vishwa bhanu feb-mar 15

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY MARCH 2015 1

A Bi-monthly bulle$n of Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Founda$on

It was in the year 1992 that Vivekananda

Kendra had the unique blessing of taking Swami

Vivekananda all through India, along the same route

that Swamiji himself had taken hundred years earlier.

It was this historic parikrama that finally led Swamiji

to Sri Padaparai (now renowned as Vivekananda

Rock) sitting where he had visualised the regeneration

of India as a global spiritual force. There were fifty

persons and nine vehicles in the parikrama group

which covered 22000 kms in 347 days - starting on

12th January 1992 from Calcutta and ending on 25th

December a Kanyakumari. Hundreds of lectures, road

shows, processions and other inspiring programmes

left an indelible impression on all those who partici-

pated and on those who witnessed the programmes.

Though not a walk it was indeed a grand pilgrimage,

to awaken the inherent divinity hidden within all and

to point out to a bright future of hope and fulfilment.

These were the enthralling memories that were

uppermost in our minds as we received that new

Messiah of Hope, Sri M, spiritual guide, social

reformer, and educationist and above all a great

Walk of Hope

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA JAYANTHI

ONE DAY PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT

CAMP

SAPTAHAM

ANNUAL DAY OF SANDEEPANI

SISHUVIHAR

SPECIAL VISITORS AT ANANDADHAM

REGULAR ACTIVITIES & RAMNAVAMI

CELEBRRATION.

DIDIS PROGRAMMES


1st February was the public function

of Swamiji s Jayanthi this year. Swami Bhu-

vanatmanandaji of R.K. Math, Quailandi

and Sri Suresh from Thrissur, a school teach-

er and a popular orator, were the Guests.

Both Swamiji and Sureshji spoke to the

children emphasizing the relevance of Swa-

mi Vivekanandas message in building up of

their lives. Then followed the prize distribu-

tion for the Patriotic and Folk group song

winners held in the month of January and

human being. His Satsangh Foundation has embarked

on this Manav Ekata Mission to emphasise the same

divinity and unity that Swamiji had discovered as he

travelled through this great Motherland of ours, way

back in 1890-92. Sri M has done well to launch his

walk of Hope from Kanyakumari on 12th January

2015, Swami Vivekananda's birthday and also our

National Youth Day.

With bowed heads, with our minds thrilled

with vibrations of Swamiji's vision for India, we

received this great man and his entourage of hundred

people on 12th February and felt blessed in offering

our humble hospitality in the name of Swamiji and our

Founder Ma. Eknathji, at our abode of bliss and hope

Ananda Dham, Kodungallur.

Our ancestors used to pray to Almighty to

transform every walk of theirs into a circumambula-

tion of the Supreme.

Let us at least pray to make every step of ours,

one of Hope, assertion of the Divinity of Man and

Unity of Existence.

VIVEKANANDA JAYNTHI


for the best group performers of Surya

Namaskar held in the last week of January,

scholarships for five Xth class students and five

XI th class meritorious needy students from

Govt Girls. H. S. S, Kodungallur. This year also,

a new addition was felicitation for the first prize

A grade winners of the State level Kala Utsavam

of State Board and C.B.S.E Board schools of Ko-

dungallur. and audience.

Rolling trophy for folk song went to Govt

U P School, Konathakonnu and for patriotic

song S.N. Vidya Bhavan, Chentrapinni. The

state level Kalapratibhas were made to perform

on stage. The first prize winners of Folk and Pat-

riotic songs also performed. The programme

ended with prasad distribution.


Qne day camp for students of classes

VII and VIII was conducted on 7th February,

Saturday. Twenty students from, Bharatiya

Vidya Bhavan, Amrita Vidyalayam and St

Annes High School, attended.

Camp started at 9 a.m. and continued

till 3.30 pm. Resource persons were Mananee-

ya Didi, Sri Sudhakarji, Sri Santosh, Smt

Jyothi Unniraman and Sri Davis who did the

summing up .

Topics were Swami Vivekananda and

Character building, Techniques for prepara-

tion for exams, Building communication skills

and solving puzzles and riddles brain

teasers.

Sri Davis made each student mention

one punch point of what they heard in the

lectures so that by the time they left each

student had twenty punch points guiding

them how to be better students.

There is an intricate web of relationship. The society is interwoven with all

these institutions. A very marvellous system of organisation has been

there in all these spheres. Hence we know organisation is not something

that is new to us. Organisation is in our blood. What is more, that organi-

sation is according to our own necessity, of our own type! We have given

the organisational structure, the ethos, the inspiration from our own view

of life, our own spiritual mission of reality.

-Ma. Eknathji Ranade


Bhagavatam Saptaham started with Ma-

hatmyam on 22nd February in the evening

hours. The Acharya Rajasree Sangameshan

Tampuran of Kochi Royal Family was accom-

panied by Smt Shantha Bhattathiripad of

Tripunitara and Sri Krishnan Cherukunnan

was the priest conducted at the saptaham,

About fifty people attended the chanting pro-

gramme everyday from morning 6 am to even-

ing 6pm.

From the fifth day cultural programmes

by local artists were arranged for the entertain-

ment of the guests. Sri Chandrasekhar an old

student of Sadeepani also gave a Veena recit-

al. On 26th there was a Veena recital by Sri

Manoj and party. Smt JAyashree and her Na-

vamalika group sang bhajans on 27th. On 28th

Sri Murugan and Smt Jaya Adikal participated

in a flute recital.


The thirteenth Annual Day cele-

bration of Sandeepani Sishuvihar was celebrat-

ed on 14th March . Smt Padma Vivekanandan a

noted local social worker, was invited as the

Chief Guest. Smt Sheela, a senior teacher of Am-

rita Vidyalayam was also invited to talk to chil-

dren. Children with the efforts of teachers and

our wellwisher Smt Padmaja and ofcourse the

enthusiasm of their parents, put up a beautiful

colourful cultural programme which was en-

joyed by all.

The Sandeepani students alumni too took part

in the programme. The mothers of the kids too

enthusiastically presented an attractive Thiru-

vadira dance which they had practised under

Smt Padmajas with prize distribution. It was a

well attended programme. As in previous years

this year also there a mini convocation in

which five of the senior (UKG) students Surya,

Rishikrish, Ritupoorna, Asritha and Siddhartha

received their shawl, certificate, lighted lamp

and booklet of Swamijis suktas.


REGULAR ACTIVITIES IN THE CAMPUS

9 Ladies and 3 gents were present in the Yoga Satra. Similarly 10 ladies and 12

gents attended the Yoga Vargas classes held regularly in the

morning and forenoon.

Ganapathi Homam with Srichakra Pooja was

held on the pounami day during the month of

February and March. Discples of Dr Vijayan of

Karumatra performed the poojas.

On the 27th of March, Pratistha Pooja of the

Ganapathi temple was also performed. Kal-

asha pooja, Ganapathi homam and Sri Cakra

pooja and Abhisekham were also performed.

Three foreigners from Germany and Spain were given one week yoga lessons

by Sri Sudhakarji in the Banana Resort, a few km from Kodungallur. They visit-

ed Anandadham on the last day and was taken around the campus especially

the Vishwabhanu Exhibition of mural paintings depicting Swamijis life.

Yoga was introduced by Smt Sakeena, our Yo-

ga Varga member, to the orphans of Cherman

pally Orphansage during a one day camp.


SRI LALITHA SAHASRANAMA SAMAPANAM POOJA

Sri Girishji concluded the class on Sri Lalitha Sahasra naama with a Sri Lalithaashtottara archana

on the evening of 21st February. All the students who regularly attended the two year long Sri

Lalitha Sahasranama class and all the inmates of Anandadham were present for the archana.

KALARI CLASS

Sri Raghu Gurukan conducted regular weekly Kalari classes

from Monday to Wednesday, during February and March.

There are at present 6-7 kids and 5-6 adults.

RAMNAVAMI CELEBRATION

This year Ram Navami, the birthday of Sri Rama

was celebrated on 28th March . Sri Bhattji of Er-

nakulam was invited to speak on Sri Rama. Pro-

gramme started at 4.15 pm and ended at 6.30 pm.

The values we can take from Sri Ramas life was

the topic of his speech. After the programme

there was Prasad distribution.

HOW YOU CAN HELPHOW YOU CAN HELPHOW YOU CAN HELPHOW YOU CAN HELP

BY SPONSORING OUR ENGLISH PUBLICATIONS

BY BECOMING ANNUAL DONOR FOR THE PROJECT

BY SPONSORING PROGRAMMES YOUTH CAMPS,

CELEBRATIONS

BY SPREADING THE WORK DONE BY THE VEDIC VI-

SION FOUNDATION


SPECIAL VISITORS AT ANANDADHAM

Walk of Hope for Peace and harmony is a padayatra

organized by The Manav Ekta Mission covering 65000 kms

from Kashmir to Kanyakumari,led by Sri M, founder of Ma-

nav Ekta Mision. Sri M is a spiritual guide, social reformer and

an educationist. It is based in Madanapalle, Andhrapradesh

where he guides the Satsang Foundation and Manav Ekta Mis-

ion . This Padayatra started from Kanyakumari on 12th Janu-

ary and reached Kodungallur on the 12th |February, evening.

Mananeeya Lakshmi didi welcomed him , when he reached

Anandadham. All the members of Kendra felt blessed by his

presence and also were delighted to have all the eighty mem-

bers of his team stay at Anandadham campus.

On the 13th morning a satsangh was held in the

Dakshina hall of Anandadham. Hall was jammpacked with

devotees. Sri M spoke on the life of Sri Ramakrishna and Swa-

miji and also conducted a short guided meditation. He blessed

the students of Sandeepani Sishuvihar who offered him flow-

ers and chanted prayer. In the evening there was a gathering at

the Bhagavathy Amman temple premises. On 14th early

morning the whole team along with Sri M, left the campus

and continued their Walk of Hope towards Irinjalakuda.

LAKSHMI DIDIS PROGRAMMES IN THE MONTHS

OF FEBRUARY AND MARCH

5th February Devi temple, Oorakuzhi, Kodungallur.

14th February _ National Teachers Union, Annual Meet, Thrissur.

17th February Chinmaya Mission, Thrissur

22nd February to 1st March Bhagavatha Saptaha Yajna

4th March Talk at Sri Mahadeva Temple,Konnathukunnu.

6th March AnnualDay Celebration at C K K Menon Memorial School,

Irinjalakuda, as Chief Guest.

8th March Chief Guest at Womens Day, at Fisheries Institute,

Ernakulam.

10th March Ayurveda Camp at Anandadham and Inauguration of

Anna Dana at Bhagavathi Amman temple, Kodungallur.


Shall India die? Then from the world all spiritual-

ity will be extinct; all moral perfection will be ex-

tinct; all sweet-souled sympathy for religion will

be extinct; all ideality will be extinct; and in its

place will reign the duality of lust and luxury as

the male and female deities, with money as its

priest, fraud, force and competition its ceremo-

nies and the human soul its sacrifice. Such a thing

can never be.

There is no aspect of Indian life untouched

by him and no patriotic Indian who has not been

inspired by his life and teachings.The lives of In-

dian people are getting more and more lusterless

in spite of all the affected external glaze and

glamour imported through western ideas. The

world- weariness which is spreading throughout

our national life is dangerously carving away our

nations socio-spiritual fabric. As a result all the

hidden evil in human heart is sprouting out in vari-

ous forms and names. Swamijis meaningful words

quoted above, should once again reverberate

throughout the length and breadth of our nation

bringing a new vision to our youth, making their

lives purposeful in the service of our motherland.

Many a mahamantra has been uttered by

Swamiji, each with its own deep implications car-

rying its own unique message for humans in general

and Indians in particular. Yet the most outstand-

ing among them, which he himself chose to adorn

the emblem of RK mission, is atmano mokshartham

jagat-hitaya ca, for individual unfoldment and uni-

versal well being. This meaningful message,

properly understood, holds great promise for revi-

talizing our national life in this critical phase of

our nations history.

What could be the source of Swamijis in-

spiration to choose such a remarkable ideal?

Watching his Master Sri Ramakrishna, so effort-

lessly transforming the highest ideals of Vedanta

into simple practical day to day philosophy, im-

planting the idea of Adwaita Oneness in the

minds of those around him, Swami Vivekananda

wanted the very same idea to become the ideal of

the Mission in his Masters name to inspire people

to lead a life of renunciation and service leading to

self enfoldment on one side and service of the

people on the other. This is the mahamantra which

Swamiji effectively used to convert the antha-

ranga disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, who were get-

ting too absorbed in self emancipation, neglecting

the service of the Virat around them.

The authors of The Life have recorded

the situation thus:

Of the Swamijis numerous triumphs one

of the greatest was the conversion of his Gurub-

hais from individualistic to the universal idea of

religious life in which public spirit and service to

fellowmen occupy prominent place. Up to this time

the ideal of the monks of the Math was, to strive

for personal Mukti and realization of the Supreme

Atman by severe penance and meditation, remain-

ing as much as possible aloof from the world and

its cares and sorrows, according to the prevailing

Hindu idea, sanctified by tradition, and sanctioned

by the sages and the seers from the Vedic period

down to the present day. But with the appearance

of the Swami among them a new order of things

was inaugurated The age demanded, he said,

that they should carry the new light unto others,

that they themselves should show by their exam-

ple how to serve the poor, the helpless, and the

diseased, seeing God in them, and that they should

Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari


inspire others to do the same. The mission of his

life, he said, was to create a new order of Sannya-

sins in India who would dedicate their lives to help

and save others.

The proposition, though grand and inspir-

ing, was to them too revolutionary and staggering.

How could they suddenly change at anothers bid-

ding their precious religious ideal to which they

had given their lives, for one which apparently

went against their whole nature and training? With

them the struggle was hard and long. But who

could resist the Swami?

In one of the most recent biographies of

Swamiji, the author adds: It was most ironical

that converting his own brother- monks to the

Vedanta as a feeling of Oneness with all living be-

ings, and hence to the realization that true renun-

ciation was not a selfish seeking of ones own salva-

tion but involved a passionate concern with their

suffering, should have been considered as one of

Swami Vivekanandas greatest triumphs. That he

had to first remove from their minds the limited

notions of the greatest concepts of Indian philos-

ophy and their application to life, was ironical no

less.

In fact Swamijis ideal caters to both as-

pects. Atmano mokshartham points to the central

ideal of Hindu religion, where the goal of life is

identified as total liberation through self realiza-

tion. All the great teachers without exception

have bequeathed this ideal to the posterity. Swa-

miji also endorses this as the Supreme Goal of Life

and points to the necessity of every potentially

divine soul working it out in their own way through

work, worship, psychic control or philosophy. But

what has made it more glorious and relevant for all

times to come is the ideal enshrined in the phrase

Jagathitaya ca, which is a direct outcome of Sri

Ramakrishnas assertion that Manava seva is

Madhava seva and hence service to humanity must

become an essential ingredient of all human ef-

forts, especially those meant to please Gods.

Needless to add, this also very much substantiates

Sri Krishnas observation that his devotees should

visualize Him not only within themselves but also in

everything around them.

The actions we do thoughts, words and

deeds should never lead to contraction or tension

in human mind but must result in its expansion

which is a pre requisite for happiness, peace and

sense of well being. Ego, likes and dislikes, self-

ish motivations, excessive desire for fruits of ac-

tions, etc., pollute our actions and are the obsta-

cles preventing expansion of mind. Individuals,

filled with tension within and spreading tensions all

around, what service can they render to the socie-

ty?

On the contrary, when one transcends self-

ish motivations and his / her work borders on

Nishkama karma, bereft of any personal interest,

such deeds automatically lead to Lokasamgraha or

Jagathita. It is the Nishkama karma which is being

carried out at infinite levels by infinite beings that

essentially provides the links which hold together

the web of the great Cosmic Yajna of the Uni-

verse. From the smallest bacterium to the mighti-

est of galaxies yonder there in the space all have

their allotted work which is being carried out de-

sirelessly. And the result is this magnificent Uni-

verse.

At the outset the ideal carries the message

of ones Self Realization as the prime goal of life

leading to liberation from the clutches of worldly

pursuits. After liberating oneself what is he sup-

posed to do muktascha anyan vimochayet the

liberated should help others to liberate them-

selves. That is the jagathita he has to practise. As

Ganga flows down from the very heights of Hima-


layas bringing fresh water and nourishments to the

plains so should the realized soul work for the

welfare of the humanity making himself a good ex-

ample of renunciation and service. This ideal is to

be implanted in thoughts, words and deeds. One

can mold oneself into such an ideal only if he has

realized that the Self within him is the Self every-

where. If there be any error in his understanding

he would turn into a conceited selfish being, self

motivated, looking for opportunities for self pro-

jection. Todays society is full of such people who,

posing themselves as great as politicians, teach-

ers, social workers and so on, exploit the poor and

the ignorant. Once the purpose of life gets linked

to Self realization, then only all the other life ac-

tivities mental, intellectual or physical fall in

line and get integrated with the Ultimate Truth.

Again, once the central core of ones awareness is

the Ultimate Truth within, then all that he does

would not only carry the lustre of Truth but they

will automatically result in the welfare of the soci-

ety. As a result a wonderful remolding of charac-

ter occurs as all good qualities automatically find a

place in such a being. Step by step he moves on-

ward in his evolution from human to the divine. A

society where such a dharmic ideal becomes the

norm of living there will nothing else be, but peace,

contentment and happiness. Sri Krishna emphasizes

this when he tells Arjuna Swadharme nidhanam

Sreya.

Hidden in Swamijis ideal is another great

lesson one must start with oneself, enlightening

oneself and then should he move on to others. Lat-

er Swamiji further emphasized it with his advice,

Be and make with special reference to teachers.

Unfortunately everyone thinks himself or herself

perfect and neglecting the first injunction, waste

their time in improving the society. Of course,

some good would come to the society even with

such good actions but the results will not be long

lasting and without a proper living ideal to follow,

conditions would soon deteriorate and situation

worsen. The individuals do not get any enlighten-

ment or inspiration which leads to decay in Dharma

and the loosening of the subtle web of interde-

pendence. Interdependence based on the Truth of

Oneness is what makes the society strong and sus-

taining, contributing to the welfare of all its com-

ponents.

The slogan offers yet another great possi-

bility. It is a wonderful measuring rod for the indi-

vidual to assess the true worth of his own actions.

After a little sincere pondering following execution

of a work, if one finds no tension but a sense of

well being and expansiveness within, it is surely

an action in the right spirit of Yajna. One must also

see that every action leads to the well being and

peace of those around. This double assessment at

every step by everyone would help to keep the so-

ciety on the path of Dharma, on the path of

Spiritual Evolution. That is the best way in which

we can give to Swamijis soul searching question

Shall India die? the answer he himself emphati-

cally gave Such a thing can never be.

VIVEKANANDA KENDRA VEDIC VISION FOUNDATION

ANANDADHAM, SRINGAPURAM KODUNGALLUR,

PIN 680664. KERALA Ph. No : 0480-2803349, 2805780, 2812780

Email ID : [email protected]

vishwa bhanu feb-mar 15

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