Singaspeaks 2

SINGA SPEAKS ROAR 2 | SINGAPORE | TUESDAY | 9 FEBRUARY 2016

A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE

Walking in the footsteps of Swamiji

Children’s Joy on Chinese New Year We h a v e v i s i t e d t h e Botanic Gardens many times, but our trip on Februar y 9th, 2016 was very different and special.

Spearheaded by the Reverend President Swami Vimokshananda Maharaj and organized by the C h i l d r e n’s C l a s s o f Ramakrishna Mission, the to u r w a s a m e t h o d to spirituall y uplift us by

connecting with Nature.

What better way to start the Chinese New Year of the Monkey than a sojourn among the trees!

Setting the Same path At 9 : 4 5 a m f a m i l i e s assembled at the Nassim Gate, one of the popular gates of the Botanic Gardens.

Pr e s i d e n t Maharaj guided us along the path of Swami

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION | 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784 | singapore@rkmm.org | +65 62889077

A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE

Vivekananda who ( te e n m u k h i ) , f i v e (panchamukhi) etc. had made a similar Rudrāksha is said to journey a centur y have medicinal ago. Swamiji arrived qualities besides in Singapore on 12 being a suitable June, 1893. In two medium in spiritual years’ time, we will practices. have the 125th How this Report came up?

Memorial Year of his Roots from arrival in Singapore!

We l l , i t m u s t b e The Tutors of the Children’s Class contributed Above stated here that the pieces of information on the visit to Botanic Fr o m t h e r e , w e exact path is not Gardens. They were collected and placed here walked by the side of known but from the as one continuous Report for your reading rain-forest, entering fact that t h e pleasure. The Tutors are Raman Raji, Swarna through the curtain topography inside Kalyan, Sujatha Ravibaskar and Sharadamba. of roots. The roots the Gardens has not They thank Vasan for transport arrangement of overflow from the President Maharaj and Karthik for photography roof and the touch changed for many, and all Parents for their excellent co-operation! of these roots on our many years, we can bodies created an safely assume that the same paths on which Swamiji treaded exhilarating feeling as we all in group are still there. Hence, the joy was walked through it. unbounded.

The Rolling Ball Brilliant Blue Marbles The first stop was at the Blue Marble Fig Tree which is well known to Hindus as the ‘Rudrāksha’ tree. The marbles were here and there scattered all over the place.

Children picked up a f e w. Ma h a r a j explained that once these marbles get matured, the outer skin gets shr unk and they assume what is known as ‘faces’.

They come in different numbers of ‘faces’ like one (ekamukhi), three

Next attraction was the floating granite ball, indeed heavy. The current of the waters make the rock-like ball roll round and round that it requires quite an effort to stop the ball.

Some children tried but in vain.

One of the volunteers, a Yoga Trainer, rolled it faster with all his ‘Yoga’ energy and lo! the ball s to p p e d r o l l i n g and sat still to the delight of the children.

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION | 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784 | singapore@rkmm.org | +65 62889077

A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE

Serene Swan lake The serene Swan Lake was our next stop.

We had to go through a dense and the largest banyan tree in the Gardens. The long flowing twisted roots, hanging from the top was a sight to see. We started walking around the l a ke w h e r e r e a l , three white Swans were visible. There was an exquisite sculpture in the centre of the lake depicting five flying swans. They were of huge size, as if coming from the heavens! Many more people were standing on the edge of the lake. We could see colourful fishes running hither and thither in the waters expecting some feed. But the signboard clearly stated a big NO to feeding! We also went to see the tiger orchids to the small pergola by the meadow near the swan lake. Interesting facts about trees, places, flowers, birds were all explained by the tutor-guides.

Gathering on the grass Then it was circle time on the grass.

T h e t u to r s s p r e a d sheets for sitting in the semi-circled pattern and at the top of the slope, our President Maharaj was seated. He had a grand view of the

entire group. After the usual prayers, the tutors quizzed everyone on the subjects learned in the classes at the ashram through games.

Children were quite well aware of their subjects and answered well unhesitatingly as difficult questions were fielded from the great epic Mahabharata. When the adults were seen str ug gling for the right answers, – in spite of being given ‘clues’, – the children came up with the right answers!

Charm of curd At noon, the picnic lunch was served.

Ever y family shared what they had brought. Tamarind rice, raita, carrot salad, masala vadai, cupcakes, fruit cake, chips, fruit salad were served. Finishing touch was the delicious curd-rice with the lime pickle brought from the ashram Boys’ Home kitchen. As we were cleaning up, we were being video taped by a flying drone right there in the park!

Time to Take back Ne x t , i t w a s t h e awaited ‘Reflection time’.

Ma h a r a j explained how we are all children of mother Nature and that how all beings are interconnected.

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION | 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784 | singapore@rkmm.org | +65 62889077

A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE

When we listen with our inner ears, we can communicate with not only birds and bees, but also with the plants. ‘Love the plants too, pet them, caress them and they respond’ he told the children and showed how to. Then it was time for children to recollect facts they had learned through out the morning walk.

From the tallest tree to the tree on the 5 dollar Singapore currency note, from the number of swans to the b u t te r f l y, f r o m t h e o l d e s t t r e e s to t h e national flower of Singapore, children enthusiastically answered all of Swamiji’s questions. Of course, no sitting with Maharaj can be terminated without the distribution of ‘large’ chocolates to children.

Durga! Durga!

It was time to say adieu.

As we traced back to the Na s s i m G a t e i n t h e footsteps of Swami Vivekananda from swan lake, Maharaj took us to the waterfall. He posed

with the children behind the curtain of water fall. He explained about other features of the Gardens that we may explore on our own like the rain forest, petrified forest, etc. at a later date. A child p e r t i n e n t l y a s ke d Maharaj how he knew so much about the Gardens, he instantly replied that he ha s been coming to the Gardens at 6 30 AM every Saturday for a brisk walk.

Wo n d e r f u l , m i l d l y sunny weather had held throughout. The last stop was the ‘Nāgaliṅgam’ flower tree. Maharaj explained how the flower looks as if a snake has its hood open on top of a ‘Linga’. The fragrance was exceedingly good. As we said goodbye, nay, ‘Durga Durga’ to Maharaj, we could not help but think of Sri Ramakrishna and disciples in Panchavati at Dakshineshwar. Well, we are all looking forward to the next such spiritual outing with devotees.

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION | 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784 | singapore@rkmm.org | +65 62889077

A few interesting situations caught in the camera of Karthik

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION | 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784 | singapore@rkmm.org | +65 62889077

A few interesting situations caught in the camera of Karthik

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION | 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784 | singapore@rkmm.org | +65 62889077

A few interesting situations caught in the camera of Karthik

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION | 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784 | singapore@rkmm.org | +65 62889077