Jun 2019 – Jul 2019

Volume 8 Issue 2
Bulletin of Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation

In this Issue

• Editorial

• Bhagavad Gita Classes for Villagers

• Beginning Of Ramayana Month

• Reopening Of Sandeepani Sishuvihar

• Distribution Of Certificates To Tailoring
Trainees
• International Yoga Day (Saptaham) Cele-
bration
• Sanatana Dharma Parichayam

• Registration For Yoga Course

• Balagokulam Honour For Didi

• Gurupurnima Celebrations

• Regular Activities

• Article By Ma. Lakshmi Didi

 Volume 8 Issue 2
-2- Jun 2019 - Jul 2019

EDITORIAL
The Time For Offering

“Listen O children of immortality”. It was with this clarion call that the ancient rishis
of India, thousands of years ago, shared the happiness and blessings that occurred to them
from realizations of Truth. Hardly anybody in other parts of the world than in India could
receive the message in fullness and respond to it with the seriousness that was expected.
This is clear from the fact that only our Punyabhumi Bharat shows the courage and
conviction to write bold letters in our national emblem the immortal message of
‘Satyameva Jayate’
One good thing that has happened in recent times is the acceptance by the world at
large of the fact that yoga is one of the best man making character building and health
preserving technique – the time tested self-improving method of personal integration.
More than 172 nations have taken yoga as a health building, spiritually elevating exercise
and are amazed its effects at one’s physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual levels.
The yoga lamp which Maharshi Patanjali lighted long long ago has now started
spreading its light all over the world. The result is that today we have an International
Yoga Day.
In Bhagavad Gita there is a very important often quoted sloka:
उद्धरे दात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत ् ।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव ररपुरात्मनः ।। ६.५ ।।
How can one raise oneself? The answer is given by Yoga. If one practises yoga with
discipline this is what happens. One is raised by oneself.
Through practice of ‘Yama’ and ‘Niyama’ one can control the “cittavrittis” the
vagaries of the mind and set oneself on the path of evolutionary progress. This is the
greatest gift one can give oneself. Each step we ascend our knowledge about life as well as
our vision of life change. One becomes more and more aware of the goal in life. Peace and
happiness not only become one’s nature and one acquires the capacity to impart them to
others as well. “Arise Awake becomes the basic notes of one’s existence.
On the international yoga day, just by being a part of the mega show we are thrice
blessed.
Firstly by practising at the personal level we stand to gain a lot in improving our
health, capacity, efficiency and so on.
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Secondly, with yoga being accepted as a universal technique for self-improvement, we

have automatically become a proud ambassador of a great culture looked upon with
reverence by world at large
Last but not the least, we have become agents in the perpetuation of the great eternal
Indian spiritual tradition!

Bhagavad Gita Classes For Villagers

‘Gitanjali ‘ class has inspired many mothers seeing their children chant the slokas so clearly and with
proper understanding under the able guidance of Ma. Lakshmi Didi. Hence with their request at two
other places such classes have started with the initiative of our Yoga varga members of the respective
areas

On 1st June (Saturday), Ma. Didi inaugurated the Bhagavad Gita class at
Methala at Sri Girishji’s house premises with the strong sankalpa to have it every
Saturday evening. 25 ladies mostly housewives and grandmothers, and children
attended. Sri Sudhakarji will be handling the class.

On 8th June another Bhagavad Gita class started at

Vinayakapuram temple premises which Ma. Didi
inaugurated and 20 ladies mostly housewives along
with their children attended.

After the class children were introduced to Samskarvarga by Varga Shikshak Kum
Anushree. Kum.Anushree and Sushree Bindu conducted the Varga. This class will also continue weekly
once on every Saturday evening, which will be followed by Samskarvarga for the children around
Vinayakapuram.
Beginning Of Ramayana Month
17th July marked the beginning of Ramayana month, “Karkatakam”. This month is totally dedicated to
parayanam of the Adhyatma Ramayana of Ezhuthacchan. One of our project activities is to popularize
this habit of parayanam or reading through house visits. Su Bindu, one of the inmates of Anandadham
has been meticulously carrying on the programme for about 10 years.
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Distribution Of Certificates To Tailoring Trainees

On 26th September, 33 ladies from our neighbourhood, initially registered their names for the
tailoring class named as “Nivedita Swasraya Parisheelana Kendram” which started with a meeting on 30th
September. The first class was on 1st October. Two teachers Smt Jalaja and Smt Sajitha both of them
being parents of Sandeepani Sishuvihar, and Sri Udayan as supervisor were taking care of the centre.
Forty-five ladies mainly home-makers, were present from day one. The course was of 6 months duration
and free. This training centre was planned for a year for the time being, with the idea of rehabilitating the
ladies (housewives) who have suffered much due to the floods. 5 single machines, 5 double machines, 2
power machines and one rock machine were provided in the centre for training the students.

The students were divided into 3 batches of 15 each and taught in three batches on alternate days,
one in the morning from 10 am to 1.30 noon and the other from 1 pm to 3.30 p.m. Every class started
with prayer. Apart from learning tailoring, the students also took part in various activities of the Kendra
including Samatva Yoga Sangamam.

At the end of six months a practical exam was conducted by the 2 internal teachers and Smt Prabha
as an external examiner. 20 out of 30 students appeared for the exam out of which 10 came out
successful.

On the 5th of June the successful students were lucky to receive the pass certificates from the hands
of Ma. Bhanudasji in the concluding function. Ma. Lakshmi Didi and Ma. Bhanudasji also presented 4
sewing machines to the neediest and deserving from out of the 10 students.

The second round of practical exam was held on 24th June for the 10 students who for genuine
reasons could not appear for the previous exam. Out of them 7 were successful and received their
certificates on Gurupoornima day from the hands of Ma. Didi. Four of them also received sewing
machines on that day. Therefore a total of 8 sewing machines have been donated to the neediest. Their
names are Priya Rajish, Sheela Lal, Seema, Praseetha, Vijaya Lakshmi, Sreedevi, Sumitha and Sindhu
Sajeevan.
 Volume 8 Issue 2
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Reopening Of Sandeepani Sishuvihar

This time Sandeepani Sishuvihar has 13 newcomers for the LKG section.

On 3rd June (Monday) parents of the new comers and also the 14 UKG tiny tots, were on time for the
inaugural session prior to the reopening of the school.

After registration, there was a small meeting where Sushree Bindu, in- charge of the school,
introduced the members of the Kendra family. Mananeeya Didi spoke about the uniqueness of
Sishuvihar, where the tots get a homely atmosphere for their physical and mental growth.

The rules and norms of day to day routine were read out to the parents. Once a month on every
second Saturday, a parents’ meet was also part of the routine.

After the meeting the newcomers were invited to their class room by their seniors (UKGs) and each
of them was welcomed with a vase with a beautiful rose flower. Each child lighted a lamp in front of the
idol of Sri Krishna which they worship every day, before their morning prayers. The children and teachers
got the opportunity to be a part of the birthday celebration of Kum. Dakshina who though, has
completed UKG wanted to celebrate her birthday in her school.

School started formally from 6th June.

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International Yoga Day Celebration

Commemorating the International Yoga Day, a weeklong (Saptaham) celebration was organized in
and around Kodungallur this year from 17th to 23rd June. In all nearly 2000 people took part.

Everyday from 17th to 19th the forenoons, were planned for Yogasana competitions for the LP, UP
and High school students. 50 students from 6 different schools participated.

In the evenings Samatva Yoga Sangamams were organized at 4 places namely Methala, Elthuruthu,
Karumatra and Edavilangu. A close well-wisher and longtime associate of Kendra, Sri Premnathji
coordinated all these programmes guiding the organisers. 900 people participated in these sangamams.

Each Samatva Yoga programme started with a prayer, followed by welcome speech by the Yoga
Varga Coordinator, address by Chief Guest, and demonstration of yoga asana based on the National
protocol by the local yoga varga members of that area and a few YCC and QCI students. Each Sangamam
was arranged by the local Karyakartas and yogavarga members. The publicity for the Sangamams were
done through house to house samparka and notice distribution.

17th June: Yogasana competition for LP school students was conducted from 7.30 am. 18 students
from 3 schools participated. Three judges assessed the students.

On 17th evening from 5pm to 7pm, the first Samatva Yoga Sangamam was organised at Methala in
the Sree Narayana Samajam Hall. Popular poet Sri Muralidharan Anapuzha was the Chief Guest and
keynote speaker. Karyakartas who organized this programme were Sri Girishji, Sri Nandakumarji and Sri
Devdasji of Methala area. 45 practitioners demonstrated yoga while 50 people were present as the
audience. Sri Nandakumar conducted the yoga demonstration.

19th June: Yogasana competition for Secondary category school students was conducted from 7.30
am. 9 students from 2 schools participated.

In the evening from 5pm to 7pm Samatva Yoga Sangamam was conducted at Karumatra in the Ring
Plaza Auditorium. Sri Sivan Thanthrikal was invited as the Chief Guest and keynote speaker, Sri Natarajan,
the Vice-President of SNDP was also present on the dais. Karyakartas who organized this programme
were Smt Seeba, Smt Reshma and Smt Preetha of Karumatra area. 100 people attended the programme
while 31 practitioners performed together. Smt Seeba conducted the yoga demonstration.

21st June: On the International Yoga Day, Samatva Yoga Sangamam was conducted at Anandadham.
150 practioners were present for the programme at 6.30 am sharp. After Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi’s talk,
they all performed Yogasana together in the Dakshina, Nivedita and Sarada Halls following the National
Protocol. All of them at the end gathered at the Dakshina Hall for taking the Sankalpa. A light breakfast
was served after the programme.

YOGA Awareness Programs on International Yoga Day

 Volume 8 Issue 2
-7- Jun 2019 - Jul 2019

1) School: Anapuzha H.S.School No. of Students: 100

Sthanik Karyakarta: Sri Sudhakaranji spoke and conducted class too.

2) School: Amrita Vidyalayam, Kodungallur No of Students: 150

Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi invited to speak on the occasion as Chief Guest

3) School: Seethi Sahib S.S. School, Azhikode No. of students who performed: 50

No of students, teachers, parents as audience: 200

In order to acquaint the students to the umpteen benefits of Yoga, the Excise department,
Kodungallur organized a yoga awareness program on the occasion of the International Yoga Day 2019
for the students of Seethi Sahib Memorial HSS, Azhikode on 21st June 2019. Smt Padmaja Suresh Babu
and Smt Prajeela were invited on the occasion. The program started at 9:30 am with prayer. The Excise
inspector inaugurated the program followed by welcome speech by the Head Mistress of the school. The
students were educated on 'the importance and effectiveness of yoga in daily life' by Padmaja
Sureshbabu, the Yoga instructor from Vivekananda Kendra, Kodungallur, and also on how yoga helps in
maintaining not only physical and mental health but also a healthy social life. This was followed by the
demonstration done by Prajeela Sreekumar, Sthanik karyakarta from Vivekananda Kendra on simple
Yoga Asanas which are the most beneficial for starters. The session started with Surya Namaskar followed
by a series of Asanas. The selected 50 students participated in the practical session. The program went
on till 12 noon and then the vote of thanks was given by the principal and she appealed to the students
to include yoga in their daily routine for its wholesome and salubrious effects on the mind, body and
soul.

4) College: MES Asmabi College, P Vemballur: No of Students: 100

This programme too was organised by the Central Excise Department, Kodungallur. Sri Padma Kumar,
S.I of the unit. The NSS coordinator Smt Seeba welcomed the audience and introduced the guest. The
Principal Sri A. Mohammed inaugurated the program. Sri Padma Kumar initiated the proceedings of the
day followed by a talk by Sri Sudhakarji (Prakalpa Sanghatak). Sudhakarji highlighted the role yoga can
play in the lives of the college students and encouraged them to make yoga as part of their lives. All
children expressed the desire to undergo ten day’s training, which Kendra promised to conduct.

5) School: St Peters School, Thuruthipuram: No of students: 150

Sthanik Karyakarta: Smt. Suja C Nair (Yoga Varga Saha Pramukh) conducted

6) Edavilangu H.S.School, Edavilangu: No of students: 85

Sthanik Karyakarta: Smt Suja C Nair (Yoga Varga Saha Pramukh) conducted

7) School: Little Flower School: No of students: 110

 Volume 8 Issue 2
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Sthanik Karyakarta: Smt Suja C Nair (Yoga Varga Saha Pramukh) conducted

8) School: JTSHS School. Kodungallur: No of students: 120

Sthanik Karyakarta: Sri Joshiji (Yoga Varga Pramukh)

9) A Seminar on Shad Darshana was conducted by Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti,
Perinjanam, where Mananeeya Didi was the main speaker. 20 eminent people attended the seminar.

22nd June: In the evening from 5pm to 7pm Yoga Sangamam was conducted at Edavilangu in Sree
Muruga Bhajana Mandapam in Sree Narayana Nagar, Edavilangu. Sri M.S Muralidharan, Director of the
Hindi Prachar Kendra was the Chief Guest. Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi and the president of SNDP
Edavilangu branch, Sri CK Pratapan spoke on the occasion.

Karyakartas who organized this programme were Smt Suja C Nair, Smt Jayalakshmi and Sri Anilji of
Edavilangu area. 230 people witnessed the programme while 40 practitioners performed yoga together.

23rd June: After their usual yoga practice in the morning 30 yogavarga participants (ladies and gents)
went on a bike rally to Elthuruthu village for Samparka. The villagers were invited for concluding program
on the same day in the evening.

Concluding function was held at Panicker’s Hall, Kodungallur on 23rd from 5pm to 7pm. Acharya Sri
Ambadi Ramachandran from Thrissur, was the Chief Guest. Mananeeya Didi, Major General (retd.) Dr
Vivekanandan and Dr Panicker graced the occasion and delivered benedictory addresses.

The prize winners of the asana competitions which were held for different categories of students,
demonstrated on the stage gracefully many difficult advanced Asanas and left the audience spellbound.
Prizes were awarded to the winners by the Chief Guest and Ma. Didi. The rolling Shield initiated in the
name of Man. Eknathji went to HDPY Senior Secondary School. Vote of thanks was delivered by Smt
Mridula Manoharan. The programme concluded with Shanti Mantra.

Follow up:

1. Two Samskara Vargas at Methala and Karumatra have started from the month of July.

2. Yoga satra of 15 days duration has started at the Sabha Hall of Methala from 1st July. Total 15
people have registered.

3. Planning of yoga Satra at Sabha Hall of Elthuruthu from 15th August involving
Residents association, SNDP members and local villagers for a target total of 108 people who are
interested in learning.

4. Yoga Satra is being planned at MES Asmabi College. P.Vemballur.

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Registration For Yoga Course Coaching

In a meeting, on 4th July, Swamiji’s Samadhi day, 6 students expressed their wish to take up YIC
(Bangalore) and 8 of them for YCC (Kanyakumari).
Registration was held on 16th July, Gurupoornima day. Classes started from 20th July (Saturday). Full
day classes have been fixed on very Saturday and Sunday.
Balagokulam Honour For Didi
On the occasion of 44th Annual convention of Balagokulam Kerala, they decided to felicitate 9 jewels
of Thrissur who have contributed to Sanatana Dharma. The function was organised at Paramekkavu
Vidya Mandir, Thrissur on 13th July, 2019.
Dr P.R Krishna Kumar,the Chancellor of the Avinashilingam University, Coimbatore, inaugurated the
programme. Sri Harindran Master, introduced the Acharyas in his unique style highlighting the
contribution they made in spreading the traditional knowledge.
The nine jewels are Sarvasree P.Chitran Namboodiripad, Kalamandalam Gopi Ashan, Peruvanam
Kuttan Marar, Dr.M Lakshmi Kumari, Kanipayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad, Madambu Kunjukuttan and
Advocate K.K Nair. Sri Ramachandran and Sri Kalyanaraman could not attend the programme.

Gurupoornima Celebrations
On the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a few programmes were held at Anandadham and a few
nearby places. Early morning there was Ganapathi Homam and Sri Chakra puja by Sri Shivan Thanthrikal
and his assistant.
At 6 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. there was the regular Yoga varga class with 60 participants. After the chanting
of Guru Stotram, Ma. Didi while speaking to the participants, stressed on the importance of this day. She
mentioned that on this auspicious day one should remember their first Guru - one's biological Mother
who is the greatest Karma yogi, then all those who have shown them the path to knowledge must be
revered. She mentioned about Vyasa Maharshi the 'Vishaala buddhe' who enlightened the whole
universe with his vast knowledge and who was born on this day. She also mentioned about Maharshi
Patanjali who stressed on 'Pranava' or 'Omkara' as the symbol of Ishwara. Pushparchana in front of the
Omkara was performed by all the participants one by one while the 'Guru Paduka Stotram was being
chanted in the background. Programme concluded with Shanti Mantra followed by prasada distribution
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sponsored by one of the yogavarga members Sri Radhakrishnanji.

At 10.30 a.m. Sandeepani Sishuvihar students, Nivedita Tailoring class students, YCC and YIC students
and new participants willing to enroll themselves for the Yoga course, celebrated Gurupoornima.
Chanting of Guru Strotam in the lead and follow way, Didi's speech on significance of this day and
pushparchana were the main items of the programme. It was mesmerizing to listen to Ma. Lakshmi Didi
pass on the message of Gurupoornima to a mixed crowd consisting of tiny tots from 3 years onwards to
the young, middle aged students and grand mothers and fathers of the tiny tots. She could amazingly
engage the tiny tots and the elders with her enlightening message, enjoyed and grasped by all age
groups. 7 tailoring students who got through their practical exams, received the pass certificates from
Didi's hands. Also 4 of them received sewing machines. A total of 55 people including the tiny tots were
present.
Evening at 3 p.m. the Bhagavad Gita class group of 15 ladies of Methala area, celebrated
Gurupoornima in their own way. Apart from chanting of Guru Stotram, Sri Sudhakarji spoke to them on
the significance of the day. Pushparchana was followed by Shanti mantra, concluding the one hour
programme.
Smt Suja's (Saha Yoga varga Pramukh) students from Kara, Edavilangu and Valsalayam around 45 of
them, celebrated Gurupoornima at Kara Hall. Here too the chanting of Guru Stotram, followed by a talk
by Sri Sudhakarji. Importance of a Guru and significance of Gurupoornima were explained. The
participants had brought from their homes, homemade delicacies which was served as prasadam after
the Shanti mantra.
Hence Gurupoornima Utsavas were held at 4 places with total attendance being 175.
 Volume 8 Issue 2
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REGUL AR ACTIVITIES
Yoga Satras
6 yoga satras were in the month of June and July.

At Anandadham for the regular monthly satra 28 participants (7 ladies and 21 gents) got trained
during the months of June and July.

Yoga Vargas
14 yoga Vargas are regularly being conducted at 9 places. All total 180 Yoga Varga members regular-
ly attend yoga classes.

Anandadham 2 yoga Vargas About 10 ladies and 25 gents regularly

Thrissur - 1 Varga 9 Members
Valsalayam - 1 Varga 14 Members
Smt Suja Edavilangu - 1 Varga 12 Members
Edavilangu - 1 Varga 12 Members
Kara - 1 Varga 14 Members
Kara - 1 Varga 9 Members
Kadukachodu - 1 Varga 10 Members
Sri Joshi
Kadukachodu - 1 Varga 13 Members
Methala - 1 Varga 7 Members
Smt Mani Elthuruthu - 1 Varga 15 Members
Smt. Seeba & Preetha Puthenchira - 1 Varga 13 Members
Sri Nandakumarji Keleswaram - 1 Varga 15 Members

Geetanjali
Gita class for little children has become regular now. Every Sunday evening average 10 tiny tots and
their parents attend the class.

Ganapathi Homam & Srichakra Puja

On every purnima day Ganapathi Homam and Sri Cakra Puja are performed. In June and July too this
regular programme continued. In July, it was on Gurupoornima day.

Sanatana Dharma Parichayam

In our series of talks based on Sanatana Dharma on 16th June ( Sunday) the well-known scholar,
orator and sadhaka and practising advocate Sri T R Ramanathanji from Paravur, spoke about Satya and
Dharma and their importance in Hinduism. He drew the attention of the listeners to the immaculate life
of Sri Ramakrishna emphasising his sadhanas to realize the Ultimate Truth, how he realized from his
childhood the uselessness of bread winning education and how his absolutely pure devotion to the
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Divine Mother , transformed the idol, at Dakshineswar Temple into a living Truth which guided his life
throughout.

He emphasized the old saying ‘Shareeramadhyam khalu dharma sadhanam’ and how important it is
to integrate body, mind and intellect to achieve the ultimate goal of God realization. He stressed the
importance of acharas in upholding Dharma. In this connection he pointed out that Jitaasana, jitaswasa,
jitendriya and jitasangha are of great relevance in achieving the goal.

India has upheld Satya and Dharma, the eternal values as the foundations of our culture and hence
our country's civilization has become eternal as Truth. In no other country do we find such clinging to
eternal values and the result is all those civilizations have died a natural death while India still lives as a
vibrant culture worthy of emulation by the whole world.

On the evening of 3rd July in another session on Sanatana Dharma, Swami Chidananda Puri from
Adwait Ashram Kolathur-(Kozhikode), visited Anandadham and spoke. Swamiji spoke about our
Sanatana Dharma and our duty towards the protection of this Dharma. The uniqueness of the Indians is
that they have both logical and questioning mind and vast knowledge. This is because they have the
freedom to go to the root of any query they have in mind. They have the freedom to question as well as
right to find out the proper answer to their queries.

Each culture or religion have their own beliefs and customs. These cannot totally neglected. The
semetic sects consisting of a larger majority like the westerners, stick to their beliefs and customs. Hindu
scriptures are very logical and scientific as well as broad. For example in the Bhagavad Gita Sri Krishna
after preaching to Arjuna the whole of Gita, declares that Arjuna was free to choose his own path-

‘यथेच्छसस तथा कुरु’.

The modern ‘isms’ are most dangerous because these create all the hatred amongst each other.
Communism which is dominating in all the strata in India has ruined our way of life. Because of this, the
idea of oneness which pervades everywhere in Nature and which is the very core of Indian culture is at
present attracting masses at all levels, who are trying to find a solution to the problems of life. It alone

can bring peace to the world. Understanding this fact, the Rishis must have uttered “कृण्वन्तो ववश्वं आयं"

In the field of knowledge none can beat India. ”Shastrabodha ‘ and Achara Suddhi’ are the twin
ideals of Sanatana Dharma. This is why each Hindu should go to the roots and practise and study their
shastras. To link one’s individual life with the universal our rishis have formulated the panchamaha-
yagnas. It does not require any effort to do the above. Only one has to make the ‘pancha mahayagnas’
part of their lives. The yagnas are:

1. Brahma Yagna: Self-study of scriptures and also sharing it with others.

2. Pitru Yagna: Remembering and paying homage to the forefathers by performing rituals
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3. Deva Yagna: Agnihotra, visit to temples etc.

4. Nara Yagna: Serving others as oneself especially one’s own mother and father and the society.

5. Bhuta Yagna: Nurturing the Natures flora and fauna.

Along with this regular chanting of a chapter of Srimad Bhagavad Gita is a must. Then peace will
reside in every Hindu house otherwise the whole system will crumble down.

Nivedita Tailoring Unit

8 students have registered for the new batch which has started from June.

Sandeepani Sishuvihar
24 students and four teachers with one helper are there

Samskarvarga
At 6 places 1) Anandadham -15 children and 6 mothers 2) Vinayakapuram- 20 children and 3 mothers
3) Methala – 15 children and 2 grandmothers 4) Karumatra- 10 children and 4 karyakartas and 5)
Edavilangu –at 2 places a) conducted at Smt Suja’s house with 25 children and 6 mothers . Varga
shikshak - Kum Haripriya and 2 of her friends. b) At Sabha Hall Edavilangu conducted by Kum Navya, and
two of her friends as varga shikshaks with 20 children and few guardians.

Kendra Varga-: Every Sunday at 2 places 1) Krishnapuri with 15 people and 2) at Anandadham with 35
people.

Prabhashanam Parampara: On 1st June (Saturday) and 14th June (Sunday) classes, were conducted
on Jyotish Sastra by Acharya Sri Sethumadhavanji. 15 persons attended. It was more of a practical rather
than theory class.
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GITA IN REAL LIFE

Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari
(In this issue we are bringing Ma. Lakshmi Didi’s interesting articles on Bhagavad Gita which she had penned in ‘Yuva Bharati’
as it’s editor in the eighties of last century )

Two young men were discussing the Gita in a train - on the 'impractical wisdom' in the old book,
unscientific, irrelevant to modern times and so on. An elderly gentleman sitting nearby couldn't bear the
condemnation and asked them whether they have read the Gita. They were good enough to speak the
truth - 'No' was the answer. At the very next station, the man got down, bought two copies of the Gita
and presented them to the boys and told them that belonging to the age of science and reasoning as
they claim to be, it was unscientific to condemn the Gita without even once reading it! So much for the
'scientific temper' we manifest in our personal lives.

There is a feeling among our young generation that Krishna, Arjuna and other personalities in our
Puranas are all outmoded and the times they lived and the situations they faced have no relevance in
this nuclear age, thrusting on to the era of star-wars. They do not seem to realise that the actors and
scenes may shift but the drama of life is eternal!

In the opening sequences of the Gita, we get a beautiful in-depth view of the human mind where
every moment, and at every moment, emotions, thoughts and feelings create fascinating kaleidoscopic
pictures. The character of the mind at any particular moment is decided by the dominant emotion -
joyful, fascinating and beautiful or sorrowful, depressing or ugly. How Arjuna the great hero , faced with
the crisis of a war, identifies himself with wrong values, under the influence of 'sorrow' (soka) and
'delusion' (moha), loses himself and succumbs to his psychological pressures, is depicted here in a most
captivating style. Through the reactions created in Arjuna, Vyasa the great teacher provides us with a
yardstick to measure our own mind and its modifications when faced with challenges in our individual
battles in life.

The message that comes to man - for all times to come - through Arjuna's dilemma, is the extreme
necessity to integrate one's personality for success in life - secular as well as spiritual. How modern man
also has accepted it as necessary for success in secular life is evident from the multiplicity of programs
we organize for management, counseling, etc. How much more important it is then for the attainment
of moral equilibrium and spiritual strength, the very basis of man's personality!

Arjuna's mind became clouded with two strong emotions as he stood facing Bhishma, Drona and
others. The thought of death, destruction and separation from these dear ones filled his mind with
unspeakable sorrow. The realisation that his arrows would be instrumental for the holocaust created the
delusion (moha) of an egoistic sense of agency and he visualized himself as the perpetrator of a heinous
crime affecting the entire mankind. Under the influence of these two, his mental equilibrium was tilted
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and Arjuna was overcome by a great physical weakness.

The situation at the war front was critical. That was no occasion for a psychological counseling of
Arjuna, nor a treatment through the slow process of yoga. The cure had to be effected in the shortest
possible time. Lord Krishna, the great physician, achieves it with a few masterly strokes and restores to
Arjuna his lost self-confidence, optimism and sense of duty and mission.

To understand the full import of Krishna's words to Arjuna we would do well to read the opening
notes of Sri Sankara's commentary on the Gita wherein he states that 'soka' and 'moha' form the root
cause for the cycle of birth and death under the influence of which one abandons one's duty and goes
after what is forbidden. He adds that even those who stick to their duty start doing it with their minds
intent on the fruits of action and become overtly egoistic. The only cure for this sickness is the
knowledge of the Self.

Seeing the pitiful symptoms of delusion manifested in his friend, listening to his apparently 'wise'
words of counsel, Krishna in no time understood Arjuna's predicament and the root cause of it and in
one pounce shakes him free from his unbecoming stupor. ''O, Partha, yield not to unmanliness! It befits
thee not. Abandoning this base faint-heartedness, rise up. O dreaded hero."

These words acted like a shot in the arm bringing Arjuna into instant alertness. The word 'unmanly'
sent a shock wave through him - the hero of heroes, pet of the great Dronacharya, the proud owner of
the Gandeeva, the one and only equal to Karna, the master-archer - bringing back memories of the days
spent in the palace of King Virata, hiding his powerful manliness under the effeminate guise of
Brihannala. The hurt and humiliations he, his brothers and his beloved Draupadi had to suffer!
Memories that burned and scorched! Didn't he use almost the same expressions when the son of Virata
developed cold feet at the sight of the Kaurava army and single-headed he, the prince's charioteer
chased away the thieves!

It took only a moment for Arjuna to realise the unworthiness of his behavior. He lamented that he
had become a kripana - fickle minded with no sense of righteousness and having no control over his
senses. Filled with remorse, he surrendered totally to his beloved friend.

Krishna didn't stop at that. Transformation at the deep conscious level was the only quick method
to restore sanity and bring back self-confidence to the disintegrated personality of Arjuna. Such a
transformation is what Krishna effected thereafter through his eloquent exposition on the true nature of
the SELF, listening to which the foolish ideas of the non-self, delusion and sorrow were drained off from
Arjuna's mind, filling it up with a new knowledge and awareness. The disintegrated man gets integrated
again as this awareness penetrated into all the layers of his personality. Arjuna's 'autonomy' as an
independent fully functioning creative individual was re-established and he became ready to fight the
battle with peace and knowledge in his mind.
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Thousands of years have passed since this drama of the Mahabharata war was enacted on the
Indian stage. Those actors are no more. Scenes have changed. Yet, the message and the idealism that
are left behind, remain as fresh and fragrant as ever, adding their own unique flavour to Indian life.

Wandering through the length and breadth of India, Swami Vivekananda was struck by the 'arjuna'-
type of disintegration that was spreading in our society - which seemed to be in the throes of 'sorrow
and delusion'. Time-honoured values centered on man's spiritual awareness which had held the society
together, were crumbling down creating a vacuum in the moral and intellectual life. Aggressive
imposition of an alien materialistic culture, so totally different from what the people had practised for
ages was creating a cataclysmic delusion. Unexpressed sorrow and inexpressible delusion that he saw
touched the core of his heart and plunged him into deep agony. It was at this moment that the spirit of
Krishna was reborn and found in Swamiji a new vehicle of expression. Once again our country
resounded with almost the same call Krishna gave to Arjuna on that memorable day at Kurukshetra,
'ARISE, AWAKE, STOP NOT TILL THE GOAL IS REACHED'.

Krishna's treatment of Arjuna was repeated by Swami Vivekananda on a people who had turned
unmanly and were suffering silently the indignities inflicted upon them. Swamiji's powerful admonitions
were meant to wake up the entire country and make them participants in the imminent national re-
awakening. Krishna's miracle cure of the 'self-awareness' of man's innate divine nature, need for self-
integration and disinterested selfless dedicated action - all were administered with a new potency and
effectiveness. Like Krishna, Swami Vivekananda once again lifted religion from forests and caves, and
made it one of the powerful instruments for self-transformation and self-realization, and in India's
context, for national reconstruction as well.

The power and force of his words woke up the entire nation. Enthused and inspired, charged with a
new awareness and sense of mission, Indians fought a battle - the type of which the world has never
seen before - with peace and non-violence in their hearts!

Seventy two years of independence, instead of strengthening the national ideals have done
everything to weaken them. Though politically liberated, we are still slaves of fear, mistrust, ignorance
and sorrow and delusion - fast skipping back into the arjuna-state.

When, in spite of all our efforts 'Quo Vadis' is the message written on our national screen, who says
the Gita is irrelevant?