VISHWA BHANU

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VISHWA BHANU
A Bi-monthly bulletin of Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation

From the Directors pen

An enchanting and enriching experience: By the grace of Swamiji I was given a wonderful opportunity to study Swamijis works in detail, when the most famous publishers of Kerala D.C. Books requested me to compile Swamijis message for daily reading covering the whole year, essentially 366 pages of Swamijis inspirHIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST2011
PILIGRIMAGE TO KANYAKUMARI BY OUR SEVIKAS VISITORS TO ANANDA DHAM RAMAYANA SAMAPANAM INDEPENDENCE DAY & SURYAKIRAN (SAMARTHA) VISIT TO MALIANKARA COLLEGE, MOOTHAKUNNAM JANMASHTAMI CELEBRATIONS SREEMAD SW. NIRMALANANDAJIS VISIT SRI L. GIRISHJIS PROGRAMME

ing thoughts, if necessary with a footnote or commentary. My first thought was, oh!! what is there? I can just pick up 366 quotations and present them. Then came the detailed letter that each message should be one full page, it must include special pages for important days, it should contain stories, letters etc. That brought the realization that it is not an easy joke. First effort was to find out someone to copy down from Malayalam complete works. Fortunately one of our well-wishers Smt Padma who is extremely fond of writing came forward, followed by another friend Sri. Sudhakar to check up with and compare with English. Step 2 was to bring some order into the arrangement of thoughts. A lot of mental shuffling went on till a beautiful pattern emerged. That was to arrange the thoughts, taking inspiration from the magnificent gateway to Vivekananda Literature which Swamiji himself has provided. His famous quotation Each soul is potentially divineetc.,. That brought to mind the picture of the ascent of man from small m to capital M, passing through the gate way and on to the ladder of Swamijis life giving and soul stirring message. The gate way first leads us to ones own Self and then to unravel the mysteries of the world without. Then starts the real ascent through Karma, Bhakti, Jnana and Raja yoga. So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every man a traitor who, having been educated at their expense, pays not the least heed to them... Swami Vivekananda

Janmasthami in town

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Piligrimage:
AT KANYAKUMARI

On 4th April 2011, Smt Padma Adigal local well wisher along with Smt Sulochana and Smt Parvathy inmates of Vedic Vision, were taken to KanyaKumari via Trivandrum for a two days piligrimage. They visited the Padmanabha Swami temple at Thiruvanthapuram, Devi Kanyakumari temple, Naga-

AT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

raja temple at Nagercoil and Suchindram temple at Suchindram and the most memorable visit to Vivekananda Rock Memorial. It has left a deep impact on the minds of all of them. Samapanam of Ramayana Parayana
Sri Murali Mohan from Singapore visited Anandadham and stayed in Kendrafor 10 days. He underwent yoga training and participated in all the programmes of Kendra during his stay. Sonia , a French lady visited Anandadham and attented our Janmasthami programme .

13th

of August was the Ramayana Parayanam

Samapanam day. A quiz competition for the toddlers of Sandeepani Sishuvihar, for middle age group children and for the high school children on Ramayanam. Samapanam ended with parayanam from Ramayanam and deeparadhana. All the members of the Ramayana parayanam group received token of affection from Lakshmi didi.

RAMAYANA QUIZ FOR ALL AGES

RAMAYANA SAMAPANAM

Look not for success or failure. join yourself to the perfectly unselfish will and work on. Swami Vivekananda

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INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION BY THE TINY TOTS OF SANDEEPANI SISHUVIHAR

At 9 am all the children of Sandeepani Sishuvihar along with their parents and the inmates of Ananda dham assembled in front of the auditorium for flag hoisting. Adaraneeya Lakshmi didi hoisted the flag followed by National anthem. Sweets were distributed amongst all. Didi spoke to the parents on the subject how the tiny tots could be taught little , little things at home and motivating them to imbibe the spirit of sharing. The programme concluded with Shanti mantra. SURYA KIRAN (Samartha) PROGRAMME A Unique programme is designed to develop a group of children who are studying class 8th in multilevel personality Development programe. The whole programme is designed to bring out the best in them and make them Samartha in all aspects of their life. Registration for Suryakiran started by 9.15 am. 10 students from 3 schools came. Formal inauguration with deepa prajwalan by Lakshmi didi was at 10 30 am. Both didi and Sudhakarji took classes for the children. Informal introduction session was taken by Su. Sutapa. The programme ended at 12.45 with Shanthi mantra. Due to Onam vacations, many children couldn't not take part. VISIT TO MALIANKARA COLLEGE Lakshmi didi and Sudhakarji were invited to talk to the students of NSS unit at Maliankara college in Moothakunnam on 20th August. There were 150 students from the second year degree. Didi delivered a talk based on Vishwa Bhanu exhibition (PowerPoint presentation) on Swami Vivekanandas life and message and Sudhakarji spoke on Yoga and its basis. Su Sutapa taught them a deshbhakti geet in Hindi. It was a three hour programme.

NATIONAL ANTHEM AFTER FLAG HOISTING

NSS CAMP STUDENTS MALIYANKARA

Work on with the intrepidity of a lion but, at the same time with the tenderness of a flower Swami Vivekananda

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JANMASHTAMI CELEBRATIONS

On the 21st of August the whole town of Kodungallur wore a festive look .. At Ananda dham, in the morning there was a grand demonstration of little Krishnas on stage. All the Sandeepani Sishuvihar children as well as other children of same age became little krishnas there by creating Mini Vrindavanam at Ananda Dham. There were bhajan competition too for the senior children. Lastly before the distribution of prasadam all the mothers with their little Krishnas danced to glory in a circle to the song of Krishna. The whole atmosphere was charged with vibration of these Krishna Bhajans and the joy emanating from in the minds of all the participants. Each little Krishna with the help of their mother and father planted a Tulsi sapling in the Vrindavanam Park of Anandadham as a symbolic gesture. From afternoon onwards there was a continuous flow of children mostly between age group of 5 years to 12 years in Ananda dham. Their parents and relatives dressed them up as Krishnas, Radhas or Gopikas and then they were taken to the main town in a procession.

I promise to take care of this Tulsi sapling which

I am planting so that it will also grow into a healthy plant. First, have faith in yourselves. Know that though one may be a little bubble and another may be a mountain-high wave, yet behind both the bubble and the wave there is the infinite ocean. Therefore there is hope for every one. There is salvation Swami Vivekananda

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LAST WEEK OF AUGUST

Sreemad Swami Nirmalananda Giriji visited Anandadham on the 26th,fourth Friday of this month. Fifty patients had their medical consultation .

For two consecutive days on 27 th and 28th August, Sri L.Girish Kumarji delivered talk on Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam.70 people attended the classes.
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HIGHLIGHTS IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2011

GANESH CHATURTHI IN ANANDADHAM SEMINARVIGNANA SADASU ONAM-PUDAVA TO NEEDY LADIES UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD DAY PROGRAMME STUDY TOUR BY STUDENTS OF M.P.S. NADAVARAMBU TO KENDRA SREEMAD SWAMI NIRMALANANDA GIRIJIIS VISIT SRI GIRISHJIS PROGRAMME NAVARATHRI STARTS!

FOR WHAT AM I, WHAT WAS I EVER, BUT A TOOL IN HIS HANDS Swami Vivekananda

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Ganesha Chaturthi

On 1st September Children of Sandeepani Sishuvihar were brought by their mothers early in the morning to be present for the Ganapathi homam on the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi. After puja, all the mothers got busy in making pookolam to welcome the Thiru Onam. Three students from LKG, Nakshatra dressed as Mahabali and Anagha Bose dressed as Vamana and Kartik as a Brahmin boy were made to enact as the real King Mahabali who was blessed and assured by Vamana, that he could come to see his beloved subjects once in a year. Keralites believe that every year during Thiru Onam, their most adorable King Mahabali visits them and hence they celebrate his arrival by beautifully decorating their houses with pookolam and wearing new dresses as well as preparing onasadya and having community feasts.

Chidren of those ancient Aryans, through the grace of the Lord may you have the same pride, may that faith in your ancestors come into your blood, may it become a part and parcel of your lives, may it work towards the salvation of the world!

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VIJNANA SADAS
On the 4th of September there was a one day seminar Vijnana Sadas A knowledge initiative organized jointly by Prabhakaram Foundation and Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, Kodungallur. The programme was inaugurated by Revered Lakshmi Didi. Her inaugural address was on the topic Eternal values for a changing society. Eminent speakers like Dr.C. Suresh Kumar, Dr. Induchoodan, P. K. Ravindran, Adv. V. Ratnakaran , Dr. T Vijayan, Sri Sreekumaran Namboothiri and Sri. V.K Prasannan were present. The topics that were covered by the speakers as follows:Changing Lifestyles and Challenges, Environmental issues Perspectives and solutions, An ethical approach to Village Models, Challenges of modern timesA value based approach, Values depicted in Puranas and Itihasas, Traditions and Faith Concepts and Practice and Oriental Life Sciences Relevance in modern era.

A knowledge initiative

The aim of this seminar was to bring together people with a flare to acquire knowledge and who are willing to contribute their part by taking up social activities / projects which will act as catalysts for finding solutions to the problems of our times as well as those of the next generation. This interaction is expected to pave way for developing a knowledge centre for all like minded activities and develop a community for holistic living practices. Fifty people participated in the seminar.

ONAM PUDAVA TO NEEDY LADIES: We have been giving onam kits(food items) for the last many years on the occasion of Onam. For a change this year instead of kits, we decided to give sarees to the needy. Accordingly thirty ladies were given Onam Pudava from Lakshmi Didi.. Children received sweets and Swamijis photos. All the recipients were selected earlier and they were given tokens so that only need persons are cared for.

Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands , bless your brothers, and let them go their own way. Swami Vivekananda

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U.B.DAY CELEBRATION

Universal Brotherhood Day Universal Brotherhood Day was celebrated in VK Vedic Vision on 11th September. Eleven schools in and around Kodungallur were approached for Elocution competition in both Malayalam and English which involved reciting from memory any one of the two speeches of Swamiji which were supplied to them 15 days in advance and a Quiz competition based on India and Swamiji. It being Onam vacation time out, of 90 children who were expected from 10 schools, only 8 schools responded. There were 54 participants in all. It was a whole day programme, with competitions in the morning and the function after lunch. The programme started at 3-30 pm sharp. Rev Srimad Swami Veerabhadranandaji of R.K.Math, Haripad was present as Chief Guest. He gave away the prizes to the winners and tokens to the judges. Swamiji gave an inspiring speech highlighting how Swamiji can be a role model to the children. He called upon the children to have confidence in themselves. Great works have always been initiated by single persons. Hence one disciplined individual can alone do wonders if one has faith and willpower to stand against adverse circumstances .

Be perfectly unselfish, & you will be sure to succeed. Swami Vivekananda

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M.P.S. CHILDRENS VISIT TO ANANDA DHAM

In the morning of 16th September, children of classes IV, V, and VI of Mukundapuram Public School, Nadavarambu, were brought on a study tour to Anandadham by their teachers. They were told about Swamijis life and teachings by Lakshmi Didi and then were taken to see the Vishwabhanu Exhibition based on Swamijis life and messages. Each panel was explained to them in detail. Children took keen interest in the paintings and asked various questions to clear their doubts. After light refreshment they left the campus by 12.30 noon. Couple of children of the class V students were trying to draw the portrait of Swamiji within that short time.

Hold on, boys, no cowards among my children.... Are great things ever done smoothly ?..... I want iron wills & hearts that do not know how to quake The lord bless you. Swami Vivekananda

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SWAMIJIS MONTHLY VISIT & SRI GIREESH KUMARJIS CLASS

Satsanga & Swadhyaya:

Sreemad Swami Nimalananda Giriji visited Ananda Dham on 23rd. After the Ayurvedic consultation from 2pm to 4pm, his Upanishadic class followed upto 6pm. About a 100 patients were benefited and 50 People attended the class on Kathopanishad. On the 24th and 25th September Sri Girish Kumarji conducted the classes on Lalitha sahasranama from 4 pm to 6pm each day. 50 people attended the classes.
AT A GLANCE Book sales Donations Patrons (L D Patrons) Yoga Donation Rs 4,236.00

Rs 29,452.00 Rs 4,000.00 Rs 800.00

Persevere on, my brave lads. We have only just begun. Never respond ! Never say enough ! Swami Vivekananda

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NAVARATHRI CEEBRATION

During Navaratri, we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the Universal Mother, commonly referred to as "Durga," which literally means the remover of miseries of life. She is also referred to as "Devi" (goddess) or "Shakti" (energy or power). It is this energy, which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, preservation and destruction. In other words, we can say that God is motionless, absolutely changeless, and the Divine Mother Durga, does everything. Truly speaking, our worship of Shakti re-confirms the scientific theory that energy is imperishable. It cannot be created or destroyed. It is always there. This year Navarathri started from 28th September. Whole stage of our auditorium was decorated with boma kolu (Display of dolls). For the next 10 days Sishuvihar children will have their prayers on the stage everyday. The inmates started reading Chandi which will be completed on Vijaya Dashami day.

Work, work, for to work only for the good of others is life. Swami Vivekananda

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Continued from previous issue...

SCIENCE, SPIRITUALITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT By Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari

Today most of us, most of the time, live only at the level of our physical personality, sensing the world which exist only at the sensory level, taking it for granted that there exists clear cut subject object differentiations. Even those who claim to live at the higher conscious levels of emotions or intellect are better only in degree. Man must learn to reach out to his fourth dimension the spiritual dimension either delving deep into his hearts capacity to love, transcending barriers or raising himself high into the realms of analytical knowledge and developing a new concept of Reality and a vision of the Oneness. What is of paramount importance in balancing our rights and responsibilities in our relationship with the environment is to understand that Nature is the concretized externalized expression of the same Truth of which we are all part of. Therefore, exploitation of nature and degradation of our environment tantamount to degradation of the dignity of human life itself. Ecological awareness which attunes us to nature and her laws can have a profound bearing on the sanctity of human life. The more one develops rapport with nature and comprehends her laws, the more one will be able to fit oneself into the Whole, into the Cosmos. Such a systems view of life is gaining wide acceptance in the West presently, which recognizes the continuous interactions among living beings and the surrounding eco systems, as also the complex, yet natural interdependence that exists in nature. The intercon-

Whatever you do let that be worship for the time. Swami Vivekananda

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nectedness, interrelatedness and interdependence that are being revealed at every step are not only revelations of the facets of One Omniscient Truth but are also pointers to man as to how he has to rectify his mistakes and save the planet we live in. A new approach to life and its challenges based on such a global ecological awareness or in Indian terms spiritual approach or in modern terminology holistic or systemic view is very much warranted today as we are posed with the question of the very survival of mankind.
In this vision of Reality lies hidden the mystery and mastery of creation, an understanding and appreciation of which would make living joyful and fulfilling at every moment, a fact we in India had recognized, realized and practised since long. A profound respect for nature and the wisdom inherent in it was the hallmark of Indian culture. It helped us to see beauty, glory and goodness where otherwise one saw only ugliness and evil. Tolerance became a by word in life. A feeling of genuine hospitality and warm friendship replaced feelings of resentment and strangeness. Moderation in conduct, balance in behavior and harmony in activity followed. Ecological balance and social justice were the natural outcome of such a wholesome living in tune with nature centered round the vision of a Universal Reality where the individual felt himself bound to the cosmos as a whole. This became the dharma of the individual. To sum up, let me recall the words of Schumacher, that renowned admirer of Mahatma Gandhi who envisaged this shift in values thus Wisdom demands a new orientation of science and technology towards the organic, the gentle, the non-violent, the elegant and the beautiful. Drawing inspiration from our vast treasury of knowledge we in India must be the forerunners in creating sustainable models of development. Gandhian model definitely was one such model for all to emulate. But it need not stop with Gandhi. Every one of us can create our own model to fit ourselves into the whole. But the transformation should start with ourselves. It is such a holistic or spiritual outlook that education, religion, culture, etc., should lead us to during our growth and unfoldment. An awareness of our unbreakable relationship with the entire cosmos and a deep concern for everything around us is a must for all can reconvert this world into a healthy home for all of us to live together joyously and harmoniously. Therefore the only prayer of a truly enlightened mind should ever be Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu and we Indians should strive to make it the Universal prayer of the entire humanity.

Never say, "No", never say, " I cannot", for you are infinite.

Swami Vivekananda