vedanta sandesh - aug 2010

Monthly eMagazine of the International Vedanta Mission

Bvh!3121

Year 16 Issue 2

In This Issue

1. Vedanta Section: Atma Bodha - Shloka-21

2. Letter Section: Some Questions

3. Festival Section: The month of Savan

4. Story Section: Samudra Manthan

5. VM Programs: Mission / Ashram Progs

From Poojya Guruji

Vedanta SandeshSpreading Love & Light

Monthly eMagazine of theInternational Vedanta Mission

Sharing the message of Vedanta and Sanatan Dharma

Aug 2010

On the Net since 1995

Started by:

Poojya Guruji Sri Swami Atmanandaji

Editor:

Swamini Samatananda

Published from:

Vedanta AshramE/2948-50, Sudama Nagar

Indore-452 009, India

Web:

www.vmission.org.in

Email:

[email protected]

Hari om!

Vedanta Mission now becomes International Vedanta Mission. Started in 1992with a Gita Gyana Yagna in Mumbai, Vedanta Mission has come a long way.With the blessings of God and the dedicated work of its various Mahatmas anddevotees is today well-known and also respected all over the world. WhileVedanta Mission had been serving all the aspirants of truth from every part ofthe world with equal love & enthusiasm, yet our expanding work and also thededicated work of our disciples in other countries; and now the initiation of aforiegn student into Sanyas Ashram has neccessitated a more comprehensivename. As you all know that during my recent visit to Russia I initiated BrniDivya Chaitanya, of Russian origin, into Sanyas Ashram, and now she hasbeen named as Swamini Vidyananda Saraswati.

Sanyas Ashram is a unique institution specific to our Vedic tradition. The im-portance of this fourth & final Ashram of human life arises from the require-ments & nature of Self-Knowledge. While Brahman is not opposed to any-thing, and blesses both Knowledge and Ignorance equally, but the ‘Knowledgeof Brahman’ is something different. It is this ‘light of knowledge’ which aloneremoves the darkness of ignorance, the basic ‘veil’ and cause of all samsara.This direct awareness of the truth of our Self as infinite, non-dual Brahman, istechnically called as Akhandakar-Vritti. Akhanda means non-fragmenting, andVritti means awareness. We need to directly appreciate ‘that’ which blessesboth the subject & object alike, which is the common denominator of all as theirvery Self, and that which is infinite & non-dual. We need to directly ‘see’ thefact that all my notions about myself being a limited entity are false. This knowl-edge calls for negation of ‘all’ our existing self-conclusions, and then instead ofagain resorting to imaginations - we be factual. We require a state of mindwhich on one hand can drop ‘all’ its worldly identities; and two have a highlyalert & non-projecting mind which is fully awake to the present moment, and ispoised to know that which is self-existing & effulgent, with an open, simple &alert mind. As any sense of doership amounts to resorting to fragmenting self-conclusons, so sanyasis drop all sense of identities, doership, relationshipsand responsibilities based on our individualities. Their new name & form sym-bolizes that alone. They entertain a highly alert and non-projecting mind whichis interested to just ‘awake’ to the truth as revealed by the awakened ones.Such a sanyasi alone can get self-knowledge, no one else. Incapacity of takingsanyas just indicates our attachment to things & people outside, and also ournotions about the real source of joys, which alone are resposible for all samsara& its grief. Anyone daring to take to sanyas is worthy of all respect.Love & om,

Swami Atmananda

Vedanta Section

Atma Bodha - Shloka 21

Dehendriya gunankarmani:As human beings we have been blessed

by an extremely unique body which comprises

of the physical body, the organs of action, the

sense organs and the mind and intellect. These

instruments are blessed by the light of the su-

preme consciousness which enlivens every

thing. All these faculties are unique by them-

selves and perform equally unique functions.

They all have certain qualities and aptitudes

which enable us to experience the world in the

most beautiful manner. Even if one of the facul-

ties is handicapped man is deprived of the joy

of experiences to that extent. But at the same

time one should not miss out on the fact that all

these instruments of our personality are gifted

with life by a Divine entity who is the main source

Vedanta Sandesh - July 2010

Superimpositions are because of Aviveka

Dehendriya gunankarmani amale satchidatmaniAdhyasyantyaviveken gagane nilatadivat

Dehendriyagunan: the body, the sense organs and the gunas like sattva etc, karmani: the activi-

ties; amale: in the pure; satchidatmani: the Atman of the nature of Real Existence and Pure

consciousness; Adhyasyanti: superimpose; aviveken: owing to non-discrimination; gagane: inthe sky; nilatadivat: like blueness and the like.

Owing to non-discrimination , the ignorant superimpose on the immaculate Atman,

which is Real Existence and Pure Consciousness, the qualities and activities of the body

and sense organs, just as they attribute the blue color and the like to the sky.

21

If Atman is different from the body and the sense organs, it is not one without a second. If it

is not different from them it shares the nature of having birth and death going through changes and

the activities of seeing, moving, feeing, thinking etc, like the body, mind and intellect. In these

states how can the Atman be understood as the only one real having no modifications, no activity

and no sense of doership and enjoyership. this doubt is cleared in this sloka as it is explained that

the Atman is basically untouched and pure. All that appears to be there as modifications, activities,

and responses is an imposition of the jivatma on the Real Self due to ignorance.

of life and energy. Another important reality of

these bodies is that not only do they function

with a borrowed life energy but by nature they

are limited at the levels of object, time and space.

Their functions and attributes have limitations,

they are constantly changing, their experiences

are limited in nature and within a span of time

they are no more. The existence of the objec-

tive world is like mirage water, it appears to be

there but does not have any real existence.

Hence it seems to attract the thirsty one, who

considers it to be real and is constantly running

behind it which is actually nothing but an illu-

sion totally inacpable of satiating one’s thirst.

This is quite in opposition to the nature of the

true Self-The Atman, which has no limitations of

time and space. It is eternal, not undergoing any

Page # 5

changes. Here the Master says that due to ig-

norance one superimposes the limited nature

of the attributes and functions of these faculties

on the Atman which is basically pure and bliss-

ful. Our identification with these levels of per-

sonality as the Self results in the Self appearing

to be limited or the doer and enjoyer.If the physi-

cal body is ill we say ‘I’ am ill. If the mind is happy

we say I am happy, if the intellect is ignorant we

say I am ignorant. When the sense organs per-

form we say I am the doer. Hence this identifi-

cation makes the Self appear as going through

these various modifications of physical appear-

ances, of happiness and sorrow etc. All these

are superimposed on the Atman, that which is

basically free of any modifications and is im-

maculate and blissful. The The Acharya thus

goes on to say-

Amale Satchidatmani:The nature of the Real Self is pure, eter-

nal, consciousness and bliss. The body of the

jivatma may be impure, the mind of a person

may be polluted by various self-centric and ego-

istic thoughts and desires, but such is the glory

of the Atman that no matter how maligned the

mind may be, how ever much individualistic an

ignorant one may be yet the Atman which is the

substratum of our personality, is totally un-

touched and untainted. Infact the word ‘pure’ is

also used with referance to the impurities that

we can see at the level of the body, mind and

intellect, actually the Self is neither pure nor im-

pure it is the glorious one that even sustains and

brings to light the so called pure and impure of

the objective world. The Atman is of the nature

of ‘Sat’ that which is eternal, unbound by the

limitations of the past , present and future.

Adhyasyanti aviveken: This sublime nature of

the Atman is superimposed by the limited at-

tributes and activities of the body, mind and in-

tellect, by the ignorant ones. The body and the

organs of sense are unreal and fleeting like mi-

rage in the desert. In the activities of those un-

real objects the unwise exult in the feeling ‘I am

the Doer, I am the enjoyer, not only giving un-

due importance to the Body, but also imposing

this sense of deorship and enjoyership on the

‘I’. Hence it as though appears to be limited in

nature, the performer and enjoyer of varous ac-

tions. The Acharya explains the superimposi-

tion with a very nice example.

Gagane Neelatadivat:Just as people attribute blue, red and

white on the sky even though the sky by itself

has no color, but ignorant people who are not

aware of this fact, that, the sky is colorless and

also people who are not aware as to why the

sky appears to be blue make such false imposi-

tions. If one were to scientificaly analyse the blue

color of the sky, then one would come to know

how the sky even though being colorles appears

to be blue. As light moves through the atmo-

sphere, most of the longer wavelengths pass

straight through. Little of the red, orange and

yellow light is affected by the air. However, much

of the shorter wavelength light is absorbed by

the gas molecules. The absorbed blue light is

then radiated in different directions. It gets scat-

tered all around the sky. Whichever direction you

look, some of this scattered blue light reaches

you. Since you see the blue light from every-

where overhead, the sky looks blue.

Similarly the Atman is basically pure and

free of any modifications, attributes and sense

of doersip and enjoyership.

This Self is never born, nor does It die. It did not spring from any-

thing, nor did anything spring from It. This Ancient One is unborn,

eternal, everlasting. It is not slain even though the body is slain. -

Kathopanishad


Just Do Not Conclude So earlyOne truck driver was doing his usual load delivery at a mental hospital,

by parking his vehicle beside an open drain. He discovered a flat tyre when

he was about to return from the mental hospital. He jacked up the truck

and removed the flat tyre to fix the spare tyre. When he was about to fix the

spare tyre, he accidentally dropped all the 4 bolts in the open drain. As he

cannot fish the bolts in the open drain, he started to panic as to what should

be done?

Just then, one patient happened to walk past him and asked the

driver as to why he was looking troubled. The driver thought to himself,

since there is nothing much he can do or this mental joker can. Just to

keep the bugging away, the truck driver informed the whole episode to the

mental patient and gave a helpless look.

The patient just laughed at the truck driver and said “ you just cannot

even fix such a simple problem? No wonder you are destined to remain a

truck driver for life”.

The truck driver was astonished to hear such a compliment from a

mental guy.” Here is what you can do “ said the mental guy “Take one bolt

from each of the remaining 3 tyres/wheels and fix it on to this tyre . Then

drive down to the nearest workshop and replace the missing ones. Is’nt it

simple my friend “.

The truck driver was so impressed with this quick fix answer and

asked the patient “how come you are so smart and intelligent and you are

here at the mental hospital?”

The patient replied...” hello friend! I stay here because I am crazy but not

stupid”.

Just do not conclude that you know everything and do not judge

people by mere looks/attire stature or academic background.

Page # 9

Some Questions

The basic

objective of Avataras

is to help us

appreciate and live

'Dharma' properly. By

following Dharma, not

only the present is

made beautiful, but

the future too

becomes free of all

consequences of

adharma - at all

levels.

- Poojya Guruji

Hari Om Mark,

Nice to hear from you after a long time. Yes, with the blessings of God I am

fine. Thanks.

> How does Brahman in mayic prakriti function via sattva, rajas and tamas?

>

1. Whatever the guna maybe, Brahman blesses 'all' by blessing them with

their very existence, manifestation of life, and lovability.

> What would be such paths as the monist, the dualistic and the qualified

> monist in the Hindu tradition?

>

2. Different interpretations of vedantic texts get reflected in terms of

different priorities in our sadhana. The broad differences of these is in

terms of priority for Gyana, Upasana or Karma. Followers of Advaita aim just

for Knowledge because ignorance alone is discerned to be 'the' problem.

> Lastly Maharaj, would like to ask you about Avataras and how such would be

> operating in our society and the different types of such? Do they have an

> ability to change the future of our immediate era and if so can you please

> explain?

>

3. The basic objective of Avataras is to help us appreciate and live

'Dharma' properly. By following Dharma, not only the present is made

beautiful, but the future too becomes free of all consequences of adharma -

at all levels. Future is a matter of concern only for those whose 'present'

is not worthy of satisfaction, Avataras help us make the best of our

present.

Love & om

Swami Atmananda

Letter of the

Month

Vedanta Sandesh - April 2009 Page # 10

Sav

an -

the M

onth

of

Shiv

opas

ana

The month of Shravan is the fifth month of the Hindu calender beginning from

Chaitra, and is not only considered as the most auspicious month of Chaturmas but is

known as the holiest month of the year. On Purnima or fullmoon day, or during the course

of the month the star 'Shravan' rules the sky, hence the month is called Shravan. This

month is spread out with a number of religious festivals and ceremonies and almost all the

days of this month are auspicious.

Shravan is considered the holiest month of the year. Each monday of this month,

known as Shravana Somvar, is a special day in Shiva temples where the dharanatra

hangs over the linga or the idol to bathe it with holy water, day and night. Devotees offer

bilva patras and flowers on the siva lingum and fast till sunset. People have special

anushthans of japa and puja-abhishek during the whole auspicious month.The nandadeep

(24 hour lamp) burns steadily in the temples. In many temples on every monday of the

Shravan month the shiva lingum and the temple of Lord Shiva are grandly and beautifully

decorated. These decorations are known as Jhnakis which have a special theme each

week depicting the leelas of Lord Shiva and his personality, Bhasma is also popularly used

in such decorations.

Not only human beings but nature also offers its oblation to Lord Shiva during this

pious month. It is said that Indra Devata (The Rain God) by showering soft rains consistently

during the entire month also does abhisheka of Lord Shiva.

The swing or Jhoola or Dola or Hindola also have a special significance in the

month of Shravan. Various deities are placed on ornamentally decorated swings. The

swinging movement to and fro symbolizes a state of ecstasy and happiness that takes one

away from the mundane world. Placing a deity on a swing is an act of veneration.

Legend of Shravan Maas

The legend speaking of the glory of the month of Shravan says that when the

churning of the ocean - Samudra Manthan - took place in the month of Shravan, fourteen

different types of rubies came out. Thirteen of these were distributed amongst the demons,

except Halahal (poison). Lord Shiva drank the Halahal and stored it in his throat. Hence

the name Neelkantha (meaning blue throat) is attributed to Shiva. To reduce the strong

effect of poison, Lord Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head. All the Gods, thereafter

started offering the Ganges water to Lord Shiva to lessen the effect of poison. This happened

in the month of Shravana, since then the Shiva devotees offer the Ganges water in this

month.

Things to do during Shravan month

• A person is greatly blessed by doing Japa of Om Namah Shivaya during this month.

• Make offerings of Bilva leaves, Panchamrut (milk, yoghurt, clarified butter, honey andVedanta Sandesh - July 2010

Page # 11

sugar) on Shiva Ling.

• Reciting Shiv Stotras and bhajans. Reading the glories of Lord Shiva as in the scriptures

like Shiva Purana. Attending satsang or discourses by Mahatmas at temples and ashrams.

• Chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.

• Fasting also has a great significance durin this month especially on mondays.

Festivals in Shravan Month

Shravan has a special importance as it ushers in a host of auspicious days and

festivals like: Naga-Panchami, Kalkyavatara, Putradaikadashi, Hindola or Swinging, Narali

Purnima, Shravani Purnima, Pavitraropana, Raksha Bandhan, Vara Lakshmi Vrata, Rishi

Panchami, Govatsa and Bahula, Sitala Saptami, Janmashtami, Ajaikadasi, Pithori and Pola.

SONG OF RADHA

I carried my curds to the Mathura fair…

How softly the heifers were lowing…

I wanted to cry, “Who will buy

The curds that is white as the clouds in the sky

When the breezes of Shravan are blowing?”

But my heart was so full of your beauty, Beloved,

They laughed as I cried without knowing:

Govinda! Govinda!

Govinda! Govinda!

How softly the river was flowing!

I carried the pots to the Mathura tide…

How gaily the rowers were rowing!

My comrades called, “Ho! Let us dance, let us sing

And wear saffron garments to welcome the spring.

And pluck the new buds that are blowing.”

But my heart was so full of your music, Beloved,

They mocked when I cried without knowing:

Govinda! Govinda!

Govinda! Govinda!

How gaily the river was flowing!

I carried my gifts to the Mathura shrine…

How brightly the torches were glowing!

I folded my hands at the altars to pray

“O shining ones guard us by night and by day”-

And loudly the conch shells were blowing.

But my heart was so lost in your worship, Beloved,

They were wroth when I cried without knowing:

Govinda! Govinda!

Govinda! Govinda!


The people who make a difference…

-Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

-Name the last five recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

-Name the last five winners of the Miss World contest.

-Name ten people who have won an Olympic Gold Medal.

-Name the last five Academy Award winners for best actor and

actress.

How did you do?

Who cares – the point is that none of us remember this stuff. These

people are the best in their fields and yet the applause dies, awards

sit on the shelf and achievements are forgotten.

Here's another set of questions. See how you do with these:

-Name two friends who have helped you through a tough time.

-Name five people who have taught you something meaningful.

-Name a teacher or mentor who made a difference in your life.

-Think of a few people who always make you feel appreciated.

-Name a couple of people whose stories have inspired you.

-Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Was this a little easier to complete?

The people who make a difference in your life are not the oneswith the most money, the greatest credentials, or the biggestawards. They are the ones who genuinely care and remain in

your heart and memory always.

Money, Credentials, Love…?

Page # 13Vedanta Sandesh - April 2009

Samudra Manthan

Page # 13

Once upon

a time ...

Stories fromShiv Purana

Once Indra, the King of Devatas, while riding on an elephant, came across

a sage named Durvasa who offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the

garland, placing it on the trunk of the elephant. The elephant, irritated by the

smell of the garland, threw it to the ground. This enraged the sage as the gar-

land was a dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was to be treated as prasada. Durvasa

Muni cursed Indra and all devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.

In the battles that followed this incident, Devas were defeated and Asuras (de-

mons) led by king Bali gained control of the universe. Devas sought help from

god Vishnu who advised them to treat asuras in a diplomatic manner. Devas

formed an alliance with asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of im-

mortality and to share it among them. However, Lord Vishnu told Devas that he

would arrange that they alone obtain the nectar.

The churning of the Ocean of Milk was an elaborate process. Mount

Mandaranchal was used as the dasher (churning tool), and Vasuki, the king of

serpents, became the churning rope. The gods held the tail of the snake, while

the demons (Asuras) held its head, and they pulled on it alternately causing the

mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean. However, once the moun-

tain was placed on the ocean, it began to sink. Vishnu in his second incarnation,

in the form of a turtle Kurma, came to their rescue and supported the mountain

on his back.

During the Samudra Mathan by the gods and demons, a pot of poison,

Halahala, also came out of the ocean. This terrified the gods and demons be-

cause the poison was so toxic that it might have destroyed all of creation. On the

advice of Vishnu, gods approached Shiva for help and protection. Out of com-

passion for living beings, Shiva swallowed the poison and held it in his throat. It

was so potent that it changed the color of Shiva's neck to blue. For this reason,

he is also called Neelakantha (the black-necked one,

Finally, Dhanvantari, the heavenly physician, emerged with a pot con-

taining amrita, the heavenly nectar of immortality. Fierce fighting ensued be-

tween devas and asuras for the nectar. To protect the nectar from asuras, devas

hid the pot of nectar at four places on the earth - Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar,

Ujjain and Nasik. At each of these places, a drop of the nectar spilled from the

pot and it is believed that these places acquired mystical power. A Kumbh Mela

is celebrated at the four places every twelve years for this reason.

However, the Asuras eventually got hold of the nectar and started cel-

ebrating. Frightened, devas (demigods) appealed to Vishnu, who then took the

form of Mohini. As a beautiful and enchanting damsel, Mohini distracted the

asuras, took the amrita, and distributed it among the Devas, who drank it. One

asura, Rahu, disguised himself as a deva and drank some nectar. Due to their

luminous nature, the sun god Surya and the moon god Chandra noticed the

switching of sides. They informed Mohini. But before the nectar could pass his

throat, Mohini cut off his head with her divine discus, the Sudarshana Chakra.

The head, due to its contact with the amrita, remained immortal. To gain re-

venge on the sun and moon for exposing this, the immortal head occasionally

swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes

through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse.

The story ends with the rejuvenated Devas defeating the asuras.

Sanyas Deeksha of Brni Divya, Russia:

Brni. Divya Chaitanya was initiated into Sanyas Ashram by Poojya

Guruji on 5th July 2010 at Devichy Gorki, 20 Kms outside the town of Balakova

on the banks of River Volga. She is now Swamini Vidyananda Saraswati.

The entire ritual and initiation ceremony was conducted by Poojya

Guruji himself. The cermonies began a day ealier on 4th July evening. First

there was the Mundan, and then snana by various dravyas. Then followed

the Prayaschitta Karmas, Yagnopavita, and the Viraja Homa. Next day early

morning at 4.30 AM just when the twilight started, everyone went on the

banks of Volga, and then Brni Divya went in the river, and left her old clothes

and was given the new name & robes by Poojya Guruji. The final step is

called Praisha Vidhi, where a person finally gives up everything to tread the

path of Sanyas.

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International Advaita Congress, Moscow:

Poojya Guruji was invited at the 3rd International Advaita Congress

held in Moscow from 14th to 17th July. On 15th was the birthday of Pilot

Baba, and Poojya Guruji was also requested to speak a few words on the

occasion. Swamini Vidyanandaji translated his talk into Russian. He also

met the newly appointed Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishnudevanandaji

who is the main person behind this mega event.

On 15th a special 2 hours Talk by Poojya Guruji was organized in one

of the main halls of Meridian, the venue of Congress. The topic was Advaita

is Freedom. Swamini Vidyanandaji translated the talk, sentence by sen-

tence. Ending of the imaginary divide between the seeker & the sought

amounts to awakening to Advaita and that alone is Moksha. The talk was

very well received by various people.

Om Meditation at Advaita Congress, Moscow:

On 16th July Poojya Guruji took another two hour session on Om

based Meditation.

Meditation in Vedanta is not to become quiet & thoughtless, but to

awake to the timeless truth by realizing it to be our real Self. He revealed

how Om is used at all the levels of Meditation, both for preparatory steps

and the final contemplation. Long chant of Om incorporates all the benefits

of Pranayama, then Om is seen as Sabda Brahman and Sopadhika Upasana

is done to bring about a blessed & Sattvika mind. Thereafter the three matras

of Om which stand for our three awasthas help us to do viveka and thus

realize our real self. As the manifsted sound subsides the entire gamut of

superimpositions also get negated and one is awake to that which is perma-

nent. The matras and also the amatra together constitute the complete pic-

ture of the truth of Self.

Check out the detailed Photo Albums of the various functions on

VM News Blog at : http://vmissionews.blogspot.com/Page # 15

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Site-Seeing in Moscow:

Swamini Vidyanandaji organized various site-seeing trips around

Moscow for Poojya Guruji. Sammy and Andy Kotwani brothers provided all

the necessary help and logistics.

The group went to Gorky Park, Boat Ride on Moscow River, Kremlin,

Red Square, St Basils Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, War Memorial, Mos-

cow University, some City Malls with Ice-Skating Rinks etc. The impression

of the city of Moscow is overall very good. It is clean, beautiful, with nice

gardens & flower beds. It has prosperity, modern ameneties and facilities,

and the people are warm, open and overall hospitable. In the picture here

Poojya Guruji is seen with look-alike of Stalin and Lenin.

Sunderkand Chanting at Ashram, Indore:

On 1st Aug an Akhand Patha of Sunderkand was organized at Vedanta

Ashram by Sh Gulabchadra Vyasa and Party. The devotees assembeled at

the Ashram by 4.00 PM and shortly started the devoted chanting.

The chanting of this group is full of devotion, and they chant the

chaupai’s in different tunes. The group is selfless, and is a very respected

one in the city. They keep offering their services at least twice a year at the

Vedanta Ashram. This is because Sh GC Vyasa is a disciple of Poojya Guruji.

Sundarkand is very auspicious to chant, because it has description of two

great devotees - Hanumanji and Vibhishan. One can revel in devotion in &

through the challenges of life, while the other revels in devotion inspite of the

various odds in very uncordial circumstances.

Chaturmas Program at Footi Kothi, Indore:

This year Agrasen Dham Trust of Footi Kothi, have organized a four

month long discourse series during the four months of Chaturmas. The

program was inaugurated on Guru Poornima Day by Poojya Guruji.

From 26th July. Poojya Swamini Samatanandaji started a week long

Gyana Yagna there. She took Bhaja Govindam for the talk. The talks were

received very well, inspite of some occasional inclement weather. Poojya

Guruji had earlier introduced the subject by revealing the importance of the

viveka of Sadhya & Sadhana. He told how the great Acharya was overcome

with compassion when he saww on old man in the last phaseso of his life

and who was studying Sankrit Grammar. He reveals the various Moha which

distract a person and motivates them to keep an eye on God alone. Bhaja

Govindam, Bhaja Govindam.


Quotes

"Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at."

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"An optimist laughs to forget, a pessimist forgets to laugh."

-Unknown

You laugh at me because I am different, but I laugh at you because you

are all the same" Unknown

"A smile starts on the lips, A grin spreads to the eyes, A chuckle comes

from the belly; But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, Overflows,

and bubbles all around" -Carolyn Birmingham

"Laughter is the closest distance between two people." -Victor Borge

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book.

Irish Proverb

"Earth laughs in flowers." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should

DANCE. -Anonymous

"The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laugh-

ter" -Mark Twain

Forthcoming Programs

Page # 17

Chaturmas Discourses at Footi Kothi, Indore:This year Chaturmas Discourses are being conducted by Vedanta Ashram Mahatmas

at Agrasen Dham (Footi Kothi). Poojya Guruji inaugurated the discourse series on Guru

Poornima day, and thereafter Poojya Swamini Samatanandaji conducted a Gyana Yagna.

Now Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji is conducting discourse series on Shiv Mahimna.

Poojya Guruji’s Trip to UK:Poojya Guruji and Poojya Swamini Samatanandaji will leave for a month long trip to

UK on 27th Aug. First they will bless Kunal Thakrar on his marraige on 28th AUg, and then will

have satsang at Reading, Bradford, Leeds and Loughborough. There will be various home

visits and satsangs in the houses of various devotees too.

Gita Gyana Yagna, Lucknow:Poojya Swami Amitanandaji will conduct a week-long discourse series at Hari om

Mandir, at Lal Bag in Lucknow from 24th to 30th Sept.

The texts of the morning and evening discourses will be announced soon.

Discourses at Laxmi Narayan Temple, Bradford:Poojya Guruji and Swamini Samataanandaji will visit the Northern Distt of UK in the

last week of their stay there. He is likely to conduct discourses at Laxmi Narayan Temple,

Bradford, Leeds, Middleborough and Newcastle.

Gita Gyana Yagna at Hindu Temple, Welingborough:Poojya Guruji will conduct a Gita Gyana Yagna at Hindu Temple Wellingborough from

11th to 18th Sept. The discurses will be on Gita Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga). While these dscourses

will be in Hindi, another session will be in the morning, where he will conduct classes in English

for the english speaking crowd and youngsters.

Hari om !

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International Vedanta Mission

Om Tat Sat

vedanta sandesh - aug 2010

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