Activities in Bengaluru during August 2017
Gita Jnana Yajna by Pujya Swami Krutatmananda
Pujya Swami Krutatmananda of Hubli and Dharwad centres conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna in Kannada from 16th August to 22nd August 2017 at Twinklers’ Vidyaniketan, Nagarbhavi taking Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri Sudheendra Rao, Vice President of Karnataka Journalists’ Association.
Pujya Swamiji introduced the text as an attempt to train the ever turbulent mind to understand the impermanency of external objects and seek the everlasting happiness that is our real nature. The Lord in His infinite compassion has provided everything in the world for our existence but we live with greed never satisfied and ever jealous of other’s prosperity that is the root cause for all unhappiness. This leads to uncalled for misery and bondage. Only when we realise that ‘I’ am not the body but the eternal source of unlimited peace and joy that all bondage vanishes and we can lead a meaningful life serving society. The Yajna was well attended.
Pujya Gurudev’s Aradhana
Gurudev Pujya Swami Chinmayanandaji’s twenty fourth Aradhana was observed on 3rd August, 2017 in Deenabandhu Temple, Indiranagar in the holy presence of Pujya Swami Brahmananda, other Acharyas of Bengaluru and many devotees of Pujya Gurudev through Rudrabhisheka, Paduka Puja and Bhajans. Pujya Swami Brahmananda in his Satsang remembered Pujya Gurudev’s contribution in safeguarding and spreading the message of scriptures. He emphsised on Gurudev’s clarion call “You Change” instead of waiting or asking others to change which is the only way to lead a peaceful life and bring harmony in society.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations
Sri Krishna Jayanti was celebrated as usual at Deenabandhu Kalia Mardhana Krishna Temple, Indiranagar with all religious fervor and rites. The celebrations started on 8th August, 2017 with daily morning and evening tulsi archana followed by devotional renderings by dedicated devotees across the city. The Janmashtami day on 14th August, 2017 commenced with early morning archana followed by Vishnu Homa which drew several devotees form all parts of the city. The evening Ratha Yatra saw the Lord first enter Chinmaya Hospital blessing all inmates and staff followed by the gorgeous procession round the temple to the chanting of bhajans and nama japa by thousands of devotees. The evening was filled with devotional songs, bhajans, instrumental music, abhisheka and finally the midnight Aarati. The festivities continued even to the next day with hundreds of devotees seeking the grace of the Lord.
Ganesha Puja Celebrations
Ganesha festival which is one of the most important in our Hindu calendar was observed with all religious rites at Sripaadakshetra, J P Nagar on 25th August, 2017 with pancahmrita abhisheka, alankara and aarati to the chanting of Ganapati Atharvasheersham, Ganesha Stotrams and Bhajans. Inspite of the festival being celebrated in individual houses the temple witnessed visit by a large number of devotees who were enthralled and blessed by the sheer beauty and wonderful flower decoration to the Lord. Children in particular were benefitted by the rare presentation and explanation of the significance of Ganesha festival by the Acharyas.
Satsang by Pujya Swami Brahmananda
Pujya Swami Brahmananda conducted a Satsang in Kannada at Sripaadakshetra, JP Nagar on 26th August, 2017 on the auspicious day of Rishi Panchami. Pujya Swamiji stressed on the fact that all of us commit the mistake of identifying with the body while in reality we are the ocean of total completeness and unlimited happiness. This can be realised only when we transcend the body, mind and intellect and are able to revel in the inner depths of calmness and serenity. All the sadhanas like puja, bhajans, japa, dhyana, etc., prescribed by our rishis is to calm our mind and turn inwards to the very source of infinite peace and joy. This can happen only through unconditional surrender to the scriptures and Sadguru when all attachments and desires drop leading to total annihilation of the Ego. With this, the desirer himself vanishes leaving only the Nitya Shuddha Buddha Mukta Tatwa that is the one and only all pervading entity which is the cause and effect of the entire universe. This concept has been beautifully brought out in Ganapati Atharvasheersham.
The Satsang was well attended.
