Early morning at 6.00 am ‘Shree Digambar Kulkarni Guruji’ used to come and perform "Abhishek" (Holy, religious bathing of idols) of idols of ‘Shree Swāmi Samarth’ and ‘Shree Krishna’. We used to chant Vishnu-Sahastranām (Thousand Names of Lord Vishnu) and simultaneously offer ‘Tulsi’ (Basil) leaves to the Idols. Then we used to start chanting couplets from ‘Samhitā’ (Compilation) from ‘Bhāgwat Purana’ and all this used to get over by 2.00 pm. If there were more "Shloka’s" (Religious couplets) to be chanted then the programme used to stretch till 2.30 pm. Many of us used to fast during these days. Quickly we used to consume the special food items and again the "Nirupana" (Text simplified; a topic explained in detail with examples) would start. Devotees used to hurriedly occupy their respective seats. We used to get so engrossed, listening to the stories of ‘Shree Krishna’ that the "Nirupana" used to get over only at 10.00 pm at night. Our ‘Kulkarni Guruji’ was indeed very enthusiastic. Daily he used to visit the market and bring along with him many fragrant flowers, namely Jasmine, Rose, Magnolia and ‘Nishigandh’. He used to make beautiful garlands for the ‘Lord’ with these flowers. However time consuming the lectures or the explanations was, he never tried to hurry and finish them. Once it so happened that ‘Guruji’ was narrating the story of birth of ‘Lord Krishna’, the sky got overcast by dark clouds, lightening and thundering started making loud sounds and it started raining heavily. All of us were surprised to witness the ambience (for when the actual birth of ‘Lord Krishna’ had taken place, similar rains took place and there is a vivid description of it in all mythological works). The hearts of all the devotees were overcast by the clouds of devotion and like rain tears were flowing down their cheeks with immense devotion. This was indeed ‘Shree Swāmi Samarth’s will and ‘Lord Krishna’ play. These kinds of incidents cannot be maneuvered.

After the ‘Lord Krishna’ birth story ‘Yashodāmātā’ (Lord Krishna’s Mother) was offered ‘Dink and Haleev Laddus’ (Small sweet balls specially made from herbs and given to mothers after delivery to gain strength). Special ‘Cradle Songs’ were sung for the ‘Baby-Lord Krishna’. ‘Sau. Shaha’, ‘Sau. Mangal Shridhar Gavate’ and ‘Sau. Lohagaokar’ were given "Oati" (Special auspicious gifts given to married ladies as a token of festivity and good luck). To our dismay, all three of them were blessed with offsprings after many years of marriage. One of them conceived after 17 long years, ‘Sau. Mangal' got a baby girl after 3 years, she was named ‘Radhika’ (Name of ‘Lord Krishna’s beloved). That is how the ‘Bhāgwat Saptāh’ took place, full of interesting incidents and the divine plays of ‘Lord Krishna’. What more can ‘Lord’ do for us? He is ever ready to give us more than we ask for!

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