News & Notes - January 2009

 

      New book (Malayalam): The 7th volume in the series on Sreemad Bhagavatam, “Krishnante Gaarhika Raajakeeya Prabhavangal”, written by Poojya Swamiji, was released on December 24, during the inauguration of the 7th Annual Sreemad Bhagavata Tattva Sameeksha Satram. The book is based on the tenth skandha of Bhagavatam, dealing with Krishna’s excellences as a householder and a King.

Like the other volumes of this series, this book too expounds how the wisdom presented in Sreemad Bhagavatam can transform our household as well as the society.

      45th Jamshedpur Annual Jñana Yajña & Programmes in Kolkata: Poojya Swamiji accompanied by Nutan Swamiji and Ma Gurupriyaji will arrive in Kolkata on Feb 10. They will be hosted at HA167, Salt Lake, Kolkata, where satsangs will be held from 11th to 13th February 10-11 a.m. Swamiji’s discourse based on Bhagavadgeeta will be held at Aikatan Hall (EZCC), Salt Lake, Kolkata, on Feb 12 at 06:00 p.m. Poojya Swamiji, M¡ and Nutan Swamiji will leave for Jamshedpur on Feb 14. Contact in Kolkata: Sri Partha Sarathi Biswas (98311 69474); Sri SR Bhowmik 033-23347206.

In Jamshedpur, Poojya Swamiji will be hosted at the residence of Sri Narendran & Smt Kala at 12 Pardi Road, Kadma. Guru Archana will be conducted there on Feb 15 evening. Swamiji’s evening discourses based on Bhagavadgeeta will be held at Madrasi Sammelani from Feb 18 to 22. Vishnu Sahasranama Saamoohika Yajna will be conducted on Mar 01 at the lawn of Bharat Sevashrama Sangha, Sonari.

Nutan Swamiji and Ma will conduct classes on Upanishads and Sreemad Bhagavatam respectively, in the mornings (9.30-10.30 a.m.) at 12 Pardi Road. In addition, there will be daily pushpa-samarpanam as well as satsangs with Poojya Swamiji. Poojya Swamiji, M¡ and Nutan Swamiji will leave Jamshedpur on Mar 03, to reach Ashram on Mar 04 via Kolkata. For further details regarding Jamshedpur programme, please Contact: Sri V Narendran (0657) 2306980, Sri RS Tiwari 2302409; Sri S Sengupta 9431303590; Smt Rumni Sengupta 9431184333.

      Saadhana Shibiram: A 7-day Saadhana Shibiram was conducted in the Ashram from 14-21 Dec, for twenty-two seekers connected with Poojya Swamiji’s Ashram in Malaysia - the Society for Inner Resources Development (SIRD), Malaysia. In the morning everyday, Poojya Swamiji discussed the fundamental concepts of spirituality, focusing on their application to the life of seekers. The concepts covered were ‘God’, ‘Man’, meditation and interactional saadhana, the discipline in food and exercise, the qualities to be pursued as an SIRD volunteer, the role of SIRD in the society as well as in the spiritual progress of individual seekers.

Concurrent afternoon sessions with Nutan Swamiji and Ma focused on ‘individual and collective saadhana’ with emphasis on the significance of Ashram disciplines and observances. At the request of the participants, some special sessions were held where Nutan Swamiji and Ma shared previously unknown aspects and details of their saadhana and spiritual journey.

Everyday the participants held group discussions amongst themselves, giving more mind-hours on the topics covered and in a very systematic manner raised their doubts and questions on various saadhana-related issues during the night satsangs. All the sessions were very intensive and participative. A unique participatory feature of the Shibiram was that all seekers dedicatedly took up the responsibility of jointly conducting the programmes – from the early morning preparations for prayer, Annakshetra work, to the winding up after night satsang.

During the concluding session, Poojya Swamiji himself expressed satisfaction about the unique, vibrant, nature of the shibiram.

      7th Sreemad Bhagavata Tattva Sameeksha Satram, conducted by Hind Navotthana Pratishtan and Narayanashrama Tapovanam, at Naimisharanyam (Paralikkad, Wadakancheri, Thrissur Dist.) was inaugurated on December 24. Poojya Swamiji’s inaugural address was followed by the Presidential address of Swami Muktanandaji, Mathadhipati of Anandashram (Kanhangad, Kerala). Swami Gabheeranandaji from Chinmaya Mission, and Sri Vaidyalinga Sharma also spoke on the occasion. Poojya Swamiji’s seventh book in the series on Bhaagavatam was released by Swami Muktanandaji, and the first copy was presented to Sri Vaidyalinga Sharma.

As in previous years, Sri Krishna Idol from Guruvayur, Dharma-dhvaja from Tiruvillvamalai and áreemad Bh¡gavata Grantha from Narayanashrama Tapovanam were taken to the venue in grand processions over the preceding three days. Also there was a Sreemad Bhagavata Dharma-yatra around Naimisharanyam. Welcomed en route by various devotee groups at Temples and other places with material offerings (dravya-samarpanam) for anna-daana, these yaatraas (processions) announced the Satram to the general public in and around Thrissur.

The “Sreemad Bhagavata Ratham” (Heritage procession) on the inaugural day of the Satram from Paralikad Devi Temple, was led by Sannyasins, who were received at Naimishaaranyam with Poorna Kumbham. Thereupon the Dharmadhvaja was hoisted by Maharshi Devapalan.

      Poojya Swamiji’s talk at NDPL: On Nov 27, Poojya Swamiji addressed the employees of North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL), New Delhi, on the occasion of an “Ethics Week” being observed by them, in which the employees were being exposed to many aspects of value-based operations and management. The session, lasting more than 2 hours, was held at their Training Campus. More than 350 employees, including Senior Managers, participated.

Highlighting the importance of Ethics in our daily interactional life, Poojya Swamiji said, “Neither a family, nor a society or a Nation can remain strong and sustainable in the absence of sound ethics to govern the character and behaviour of the citizens individually and collectively. Value-based approach is therefore an imperative; and not an option at all. It is a compulsion, a persuasion and a demand of the human mind and intelligence.”

      As reported in the last issue, National Summit on “Value Crisis and Redressal”, conducted by the Foundation for Restoration of National Values (FRNV), was held on 18th and 19th November at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event began with the reading of Messages from the President and the Prime Minister, followed by Inaugural Address by Sri Somnath Chatterjee, the Speaker of Parliament. The Keynote Address was delivered by Sri KG Balakrishnan, Chief Justice of India. Poojya Swamiji gave the ‘Inspirational Speech’.

Many other eminent persons from the Parliament, Government, Corporate world, Education and the Civic Society participated in the deliberations. Redress measures, evolved during the Summit proceedings, were outlined and an action report was submitted to the Prime Minister.

      The 19th Mahasamadhi day of Mataji Sulabha Devi was observed in the Ashram on Dec 17 with due love and devotion. The programme started with bhajans at 8:30 a.m. At 9:30 was the Guru Archana and pada-pooja for Poojya Swamiji performed by Smt Anjalai and Sow Sotheeswari (from Malaysia) on behalf of all the devotees. Poojya Swamiji, in his message, dwelt on the clear and firm resolve for renunciation that Mataji had from the very beginning. Relating some touching and inspiring incidences from her life in the Ashram, Swamiji and Ma highlighted her vairagya and total reliance on God.

After the pada-pooja, Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Ma Gurupriyaji led the devotees in a procession from the Vijñana Bhavan to the Samadhi Mandir. Chanting Mataji’s favourite nama-sankeertana - “Hare Rama …… Hare Krishna…..”, devotees offered flowers at the Lotus Feet of Poojya Swamiji as well as at Mataji Sulabha Devi’s samadhi. Bhakti Bhoj was offered to around 250 devotees, villagers and workers. In the evening a Dana Satra was held distributing 3kg rice packets to 100 recipients.

      On Dec 08, Poojya Swamiji was invited by residents of Thangaloor (Thrissur) to deliver a benedictory talk at the Mahadeva Temple there. They requested him to explain the art and science of devotion, and how temple practices can help them lead a better, harmonious life. On Dec 20 Poojya Swamiji was invited by the kshetra samrakshana samiti of the Dakshinamurty Temple at Irunnilankode, Wadakancheri, Thrissur, to give a benedictory talk during the annual function of the Temple. Narrating the story of Dhruva from Bh¡gavatam, Poojya Swamiji spoke about the need for devotees to expand their mind, and learn to drop selfishness and self-centredness.

      As announced last month, 14th Annual Geeta Tattva Sameeksha will be held between 18 and 25 January 2009 at the Sreemoolasth¡nam of Vadakkunathan Temple, Thrissur. Poojya Swamiji will speak (in Malayalam) on Guna-trayavibhaga yoga, the 14th chapter of Bhagavadgeeta.

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