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. monthly
newsletter of Vedanta and Sanatan Dharma
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the
monthly ezine of Vedanta Mission, running
in its
12th
year
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Greetings
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A Joyous Janmashtami to all
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Bhagwan Ranchodrai resting at
Dakor
On 23rd Aug 2008 is the
Sri Krishna Janmashtami, the day of manifestation of the ever joyous
blue-boy of Vrindavan, and the immortal Gitacharya. |
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Index
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Vedanta
Section
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Prasad Buddhi
Swami Atmananda
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Freedom in Action:
Freedom is not from action, but in action.
When we face the ups and downs of life, then we tend to arrogate the
anxieties, grief or even happiness etc with the associated actions,
situations and people rather than discover some subjective dimension to all
these things. Such people as though give the reins of the life in the hand
of the things outside and then keep on getting buffeted by them. Their minds
keep vacillating in the momentary flashes of joys or sorrow, and anxieties
become as natural to them as heat is to fire. These people obviously decide
to give up those so called painful actions, or try to run away from those
uncordial situations or start disliking some people. These people are
ignorant ones, and they are not aware of the secrets and also the dynamics
of action and experiences.
What Binds Us?
No one binds us except our own mind. Our ego,
expectations, likes and dislikes etc, however justified they may appear to
be, alone bring all the anxieties and stresses. Even a little deliberation
on this matter brings this realization to us that yes, it is indeed our
expectations which brings all the anxieties etc, but we also see that all
work and relationships involve expectations. A mother has to have
expectations about the well-being of her child, so also the boss, or even a
teacher. All have some expectations, and this is what them drives them into
those actions. So this is like a Catch 22 situation, that expectation in
actions will bring anxieties, and yet these expectations are inevitable in
our actions, so in the final analysis there is no way except to face the
resultant anxieties and grief. Is there a way out of this tricky situations
and discover a way to live in a more positive and healthy way. Is there a
way to live and act in this world wherein we continue to have normal
expectations and motivations yet be free from the anxieties part? Can these
very unavoidable expectations be made instrumental to help bring about a
u-turn in our experience graph. This is what is aimed at by the unique art
of action prescribed Lord Krishna in Bhagwad Gita. He affirms that freedom
is indeed not from action but in action.
Action Dissipaters:
No one acts without any objective or goal in
mind. In fact clearer and dearer the goal, more inspired and dynamic is the
action. Let us not doubt this fact even for a moment that we all want some
fruits of action, and we also know that this predominantly depends on our
action. Now the question is that what are the factors which mar the
efficiency of our actions. These are:
1. Not giving proper justice to action, by
being too anxiety ridden about the fruits of action.
2. Being driven by a motivation which is very
short term, and thus which makes us goal-less soon.
3. Dissipations brought about by arrogating
the success and failure on ourself.
To handle all the above problems, Gita gives
us a very interesting model for our actions. This package on one hand lets
us have a clear goal, makes us very dynamic and inspired, assures a
motivation which is lasting, assures that we become free of the negative
effects of success and failure, and thus assures that the resultant fruits
of our actions are at their best.
Be Factual:
Lord says that lets be factual. He says
that see this fact that there are various things which are not being done by
us and there are some things which have to be done by us. The creation, the
running of the world with all the infinite powers of nature, our birth and
that also in this human form, the place of our birth, capacities,
inclinations, the various situations which we get, the duration of life,
even the success and failures, none of these is fully in our hands. One fine
day when our minds are sufficiently developed we find ourselves in the midst
of this extremely beautiful yet astounding world, trying to figure out the
what's & why's of things here. While for the majority of things we are just
blessed recipients, yet there are some things which are definitely in our
hands. Most importantly the responses to the situations is our exclusive
domain and freedom. Moreover what kind of motivation we entertain, what
priorities we have, how healthy our body and integrated our mind is, how
inspired we act, how we react to the ups and downs - all fall under our
personal freedom and domain. The truth is that while we see that the
majority of things are being run by powers that be, yet all that which is on
our hands is also very significant and consequential. Thus there are two
powers at work. The first the one which creates and runs the world, which
includes our creation and specific inclinations etc, and two, our role in
responding to the situations we get.
Live a Life of Partnership with God:
A person who normally gets negatively effected
and burdened by living his or her life is the one who is not factual, such a
fellow takes all the burden on himself and at the end of the day gets
crushed by this self-imposed yet baseless burden. So Gita says that the most
obvious and logical thing is to live a life in partnership with God, the
unseen X power, who is the master of all that which runs here. We need to
cultivate a relationship with such a master. A relationship of boss and his
instrument, a one of beloved and the lover, or as the scriptures say, one of
a devotee and his god. This relationship is of great importance. Every
relationship inspires and motivates us. Today also most of the people work
for their family etc. We need to see this fact that our beloved is taking
initiative and showering us with all the love, life and its goodies. Now it
is our turn, we need to see life in such a way, that whatever situation we
have got is his wish, it has an important place in his script, whatever it
may be. So lets give out our best - for our beloved sake. In such a way,
there will be an never ending, loving, inspiring motivation to do our best
in every situation and then remain free of our doership too. However, if we
cannot do and give everything for our beloved God, then Lord Krishna tells
another simple thing.
Prasad Buddhi:
He says you just live as per your drive and
motivation, but just see that all 'Fruits of Actions' come from me. May you
see every situation as my gift to you, my 'prasad' for you all. So partake
of this prasad with devotion, enjoy it, make the best of it, but just
remember, sincerely and deeply, that it is my gift to you. He says that
'What you get is my gift to you, and what you do and give is your offering
to me'. So lets have this partnership, and then see its revolutionary
effect. You will be free of all the negative aspects of karma, there will be
no draining of your precious resources and energy, no stress-borne diseases,
assurance of good worldly life and the best part of it is that your mind too
will remain peaceful, inspired and creative.
Start a New Chapter:
So just incorporate one small principle in
your life. See all situations as HIS prasad, learn to be gratified in
receiving every situation. Let every day be seen as a blessing, and a new
opportunity to live, love & serve. Prasad-Buddhi is an integral part of the
divine Art of Karma as revealed in Bhagwad Gita. Make a humble beginning,
you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. Thereafter you will never
aspire to be free from any action whatsoever, but will remain free in and
through every action. See that you are being showered with love every
moment, let this vision overwhelm and envelop you. This knowledge will bring
about its own action. This will indeed start a new chapter in your life.
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Internet News
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Vedanta Mission Web Site News
Vedanta Mission started its
micro-blogging chapter by starting its
VM Twitter Page.
Readers can check out short breaking news, pictures & updates of our various
programs and web site on it.
Editor
Visit Vedanta Mission at:
www.vmission.org.in
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Quote
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"No one is useless in this
world who lightens the burdens of another."
Charles Dickens
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Story
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A recluse and a prostitute were neighbors. The
recluse advised the prostitute, ‘Do not indulge in merry making; it will
land you in hell’. The prostitute replied politely, "Holy sir, please pardon
me, this is my only means to buy food". The recluse got into counting how
many persons visited the prostitute. He was angry with her for not heeding
his advice.
And one fine day, both of them passed away.
God bade His messengers to lead the prostitute to heaven and throw the
recluse in hell.
The enraged recluse asked God, "I have offered
daily pooja's to You, chanting Your Holy Name; and yet You are in favor of
that prostitute whose negative actions were known to everyone". To which God
replied, "Despite the fact that she used her physical form as a means of
business to make her living, her thoughts were forever concentrated on Me.
She used to cry to Me always, seeking relief from the evil ways of the
world. Whereas despite My giving you all the facilities for you to worship
me, you were focusing your thoughts on taking an inventory of how many
people visited the prostitute. Is that becoming of you?"
Then the recluse asked God, "Is there no
result for my prayers then?" God replied, "Look down at what is happening to
the physical body you departed from". The recluse saw his body being bathed
in choicest fragrances of sandal and lavender and being led in veneration to
the cremation ground, while the prostitute’s corpse was left to wolves and
savage dogs. God said, "You did good with your body, therefore your body is
honored. She resorted to a different path, so her corpse is at the mercy of
dogs and wolves. But in terms of the soul, she led an honorable life,
whereas you erred in your thoughts. Therefore she is in heaven and you are
in hell".
It is not the act that is relevant in God’s
Kingdom; it is the thought that is more relevant. Your thoughts dictate the
future turn of events in your life. If you have truly immersed your thoughts
in the Divine, nothing can lead your thoughts astray and that is what will
count with God. Everything else you assume to be true in this world is a
question of relative judgment that you have formed for your convenience.
Be true to your conscience that is God, do not
think evil and always think good for and of yourself and others, and that
will lead you to God’s good books naturally.
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Quote
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"That man is the richest whose
pleasures are the cheapest."
Henry David Thoreau
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Letter Section
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Handling Desires
Poojya Guruji,
Kindly let me know how to handle deep,
intense natural desires for love & relationships. Is it something
which needs to be cut (suppressed), by-passed or appeased. How do you
people handle their natural impulses and desires. Thanks.
With love & om
_______________________________________________________
Hari om,
Any deep-rooted natural desire is something which has
to be handled, and never suppressed or cut. If we are really serious
to handle it, then we need to go deep into it, and first discover
various things. One, what is it that which I am seeking in & thru this
desire, is it a means or an end etc, and when you see that, then the
entire drive & energy of a desire turns to something else, and Two,
what is the real means is fulfill that which is at the very root of
all my desires.
So really speaking we have not cut any desires, yet
have become free of the compulsions to fulfill them in the
conventional ways. The intensity of our spiritual pursuits is directly
proportional to the intensity of all our earlier desires put together.
We were and are very serious to fulfill them, rather too serious, and
therefore took time to know that which was the real aspiration. Pl
appreciate that no wise man can ever have aversion or even attachment
for any worldly or other-worldly "ways and means", all what is
required is to have the insight too see the real facts, and then have
the strength of conviction to live as per them.
Love & om,
SA
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Quote
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"What is most beautiful in virile men is
something feminine; what is most beautiful in feminine women is something
masculine."
Susan Sontag
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Mission
News
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Earlier Programs
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Guru Poornima Camp,
Indore : |
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A five days Sadhana Camp was organized at Vedanta Ashram just prior to
Guru Poornima. The camp was from 13th to 17th July. The subject
matter of the discourses was Guru-Stotram and Guru Gita, which were taken by
Poojya Guruji and Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji respectively. Everyday some
devotee or couple did Rudrabhisheka of Bhagwan Sri Gangeshwar Mahadevji.
You can check out more photos of the Camp by
clicking on the above photo or by clicking
HERE.
Choose the Slide Show option there. |
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Guru Poornima, Indore : |
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This year Guru Poornima was on the 18th of July, day after the GP Camp
concluded. In the morning Poojya Guruji did puja of Bhagwan Sri Adi
Sankaracharya and his Poojya Gurudev and all the teachers in our tradition.
Thereafter, Neena Bhatnagar represented everyone to conduct the Pada-Puja of
Poojya Guruji.
There were scores of devotees flowing
throughout the day for darshan and blessings. Some were given Deeksha too by
P.Guruji. Everyone partook the prasad.
You can check out more photos of the Camp by
clicking on the above photo or by clicking
HERE.
Choose the Slide Show option there. |
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Gita Gyana Yagna, Jaipur : |
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A Gita Gyana Yagna was organized at Murlipura, Jaipur from 22nd to 27th July
by Poojya Guruji. He conducted discourses on the
12th chapter of Bhagwad Gita. There was chanting of all the 18 chapters of
Gita too during these six days.
Please click on the photo above for more
pictures of the occasion. |
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Jaipur Darshan : |
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During his stay at Jaipur during the Gita
Gyana Yagna, Poojya Guruji went around to see the rich cultural heritage of
the Jaipur city. He started with the darshan of Govind devji and Galataji.
Govind devji is the Nagar-devata, and highly revered diety. The garba-gruh
of the temple is so placed that the erstwhile Kings used to get the darshan
of Lord right from their City Palace. Galataji was the Tapo-bhumi of Galav
Rishi, on whose name there are many institutions in the city and state.
He also went to Amer Palace, Jaigarh,
Nahargarh, Ganeshwar, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal etc. The Photo Album is very
comprehensive, and can be seen by clicking on the above photo or by clicking
HERE.
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GGY at Sanatan Dharma
Mandir, Leicester, UK : |
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Poojya Swamini Samatanandaji conducted a nicely attended Gita Gyana
Yagna at Sanatan Dharma Temple at Leicester.
The subject matter was the Sthitha
Pragnya section of Gita. Here the discourses were in Hindi language.
See more pics of the program by clicking on the photo above.
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Discourse at Sri
Venkateshbalaji
Temple, UK : |
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A two days Gita discourses were held at Sri Venkateshbalaji Temple
Complex near Birmingham by Poojya Swamini Samatanandaji.
A Youth Camp too was going on here,
and P.Swaminiji delivered two discourses in English, on the topics
of the shloka of 'Karmanye Vadhikaraste' and the topic of 'Yagna-Bhava'.
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Hindu Temple, Reading, UK : |
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P. Swamini Samatanandaji also visited the Hindu
Temple at Reading, in the UK. In this first visit to this temple it
was nice seeing the enthusiasm of the devotees and temple
management.
The evening program started with some bhajans and
then was the pravachan on a Sloka of the 9th chapter of Bhagwad Gita
- Yatkaroshi Yadashnasi. The pravachan was followed by the chanting
of Sri HC and arti. After the arti everyone partook of Bhojan
Prasadi.
Please click on the picture above for more pictures
of the occasion.
Poojya Swamini Samatanandaji returned to India and
her Ashram at Indore on 30th July.
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Imp Dates
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Important Dates in August 2008
Hindu Festival Calender |
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1 |
Fri |
Amavasya -
Haryali (Surya Grahan) |
| 6 |
Wed |
Naag Panchamii |
| 8 |
Fri |
Tulsi Jayanti |
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Tue |
Ekadashi -
Putrada |
| 15 |
Fri |
Independence Day |
| 16 |
Sat |
Raksha bandhan (Chandra Grahan) |
| 23 |
Sat |
Janmashtami |
| 27 |
Wed |
Ekadashi - Aja |
| 30 |
Sat |
Amavasya - Bhadrapada |
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Forthcoming Programs
VMission Programs Calender
Janmashtami Camp, Indore :
A five days Janmashtami Camp will be organized at Vedanta Ashram from 18th
to 22nd Aug. The subject matter of the discourses will be both portions of
Gita and Bhagwat.
Janmashtami Celebration, Indore :
This year Sri Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated at the Ashram on 23rd
Aug. As earlier special decorations will be there, chanting of Gita, puja,
bhajans and some cultural activities like breaking of the matki etc.
Poojya Guruji's Talk at AMA :
Poojya Guruji has been invited at the annual Talk series of Ahmedabad
management Association at Ahmedabad.
He will be deliver his talk on 3rd Sept, on
the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, on the topic of Symbolism of Ganeshji and
getting right lessons from him to make our lives more positive.
Gyana Yagna, Dehradun :
Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct a four days Gyana Yagna at Dehradun
from 12th to 15th Sept. She will conduct discourses on Kaivalya Upanishad.
Gita Gyana Yagna, Lucknow :
Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct a week long Gita Gyana Yagna at
Hariom Mandir, Lucknow from 16th to 22nd Sept.
The subject matter of the discourses will be
Vaitathya Prakarana of Mandukya Upanishad in the morning session and Gita
chapter 8 in the evening.
Gita Gyana Yagna, Jodhpur :
Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct a three days Gita Gyana Yagna at
Jodhpur from 1st to 3rd Oct. Her discourses will be organized at two
different places. At one place she will conduct discourses on the 20 Values
as revealed in the 13th chapter of Gita, and the Stitha Pragnya section of
Gita at the other.
Discourses at Sojatcity :
Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct a two days Satsang at Chetangiri
Ashram at Sojatcity, in Rajasthan on 4th & 5th Oct.
Gita Gyana Yagna, Secunderabad :
Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct a three days Gita Gyana Yagna at
Secunderabad from 16 to 18 Oct. The subject matter of the discourses will be
the 17th chapter of Gita.
Gita Gyana Yagna, Dahisar :
Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct a three days Gita Gyana Yagna at
Dahisar, Mumbai from 4th to 8th Nov.
Gita Gyana Yagna, Ahmedabad :
Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct a week long Gita Gyana Yagna at
Ramkrishna Kendra at Maninagar, Ahmedabad from 17th to 23rd Nov.
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Contact
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. Om Tat Sat .
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