(in Marathi)

at 6:30 pm on Sunday, August 7, 2011

Topic : “Dhaarmic Jeevanaateel chaar mahatvaachyaa goshtee“

by

Swami Tyaganandaji Maharaj

Ramakrishna Vedanta Society, Boston, USA

Swami Tyaganandaji, a monk of the Ramakrishna Order since 1976, is the head of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society in Boston, and is the Hindu chaplain at MIT and Harvard.

Before going to the United States in 1998, Swami Tyaganandaji was the editor of the Ramakrishna Order’s English journal Vedanta Kesari for eleven years. He has written, translated and edited ten books, including Monasticism: Ideals and Traditions(1991), Values: The key to a meaningful life (1996), The Essence of the Gita (2000), and Interpreting Ramakrishna: Kali’s Child Revisted (2010).

At Boston, Swami Tyaganandaji shares his insights through lectures, classes, personal interviews and meditation instruction. He gives lectures and classes at the Vedanta Society as well as at MIT, Harvard and other colleges in and around Boston. He is a member of the American Academy of Religion and on the Board of the Society for Hindu-Christian Studies.

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ALL ARE WELCOME
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In the region of Belgaum-Dharwad alone more than 160 candidates were chosen to receive scholarships. A programme was organized in the Ashrama for their distribution. A brief report of the programme is given below:

President of the Function :
Sri Swami Raghaveshanandaji Maharaj, Head of the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum

Guests of Honour :
1. Sri Vijay Rajak, CEO, Cantonment Board Belgaum
2. Sri Kushal Banerjee, Chief Regional Manager, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Belgaum
3. Sri Suresh Hundre, Chairman and Managing Director, Polyhydron Pvt. Ltd., Belgaum
4. Colonel Jayaram, Training Battalion Commander, MLIRC, Belgaum

The programme began with the vedic chanting by the Sannyasis of the Ashrama. After the welcome and introduction, the guests of honour addressed the gathering of students and youths on the important principles of a good living, viz., discipline, patience and hard work, self confidence, planned work, ethical and moral values, the need for struggle and sacrifice. Swami Vivekananda’s strength giving and character building views on education and its aim were also discussed. Swamiji and the guests of honour distributed scholarships to candidates from Belgaum and Dharwad regions.

In his presidential address Swami Raghaveshanandaji highlighted the need to learn English and develop communication skills. He cited the recent survey conducted by UNESCO on rural students of India. In this UNESCO report it was mentioned that the rural students can become equally successful as those from the cities provided they develop better communcation skills.

In this programme the Ashrama also felicitated Sri Suresh Hundre for being the first recipient of the COSIA (Chamber of Small Industries Association, Thane) Adarsh Entrepreneur Award at the national level for best entrepreneur. Swami Raghaveshanandaji said he exemplified how one can be successful in business even while strictly adhering to ethical norms.

Click to view slideshow.

PROGRAMME

11th September to the 13th

10:30 am to 12:00 noon — Special Puja to Lord Ganesh
6:00 pm — Vedic Chanting and Ashtottara Archana
6:30 pm — Arati and Stotras
6:55 pm to 7:45 pm — Arati to Lord Ganesh & Bhajans

13th September 2010 at 7:45 pm
Immersion Ceremony on Monday

SYMBOLOGY OF LORD GANESHA
(relevant matter extracted from “A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism” by Swami Harshananda)

“Ganapati or Ganesha, also known as Vinayaka is perhaps the most popular of the Hindu deities worshipped by all sections of the Hindus. No undertaking, whether sacred or secular, can get started without first honouring and worshipping him. This is understandable and highly desirable since he is said to be the lord of obstacles (Vighnesvara or Vighnaraja)…

Despite the fact that Ganapati is a highly venerated and all-important deity, his ‘head’ has often been a mystery for others! No doubt, our puranas have easily ‘solved’ this problem, each in its own way. But this has satisfied neither the layman nor the scholar…Let us now make an attempt at unravelling this symbology.

‘Gana’ means category. Everything that we perceive through our senses or grasp through our mind can be expressed in terms of kind, of category. The principle from which all such categories have manifested themselves is Ganapati, the Lord of categories. In effect, it means the origin of the whole creation, God himself.

A common Sanskrit word to denote the elephant is ‘Gaja’. Hence the name Gajanana or Gajamukha (‘elephant-faced’) for Ganapati. But the word ‘Gaja’ has a much deeper connotation. ‘Ga’ indicates ‘gati’, the final goal towards which the entire creation is moving, whether knowingly or unknowingly; ‘ja’ stands for ‘janma’, birth or origin. Hence ‘Gaja’ signifies God from whom the worlds have come out and towards whom they are progressing, to be ultimately dissolved in him. The elephant head is thus purely symbolical and points to this truth. Another factor we observe in creation is its two-fold manifestation as the microcosm (Suksmanda) and the macrocosm (Brahmanda). Each is a replica of the other. They are one in two and two in one. The elephant head stands for the macrocosm and the human body for the microcosm. The two form one unit. Since the macrocosm is the goal of the microcosm, the elephant part has been given greater prominence by making it the head.

Perhaps, the boldest statement concerning philosophical truths ever made is contained in that pithy saying of the Chandogya Upanishd (6.8.7)” ‘tat-tvam-asi’, ‘That thou art’. It simply means: ‘You, the apparently limited individual, are, in essence, the Cosmic Truth, the Absolute.’ The elephant-human form of Ganapati is the iconographical representation of this great Vedantic dictum. The elephant stands for the cosmic whereas the human stands for the individual. The single image reflects their identity…

Let us now try to interpret the other factors involved in the symbology of this god. His ears are large, large enough to listen to the supplications of everyone, but like the winnowing basket, are capable of sifting what is good for the supplicant from what is not. Out of the two tusks, the one that is whole stands for the Truth, the One without a second. The broken tusk, which is imperfect, stands for the manifest world, which appears to be imperfect because of the inherent incongruities. However, the manifest universe and the unmanifest unity are both attributes of the same Absolute. The bent trunk is a representation of Omkara or pranava which being the symbol of Brahman, the Absolute, is declaring as it were that Ganapati is Brahman itself. His large belly indicates that all the created worlds are contained in him…

How we wish that Lord Ganapati had chosen a big bandicoot as his mount. The fact, however, is otherwise and that privilege has been conferred on a small mouse! The word musaka (=mouse) is derived from the root ‘mus’ which means ‘to steal’. A mouse stealthily enters into things and destroys them from within. Similarly, egoism enters unnoticed, into our minds and quietly destroys all our undertakings. Only when it is controlled by divine wisdom, it can be harnessed to useful channels, Or, the mouse that steals, can represent love that steals the human hearts. As long as human love is kept at the low level, it can create havoc. Once it is directed towards the Divine, it elevates us. The mouse that is wont to see the inside of all things can stand for the incisive intellect. Since Ganapati is the lord of he intellect, it is but meet that he has chosen it as his vehicle.”

Vasanta Vihara is an annual programme meant to engage school children constructively during their summer holidays. The camp is held in two batches for a duration of 15 days each – one, for children studying from fifth standard to the seventh, and second, for those studying in eighth to the tenth – in the serene and elevating atmosphere of the Ashrama. The underlying focus of this programme is to inspire and instill into the budding youth a hunger for a wholesome personality, encompassing the positive ideas and practical approach of the western mindset, and more so the values and ideals that have roots in own Indian culture and civilization. These when rightly conjoined and synthesised, in our opinion, will guide and equip the student to face the onslaughts of both the external challenges and internal conflicts.

Click to view slideshow.

Some of the highlights of this programme are listed below:

Sacred Chants & Prayers

Aim : These awaken the sattvic nature and help in manifesting his higher potential.

• Vedic chanting
• Bhagavad Gita : Recitation and memorization
• Subhashitam : The wisdom of Indian sages on matters of Dharma is enshrined in these. These are in verse form in sanskrit. They are translated and elaborated for easy understanding.

Kainkarya

Aim : These inculcate in the young lads the attitude of Seva, obedience and discipline Aspects :

• Working together : Evolving team building characteristics
• Working alone : Self-initiative and leadership skills
• Awareness : of health and hygiene

Yogasanas

Aim : Promotes stability, vitality and vigour of body and mind. Rewards :

• Increase the power of concentration and will power.
• Effective study and efficient work

Value orientation Classes

Aspects :

• Speeches from monks of the Ramakrishna Order
• Eminent guest speakers are also invited

Thematic Workshops

Aspects :

• Exploring interrelations between science, nature, human behaviour and sprituality
• “Nature awakening” sessions

1. A tailoring class has been started with 4 sewing machines to teach interested girls and women of this village.

Once they get trained and get self-confidence they will be able to stand on their own feet. We may extend giving the machines once they are trained well. We may also donate a machine each once they are trained well. Each machine costs about Rs.3500/-. Accessories like cloth, scissors, etc. are extra.

2. Arranging to provide loans for the villagers to buy cattle.

In order to make them feel responsible, instead of gifting the animal we have asked them to return this loan on a monthly basis within five years. At present each buffalo costs approximately 25,000/-.

We have attached a few photographs. (The camera clock was 12 hours ahead!).Technorati Tags: cattle, village development, tailoring institute

We are happy to inform you that the charitable eye hospital, Sri Sharada Netralaya has been set up in the Ashrama premises to render medical service.

The inauguration of this hospital will be held on Tuesday, 1st January, 2008 at 10:00 am.

SRI SURESH ANGADI
(Member of Parliament, Belgaum)

has agreed to be the chief guest and will inaugurate the hospital.

SRI D.R. PATIL
(MLA, Gadag)

&

SRI S.F. PATIL
(Superintendent Engineer, PWD, Belgaum)

will be the other guests of honour.

The guests will also distribute woollen blankets to poor people as another welfare service of the Ashrama to the society.

The following doctors have agreed to render their services to the hospital.

• Dr. A. R. Khobre
• Dr. V. V. Gramopadhye
• Dr. Mrs. P. U. Gramopadhye
• Dr. V. G. Govekar
• Dr. S. A. Bagewadi
• Dr. S. M. Baloji
• Dr. S. A. Tebhla

We cordially invite you and your friends to be present on the occasion.

      Yours in the Lord,
Swami Raghaveshananda
            Secretary

Note:

1. Regular eye screening camps for cataract will be held at the hospital.
2. Operations for selected candidates will also be performed at the hospital free of cost.

 

Students gathering on the day of the convention

Sri Swami Bodhamayanandaji Maharaj, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, T.Nagar, Chennai, Sri Swami Atmaprananandaji and Swami Yukteshanandaji (Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum), Dr Gururaj Karajagi (Chairman, International Academy of Creative Teaching, Bangalore), Sri Chakravarthi Sulibele (well known columnist and orator) addressed the gathering during these conventions.

The guests of honour were Sri K.D. Birje (Additional Commissioner, Belgaum), Sri S. Jayakumar (Deputy Director of Public Instructions, Belgaum) & Sri Raghavendra Auradker (Inspector General of Police, Northern Range, Belgaum). The conventions were held in the Ashrama premises thus providing a congenial atmosphere for deep and noble thinking.

Features of the conventions:

 
Vedic Chanting & Bhajans

  
Lectures with Multimedia Presentation

 
Exhibition & sale of Books, CDs & Cassettes

 
Lunch Prasad & Tea/Snacks for all participants

• Free distribution of books on Character building, Personality Development and on life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda
• Video Recordings of the Conventions are available & can be ordered.

Details:

The Response:

The conventions and lectures were aimed at providing noble thoughts to the participants to strengthen their personality. Ideas that inspire students, youths and teachers were put forward during the conventions.

 

Teachers’ Convention

 
Youth Convention

The response was overwhelming. The interest shown by the participants was clear by the way they welcomed these ideas. Throughout the sessions there was quiet and order showing that the participants were deeply absorbed in the programme.

On 27th July 2007

on 17th August 2007

 
on 30th August 2007

Technorati Tags: free notebooks distribution school children

How to get concentration? How to utilize the time efficiently? – such questions have become an enigma for most of the students today. Here you find appropriate and effective answers for them. This film is bound to gear up students to scale the heights of success and glory!