SingaSpeaks A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE
ROAR 28 | SINGAPORE | TUESDAY | 11 OCTOBER 2016
Our Shubha Vijaya greetings! There were Special Invited bhajan programmes from 10 am on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami days performed by Marathi, Bengali and Tamil singers respectively. An unprecedented large number of devotees participated enthusiastically in the 4-day celebration and partook of cooked food as prasad.
Dear devotees, friends and well-wishers, Please accept our hearty shubha Vijaya greetings. Here, as in earlier years, by the grace of Holy Mother, the worship of the Divine Mother Sri Sri Durga was performed with solemnity and gaiety on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami tithis with Visarjan puja on Dashami tithi. Besides nitya puja to Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna, we had Special Puja to Ma Durga. Devi Mahatmyam was recited in three parts. Bhajans, Stotras, Arati and
179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
Puspanjali were regular features. On all the three evenings, discourses on “The Glory of the Goddess” based on Sri Devi Mahatmyam were done by the President Swami.
We pray that those who attended any of the programmes and those who desired but could not make it be all blessed by the Divine Mother Sri Sri Durga! Swami Vimokshananda Swami Satyalokananda Swami Jitamanasananda Swami Pavitratmananda
दुगेर् स्मृता हरिस भीितमशेषजन्तोः स्वस्थैः स्मृता मितमतीव शुभां ददािस । दािरद्रयदुःखभयहािरिण का त्वदन्या सवोर्पकारकरणाय सदाद्रर् िचत्ता " Durge Smrtaa Harasi Bhiitim-Ashesha-Jantoh Svasthaih Smrtaa Matim-Atiiva Shubhaam Dadaasi | Daaridraya-Duhkha-Bhaya-Haarinni Kaa Tvad-Anyaa Sarvo[a-U]pakaara-Karanaaya Sadaa-[Aa]rdra Chittaa || O Devi Durga, when remembered in difficulty, you remove fear for everyone; when remembered in happiness, you make the mind further pious. Which Goddess but you, O Dispeller of poverty, pain and fear has an ever sympathetic heart for helping everyone? –Sri Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi) IV.17
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PERIODIC NEWSLETTER ROAR 28
PAGE TWO
TUESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2016
Vijaya Dashami Day with Sri Ramakrishna Sri Ramakrishna with devotees at the Shyampukur House It is the holy Vijaya Dashami day, 18 October 1885. Thakur is staying at the Shyampukur house. He is unwell. A physician has come from Calcutta to treat him. The devotees stay there to serve him. None of them has yet renounced the world – they come from their family homes. Surendra’s love and devotion to God – ‘Divine Mother must reside in the heart’ It is winter, eight o’clock in the morning. Thakur is not feeling well. He is sitting on his bed acting like a five-year-old child who knows nothing but his mother. Surendra arrives and sits down. Navagopal, M. and some other devotees are already present. Surendra has celebrated the Durga Puja at his home. Thakur had not been able to go but had sent his devotees to have the darshan of the image. It is now Vijaya day and Surendra is feeling sad (at the impending separation from the Divine Mother, as on this day Her image will be immersed in the waters of the Ganges.) Surendra — I ran away from the house. Sri Ramakrishna (to M.) — Though the image may be immersed in water, let the Divine Mother reside in the heart. Quietly repeating, “Mother, Mother,” Surendra says a few things about the Supreme Goddess. Thakur looks at him and sheds tears. Looking at M., he says in a voice choked with emotion, “What bhakti! What love and devotion he feels for God!” Sri Ramakrishna — Around seven or seven-thirty yesterday evening, I had a vision of the worship hall in your home. The image of the deity was bathed in divine light. This place and your worship hall were joined by a stream of light that illumined both places. Surendra — At that time I was crying ‘Mother, Mother’ in the worship hall. My elder brothers had gone upstairs, leaving me alone. I felt that the Mother said, ‘I will come again.’ –From the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798
singapore@rkmm.org
PERIODIC NEWSLETTER ROAR 28
PAGE THREE
TUESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2016
The BAS – Bengali Association of Singapore – had made elaborate Puja arrangements. On the navami tithi afternoon, Swami Vimokshananda visited the pandal and made his humble obiesance to the Durga pariwar on the stage.
179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798
singapore@rkmm.org