| News
& Notes - January 2010 |
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15th Annual Geeta Tattva Sameeksha in Thrissur will be
held from 17th to 24th January 2010 at the Vadakkunathan Temple Sreemoolasthanam.
Poojya Swamiji will speak (in Malayalam) on Purushottama-yoga,
the 15th chapter of Bhagavadgeeta.
46th Jamshedpur Annual Yajna & Programme in Kolkata: Poojya Swamiji accompanied by
Nutan Swamiji and Ma Gurupriyaji will arrive in Kolkata on Feb 07. They will be hosted at the
residence of Smt & Sri S. R. Bhowmik (HA 167, Salt Lake, Kolkata), where Satsangs will be held on
Feb 08, 09 and 10. Poojya Swamiji will give a public talk on Feb 09 (06:00 p.m.) at HA Block Community Hall,
Salt Lake. Poojya Swamiji, Ma and Nutan Swamiji will leave for Jamshedpur on Feb. 11. Contact in Kolkata:
Sri S.R. Bhowmik 033-23347206; Sri Partha Sarathi Biswas 9831169474.
In Jamshedpur, Guru-archana will be conducted on Feb 12 (06:00 p.m.).
Swamiji's evening discourses ("Where Lies Life's Success and Fulfillment") based on Bhagavadgeeta, will be held
at Madrasi Sammelani from Feb 14 to 18 (06:45 - 08:00 p.m.). Vishnu Sahasranama Samuhika Yajna will be conducted
on Feb 28. Poojya Swamiji will conduct classes based on Vivekachudamani during Feb 13-19 (07:30-08:30 a.m.).
Ma's classes on "Living Joyfully" will be held during Feb 14-18 (09:45-10:45). Nutan Swamiji will take classes on
Bhagavadgeeta during Feb 20-24 (07:30-08:30 a.m.).
Poojya Swamiji, Ma and Nutan Swamiji will return to the Ashram by Mar 03 via Kolkata. For further details regarding
Jamshedpur programme, contact: Sri S. Sengupta 9431303590; Smt. Rumni Sengupta 9431184333; Sri R. S. Tiwari (0657) 2302409;
and Prof. S. R. Sahu 9430716106.
Sadhana-sibiram: More than twenty-five seekers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Pune, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai,
Thrissur and other places participated in the Sadhana-sibiram conducted from Dec 15 to 22 at the Ashram. It was a period of intense sadhana - an inner
pilgrimage guided by Poojya Swamiji. Swamiji spoke at length about mind and how to handle it. In his classes, Swamiji discussed the four
disciplines - jnanayoga, karmayoga, bhaktiyoga and rajayoga - and how all the disciplines have the final purpose of strengthening and
purifying the mind.
In the afternoon classes, Ma took up selected shlokas dealing with devotion and dispassion. Nutan Swamiji dealth with the revolutionary message
of Bhagavadgeeta. Explaining with diagrams and illustrations, Swamiji outlined the method by which one can be freed from the cycle of bondage
by treating the senses, mind and intelligence at the causal level.
The intense group discussions amongst the devotees gave rise to many queries, which were clarified by Poojya Swamiji during the night-satsang.
Those participants who were already initiated into Brahmavidya by Poojya Swamiji had the opportunity to sit in group meditation with
Poojya Swamiji during two mornings.
20th Mahasamadhi day of Mataji Sulabha Devi was observed in the Ashram on Dec 17. Pada-pooja was performed
by Smt. Rekha and Smt. Rati (from Malaysia). They offered flowers at the holy feet of Swamiji amidst chanting of Ashtottara-shata-namavali.
Ma recalled how Mataji used to chant shlokas and sing keertanas in her deeply devotional voice. Poojya Swamiji recounted early days when Mataji
had come to the ashram to pursue her sadhana exclusively. "One-pointed devotion and self-seatedness were her unique and natural assets", said Swamiji.
Bhajans, sung by Mataji herself decades ago, digitized and compiled now into a CD, were played during the function. It was a rare opportunity
for the assembled devotees to hear her soulful, melodious voice. Poojya Swamiji gave the first copy of the CD to Sri Hari, Mataji's poorvashrama son,
who had come from Chennai for the function.
After the pada-pooja, Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Ma led the devotees in a procession from the Vijnana Bhavan to the Samadhi Mandir, where devotees
offered flowers at Mataji's samadhi, and received prasada from Poojya Swamiji. More than 200 devotees, villagers and workers partook of the bhakti-bhojana.
In the evening a Dana Satra was held distributing 3kg rice packets to 100 families.
8th Sreemad Bhagavata Tattva Sameeksha Satram was held between 25 December 2009 and 3 January 2010 in Paralikad
Naimisharanyam, in the sacred precincts of Tacchanattukavu Devi Temple.
Our tradition calls for regular conducting of jnanotsava (Knowledge Festivity), aimed at instilling ethical and cultural values
and messages in the society. Eternal writings like Sreemad Bhagavatam have the sole object of revealing and inculcating everlasting values, ideals
and insights, in individuals to bring about long-term strength and stability to the society.
There have been significant changes in the style of living of the common-folk in the village, where the Satram is held annually. A distinct awareness
has taken root in them highlighting values, which alone can bring inner strength and guide people in every walk of life. Enthusiasm and zeal, which
the event evokes in children, are equally conspicuous. Though the subject being regularly discussed is a traditional literature, the object is undeniably
to expose the listeners to the great values of the land, which are eternal and universal.
During the Satram, over 30 distinguished exponents - sannyasins and scholars - exposed the invaluable inner treasure to the listeners. Apart from meetings
announcing the event and its importance in nearby villages, yatras (processions) for bringing the (i) Sri Krishna idol (ii) Dharma-dhvaja and
(iii) Sreemad Bhagavata Grantha, formed part of the general Dharmic Awakening measures.
The highlight of the concluding day, 3 Jan 2010, was the Visnu-sahasranama Sarvajanika Mahayajna, with more than 1200 people performing archana
and havan together, with the specific sankalpa (prayer and resolve) of bringing prosperity, unity, inner strength and welfare for
one and all.
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