“The Mobile Phone Has Become a Machine of Lies” — Pandit Pradeep Mishra
A Deluge of Faith Floods the *Shiv Mahapurana Katha*; Over 200,000 Devotees Attend
Ranchi:
An extraordinary spectacle of faith and devotion was witnessed on Wednesday at the *Shri Shiv Mahapurana Katha* (Discourse on the Great Scripture of Lord Shiva), organized by the Shri Shivala Seva Samiti, Ranchi. Delivering his discourse—which conveyed messages of truth, simplicity, and devotion to Lord Shiva—the narrator, Pandit Pradeep Mishra, remarked, “The mobile phone has today become a machine of lies”; therefore, he urged that it be used with restraint and honesty.
During the discourse, Pandit Mishra highlighted the significance of applying *Bhabhut* (sacred ash), stating that it serves to remind humans of the transient nature of life and helps to eradicate ego. He described *Bhabhut* as a powerful medium for connecting with Lord Shiva.
Appreciating the faith of the people of Jharkhand, he stated that this *Katha* was made possible in Ranchi solely due to the sincere and guileless spirit of the local residents. In an emotional tone, he remarked, “It must have been the people of this region who submitted a prayer at *Baba Baidyanath Dham*; only then has this *Katha* come to be organized here.”
While recounting the glories of Lord Satyanarayan during the discourse, he inspired the devotees to cultivate the habit of speaking the truth for at least half an hour every day.
The Venue Resounds with Chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’
A massive crowd of over 200,000 devotees thronged the venue for the *Katha*. The entire site resonated with loud chants of “Har Har Mahadev,” as devotees appeared completely immersed in their devotion to Lord Shiva.
Governor and Other Dignitaries in Attendance
The event was graced by the presence of several dignitaries; Santosh Kumar Gangwar enhanced the dignity of the occasion by participating in the *Aarti* (ritual worship). Additionally, Karmveer Singh, Ramesh Singh, along with the chief *Yajmans* (hosts)—Vivek Kumar and Vinita Kumari—were also present.
Applauding the organization of the event, the guests described it as an inspiring initiative for society.
