Jnana Yajna by Pujya Swami Brahmananda
Pujya Swami Brahmananda conducted a Jnana Yajna in Kannada at Sri Prashanta Ganapati Temple, Prashantanagar from 4th to 11 February, 2018 taking Narada Bhakti Sutra. The Yajna was inaugurated by Pujya Sri Sri Advayanandendra Saraswati Swamiji of Sri Sacchidananda Advaita Ashrama who highlighted the salient features of what real Bhakti means and stressed that the way of Gopis of Brindavan, Dhruva, Gajendra and Prahlad who through total surrender attained the Lord is the purest form of devotion.
Pujya Swami Brahmananda stressed the need to understand that the entire creation is the Lord’s manifestation and all turmoils in life are aimed at reforming the mind to cultivate positive tendencies. Even in worship we look upon God and ourselves as different. But as we progress in sadhana duality vanishes with the worshipper and the worshipped uniting to become one. This is true love termed as Bhakti. This is the experience of Saswaroopa that is the pinnacle of devotion in its deepest form where all agitations of the mind vanish. This identification with the supreme removes all duality, delusion and fear. True devotion is absence of all desire seeing the Lord everywhere and getting rooted in the inner peace and tranquility not getting disturbed by the ups and downs in life. This type of supreme Bhakti cannot be explained through words but has to be experienced through nama smarana, shravana, manana and nidhidhyasana when the mind becomes totally still free from all kinds of thoughts. Only such a true devotee with pure mind with intense longing for the Lord will be able to visualize Him in all creation and stand ever rooted at His Lotus Feet.
The Yajna was very well attended.
Geeta Jnana Yajna by Pujya Swami Aparajitananda
 Pujya Swami Aparajitananda (formerly Pujya Br, Sujay Chaitanya) of Mangalore centre conducted his first Geeta Jnana Yajna after receiving Sanyasa Deeksha in English on Bhagavad Geeta Chapter – 4 in Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Koramangala from 19th to 25th February, 2018. The Yajna was inaugurated by Pujya Swamiji himself along with Sri Purandhara Sharma, president of the Mission
Pujya Swamiji emphasised that the central message of the Geeta is a clear understanding that there is no difference between Jiva and Brahman. This knowledge of the supreme Self can be realised only through purification of mind through Karma Yoga when the sadhak becomes fit to practise the Jnana Yoga. The true knowledge that the entire pluralistic world is just a projection and there is in reality no difference between ‘Me’ and God can dawn only through study of scriptures. A Jnani with this knowledge just observes all happenings as just a witness without getting unduly attached and functions as an instrument with no doership attitude. Such a contended Jnani devoid of all wants and desires free from all sankalpas will have all his karmas burnt in the fire of knowledge. He lives and works for the welfare of society with an absolute selfless attitude.
The Yajna was very well attended.
Satsang by Pujya Swami Brahmananda
Pujya Swami Brahmananda conducted a Satsang in Kannada at Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs, N R Colony yesterday on 24th February, 2018 bringing out the salient features of DVG’s Manku Timmana Kagga which is popularly termed as Bhagavad Gita in Kannada. Sri Ramaswamy, trustee of the Institute welcomed Swamiji paying glowing tribute to Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda as the pioneer in spreading the message of scriptures to masses. DVG’s Manku Timmana Kagga which was unknown to the spiritual fraternity has been popularized by Pujya Swami Brahmananda who influenced by the adhyatmic thoughts therein started quoting it extensively in all his discourses.
Pujya Brahmaji in a power packed Satsang stressed that every shloka in Kagga is rich with philosophical background containing the essence of Upanishads and Bhagavad Geeta. The common questions posed by the human mind on evolution, birth, death, jiva, jagat and Ishwara are analysed with practical examples and beautifully answered in a systematic manner. Our common identification with the body, mind and intellect is termed as the biggest mistake coming out of ignorance and only the knowledge of the Self can reveal that we are in reality the all pervading everlasting Jyoti illumining the entire universe. This knowledge removes all duality enabling us to have a universal connection where nothing exists other than the Consciousness. A person with such knowledge is able to maintain equanimity amidst the ups and downs in life spreading joy to all who come near him.
(DVG – Sri D V Gundappa, a very popular poet, philanthropist and adhyatmic thinker)
Sadhana Day
Sadhana Day was observed on Sunday, 25th February, 2018 by study group members in the holy presence of Pujya Swami Brahmananda taking Bhagavad Geeta Chapter-4 for discussion. Pujya Swami Aparajitananda delivered the keynote address dwelling on the theme of a realised master who is able to perform action actively in the outer world and yet remain absolutely calm within.
The entire gathering was divided into seven groups and encouraged to discuss on particular shlokas allotted to each group for about an hour. Representative of each group presented the summary of discussions with clarity giving examples that was appreciated by all including Pujya Swamiji.
Pujya Brahmaji in His Aashirvachanam highlighted the need to understand that real happiness is not in the outer world but our very nature that is Sat Chit Ananda. He emphasised that acquiring of external knowledge needs effort whereas realising the Self in reality needs no effort at all. Infact any effort takes us away from reality. What we need to do is simply stay quiet at the feet of a Sadguru surrendering to the Shastras when knowledge dawns as mind gets purified through seva transcending the panchakoshas and the three Gunas.
The programme was well attended by over 150 sadhaks who got their doubts clarified on various questions through interaction with Acharyas and senior study group coordinators.
Maha Shivaratri in Sripaadakshetra
Shivaratri celebrations began in Sripaadakshetra, J P Nagar from 6th February, 2018 with daily archana in the mornings and evenings followed by musical programme of bhajans, devotional songs and classical music in the evenings. Hundreds of devotees visited the temple daily.
Maha Shivaratri was observed on 13th February, 2018 with due religious fervor throughout the day from 6.00 am to midnight. The day started with Mahanyasadi Poorvaka Rudrabhisheka from 6.00 am to 11.00 am followed by continuous bhajans and devotional songs till 6.00 pm. Ekadasha Rudrabhisheka was performed from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm followed by devotional songs till 11.30 pm after which Om Namah Shivaya japa was chanted concluding with midnight Aarati. The entire temple complex wore a festive atmosphere with beautiful and colourful decoration of flowers, Rangoli and lights. The devotees thronged in thousands throughout the day seeking the blessings of Lord Dakksinamurthy Shiva, Ganesha and Subramanya.
