News & Notes - January 2007

 

     Release of the 5th Malayalam book on Sreemad Bhaagavatam: During the inauguration of Sreemad Bhaagavata Tattva Sameekshaa Satram in Thrissur on 20th December, 2006, the 5th Malayalam book written by Poojya Swamiji on Sreemad Bhaagavatam, Krishnajanmam Avataricchappol (When Sri Krishna Took Birth) was released by Swami Svaprabhananda ji, President of Ramakrishna Ashram, Koilandi. The book, based on the 10th skandha, deals with the birth and exploits of Krishna. These books by Swamiji on Bh¡gavatam are intended to make the values enunciated in Sreemad Bhaagavatam the warp and woof of the daily life of our people. (Pages 250)

     5th Sreemad Bhaagavata Tattva Sameeksha Satram: Sreemad Bhaagavata Tattva Sameeksha Satram, jointly organized by Narayanashrama Tapovanam and Hind Navotthana Pratishtan, was inaugurated on 20th December by Poojya Swamiji at Paralikkad Naimisharanyam (Wadakancheri, Trichur Dist., Kerala). Poojya Purushothama Swamiji hoisted the flag, marking the beginning of the 12-day sessions. Swami Svaprabhananda ji, President of Ramakrishna Ashram, Koilandi, presided over the function.

During the inauguration, Poojya Swamiji said that the Satram is not to be considered as merely a religious congregation. It has a message for the entire society through its values, which are based on Bhaarateeya Culture. The “cultural patriotism”, he said, is more significant than, and also complementary to, the geographical or territorial patriotism; it is this bond that unites the people of this Nation.

Poojya Swamiji gave six talks, including the inaugural and the valedictory addresses. On 22nd, Nutan Swamiji spoke on “Upanishad Dharma” and on 27th, Maa gave a talk on “Devotional Elixir in Sreemad Bhaagavatam”. 

More than fifty speakers – sannyaasins and scholars – took part in the dissemination of the Text. Naama-sankeertana pradakshina, led by Poojya Swamiji was the concluding programme at 06:30 pm everyday. Arrangements were made to serve breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner to all devotees and visitors. Nearly 3,000 devotees attended daily.

The programme concluded on 31st with the Vishnusahasranaama Saarvajanika Yajna. The saarvajanika yajna has become an important event for all devotees, as evidenced by the large crowd – more than five thousand people – that came to attend it. Nearly 1200 devotees performed arcana or  havana.

     International Volunteers’ Meet (IVM): About forty participants from different Centres all over the world attended the IVM conducted during Dec 19-28. With the Centre for Inner Resources Development coming up in Malaysia, USA, Chennai and Jamshedpur, in addition to the one in New Delhi, there has been a greater measure of dedication and enthusiasm in the devotees and seekers to work for the dissemination of spiritual knowledge in the society.

How well can the message of Brahmavidya, as applicable to different fields of activity in the daily life of people, be spread, was the vibrant discussion during the Meet. The Meet also helped formulate uniform practices and culture in different centres and address specific issues related to each Centre for its growth.

     Poojya Swamiji was invited to speak at the Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage on December 01. The talk was held at the Town Hall of Guruvayoor and was attended by nearly 300 people. Swamiji spoke about the relevance of devotion in daily life explaining how a devotee should interact in the world with zeal and enthusiasm. A true devotee should not have any feeling of resentment or dislike to worldly matters, but should learn to divinize all that he does, Poojya Swamiji said.

     The 17th Mahasamaadhi day of Mataji Sulabha Devi was observed in the Ashram on December 17. The function was held in a very sublime manner befitting the austerity that Poojya Maataji always advocated and personified. Naama-sankeertana was held on the occasion and prasaadam distributed by Poojya Swamiji in the Samaadhi-mandir. More than 300 devotees, including many children from the village, took part in the bhakti-bhojanam. In the evening a Daana Satra was held distributing 3kg rice packets and a saree to about 100 recipients.

     12th Annual Geeta Tattva Sameeksha in Thrissur will be held between 21st and 28th January 2007 at the Vadakkunathan Temple Sreemoolasthaanam. Poojya Swamiji will speak (in Malayalam) on Bhakti Yoga, the 12th chapter of Bhagavadgeetaa.

     43rd Jñaana Yajña in Jamshedpur & Programmes in Kolkata: Poojya Swamiji along with Maa and Nutan Swamiji will leave the Ashram on Feb 06. Halting at Kolkata between Feb 06 & 09 they will reach Jamshedpur on Feb 10. 

In addition, there will be Pushpa-samarpanam and Prabhaata-rashmih (07:00-07:45am), as well as regular satsang with Poojya Swamiji (10:45-11:45am) on all days except when Swamiji has other overlapping programmes. Poojya Swamiji, Maa and Nutan Swamiji will leave Jamshedpur on Mar 02, reaching Ashram on Mar 03 via Kolkata. Contact at Jamshedpur: Sri RS Tiwari 0657 – 2302409; Sri S Sengupta 2306180; Dr SR Sahu – 2303154; Kolkata: Sri Partha Sarathi Biswas (98311 69474); Sri SR Bhowmik 033 – 23347206.

43rd Jñaana Yajña in Jamshedpur & Programmes in Kolkata

Programme Details

 

     Poojya Swamiji along with Maa and Nutan Swamiji will be in CIRD-Vasundhara for two weeks from Mar 16 onwards.

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