News & Notes - April 2005

 

     Poojya Swamiji’s Health: Over the past one year Poojya Swamiji has been passing through several periods of illness. Since December 2004, he has constant throat trouble and a failing voice. On several occasions, Swamiji had fever, weakness and had almost lost his voice for 2-3 days. 

On 21st March 2005, Poojya Swamiji underwent a CT scan and Direct Rigid Laryngoscopy under Dr. Ram Mohan, ENT Specialist, who was a Professor in Calicut Medical College. No adverse finding was detected in the tests. The mucosa (covering of tissue located behind the vocal chords) is slightly inflamed and a sample was sent for biopsy. Results of all tests, including the biopsy have been found negative. But, the right vocal chord is not functioning normally. 

As the other causes are ruled out, the doctor concludes that the weakness of the vocal chord may be due to overuse. He has advised complete voice rest for 3 weeks and a check-up every 3 weeks for the next 3-4 months.

     Jamshedpur Jñaana Yajña: Poojya Swamiji along with Nutan Swamiji and Ma visited Kolkata and Jamshedpur between February 8 and March 4. In Kolkata, Poojya Swamiji gave a very enlightening talk on “Samsaara and Sannyaasa” in which he explained the real meaning of Sannyaasa on the basis of Bhagavadgeeta. The hall “Aikataan” was more than full.

The month of February sees Jamshedpur as a bright city full of variety of beautiful and colourful flowers. Spring announces its arrival through flowers, cuckoos and the loitering breeze. All devotees of the Brahma Vidya Centre eagerly wait for the arrival of their Guru in their midst.

Although Poojya Swamiji had an acute throat problem, and in the beginning there was a doubt whether he would be able to talk at all, his voice became better and he could conduct all the programmes well. In Madrasi Sammelani, Swamiji spoke for 5 days on “Surrender and Divine Grace” on the basis of Bhagavadgeeta. In Bharat Sevashram Sangha, he spoke for 2 days in the morning on Uddhava Gita.

On February 25, Poojya Swamiji conducted a workshop on “Spirituality – an Essential Element in Educational Excellence” for the Principals of the reputed schools of Jamshedpur. The programme held at TMDC Auditorium, was arranged by the TISCO Business Excellence Group and was well appreciated by the participants who felt that through such interactions with Swamiji they could imbibe and, as teachers, can also impart, the right values and virtues to the students.

The Vishnusahasranaama Saamoohika Yajña on February 27 was held in the lawn of Bharat Sevashram Sangha. The programme was very well arranged. About 1200 devotees were inside the Pandal while about 2000 people took prasaada at the conclusion of the Yajña.

Poojya Swamiji, along with Nutan Swamiji and Ma, stayed in the house of his disciples Narendran and Kala. This spacious TISCO quarter – Kaiser Bungalow – became an Ashram during the 3 week long Jnaana Yajna. The young couple had temporarily handed over their residence completely for the use of their Guru and his mission. They packed away most of their belongings and themselves stayed elsewhere so that the organizers could arrange the place suitably giving it the look of a Centre, public in character. The Annakshetra was run in a temporary shed put up in the same premises. Around 100 devotees took prasaada everyday.

    Satsang using teleconference: On 20th March, Poojya Swamiji’s devotees in USA had arranged for a “Telephonic Satsang” with Poojya Swamiji. In this first Conference Call Satsang, devotees from seven cities in USA had Satsang for one and half hours with Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Maa. The devotees were participating in the Satsang remaining in their homes in different states of USA, while the Ashram inmates and other visiting devotees huddled together in Poojya Swamiji’s room to participate through the speaker phone.

The satsang started with the US-based devotees offering their pranams at the holy lotus feet of Poojya Swamiji. On behalf of all the devotees Sri Bharat Wakhlu requested Poojya Swamiji to enlighten the participants with his message to them on this special occasion. Poojya Swamiji, in his brief message, stressed the need to remain focused on the spiritual goal while pursuing their professional and other activities with an ever expanding and comprehensive vision.

This was followed by discussions on how the devotees from across the world can collectively be of service in Poojya Swamiji’s mission. There was also a suggestion to initiate a Global Tele-Satsang that would involve devotees of Poojya Swamiji from various places of India and abroad.

Ma said that she felt happy that the family of Poojya Swamiji’s children has come together in such a hearty manner with a wish to participate in Swamiji’s mission. Poojya Swamiji blessed all the devotees and urged them to steadfastly continue on the path of their saadhana. The Satsang that lasted for over 90 minutes was concluded with a soul-stirring chanting by Maa and Nutan Swamiji of ‘Svaamin Namaste…’ and ‘Prabuddham Vimuktam…’.

    On 16th March 2005, Swami Muktanandaji Maharaj from Anandashram, Kanhangad, visited our Ashram for a few hours in the evening. Poojya Swamiji and Swami Muktanandaji heartily discussed various matters concerning the spiritual centres as well as the value based educational scheme which Anandashram is keen to establish in the country. Swami Muktanandaji is the senior-most Sannyaasin disciple of Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj, who is presently unwell. Those who were present in the Ashram cherished the Satsang, which spoke of the fond and fraternal relationship between the two Ashrams.

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