Vedanta Sandesh - Sept 2009

Year 13

Tfqu!311:

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah !

Issue 3

In This Issue

1.

Vedanta Section:

Atma Bodha - Shloka-10

2.

Letter Section:

Understanding Traditions

3.

Traditions Section:

Sraddha Paksha

4.

Story Section:

Sudarshana Chakra

5.

VM Programs:

Mission / Ashram Progs

From Poojya Guruji

Vedanta Sandesh Spreading Love & Light

Hari om! Monthly eMagazine of Vedanta Mission Sharing the message of Vedanta and Sanatan Dharma

Sept 2009 On the Net since 1995

Started by:

Poojya Guruji Sri Swami Atmanandaji

Editor:

Swamini Samatananda Saraswati

Published from:

Vedanta Ashram E/2948-50, Sudama Nagar Indore-452 009, India

Web:

www.vmission.org.in Email:

[email protected]

The whole spiritual journey is broadly classified into two phases, they are Asti and Asmi. Asti means ‘God Is’; and Asmi is discovery of our identity with him. The Asti phase involves bringing about of total conviction, intellectual as well as heartfelt appreciation of the existence of God. This phase alone takes the greater part of our time and even hard work. In this phase it is immaterial as to what name and form we take of that which transcends all this, because the basic objective is only to affirm his existence. For such people God exists as clearly as the sun, moon and the people around. Objective of various rituals, traditions etc is basically to affirm this belief firmly. The festivals too make this impression storng and firm. Once we believe in the existence of an omniscient & omnipotent God, then we get connected to him at all times, whether it is happiness or sorrow. The result is a positive attitude towards both kinds of experiences. The greatest blessing is the acquisition of a blessed mind. When the mind is blessed then there is a paradigm shift in our life with reference to our goals and values. The very motivation for everything changes. When I really know that I am not alone, and I am a constant reciepient of God’s blessings, that I am being loved by God himself, then the problems start becoming challenges, and duties become a pleasure. There is fearlessness, enthusiasm and overall positivity. There is love for all. Such a person starts living in every present moment. In fact they truly start living. Blessedness is the door to a Sattwic mind. Blessedness effaces rajasic, self-centered tendencies. Every achievement is HIS blessing and every failure is a lesson from HIM to polish our minds all the more. Such a positive, blessed, selfless, inspired, thoughtful and dedicated mind is a ‘pure’ mind. The next phase of Asmi is tread with such a pure mind, and in this phase there is nothing to do, but just to know. We just have to open our eyes fully, and ‘see’ that which always ‘is’. To awake to such a truth alone is enlightenment. It is Moksha. Love & om,

Swami Atmananda Saraswati

Atma Bodha - Shloka 10 Vedanta Section

Truth is All-Pervasive like Space The subject matter of the previous sloka was that Brahman pervades all the varied manifestation and it is not only the substratum of all existence but is the ‘real’ existence. All the manifestations have just an illusionary existence just as the different forms of gold ornaments are an imagination on the substratum of gold. In the following sloka too the all-pervasiveness of Parmatama is explained, now with a more subtle example of space, and that it ‘as though’ appears limited due to the superimposition of objects, and their limitations.

10 Yathaakasho hrishikesho nanopadhigato vibhuh Tadbhedaatbhinnavatbhati tannashe kevalo bhavet Yathakasho: Like the Space, Hrishikeshah: Paramtma, who is the Lord of Senses; Nanopadhigato: Appears different when conditioned by different upadhis; Vibhu: the All-Pervading God; Tat Bhedat: On account of limiting adjuncts; bhinnavat: as though different; Bhati: appears; Tannashe: When they are not present; Kevalo Bhaveta: Becomes One. Like Space, Paramatma who is the Lord of the senses and All-Pervading appears different when conditioned by the diverse limiting adjuncts on account of the difference of those limiting adjuncts. On their destruction, That becomes the verily one-existing.

Yathaakasho Hrishikesho: The Acharya explains the All-pervasiveness of Brahman with the example of space. Space is not only All-Pervasive, but it is limitless, it is the ‘Whole’and it alone becomes the substratum for everything to exist. Similarly Brahman is All-Pervasive, it is limitless and it alone is the non-dual substratum in and through which everything exists. Hrishikesho means the ‘Lord of the senses’. Paramatma is the life energy factor behind all our senses, or in a more expanded term all our faculties. It is due to this life energy that all our faculties bubble with activity. In Kenopanishad, this life giving factor is explained as Shrotasya shrotram, manaso mano yat...It is the Atman by whose power the ear hears, the eyes see, the tongue speaks and life functions. Without this power of consciousness Vedanta Sandesh - Sept 2009

life would cease to exist and we would be as good as dead. Nanopadhigato vibhuh: Brahman is also known as Vibhuh, which means all-pervading. Vibhuh, being all-pervasive, can only be one without a second, but when it manifests itself as the various embodiments it as though appears to be many. Not only this, each form appears to have its own unique individuality. Interaction with the world is also possible because of this plurality in names, forms and qualities of each, object, person and situation. The basic message that one should drive home through this is that in spite of all the plurality it is all woven together by a common string, as Lord Krishna says in the Gita: Sutre mani gana iva-Like a number of pearls are bound together by a common string which may or may not

be seen but it is the strings which holds the pearls together and gives it the form of a necklace. Tadbhedaatbhinnavat bhati: As it is being explained that basically the substratum is one which manifests as many therefore it is due to the individual features of each manifestations that the one non-dual substratum as though appears to be different physically and at the level of gunas (qualities) too. Fragmentation is thus only at the level of the bodies. Brahman can never be fragmented in any way whatever the embodiment. It is the ‘Whole’. It is only when we identify with the body, mind and intellect that we start feeling incomplete and limited, since the body, mind and intellect, are limited. In truth just as Space can never be fragmented or is never affected by any fragmenttions, so also Brahman although appears to be divided, yet in truth it can never be divided. Let us see this through an example: There are pots of different shapes and sizes. Firstly there is space in every pot, but this space basically being non-dual, unfragmented and limitless appears to be many pot spaces, fragmented and limited as per the shape and size. If space were to identify with the pots, their shapes, sizes and their usage too then what would happen? A ten lire pot space would think I am only a ten litre pot, I am not as big enough as the one next to me which has 20 litres space. The smaller pot would be jealous of the bigger ones and would either try to be as big as the other one and eternally be in competion, because there is always going to be a bigger one, or it would suffer cursing God for having made him small. In this manner the cycle of suffering in limitations would go on eternally until true realisation dawns that it is only due

to the identifications with the walls of the pot that space as though appears to be limited. This identification with the limitations of the body is a fundamental error of all mankind who are suffering due to ignorance. When we identify with our physical bodies, our realtionships, caste, religeon, roles, money and so on and so forth, we consider ourselves limited at that particular level, thus constantly creating a world of limitations, agony and suffering with a dash of ego satisfaction. Truly the pot space is one all-pervasive, unfragmented and unaffected by the differences in the pot sizes etc. Infact this non-dual space supports the very existence of all the pots. This fact is explained here when the Acharya says that it is due to the identifications with the differences at the physical level that Brahman as though appears to be fragmented. So how does one get liberated of this bondage of wrong identification? This is explained further: Tannashe Kevalo bhavet: When one drops this identification with the walls of the pot, by seeing the multiplicity as illusionary then all that remains is one-non dual Brahman. This comes about only thorugh knowledge. Here one must understand that suffering is not due to the very presence of the physical world or the one non-dual Brahman becoming many. The suffering is obviously due to not being able to see the truth of the world, its nature and its substratum. One cannot physically escape the world, which is not required, but all one needs to do is casts off all sense of imposed reality on the physical world and see it as an illusion, and also sees the underlying self effulgent, eternal and blissful existence of parmatma and one awakens into the state of non-duality.

Vedanta Ashram Day - 10th Oct With Param Pujya Gurudev Swami Atmananda Saraswatiji's blessings Vedanta Ashram was established on Vijaya Dashami in 1995, 10th of Oct. The hub of Vedanta Mission has been a strong and yet humble tree of love and light where the knowledgeable Sage of modern times, Param Pujya Guruji has touched the hearts of so many devotees with his in depth knowledge of Srimadbhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. The beauty of Vedanta Ashram is that it is not just a centre of intellectual learning but it is a unique Gurukula where all devotees live in an intimate atmosphere, learning and living the values of sewa, devotion and knowledge. It is a place where the authentic tradition of knowledge blends with modern technology and science uniquely passing on the authentic knowledge of Vedanta. Page # 5

Quotes "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do." - Confucius

"Goodness is the only investment that never fails." - Henry David Thoreau

"Do not listen to those who weep and complain, for their disease is contagious." - Og Mandino

"Patterning your life around other's opinions is nothing more than slavery." - Lawana Blackwell

"If you want to be respected, you must respect yourself." - Spanish Proverb

Vedanta Sandesh - Sept 2009

Understanding Traditions Hari om K....ben,

However when there is ignorance about the true spirit and

objective

of

something, then the imagination

of

ignorant devotees takes over, and then the ritual which was meant to bring about humility, sensitivity and ultimately even the effacement of ego, alone becomes instrumental

to

increase ego and egoistic tendencies.. - Poojya Guruji

The significance of offerings anything to god is the same as offering anything to any of our near & dear ones. Offerings are expressions of our feelings of love, respect and care. What we offer is what our beloved likes, as lord shiva likes abhisheka so that's what the devotees do. In such matters shastras alone are pramana, so we follow what the scriptures tell us about Shivji, and express our love & devotion accordingly. The capacity to keep aside our personal likes & dislikes or even conveniences in favor of what our respectable ones like is the essence of any service & worship. However what really matters is not the thing that is offered but the devotion with which any offering is made. Imagine that if someone were to give you an extremely costly thing with disrespect and insensitivity, then how would you like & respond. Same here. Rituals help the inculcation of this sensitivity towards god. the scriptures take pains to communicate to us the importance of this feeling aspect. Once this is brought about with reference to small worldly things then following the percepts of god regarding subtler matters too becomes easy & possible. However when there is ignorance about the true spirit and objective of something, then the imagination of ignorant devotees takes over, and then the ritual which was meant to bring about humility, sensitivity and ultimately even the effacement of ego, alone becomes instrumental to increase ego and egoistic tendencies. These ways are obviously not devotion in any way but just yet another 'show' of ones so called love, which is seen only in getting or giving more. These thoughtless offerings are in fact yet another ego-trip and that is why in spite of using & wasting hundreds of gallons of milk etc such people continue to remain as they are with their ego and egoistic problems. It is such mentality which alone reflects in having 'more' lights, 'more' decoration in 'my' house etc. This vicariously makes the individual more important and bigger, and such devotees in their ignorance think that 'God' will be more happy too. All this shows the profound importance of right direction and knowledge in present times, whether in India or abroad. The priests are not the competent people for giving such knowledge, and we know that no temple committee ever takes directions on these matters from scriptures or the other right people. What is generally done is what the people like & want, and thus these baseless things continue in the name of religion. It is these ignorant people who not only do not benefit from such 'worship', but ultimately become responsible for all clashes and violence which goes on in the name of religion, by continuously fattening their individual ego's. So please understand that such things have no religious sanctions and are just the whims and fancies of ignorant devotees. Wise devotees need to show-case the right way of doing rituals, where it is the devotion which matters and not the thing, which of course can and in fact should be used in just symbolic ways. Having done a ritual as per the directions of scriptures, what we need to really offer to god, is something which he doesn't have, or it doesn't already belong to god. Such offerings are our ignorance, ego, negative & evil tendencies etc. That is the way of the scriptures. With love & om,

Swami Atmananda

Page # 9

5th - 18th Sept 2009

Sraddha Paksha

The dark fortnight which falls in the hindu calendar month of Ashwin is refered to as Mahalaya Paksha or Pitru Paksha. In Sanatan Dharma this fortnight is dedicated to honour and offer our oblations, gratitude and respect to our deceased parents and forefathers. In today’s times we celebrate teacher’s day, mother’s day, valentine’s day etc. These are occassions to express our love and gratitude to our loved ones with whom we share different colors of life. This is in relation with people who are still a part of our life but it is the glory of Sanatan Dharma where every occassion is a celebration and that our rishis have dedicated an entire fortnight to pay our respect and gratitude to our deceased ancesters and also pray for their upliftment. This year in 2009 the Shraadha Paksha commences on the 5th of Sep and culminates on 18th Sep. Three debts of a Human Being: Every human being is born with three types of debts which one has to repay. The debt to god that can be repayed by worship and selfless service to god, the debt to sages and rishis that can be repayed by reverence and service to sages and one’s guru and the debts to ones ancesters also by is repayed by love, gratitude and service. Significance of offering Shradha: As per the hindu scriptures it is believed that during the pitru paksha period, subtle bodies of our ancesters from lord yama’s (lord of death) region-yamlok, visit their loved ones on earth. Offering of tarpan and shradha is expressing one’s respect and loving gesture towards our ancesters for their gratification and upliftment, ensuring a smooth passage in their journey onwards. Today whatever we are, it is a gift from our parents and ancesters. Our physical body, our personality, our values, etc all are an invaluable blessing of our parents and ancesters. It is our parents and family who passes on their knowledge, experiences and cultural heritage. They give us the knowledge of the physical world, knowledge of tuning with the society, economic independence, and along with this they introduce our intellect and mind to moral, ethical and spiritual values of holistic living. A Hindu Parent also introduces his child to the Sanatan scriptures and teaches one to maintain family traditions passed on by rishis known as ‘Kul Dharma’. It is the entire spectrum of this knowledge that inspires and teaches us to live a holistic life based on fundamental values of dharma, making us more sensiticve, wise and selfless indiviuals. This therefore calls for a very special expression of respect, love and gratitude towards our parents not only here and now but to all those who have played this important role in our life directly or indirectly, even after they have left their mortal bodies. To whom is Shradha offered: During these fifteen days a Hindu offers tarpan i.e offering of water and shradha to their parents, grandparents, great grandparents, other close relatives and all those people who have made a special contribution in our lives, both on the maternal and paternal sides. The scriptures say that it is offered to atleast the last three generations and preferabely seven generations in our family lineage. When And How Is Shradha Offered: VedantaSandesh Sandesh- -Sept April2009 2009 Vedanta

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Shradha is offered after one year of death of the person. The Mahalaya Shradha is offered everyday, from the full moon day to the new moon day of Ashwin Month. If offering of tarpan is not possible everyday, then one offers tarpan on the specific date of the fortnight corresponding to the death of of the deceased one. To offer the shradha, takes a bath first thing in the morning, wear clean clothes and sit on an mat facing south direction. In your heart feel the presence of the deceased one being there and blessing you. Invite the ancesters i.e. great grandparents, grandparents and parents if not living. Offer a spoonfull of water, milk and black seasame seeds repeating three times for great grand grandfather, grand father and father. Offering of plain water is done everyday of the fortnight or on specific dates corresponding to the death of the beloved one, offer with milk etc. On specific dates one also cooks favourite food items of the deceased one. This is first offered to a Brahmin and then to the crow also. The crow is said to be the connecting link between the world of the living and the the dead. Special round balls of rice and flour are prepared called pinda and are offered by offering flowers along with it, and sprinkilig of water. Over all the entire fortnight is spent in spiritual practises like chanting of mantras, recitation, puja, feeding of Brahmans and the poor, offering dakshina to Brahmins and saints and charity for noble causes to ashramas and gurukulas, planting of trees, feeding the holy cow, and stray animals. During this fortnight one also refrains from other social activities like inaugurations of new tasks, wedding ceremonies, shopping, and other social celebration, dedicating oneself fully towards prayers and expression of gratitude for the beloved deceased ones. The fortnight of Pitru Paksha directed to us by our great Rishis undoubtedly calls for a celebration and self respect towards Hinduism where the goal of life is to see the non-dual substratum in one and all and bath everyone with love, selfless service and self respect. Indeed this is the land where parents and elders are revered here and now and in their onward journey too. The Scriptures give us the beautiful message: Matru devo bahv; Pitru devo bhav; Acharya devo bhavo; Atithi devo bhav. May your Mother, Forefathers, Teacher and Guests be as revenrential as God himself.

9 Days of Navaratri This nine-day festival of Navaratri is celebrated in a unique manner. A different form of the Mother Goddess is worshipped on different days. On the first three days, the Goddess Durga (Goddess of Valour) is venerated. The next three days are spent in the worship of the Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth). and the last three days are a celebration of the Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Learning and Arts). Together, the three goddesses are worshipped as the feminine equivalent of the Hindu Holy Trinity. Page # 11

Glory of Anna-Daan A pauranic story of Karna goes on to show the imp of anna daan. i.e. offering of food in charity. The renowned hero of Mahabharata Karna is well known for making a charity every morning. No needy person ever left empty handed from Karna. This noble gesture after death blessed him with the heavens .He recieved fruits for his noble charitable actions a hundred fold. But unfortunately all in the form of gold n silver. There was no food because he had never given any food in charity. He prayed to god of death and Lord Yamraja blessed him for a stay on the earth for another fortnight. So he was sent back to earth for 14 days during the Pitru paksha. During this fortnight he fed the brahmans and the poor and offered tarpan of water. It is these 14 days that are comemorated in the Mahalaya paksha. After this when he returned to the heavens, he had food in plenty. Due to the grace of god of death it has been ordained that offering of food and other charity too, made during these days benefits all departed souls whether related or not.

Vedanta Sandesh - Sept 2009

Stories from Shiv Purana n o p e u .. c n . O e m a ti

Sudarshana Chakra Sudarshana chakra (a bladed discus) was Vishnu’s weapon. Vishnu received this wonderful weapon as a result of Shiva’s grace. Many years ago, the demons oppressed the gods and the gods went to Lord Vishnu for deliverance. Lord Vishnu said that the demons were so powerful, that he would first have to worship Lord Shiva, if something was to be done about the asuras. Sri Vishnu went to Mount Kailasa and began to pray to Lord Shiva. He chanted many mantras, but there was no sign of Shiva. Lord Shiva has a thousand names and Lord Vishnu next started to chant these names. Each day he chanted the thousand names and offered a thousand lotus flowers to Shiva. Shiva decided to test Sri Vishnu. One day, he stole a lotus flower from the thousand flowers that were to be offered. When Vishnu realized that there was one lotus flower less, he gouged out his own eye, knowing that he was known to have eyes like that of a lotus petal, and offered it in place of the missing lotus flower. Shiva was now pleased and appeared before Vishnu. He offered to grant Vishnu a boon. You know that the powerful demons have been oppressing the gods, said Vishnu. I need a weapon to fight the demons with. Please give me a weapon. Shiva then gave Vishnu the sudarshana chakra. And with this weapon, Lord Vishnu killed the demons.

Vedanta Sandesh - April 2009

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Aug’09 VM / VA Programs

Vedanta Mission / Ashram Programs

Rakhi and Birthday of Swamini Amitanandaji, Indore:

Vedanta Sandesh - Sept 2009

Raksha Bandhan was on 5th of Aug. Anagh Sharma , Ashram Mahatmas and other devotees came and tied Rakhi to P. Guruji. On 7th Aug P. Swamini Amitanandaji came back from Mumbai after her month long Retreat on the outskirts of the city there. On 8th was the day when God had gifted her the human body, her so called birthday. That day in the morning P. Swaminiji performed a Rudrabhisheka at the Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple. Later in the evening devotees gathered to felicitate her and take her blessings. There were prayers, bhajans, a talk by Poojya Guruji and finally the the cake cutting and dinner. Poojya Guruji in his talk said that while the Atma has no birth yet we should celebrate our birthdays, so as to remember the importance of this human birth and body.

Akhand Sunderkand Patha at Ashram, Indore: On 9th Aug, Sunday, an Akhand Sunderkand Chanting Program was orgamized at the Vedanta Ashram. Sh Gulab Chand Vyasa and party came over in the afternoon and presented a lovely chanting program. Sh Vyasa is a disciple of P.Guruji while other devotees also are basically working Govt employees, who get together each week for chanting and bhajans. They reverentially carry the statue of Hanumanji which P.Guruji had gifted them last year. Each devotee takes up a doha and its chaupai and sings in different tune, which others follow. Later the group have some bhajans and finally the Aarti, which synced with Aarti time of Ashram. The Aarti too is an elaborate affir, with Aartis of Ramayana, Hanumanji and Shivji.

Janmashtami Camp at Ashram, Indore: Three days prior to Sri Krishna Janmashtami a Sadhana Camp was organized at the Ashram. Devotees frrom Lucknow, Mhow and Indore joined. Devotees from Jodhpur, Ahmedabad etc, who had got themselves registered could not attend because of personal reasons. So it was overall a small yet an enjoyable camp. Poojya Gurujii gave an overview of Kena Upanishad during these three days, P. Swamini Amitanandaji gave discourses on the Amanitvam shloka of Bhagwad Gita, while P. Swamini Samatanandaji taught Vishnu Sahasranama Chanting to all. Other time the devotees helped in the decoration of Jhanki. Shuklaji from Lucknow presented beautiful bhajans. The camp culminated with the celebration of Janmashtami on the 15th Aug.

Aug’09 VM / VA Programs

Vedanta Mission / Ashram Programs

Janmashtami: Discourse of P.Guruji, Ashram, Indore: On 15th Aug, Vedanta Ashram celebrated the Sri Krishna Janmashtami. This is always a grand affair here. Preparations start days before. We had a morning, evening and a night session with different programs. In the morning session, first we had the chanting of various stotras and then of the Vishnu Sahasranama. This was followed by a talk by Poojya Guruji on the topic of Avatara. He said that the principle of Avatara is a unique and special principle of Hindus. Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma stands apart from all religions of the world because of its unique principles and traditions. The principle of Avatara reveals that the formless can as though become one with form without any fundamental change or modification. This principle alone is the basis of Moksha.

Janmashtami: Balvihar Program, Ashram, Indore: The evening session of our Janmashtami Celebrations was dedicated to children. After the evening Aarti of Bhagwan Sri Gangeshwar Mahadev the programs of Balvihar children started. Balvihar children are being trained and taught by P. Swamini Samatanandaji. Under her guidance the children presented various programs. The first presentation was that of Fancy Dress. Children dressed themselves in various forms. Shivji, Ramji, Krishnaji, Hanumanji, Rishis, Yamaraj & Nachiketa, Mirabai etc. They also came and spoke few words. Then the children sang few bhajans and presented a dance. The earlier group of Balvihar children who are now college students, also gave a presentation of Chanting. Later there was the Matki-Phod program.

Janmashtami: Night Programs, Ashram, Indore: The night session of Janmashtami Celebrations started with Vishnu Sahasranama Archana. All the Ashram Swami’s chanted the thousand names of God, in sequence. P.Guruji, P.Swamini Amitanandaji, P.Swamini Poornanandaji and P.Swamini Samatanandaji. Various couples sat in the Archana along with their families. At sharp 12 in the night, just after the chanting of famous Vedic hymn the Purusha Sooktam, the lights were switched off and then again put on along with the sounds of bells and gongs. Amidst the chants of ‘Nanda ke ghar ananda bhayo, Jai Kanhaiyalal ki.... ‘ Everyone did Aarti and then rocked the new born in the beautifully decorated swing. Devotees felicitated each other and then had prasad. Check out the detailed Photo Albums of the various functions on VM News Blog at : http://vmissionews.blogspot.com/ Page # 15

Quotes "One's first step in wisdom is to question everything - and one's last is to come to terms with everything." - Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

"One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but cannot be taken away unless it is surrendered." - Michael J. Fox

"There are two main strategies we can adopt to improve the quality of life. The first is to try making external conditions match our goals. The second is to change how we experience external conditions to make them fit our goals better." - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

"The man who has nothing to boast of but his illustrious ancestry is like the potato - the best part under ground." - Thomas Overbury

"This became a credo of mine...attempt the impossible in order to improve your work." - Bette Davis

Vedanta Sandesh - Sept 2009

Forthcoming Programs

Gita Gyana Yagna, Lucknow: Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct a Gita Gyana Yagna at Hariom Mandir, Lucknow from 7th to 13th Sept. The texts of the discourses will be Gita Chapter 13, and the Ishwar-Siddhi Section of the Vakya Bhashya of Kena Upanishad. .

Dashera: Ashram Day, Indore: Vedanta Ashram was established on Dashera day in 1995. This year the Dashera is on 28th Sept. As such special programs will be organized on the day, including the Abhisheka of the giant Shiv Linga on Ashram terrace.

Gita Gyana Yagna, Jodhpur: A five days Gita Gyana Yagna has been organized at Jodhpur from 3rd to 8th October 2009. The Gyana Yagna will be conducted by Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji, and she will be talking on the 12th Chapter of Bhagwad Gita, Bhakti Yoga.

Gita Gyana Yagna, Ahmedabad: Poojya Guruji Sri Swami Atmanandaji will conduct a week long Gita Gyana Yagna at Sri Ramkrishna Kendra, Ahmedabad from 23rd to 29th Oct. Shashthi to Dev-Uthani Gyaras. The texts of the discourses will be announced later.

Gita Gyana Yagna, Bhavnagar: Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct a Gita Gyana Yagna at Sri Ramdas Ashram in Bhavnagar from 23rd to 29th October 2009. The texts for the morning & evening discourses will be announced shortly.

Gita Jayanti Celebrations, Indore: This year the Gita Jayanti is on 28th Nov. As usual special programs will be organized at the Vedanta Ashram on that day. These will include chonting of the entire Bhagwad Gita, and special discourses by Poojya Guruji and other ashram Mahatmas in the evening at the nearby Footi-Kothi.

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Hari om !

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