SINGA SPEAKS A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE
Thakur and Naren
Swami Vivekananda Jayanti Singapore 31 January, 2016
At 10 30 am, Swami Vimokshananda, the President of the Singapore Ramakrishna Mission gave a discourse on “Thakur and Naren”. He brought out the unparallel and unconventional model of relationship between the Guru Sri Ramakrishna and the disciple Naren (Swami Vivekananda). Those were the formative years of Naren’s young life when Sri Ramakrishna emphasised that he stood towering the elite of Kolkata and was a full blown “thousand petalled lotus”. Swami Vimokshananda also explained how both Guru and Shishya went on testing each other and got confirmed of the greatness to their satisfaction!
The 153rd Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated at the Ramakrishna Mission, Singapore on 31 January, 2016. The programme was scheduled in two sessions as Morning and Evening. Devotees thronged the temple at 6 am for Mangalarati which was followed by vedic chantings, bhajans, meditation. After breakfast, at 8 30 am a special Puja of Sri Ramakrishna was performed by Swami Jitamanasananda. The famous Katha Upanishad which was indeed very dear to the heart of Swami Vivekananda was chanted along with a few melodious bhajans by Swami Samachittananda.
The words of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi indicating that if only Thakur was alive, he would keep the picture of Naren over his head was narrated in the context of the greatness of Swamiji.
Children’s class on Hinduism Every Saturday from 5 PM to 6 PM Children’s Class is held on Basic Hinduism with learning of bhajans, chanting of vedic mantras and stories from Epics etc aiming at character building and man-making education as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda.
Later, a homa (havan) was performed where the oblations of Bilwa leaves were, soaked in ghee, poured in the blazing flames of the Kunda, in the name of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. After homa, Sri Shiva Nama Sankirtanam was sung in chorus by all the assembled devotees. Prasad in the form of lunch was distributed at the Sarada Hall.
RAMAKRISHNA MISSION | 179 BARTLEY ROAD SINGAPORE 539784 | singapore@rkmm.org | +65 6288 9077
The evening session began with a panchopachara Arati (arati of five items of importance depicting the primordial five elements of the nature). Swami Satyalokananda, thereafter, spoke on "The Practical Vedanta of Swami Vivekananda” where he highlighted how the lofty Vedantic principles can be brought into day to day life, quoting from Gita. Many bhajans were sung in praise of Swamiji till the completion of the programme at 8 30 pm. Prasad in the
form of supper was also served at the Sarada Hall. A Book sale counter was organised on this event where many different titles on Ramakrishna-SaradaVivekananda and Vedanta books were kept and sold. Swami Vimokshananda thanked all the Volunteers, ex-students of Boys’ Home and other devotees who contributed their seva in many ways for the success of the function.
Weekly Scriptural Classes Every Saturday from 4 to 4 45 PM on “Sri Ramakrishnarin Amudha Mozhigal” in Tamil by Swami Jitamanasananda Every Sunday from 5 to 6 PM on the “Yoga Sutras” by Swami Satyalokananda in English Every Sunday from 6 to 7 PM on “Bhagavad Gita for Practical Life” by Swami Vimokshananda in English
RAMAKRISHNA MISSION | 179 BARTLEY ROAD SINGAPORE 539784 | singapore@rkmm.org | +65 6288 9077