided into 12 cantos and has over 18000 verses describing about creation, Supreme Lords' different incarnations, and many other devotees' stories. The main subject of entire Srimad Bhagvatam is describing the appearance and pastimes of Lord Krishna and His dealings and loving exchanges with His devotees.
The Bhagwat Saptah is led by a trained pujari or Hindu priest. Participation in the tradition is open to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. It is common for people to attend the event as a means of seeking spiritual enlightenment or to gain a deeper understanding of the teachings of the Bhagavatam.
In addition to the recitation of Srimad Bhagvatam, Bhagwat Saptah events also include other religious rituals, such as puja (worship) and bhajans (devotional songs). The event is often accompanied by the distribution of Prasad, or sacred food offerings, to participants.
The Bhagwat Saptah is a deeply meaningful and spiritual tradition for Hindus, and it is typically viewed as a way to connect with the divine and seek guidance and inspiration. And at the end, attain liberation from the repeated cycles of birth and death.
What It Is Like Attending a Bhagwat Saptah
Attending a Bhagwat Saptah event can be a deeply meaningful and spiritual experience for many Hindus. The recitation of Srimad Bhagvatam over the course of seven days is an immersive and meditative experience that can bring a sense of peace and clarity to those who participate.
Many attendees of Bhagwat Saptah events describe feeling a strong sense of connection to their faith and to the divine. The event serves as a reminder of the core teachings of Hinduism and provides an opportunity for personal reflection and introspection.
In addition to the spiritual aspect of the event, Bhagwat Saptah events can also be a way to connect with others in the community. By bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, the event can foster a sense of unity and belonging.
Given such an illustrious legend of the Bhagwat Saptah, Rakesh Rajdev and Rupal Rakesh Rajdev organized the Saptah at The Seasons Hotel in Rajkot. The eco-friendly, sustainable, and upscale hotel was easily a standout choice for organizing the event, given that it had such sentimental value for the Rajdevs.
This event was especially meaningful for Rakesh Rajdev and Rupal Rajdev as it was requested by Rakesh Rajdev’s mother, Vimlaben Prataprai Rajdev, who was still alive at the time.
Esteemed Guests
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Bhagwat Saptah was restricted to family members and close friends. However, the couple made sure to invite a wide variety of guests, including leaders of the community, saints, and mahants. But their generosity and inclusivity did not stop there. The couple also made sure to invite religious leaders from all different communities and walks of life, including Swadhyays and saints from all corners of India. Such luminaries included the esteemed Badri Kedarnath, the main saint of Dwarka’s temple, and Shankaracharya, a revered spiritual leader known for his wisdom and compassion.
The presence of these distinguished guests lent a sense of majesty and gravitas to the event, their words of wisdom and guidance inspiring all those in attendance. And Rakesh Rajdev and Rupal Rajdev, with their hearts full of gratitude and appreciation, were honored to have the opportunity to host such esteemed individuals at their Bhagwat Saptah event.
In addition to these esteemed guests, Rakesh and Rupal Rajdev also made sure to invite elderly individuals from old age homes and children suffering from thalassemia to participate in the event. The couple’s kind-hearted nature was on full display as they went above and beyond to make the Bhagwat Saptah a special and inclusive event for all.
The couple knew that the power of Srimad Bhagvatam and the sense of community it fosters was something that should be shared with everyone, regardless of age or circumstance.
As these esteemed and often marginalized guests participated in the recitation of the sacred text, their faces were filled with joy and wonder, their spirits uplifted by the sense of belonging and purpose that the event provided. And Rakesh and Rupal, with their hearts overflowing with love and compassion, were filled with a sense of pride and fulfillment at having brought such joy and meaning to the lives of others.
Auspicious Passing
Tragically, Vimlaben passed away just a week after the conclusion of the Bhagwat Saptah. Such passing is considered very auspicious, and it is said a person who organizes a Bhagvatam Saptah and hear it at the end of his life, attains an eternal place in the spiritual kingdom of the Supreme Lord.
Vimlaben’s love and devotion to Srimad Bhagvatam was well known, and it was her final wish to see the sacred text recited in its entirety over the course of seven days. And so, Rakesh Rajdev and Rupal Rajdev, with their unwavering filial devotion, took it upon themselves to honor their mother’s request and organize this special event.
As the recitation of Srimad Bhagvatam filled the halls of the Seasons Hotel, Vimlaben’s face was alight with joy and wonder. For her, the sacred text was a source of solace and guidance, offering words of wisdom and hope in times of darkness. And to see it being recited in its entirety, surrounded by her loved ones, was a dream come true.
But alas, as is often the case in life, tragedy struck just a week after the Bhagwat Saptah came to an end. Vimlaben, a beacon of love and strength for her family, passed away, leaving behind a gaping hole in the hearts of her loved ones.
Yet even in the midst of their grief, the Rajdev family could take solace in the knowledge that they had fulfilled their mother’s final wish, bringing her joy and spiritual fulfillment in her final days. And so, the Bhagwat Saptah event will forever remain a cherished memory for the Rajdev family, a testament to their love and devotion to one another, even in the face of loss.
Rakesh Rajdev and Rupal Rajdev are a true testament to the power of hard work and compassion. Their successful business ventures in Dubai are matched only by their unwavering dedication to charitable causes. The Bhagwat Saptah was just one example of their charitable efforts, and it is clear that they will continue to give back to their community for years to come.
