Gita Jnana Yajna in Sahakaranagar

Pujya Swami Adityananda of Mandya conducted a Geeta Jnana Yajna in Kannada from 1^st to 7^th February 2020 at Sneha Bhavan, Sahakaranagar on Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living. The Yajna was inaugurated by Smt Tangam Nambiar, a senior devotee of the Mission.

Pujya Swamiji explained that the study of Bhagavad Gita develops a vision of oneness accepting everyone as they are. The Lord is worshipped in different forms depending on one’s maturity but our scriptures declare that the entire universe is enlivened by the same Jyoti. All our puranic stories aim at supporting this universal principle and help in calming the mind to understand that the Truth that real happiness is our own true nature. It is only ignorance and delusion that gives a false notion that the outer world provides joy. It is necessary to work towards self-improvement through positive thoughts instead of vainly trying to bring a change in society. This is only meant to live in peace and harmony without disturbing the balance in nature.

The Yajna was well attended.

Mahashivaratri Celebrations in Sripaadakshetra

Maha Shivaratri was observed with all religious fervor in Sripaadakshetra, J P Nagar on Friday, 21^st February 2020 with Mahanyasa Poorvaka Ekadasha Rudrabhisheka in the morning from 6.00 am to 11.00 am followed by bhajans from different devotee groups till 6.00 pm. Ekadashi Rudrabhishaka was again performed till 9.00 pm followed by devotional songs till 11.30 pm and concluding with half-hour Japa and midnight Aarati. Thousands of devotees performed abhishekam throughout the day to the Spatika Linga specially brought out and decorated for the day. The entire temple complex wore a festive atmosphere with beautiful flower decoration and special lighting. The celebrations actually commenced on 14^th February itself with daily morning and evening Abhishek aims followed by devotional rendering of bhajans and music by devotees from all parts of the city.

Sadhana Day in Deenabandhu Temple Indiranagar

Sadhana Day was observed in Deenabandhu Temple, Indiranagar on 16^th February 2020 between 10.00 am and 1.30 pm with nearly 230 Study Group members from different parts of the city participating in the holy presence of Pujya Swami Brahmananda who recollected the beginning of Sadhana Day sessions (Symposium) in Mumbai way back in 1970’s by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda and the importance given by Him for Sravana and manana by sadhaks through attending study classes.

Later the entire gathering was divided into 12 groups and each group was given a set of shlokas from Bhagavad Geeta Chapter-14 to discuss for about one hour and present their understanding. All the groups had a very lively discussion and their views presented by a representative. It was clearly evident that each member had not only thoroughly studied the subject for the past three months but also tried to live the wonderful values as understood by him/her. All the groups had very thought-provoking points and Pujya Swami Brahmananda appreciated the sincere efforts put by each member not only to study, discuss and interpret but also the honest attempt in trying to live the values. This he said is as important as a study because the purpose of Bhagavad Geeta is to bring about individual transformation.

Swami Prakashananda from CM Trinidad and Tobago educated and delighted Chinmaya Mission devotees at San Jose during his Jnana Yagna on Sundara Kanda from Tulsidas’s Ramcharitamanas from March 2nd to March 7th. Swamiji, of course, covered the well-known story of Hanumanji’s feats in the search for Sitaji as well as Vibhishana’s surrender to Lord Shree Rama. Along the way, Swamiji pointed out several subtle points and provided practical tips for sadhakas.

All other chapters of the Ramayana are named after the location where most of the story takes place or the stage of Lord Shree Rama’s life. Why is this called Sundar (beautiful)? These are some of the reasons Swamiji listed:

1. The most beautiful relationship in the world is between a bhakta and Bhagawan. This chapter shows two such relationships with Lord Shree Rama and two of HIS devotees – Hanumanji and Vibhishana.

2. Sundar = Su+Andar. Inner beauty is a real beauty, not the external skin-deep variety. Hanumanji may look like a monkey outside but inside is a wonderful being. This chapter contains the glory of Hanumanji.

Swamiji covered the obstacles Hanumanji overcame on the way to Lanka and his response to them and drew a comparison to obstacles a Sadhaka faces:

1. Mainak mountain represents lethargy & procrastination (hard to move or get started). We need Bala (inner strength) and Buddhi (opposite of Tamas) to be able to resist these temptations.

2. Surasa represents Greed – Hanumanji doesn’t kill it but outwits it. Greed is dangerous for a sadhaka but the whole economy runs on greed.

3. Simhika represents jealousy and a parasitic creature – taking more than what they give. We need to follow Hanumanji’s example and kill it with one blow! We need to be happy when we see others being successful.

4. Tankini represents Delusion – when we don’t see things as they are. Delusion needs to be fixed through Satsang – as Hanumanji provided for Tankini. Only in Satsang with a Guru can we remove our delusion.

Seeing Vibhishana’s house with auspicious marks and Tulsi trees, Hanumanji determines to meet Vibhishana believing that no harm can come from meeting a good person. The lesson to us is to allow for good to exist in a side dominated by evil. A Vibhishana could exist in Lanka! Vibhishana was very thrilled to see Hanumanji, who gave him encouragement that Lord Shree Rama would accept him as His devotee.

Hanumanji met both Lord Shree Rama and Vibhishan pretending to be a Brahmin but came before Sitaji in his original form. The point is that none of our disguises and pretensions work before our mother!

Swamiji pointed out subtle points like Tulsidasji covering Hanumanji’s return journey in a half-line! This is because Hanumanji has now become kritakritya after meeting Sitaji. Nothing is impossible for a realized person once they see the One everywhere.

When the monkeys go back to Lord Shree Rama and HE showers Hanumanji with praise, Hanumanji clasps HIS feet asking to be saved. Saved from what ? the pride of ego. We are all seeking attention normally from the time of our birth. Swamiji mentioned that the asanas of seeking name and fame are actually stronger with us than those of sense-pleasures.

After Hanumanji’s departure, Vibhishana speaks up in front of  Ravana asking him to return Sitaji and surrender to Lord Shree Rama. Of course, Ravana was not willing to listen to this advice and literally kicked Vibhishana away.

It is the power of Satsang with Hanumanji that enabled Vibhishana to stand up to Ravana and leave him to go to Lord Shree Rama.

The last episode covered was the surrender of Vibhishana to Lord Shree Rama. Vibhishana is detained by the monkeys, and Sugreeva argues that he should be kept bound and in prison, but Lord Shree Rama says that He will protect the worst of sinners once they surrender to HIM.

Lord Shree Rama addresses Vibhishana as ‘Lankesh’ – before saying or asking anything else, HE already granted the kingship of Lanka.

Swamiji made a beautiful point here that Hinduism preaches the doctrine of Karma, but once we turn to the Lord completely, there are no sins left to be forgiven. Once we turn to the Sun, how can our face be in darkness?

Swamiji concluded the Jnana Yagna on this wonderful note, leaving the audience mesmerized and hoping for a repeat visit soon.

1. Maha Shivaratri Mahotsavam – February 2020
February 21, 2020
Maha Shivaratri was celebrated at Chinmaya Sarveshvara in a grand manner like every year. Lord Sarveshwara temple witnessed thousands of devotees worshipping and participating in various programs right from 5.30 am to 6.30 am the following day. The day started with Ganapati Homam followed by Ekadashi Rudra pArAyanam, Homam and Rudra abhishekam. The temple prAhAram was resounding with divine chants of Om Namaha Shivaya sung by the children of Hari Hara Vidyalaya throughout the day.

On this auspicious day, devotees get to perform KalasA Abhishekam with their own hands to the SphatikaLingam. The Kalsa abhishekam culminated with a Maha Aarathi to Lord Sarveshvara at around 2 pm in the afternoon. Annadanam was also done to all devotees who visited the temple.

The Utsavam continued in the evening from 5 pm when around 150 school children from 4 villages participated in a cultural bonanza bringing out the divinity of Lord Shiva through dances, skits, etc.,

At 9 pm, Lord Sarveshvara was worshipped by devotees who performed Abhishekam with punya tirthams collected from various rivers of India (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Yamuna, Godavari etc.,). This was followed by the 4 Yaama Poojas through the night to morning 6am. Hundreds of devotees stayed awake through the Yama Pooja and witnessed the poojas. Live telecasting of the abhishekam, Pooja and midnight aarathi at the sanctum sanctorum helped the devotees to peacefully revel in devotion.

The Tamaraipakkam Chyks showed their devotion to Lord Shiva by doing a relay Yajna on the NAyanmArs of Lord Shiva which was well appreciated.

All the preparatory work, poojas, Kalasa abhishekam and all other programs could not have been a success without Lord Sarveshvara’s Grace and Pujya Gurudev’s grace. The vanara sena comprising of HHV
school students, teachers, parents, chyks and other devotees worked together for this great divine festive worship. Thanks to all supporters, well-wishers, sevaks and donors.

Gita Jnana Yajna in Rabindranath Tagore Nagar

Pujya Swami Aparajitananda of Mangalore conducted a Jnana Yajna in English from 13^th to 18^th January 2020 at Sri Vinayaka Cultural Trust, R T Nagar taking Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi’s Upadesha Saram. The Yajna was inaugurated by Smt and Sri Belani, senior devotees of the Mission.

Pujya Swamiji explained that we give unnecessary importance to action based on the assumption that happiness can be gained from the outer world through actions aimed at attaining them. Only when we drop the doership and enjoyer ship attitude and totally surrender to the Lord all actions and results, permanent joy and peace will prevail. We should try to efface ourselves considering Lord as supreme when what remains is God alone who will reveal Himself and impart the highest knowledge. This is the sure way to happiness beyond bondage and liberation is possible in the world here itself when Ego is completely removed and the real ‘I’ shines forthwith and the seeker stands rooted in the knowledge that his true nature is Sat Chit Ananda.

The Yajna was well attended.

Annual Balavihar Competition – Junior and Senior Group

The annual Balavihar competition for junior and senior Balavihar children conducted on 5^th January 2020 in Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Koramangala in the holy presence of Pujya Swami Brahmananda witnessed presence of over 1500 children participating in various events – Chanting of Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 9, Tapovana Shatkam, Shivamanasa Pooja, Narayana Suktam, Bhaja Govindam, Lakshmi Narasimha Stotram, and Manku Timmana Kagga. Smt Radha Krishnakumar, a senior devotee of Pujya Gurudev gave away the prizes to nearly 230 children.