Vedanta Sandesh - Feb 2010

Monthly eMagazine of Vedanta Misssion Year 13

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Om Namah Shivaya!

Mahashivratri Greetings

Issue 8

In This Issue

1.

Vedanta Section:

Atma Bodha - Shloka-15

2.

Letter Section:

Handling Jealousy

3.

Traditions Section:

Mahashivratri

4.

Story Section:

Rurudru and Guha

5.

VM Programs:

Mission / Ashram Progs

From Poojya Guruji

Vedanta Sandesh Spreading Love & Light

Hari om!

Monthly eMagazine of Vedanta Mission Sharing the message of Vedanta and Sanatan Dharma

Feb 2010 On the Net since 1995

Started by:

Poojya Guruji Sri Swami Atmanandaji

Editor:

Swamini Samatananda

Published from:

Vedanta Ashram E/2948-50, Sudama Nagar Indore-452 009, India

Web:

www.vmission.org.in Email:

vmission@gmail.com

The once-in-a-lifetime, unique 'annular' solar eclipse was watched by millions in the southern part of India and elsewhere in few other parts of the world with awe & wonder. The next annular solar eclipse will happen after 1033 years, on 23rd Dec 3043 to be exact. In this special kind of eclipse the sun appears like an annulus (a ring) because the moon which comes in between sun & earth is farthest from the earth, and thus appears a bit smaller than the sun disc and as it does not cover the entire disc of sun, the ring shape of the sun is consequently presented. The master of the skies, the glorious Sun, seems to have in its wardrobe all the possible jewelleries, it is normally the glorious cosmic pendant of the necklace made of the various stars & planets, it occasionally showpieces its astounding diamond ring, and now an amazing bangle.

During such cosmic events not only the birds, reptiles and various animals show abnormal behaviour like becoming quiet etc, but even the devoted people take time off from their normal routine and pray for the well-being of the totality. Both respond to a special cosmic event in their own ways, simply because they are intimately connected to the cosmos and its events. How one responds obviously reveals their individual knowledge & conditionings, yet one thing is obvious that they are 'connected' with the totality, and that is obviously great.

Establishing our connectivity with the totality is one of the important agenda of Hinduism & its philosophy, the Vedanta. Texts like Vedanta-Saar have an amazing study on the nature & consequences of individual-centric and the totalcentric or holistic vision of life. Such drastic is the consequence of this cosmic awareness & centricity that all the scriptures unanimously give us ways and means to bring about such a paradigm shift in our perceptions & sensitivities.

Such deep-rooted is this awareness and conviction, that our festivals, samskaras and events, all reveal some special cosmic connectivity. Whether it is the festival of Sankranti or the on-going Mahakumbha Mela all are basically our salute to some cosmic event. Those who are aware of this unique Hindu psyche appreciate not only their cosmic sensitivities but also the effect of such a ‘Samashti Drishti’ on the ethics & morality of the people at large.

Ethics and morality of individual-centric people are such a pity that the whole country has paid and is still paying an unimaginable price by this value-structure where only the needs, whims & fancies of an inidividual or the ego is of prime concern. Look at the cosmos, say the masters, and that very moment you realize your place in this vast & beautiful creation.

Love & om,

Swami Atmananda

Atma Bodha - Shloka 15 Vedanta Section

The Five Koshas veil the Self Atman can never be seen as an object as we see various things around in the world, since it is the very light which enables us to objectify and see the world. Just as my own eye cannot see its own self . Yet the Upanishads show us our very own self, the Atman. This tricky knowledge is given by giving us pointers which indicate the atman, by negating the anatma. In the last three slokas a pointer was used to discriminate between the atma and the anatma by doing the sharira-traya viveka. The entire spectrum of the anatma was divided into the three bodies and we saw how these three bodies are not our true self and that the Real Self is beyond these three bodies. In the present sloka another very significant pointer is been used which is taken from Taittiriya Upanishad. Here the entire spectrum of the anatma is divided into five parts known as ‘koshas’. This panchakosha viveka give us a deeper understanding of the anatma and reveal the self effulgent and blissful self.

15 Panchkoshadiyogen tat tanmaya iva sthitah Shuddhatma nilvastradi yogen sfatiko yathaa Panchkoshadi yogen: By identification with the five koshas, tat: that Atma; eva: as though; sthithah: stands; Shuddhatma: The Pure Self; Nilvastradi: Blue cloth etc; yogen: by association; sfatiko: the crystal, yatha: just as.

The pure immaculate Self appears limited because of the identification with the Five Koshas, just as a Sfatika crystal appears colored when brought in proximity of a colored cloth.

Panchkoshadi yogen: An important question arises how does that reaity which is complete in itself, which is immaculate, and blissful become impure and limited. The answer to this is given in this sloka.

Here the Acharya says that with the identification of the five koshas the Atman which is basically of the nature of pure existence and untouched as though appears to be of the qualities of the five koshas.

What is a ‘kosha’? Kosha literally means a sheath which protects something. Thus the word came to be used even for our local treasury, sheath of a sword etc. So kosha is something Vedanta Sandesh - Feb 2010

which hides something protectively. The Upanishad tells us that we have not one but five kosha’s, or five sheaths in our personality which perform a similar function of hiding the true essence of our Self. Whoever can see beyond these five kosha’s will come to realize his or her Self in all its glory. However one may question in this context, that, if Kosha’s is a generic name given to the five layers of our personality which in some way ‘hides’ the Self, how is this possible?

How can Anatma hide the Atma in any way? How can the finite veil the infinite? While I do know that I am ignorant of the truth yet I fail to understand how can the Infinite be veiled by the

finite? To understand this one needs to understand the nature of the Anatma vieling the Atma.

Kosha cannot & does not physically veil the Self. All Kosha’s are various aspects of our Anatma which are basically inert, so by themselves they do not do anything whatsoever, yet the final result is indeed that of veiling, followed by the inevitable mis-apprehension. This is how it as though happens: An ignorant man himself first imposes great importance to some instrument or faculty of his personality and then in effect makes them instrumental to keep our attention fixed on them, which in effect as though ‘hides’ the ever-present & self-effulgent Self. So a kosha hides the self just by keeping our attention fixed on some aspects of our personality. It is comparable to a book becoming a kosha for veiling the entry of a person in my room, simply because all my attention was fixed on something else. So also there are some aspects in our personality which are so important, fascinating & useful that they become focal point of universal errors for any person who is ignorant about the real nature of his or her Self. This is what is meant by ‘Panchkoshadi yogen, identification of the atma with the five koshas’.

Tat tanmaya iva sthitah: Once this identification takes place, Atma which is basically pure and limitless as though appears to be veiled by the five sheaths. Hence the word used in the sloka is ‘iva’ which means ‘as though’. Truly speaking the atma is untouched because this identification is like

imagining a snake on a rope. The atma which is free of the five sheaths as though appears to be of the nature of the five sheaths.With this identification follow all the ups and downs of the jiva. The limitations of the body appear to be the limitations of the atma, the suffering of the varous layers appear to be the sufferings of the Atma.

The acharya explains this with the example of a crystal in the next line of the shloka.

Shuddhatma nilvastradi yogen sfatiko yatha: Just as a crystal reflects the blue cloth and the like. When a crystal is placed in front of any object with some color it appears to be of that color too. Similarly the Atma reflects the qualities of the adjuncts to which it becomes exposed. In reality the crystal does not take the form of the cloth; so also the atma does not take the form of the sheaths. Hence it is totally untouched by the sheaths and is ever free. To see this reality is the goal of this knowledge. To be able to see that ‘I’ the Atma is ever free, untouched, pure, limitless, changeless,pure consciousnes and blissful. All the layers of my personality are objectifiable and are my instruments. They are ‘mine’ I am not them. We are ‘conscious’ of our body, sense organs, energy, emotions, thoughts or experiences of joy. This is possible only when ‘I’ am not them and stand apart from all these as their seer. It is common knowledge that a ‘seer’ is always different from the ‘seen’. Knowing this drop the notion of ‘I-ness’ from these Koshas.

As mentioned above, negation of notion of ‘Atmabhava’ from ‘Anatma’ is the process of unveiling of the truth of the Self.

The Five Koshas 1. Annamaya Kosha: The physical body, which is made up of Anna, the food we eat.

2. Pranamaya Kosha: The Energy Kosha, which sustains all physiological activities.

3. Manomaya Kosha: The Mind & Sense organs of perception. The thoughts & emotions.

4. Vigyanamaya Kosha: The Intellect level of personality, where all our decisions are.

5. Anandamaya Kosha: The layer of the experiences of Joy. Atma transcends all these layers of personality, meaning we are none of these.

Page # 5

Life Still has Meaning If there is a future there is time for mending Time to see your troubles coming to an ending.

Life is never hopeless however great your sorrow - If you're looking forward to a new tomorrow.

If there is time for wishing then there is time for hoping - When through doubt and darkness you are blindly groping.

Though the heart be heavy and hurt you may be feeling - If there is time for praying there is time for healing.

So if through your window there is a new day breaking - Thank God for the promise, though mind and soul be aching, If with harvest over there is grain enough for gleaning - There is a new tomorrow and life still has meaning.

- Author unknown

Vedanta Sandesh - Feb 2010

Handling Jealousy Hari om ! Greetings ! Blessings for a Happy New Year.

I am happy that you realize the negative effects of jealousy so nicely that you have called for help. I wonder what steps you have been taking to handle this extremely bad & negative emotion, which scriptures call as a sure-shot way to hell. Please remember that it is not just any effort but intelligent efforts which alone handles any problem.

Till the time you make your motivation pure and positive, always make it a point to 'appreciate' the success of others.

Bless them, feel good for them.

- Poojya Guruji

So before taking any steps go into the very cause of jealousy. It is 'your' appreciation of its cause which 'alone' roots out such emotions. Why should the success and prosperity of others ever pain you? Look at such things positively. The other person has obviously worked hard and has been blessed accordingly. It is the secret of success of the others which rather should tickle your fancy. A person who burns in the fire of jealousy misses out on these important lessons. I know you have a great desire for success - but just a bit more than others. See this fact that today, you are basically driven by one-upmanship. This is a negative motivation. A better way to live is to just love what you do, irrespective of what others achieve or do. Think.

You are you and the others are what they are, so why compare. Let every flower in the garden be what it truly is and bloom to make the whole garden a beautiful place. Always keep an eye on your true motivation and drive.

Live your life your way and never let others malign your drive.

Till the time you make your motivation pure and positive, always make it a point to 'appreciate' the success of others. Bless them, feel good for them.

Such positive responses will never let the negative ones to even have a place to keep their foot in any corner of your mind.

Finally pray to God to give you strength and power to make your motivation pure and positive, and make your life a real blessing - for yourself and all others around you. Don't pray to remove darkness, just pray for light, and then darkness will never get a chance to exist.

Lots of love & om, Swami Atmananda Page # 9

The festival of Mahashivratri is the 'Grand Night dedicated for the worship of Lord Shiva'. This festival is celebrated every year on the 13/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon fortnight, just before the new moon) of the month of Phalgun.

As per the English calendar this is somewhere around Feb or March.

12th Feb 2010

Maha Shivratri

This day and more so the night is dedicated by the devotees of Lord Shiva for his worship, practice of various austerities & meditation. All the Shiva Temples are fully decorated and there are hordes of devotees queuing up to get darshan of Lord & offer their obeisance's at the feet of Lord Shiva.

There are several stories which are associated with this special grand night of Lord Shiva: The Samudra Manthan Story wherein Lord Shiva, to protect life, consumes the poison that comes out of the ocean. The Gods pleased the Lord by performing music and dance and singing his glories. The Lord in turn blessed all and also said that whosoever worshipped & contemplated on him on this day shall be blessed with the fulfillment of his or her wishes. Since then, on this day and night - devotees fast, keep vigil, sing glories of Lord and meditate.

On this day manifested the great & also the first ever effulgent (Jyotirmaya) form (Anala-skanda or a pillar of fire) of Lord Shiva in front of Lord Vishnu & Brahmaji.

Shiva-Parvati married and this reunion is celebrated on Maha Shivaratri.

The story of King Chitrabhanu when he was a hunter in his previous birth and unknowingly offered Bilva patra on the night of Shivratrti was blessed by the Lord, and also the story of Lubdhak who to protect himself from a tiger climbs up a tree and unconsciously offers bilva leaves to Lord Shiva allnight. This was also the grand night of Shivaratri.

In this manner even unconscious acts of goodness are blessed in such a way, then what to talk of our conscious acts of expressing our love, respect and reverence for Lord Shiva. He is indeed Ashutosh, one who gets pleased very soon.

Lord Shiva is indeed an embodiment of infinite love & compassion, that is why he is so easy to please. He showers us with his blessings at every moment of our lives, may we all devote this day of Mahashivratri to express our gratitude unto his feet. It is a very auspicious day.

VedantaSandesh Sandesh- -Feb April2010 2009 Vedanta

Page # 10

How to celebrate Mahashivratri?

The devotees of Lord Shiva should celebrate Mahashivaratri in the following manner: 1. Observe fast, taking only fruits & milk.

2. Perform elaborate puja of Lord Shiva, and perform Rudrabhisheka. Chant various hymns & bhajan of Lord Shiva.

3. Use this day to bring to one’s mind the infinite ways that life has been blessed.

In our obsession with thinking on what all I dont have we fail to see the infinite ways in which we are so positively blessed. The fact that you can read right now is a great blessing, ask someone who cannot see. Feel truly blessed & gratified and express your thanks & devotion at the feet of Lord by chanting the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ as many times as you can.

4. Practice Dhyana for longer periods than the usual routine. Be one with your loving God, and revel in utter fulfillment.

5. Remain more introvert on this day contemplating about the truths of life.

6. Go for darshan of Lord Shiva where he is properly & regularly worshipped.

7. Try to get darshan & satsang of some learned Mahatmas. Offer sewa at Ashrams & Temples.

Om Namah Shivaya Om:

The one non-dual Truth as revealed in the Vedas, Brahman, who is unmanifest and also manifest. Impersonal yet so personal.

Namah:

I reverentially offer my namaskar’s / pranam’s to you, meaning, I offer my prostrations, salutations, obeisances to you. When I become conscious of your greatness, qualities and the everflowing love & blessings, then my ego disappears, I am not conscious of my individuality any more.

Shivaya:

Unto Bhagwan Shiva. The embodiment of auspiciouness. One who is of the nature of Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence, Conscious ness and Bliss), and who is the Lord of this entire cosmos. He alone is the creator, sustainer and the destroyer.

Page # 11

Your Value A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill.

In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?"

Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, today we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special - Don't ever forget it!

Vedanta Sandesh - Feb 2010

Stories from Shiv Purana n o p e u .. c n .

O e m a ti

Vedanta Sandesh - April 2009

Rurudu and Guha There used to be a hunter named Rurudru. He was not at all righteous. In fact, he was quite evil and cruel. He killed many a deer and he was also a robber and thief. Naturally, Rurudru knew nothing about Shivaratri vrata. But it happened to be Shivaratri when the hunter’s parents, wife and children felt very hungry. They asked Rurudru to go and get some meat so that they might eat.The hunter went to the forest to kill a deer, but could not find any. It was already evening and no game was to be seen. Rurudru found a water-hole and decided that he would keep a vigil there. Sooner or later, some animal was bound to turn up. He climbed up onto a bilva tree that was by the side of the water-hole. And in case he should feel thirsty, he kept a pot full of water next to him. There he waited. Soon a doe turned up to drink water. The hunter picked up his bow and arrow. When he did so, the tree shook and a few bilva leaves fell on a linga that was right under the tree. Bilva leaves are sacred to Shiva. Some water spilled from the pot and also fell on the linga. Rurudru did not of course know this. But the doe saw the hunter. Dont kill me right now, said the doe. My children and husband are at home. Let me go and bid them farewell. When I return, you are welcome to kill me. The hunter was in no mood to let the doe go. Does an animal return to be killed? But the doe took an oath and Rurudru let her go.

After a short while, another doe turned up to drink water. The two doe’s were sisters and both of them married to the same deer. As before, the tree shook and bilva leaves and some water fell on the linga. The doe saw the hunter and said: Wait for sometime before you kill me. Let me say goodbye to my husband and children. The hunter was reluctant to let the doe go. But the second doe also took an oath that she would return. So Rurudru decided to wait. After the doe had gone, the deer turned up to drink water. And when the hunter picked up his bow and arrow, bilva leaves and water again fell on the linga. The deer said, Hunter, let me go now. I will come back and you can kill then. I wish to bid adieu to my two wives and children. The deer also took on oath that he would return and Rurudru let him go. After some time had passed, the two doe’s and the deer came to where Rurdru was.

Each said, Kill me and spare the others. They need to stay alive to look after the children.The baby deer had also accompanied their parents. They said, Kill us. We don’t wish to stay alive when our parents are gone. The hunter was so surprised at these developments that the tree shook again.

Bilva leaves and water fell on the linga. Shiva now took pity on Rurdru and removed all evil thoughts from his mind. The hunter spared the deer’s.

Shiva himself appeared before Rurudru and said, From now on your name will be Guha. You will be so blessed that Rama will become your guest.

This story demonstrates that even if shivaratri vrata is performed unconsciously, great punya is obtained, then what to talk about a deliberate, conscious celebration of Mahashivratri Vrata with profound devotion, gratitude and faith.

Page Page##13 13

Jan’10 VM / VA Programs

Vedanta Mission / Ashram Programs

Sankranti and Solar Eclipse, Indore: On 14th Jan was the Sankranti Festival. It is the only religious festival based on solar calendar. From this day the sun enters the Uttarayana. It was for this dday that the great Bhishma Pitamaha of Mahabharata fame kept on holding his prana, andd then exercising his boon of Iccha-Mrtyu he left his mortal coil.

On the same day there was a unique Annular Solar Eclipse.In southern parts of India, like Rameshwaram, total solar eclipse was seen, while in other parts only partial eclipse was seen. At Indore, we saw partial eclipse, and even that brought about a dawn like effect, and the birds became surprisingly quiet. The next annular solar eclipse will take place after more than a thousand years. Pic of eclipse by Poojya Guruji using x-ray film as filter.

Sadhana Camp, Indore: Meditation: The daily Camp routine started with the Meditation session, which was conducted by Poojya Guruji. The theme of the five sessions was Ombased Meditation, wherein he showed how Om is used for Pranayama, Japa, Quietening of thoughts, and Atma-Chintan. It was a daily 45 mins session which started sharply at 6.15 AM. Mundaka Upanishad Discourses: Poojya Guruji took the first section of the third chapter of the Mundaka Upanishad for study during this Camp. The section starts with the famous illustration of the two birds sitting on a tree together. One of them is busy eating and eating, while the other one sits quietly watching and even blessing the other insatiated one. These birds stand for Jiva and Ishwara. The goal of the hungry bird is to awake to the fulfillment and contentment of the other bird. The very existence of the contended bird reveals that real fulfillment is right here & now, and does not require anything except the awakening to the truth of oneself. This beautiful section also has the mantra ‘Satyameva Jayate’ which is in the national emblem, meaning, the Truth alone shall win.

Rudrabhisheka: Everyday some of the devotees performed the Rudrabhisheka. This was conducted by Poojya Swamini Poornannandaji.

Morning & evening there was Aarti of Bhagwan Sri Gangeshwar Mahadev in which everyone participated. Later they gave Bhiksha to all.

Hanuman Chalisa Pravachans: Poojya Guruji gave highly enlightening and inspiring discourses on the Hanuman Chalisa, the extremely famous composition of Tulsidasji regarding the glory of Hanumanji. Even though five days appeared to be very less for the discourses on this beautiful composition, it was given due justice and completed. Everyone enjoyed it thoroughly.

Bhajans / Q&A : Every eveing after the dinner there was some light program, like Bhajans and Question & Answers.

Pada-Pooja: On the last day Sh & Smt Varun Tiwari, of Lucknow, did the Pada Pooja on behalf of all.

Vedanta Sandesh - Feb 2010

Jan’10 VM / VA Programs

Vedanta Mission / Ashram Programs

Omkareshwar Yatra: On 26th Jan, all the sadhaka’s went to Omkareshwar. A bus was hired and we left after the morning class and breakfast. The lunch was packed from Ashram. There was singing, fun & frolic all the way. We had lunch in a garden just outside the Omkareshwar town. Later we took two boats and went for a dip in the Narmada. The same boat took us to the temple and everyone has a nice darshan and Puja.

Omkareshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, of Shiv Purana fame where Bhagwan Shiva had manifested in the form of Jyoti to bless the devotee. Consciousness is the real jyoti, it is in its light that all things are revealed. These places are those where enlightenment of some devotee took place. This awakening alone is the goal of all our devotion and sadhana.

Culmination of Hindu dharma is in Atma-Gyana.

Pachmarhi Yatra: After the Sadhana Camp, Poojya Guruji along with five other devotees went for a three days trip to the famous place of Pachmarhi. They took an overnight Sleeper bus to the place, and checked in a nice hotel of MP Tourism called Glen-View. A Gypsy jeep was hired for the three days to take us around to the various places of interest.

Pachmarhi is in the Hosangabad Dist of MP and is at the height of 1156 meters above sea level. It is a quiet & quaint place with a max population around 12-14 thousand. It is basically a tourist place and also has an Army Educational Corps Center. The small town of Pachmarhi is surrounded on all sides by dense forests and is therefore under the strict control of either the Forest department or the Army, and is therefore still relatively untouched.

It gets its name from the five (Panch) caves (Marhi) which are today called as Pandav Caves. There are so many beautiful natural spots, like waterfalls, lakes, valleys, caves, and view-points etc that our three days stay were very busy.

On the first day, we first visited the Pandav Caves. These are supposed to be of Buddhist origin. Then we saw the Handi Kho, a deep gorge, rather a well-like natural formation, whose 300 ft bottom is only seen when the sun is right on top. From there we went to Gupt Mahadev, which is a cave in the forest with an old Shivlinga, and then to a nice spot called Bada Mahadeo, a must see. After lunch and some rest we did boating. 2nd day we went to Jata Shankar, a nice spot down the hill. It has a cave with old Shiv Linga. Then we went to another very nice place, the Bee-Fall. There is a steam and a water-fall. We all took bath in the stream there. Our next spot was Rajat-Prapat and Apsara Kund. The former is a 350 ft waterfall deep in the jungle. Evening we went to Rajendra Giri to see the Sunset. Last day we went early morning to Dhupgarh, the highest point in MP to see the Sunrise, then had a great experience of Para-Sailing. Then to Reechgarh and finally saw the Rock Paintings.

Check out the detailed Photo Albums of the various functions on VM News Blog at : http://vmissionews.blogspot.com/ Page # 15

Mahashivratri Celebrations at Indore

On 12th Feb 2010 is the festival of Mahashivratri. At Vedanta Ashram, Indore this festival is specially celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm, from the time of the inception of Ashram.

This year there will be the following program on that special day: Morning: Pravachan on Shiv-aparadha-kshamapana Stotram 10 AM: First Rudrabhisheka by Ashram Mahatmas 4 PM: Second Rudrabhisheka 5.30: Chanting of Om Namah Shivaya 7.00: Maha-Aarti and Darshan of Bhagwan Gangeshwar Maahadev 7.30: Abhisheka of Shiv Paduka on the Ashram terrace 8.00: Pravachan of Poojya Guruji and Sankirtan/Bhajans 11.00: Last Rudrabhisheka

Vedanta Sandesh - Feb 2010

Forthcoming Programs

Hanuman Chalisa Pravachan, Indore: A special Hanuman Chalisa satsang is being organized on 6th Feb at Urvashi Apartment, Indore. The satsang is being organized by Sh Vinod Arora and other Indore devotees who had missed few discourses of Hanuman Chalisa at Ashram.

Mahashivratri and MSR Camp, Indore: Three days prior to Mahashivratri there will be a small Shiv Upasana Camp. This will have discourses on Shiv Apardha Kshamapana Stotram and daily Rudrabhisheka. On 12th Feb 2010 is the Mahashivratri.Special Programs will be organized on that day.

Gita Gyana Yagna, Lucknow: A week long Gita Gyana Yagna will be organized at Hariom Mandir from 20th Feb to 27th Feb 2010 by Poojya Guruji Sri Swami Atmanandaji. The subject matter of the discourses will be 1st chapter of Bhagawad Gita and also the 1st chapter of Ashtavakra Gita.

Hanuman Chalisa Pravachans, Lucknow: Two discourses of Hanuman Chalisa, on its first two doha’s, will be oranized at Triveni Almarah Campus in Lucknow during the visit of Poojya Guruji to Lucknow. This will be a special program for the factory staff and employeees.

Bithoor Yatra, Lucknow: A two days trip to Bithoor is being organized for the Pilgrim place of Bithoor for Poojya Guruji. This is near Kanpur, on the banks of Gangaji. This will be just prior to Holi festival, for which there is a great enthusiasm in UP.

Page # 17

Hari om !

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