| News
& Notes - November 2004 |
 |
31st Delhi
Annual Jnaana Yajna. Poojya Swamiji,
along with Ma Gurupriyaji and Swami Nirviseshananda Tirthaji, will leave for
Delhi on November 08 (and not on October 29, as reported in the October
issue of Vicharasetu). They are expected back at the Ashram by December 01.
Contact telephone number at CIRD: 0120–2880563.
On 3rd
October Poojya Swamiji inaugurated the Sreemad
Bhaagavata Saptaaham in the Keezhe Trikkovil Temple in Cheruvatteri, 4 KM
away from the Ashram.
Children’s visit. On 21st October
morning, a group of about 50 children (between 4 & 15 years) accompanied
by 15 teachers and a few parents visited the Ashram from Sri Satya Sai Seva
Sadan, Anthikkad, near Thrissur.
The
cool, green surroundings with butterflies fluttering aimlessly amidst the
bright flowers of many hues all around captured the minds of the young
children and added to the air of festivity. Ma greeted the children at the
entrance and the Brahmacharins led them to the Vijnaana Bhavan. Very soon the
children were all seated in neat rows in
hushed silence, waiting for Swamiji.
As
Swamiji entered accompanied by Ma and Nutan Swamiji, the children stood up in
reverence with folded hands. Sensing their playful mood Swamiji got down to
being almost a child himself and began talking to them in their own language!
Swamiji
told them that one’s greatest asset is the mind and intelligence. Whatever
anyone had achieved in this world was through the proper use of the mind
backed by a keen intelligence. Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi,
or anyone for that matter, had only the same set of senses on their bodies
along with a mind and intelligence. You too have a mind and intelligence
like all the great people. What is therefore lacking in you? You lack the
confidence and belief in yourself that you can achieve whatever you wish to!
As
an illustration, Swamiji narrated the story of Hanuman leaping across the
ocean – how he grew in confidence when Jambavan reminded him the power of
Hanuman’s father, Vaayu (the wind god). Swamiji narrated how Valmiki has
described Hanuman as very hard working, sincere, and loyal. He always spoke
truth and was a chaste Brahmachari. “You must also be like Hanuman,”
Swamiji added.
The
children were impressed and readily agreed that they could also imbibe the
great qualities of Hanuman.
Looking
at the teachers and parents, Poojya Swamiji said: “You must yourself be
diligent and keen to make your mind strong and expansive. Only then your words
will carry inspiration. Teachers have the great responsibility of instilling
confidence and courage in the children. They must be taught how to develop
their mind and intelligence.”
Concluding,
Swamiji said that he was very happy to see such a well behaved group of
children. He blessed them a bright future. The children then sang some choral
bhajans. After food, they left for Anthikkad. While offering pranaams at
Swamiji’s feet a few mothers were seen shedding tears.
Acharya Grahastha Sangamam. On
21st October afternoon, Poojya Swamiji presided over the fourth
annual get together of the householders and ascetics, held at the Brahmaswam
Thekke Madhom (Thrissur). Fifteen Sannyasins were present in the assembly.
Vijayadasami day,
23rd October. In a sublime “Vidyaarambham”
function held in the morning at Dakshinamoorty Temple (Vyasa Tapovanam),
Poojya Swamiji initiated about sixty children into literacy by writing Om on
their tongue. Swami Ramananda Tirthaji and others made them write on rice
spread on a brass plate.
From
the Dakshinamoorty Temple, Poojya Swamiji went to address the teachers and
staff of the famous Tutorial Institute run by Prof. P C Thomas,
in Thrissur. Poojya Swamiji, Ma and Nutan Swamiji were received at the
entrance by Prof. P C Thomas and his staff, and were conducted to the lecture
hall where about 130 Teachers belonging
to various scientific disciplines were seated. One of their colleagues
introduced Swamiji to the audience, describing Swamiji not only as a star in
the sky of spiritual knowledge and scholarship but also as one who blazes in
the socio-religious horizon by relentlessly opposing superstitious practices
incongruent with the Scriptures as well as the basic tenets of decency and
civilization.
Swamiji
was asked to enlighten on the theme: Assiduousness in Teaching.
Swamiji said that a teacher should feel proud and happy that he is able to
impart his knowledge to the students who approach him. “Teaching,” he
said, “was never done in our country for remuneration. The sense of
fulfillment alone was the reward sought by
the ancient teachers in our country. Even if one does his work for
remuneration, a good teacher should always derive satisfaction from the fact
that he could bring about changes in his student by imparting right knowledge.
His teaching quality should never hinge on the quantum of remuneration
received.
“A
good teacher is an eternal student,
an eternal seeker of knowledge. A good teacher should be endowed with sraddha, which can be
best translated to mean assiduous application to one’s work.”
***
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