Vedanta Sandesh - Mar 2010

8/14/2019 Vedanta Sandesh - Mar 2010

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vedanta-sandesh-mar-2010 1/16

Monthly eMagazine of Vedanta Mission

Om Sri Ramaye Namah!

Tsj!Sbn!Obwbnj!Hsffujoht

Nbs!3121Year 13 Issue 9



In This Issue

1. Vedanta Section: Atma Bodha - Shloka-16

2. Letter Section: Real Wealth

3. Traditions Section: Sri Ram Navami

4. Story Section: Reading Less n Dusting More

5. VM Programs: Mission / Ashram Progs





Vedanta Section

Atma Bodha - Shloka 16

Vapuhu tushadibhih koshaih:Ignorance of Self results in imposing the

dharma of the five koshas on the pure,immaculate Atman. Thus the Self appearsendowed with the proerties & limitations of thesefive Koshas, namely Annamaya etc. As we haddiscussed in the previous sloka the Atman which

is basically of the nature of Sat-Chit-Ananda,pure self-effulgent & blissful existence, and isuntouched, as though appears to be of thequalities of the five koshas. The infinite appearsas finite. This limitless appears to have becomelimited in our day to day lives, only by giving thenon self that is the Body, Mind and Intellect undueimportance. The Acharya says these five layersof our personality, vapuhu, which seeminglycover the atman l;ike husk covers the rice. This

is a fundamental error we make because of thignorance of the true nature of the self. Sincthese are directly experienced and percievableour total attention is focused on these five layerand we innocently take the physical and mentafaculties as ‘I’. But our physical and mental bodbeing limited, we pay an imaginable price of th

error by imposing the limitations of this body oour Self, and take its limitations as our owlimitations. As the very ‘I’ is erroneously baselessly taken as limited, the chapter of oulives thereafter becomes a journey of somehowfulfilling this sense of limitation into satisfactionThus also begins the journey of endless seekinrunning after one experience to another. Sru(Vedantic scriptures) say that the Atman ibeyond these five sheaths. But how does on

danta Sandesh - Mar 2010

In the previous sloka it was discussed that the entire spectrum of the anatma is divided intfive parts known as ‘koshas’. This panchakosha viveka(discrimination) gives us a deepeunderstanding of the anatma and reveals the self effulgent and blissful self. The immaculate atmaowing to its contact with the five sheaths appears to partake of their qualities, just as crystal reflectthe blue cloth and the like. In the present sloka is explained how the atman is to be discriminatefrom the sheaths with which it is identified.

The Five Koshas veil the Self

Vapustoshaadibhih koshaih yuktam yuktyavaghatatahAtmanamantaram shuddham vivchyat tandulam yatha

Vapuhu: The body etc, tushadibhihi: husk etc, koshaihi: the five koshas; yuktam: joined, yuktya:by logical understanding; avaghatatah: forcefully; atmanam: The Pure Self; antaram: theinnermost; shuddham: pure; vivichyat: discriminate, tandulam: the rice, yatha: just as.

Just as grains of rice are pounded to be seperated from its husk, so also one should

deligently put efforts to discriminate the pure, inner Atman, from the five Koshas by logicalintelligent undertanding.

16


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vedanta-sandesh-mar-2010 5/16 P

come to see this truth. This is expalined further.

Yuktam yuktyavghat:The teacher says this truth is only seen

through the process of discrimination andreasoning. By discrimination between the selfand the non-self, by seeing the limitations of the

anatma. The atma is not of the nature of the foodsheath for it is inert, like a pitcher, is seen tonon-exist before its formation, when existing itundergoes six types of modifications and is nonexistent after destruction. Nor is the atman thesheath of Prana or Vital air, for this layer is subjectto feelings of thirst, hunger and the like and is ofthe nature of a particular kind of air. Atman isalso not the sheath of the mind, for it asserts itsegoism in the body, shows a sense of attachment

and aversion and changing emotions like love,hatred, jealousy, joy and sorrow. The mind is inerttoo. Likewise the atman is also not the sheath ofknowleldge for in deep sleep this faculty too isdissolved. Its intellect too is nothing but areflection of pure consciousness. The atman isalso not the sheath of bliss because one wakesup from deep sleep to say that one slept mosthappily, and had a deep and sound sleep, thusasserting the presence of the subtle

conciousness in sleep. The atman thus has torealised by such process of reasoning andnegation, dropping everything that is non-self.We as a ‘subject’ objectify our body, mind andintellect. This alone reveals that we aresomething different from it. We all know thatsubject is always different from the object. Withthis process of discrimination the importance of

reality given to these five layers is dropped thuawakening us into our natural healthy state the atman. A significant point which one muunderstand in the process of negation is thnegation does not mean non-interaction with thworld at the level of the Body and the mind. This totally impractical. As long as one lives on

will interact through these faculties anexperience the world, but negation is realizintheir ephemerality, which implies dropping thsense of ‘I-ness’ with these layers.

Atmanamantaram shuddham:The atman is verily the innermost, indep

substratum of everything, our body, mind anintellect, the world of objects and all thexperiences attached. Truly the word ‘innermos

also loses its relevance and so is finally droppebecause the word ‘inner’ is also used wireference to the outer. In case of the Atmanalone ‘is’, the one without a second. It shuddham - immaculate. The real self cannbe made impure by the limitations and impuritieof the five sheaths. Truly, the five sheathincorporating the body, mind and intellect are aillusion and do not have any real independeexistence and so their limitations and impuritie

too do not have any real existence. So the Atmais ever pure and untouched, like a lotus in wate

Vivichyat tandulam yatha:The acharya says this process

discrimination between the Real and the Unreshould be brought about by deliberate efforts juthe husk is seperated from the rice grains.

The Five Koshas1. 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.


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vedanta-sandesh-mar-2010 6/16danta Sandesh - Mar 2010

Spring Time

Lo! Once again with the coming of Spring

Dull shades of life will soon be vanishing

With countless promises in store

I foresee life, a multi-heathered core

And with umpteen joys in offing to rejoice

Happier life is the remnant choice

So, let's not continue the lugubrious ponder

For spring comes only once in a year

Let's all dance, spring and spree

Spring brings joys and colors all for free.

– Mallik Bulusu


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vedanta-sandesh-mar-2010 7/16P

Real Wealth

What we all

eek is love, security,

eace & joy. That is

what we all like, and

he absence of these

hings alone creates

he lack or pain. Job,

money, relatives are

ll means for that end

lone.

- Poojya Guruji

Hari om ! Greetings !

I can see that you are not only a good person, but also a blessed one. G

has blessed you with so many things for which so many are struggling &

striving. However, the test of our wisdom is not merely in getting what w

want, but also in responding to situations when we did not get what we

want, or rather lose what we did not want to lose. Holistically speaking l

about both getting & losing, so right wisdom is to be prepared for both th

eventualities. Remember our discussions too started on that note alone

Continue to work hard and intelligently to get what you want, but also be

aware of the inevitable other side of life. Have the wisdom and strength

take the entire package of life with equal blessedness & equanimity, andlearn right lessons.

What we all seek is love, security, peace & joy. That is what we all like, a

the absence of these things alone creates the lack or pain. Job, money,

relatives are all means for that end alone. If money did not give security

then it would have no meaning, so also if our relatives did not give us lo

then they too would be meaningless. How desperately we need these a

hold on to anything which gives us all these things becomes clear when

imagine a life without these things. Imagine what would your life be if yolost your job, money and also your loved ones? So who is the really wis

fulfilled one? Not the one who seeks, but the one who already has these

plenty and can therefore can afford to rather give these to others too. Th

who have love alone can give love, those who are secure alone can giv

security. Now ask yourself, do you feel happy that you 'get' love or feel

happier that God has given you an opportunity to 'give' lots & lots of love

all those around you - selflessly, of course starting from your own near &

dear ones, and then to the whole world, including the birds & animals an

what not. Do you feel secure only when you have money or still feel sec

without it? This test will not only reveal to you what you really want, but a

reveal how much real wealth you have truly got today. Those who foolis

take the means to be the end alone pay the price by their sorrow, grief a

stress. Think.

Lots of love & om,

Swami Atmananda

Letter of theMonth


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vedanta-sandesh-mar-2010 8/16danta Sandesh - April 2009 Pa

S r i R a m

N a v a

m i

2 4 t h M a r 2 0 1 0

Ramnavami is the incarnation day or in common language is the birthd

of Lord Sri Rama which falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the month

Chaitra (March-April). This day also marks the end of the nine-day long navarfestival of Chaitra maas. As per the english calendar Sri Ram navami falls

Wednesday the 24th of Mar in 2010.

Rama was the Lord Hari Himself, incarnate on earth for the establishm

of dharma(righteousness). The incarnation of God or taking an Avatar is a uniq

feature of Sanatan Dharma. Incarnation of God on earth is not the birth of

Supreme being like an ordinary mortal. But it is the manifestation of the L

himself at the level of an earthly being with all his glory of knowledge and pow

by invoking his own Maya Shakti. Incarnations of God appear for special reasounder special circumstances. Whenever unrighteousness overpow

righteousness and creates chaos in society, whenever individual and selfcen

attitude takes over and crushes under its feet the welfare of living beings

totality, shaking up the very foundations of a dharmic order, God takes

incarnation to re-establish righteousness, restore peace and bring about

holistic welfare of mankind. Sri Rama is an avatara of Lord Vishnu who came

re-establish the dwindling order of Dharma, by destroying the forces of e

restoring the respect of Mahatmas and pious people and establishing the ideof righteousness.

Lord Rama was the best of men with a sterling character. He was the v

image of love. He was an ideal son, an ideal brother, an ideal husband, an id

friend and an ideal king. He can be taken to embody all the highest ideals

man. He led the ideal life of a householder to teach the tenets of righteousn

to humanity. He ruled His people so well that it came to be known as Ram-Raj

which meant the rule of righteousness, the rule which bestows happiness a

prosperity on all.

Worshiping the manisfestation of God on such days has spec

significance. Such occassions are opportunities to express our yearning to un

with God. In our worship of God it is implied that we should embibe his qualit

and live a virtuous life as God himself did. On the other hand, worship of L

Rama is itself the surest means to develop such virtues. One who worships

Rama with love and devotion himself follows the path of dharma, is loving a

respectful to all, performs his actions to the best of his abilities and is inspiredanta Sandesh - Mar 2010


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vedanta-sandesh-mar-2010 9/16 Pa

Hanuman Jayanti

Yatra yatra raghunatha kirtanam; Tatra tatra kritha masthakanjalim; Bhaspavaari paripurna lochanam; Maarutim namata raakshasanthakam

“We bow to Maruti, Sri Hanuman, who stands with his palms folded abovhis forehead, with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes wherever the Names oLord Rama are sung”.

Sri Hanumanji is one of the most inspiring and common Gods in the pan

theon of Hindu Dieties. On the occassion of his Jayanti we offer our humble pranam

at the divine feet of the great Acharya of Bhakti and sewa. If Lord Sri Rama repre

sents what perfection and God is all about then Hanumanji represents what aideal sewak and devotee should be like. He is indeed one of the best role mode

which every sewak and devotee should have in their hearts. He was an ideal sel

less worker, a true Karma Yogi who worked desirelessly and dynamically. He wa

a great devotee and an exceptional Brahmachari or celibate. He served Sri Ram

with pure love and devotion, without expecting any fruit in return. He lived to serv

Sri Rama. He was humble, brave and wise. He possessed all the divine virtues

He did what others could not do—crossing the ocean simply by uttering Ram

Nam, burning the city of Lanka, and bringing the sanjeevini herb and restorin

Lakshmana to life again. He brought Sri Rama and Lakshmana from the nethe

world after killing Ahiravana. Hanumanji had devotion, knowledge, spirit of selflesservice, power of celibacy, and desirelessness. He never boasted of his braver

and intelligence. No wonder Hanumanji inspires the masses so much. So its no

surprising that in India there are far more temples of Hanumanji than Lord S

Rama, his Master. This in no way devalues the Master, but all those who are awar

of the story of Ramayana, that this is due to the blessings of Bhagwan Sri Ram

himself, that may my devotee be more revered than myself simply becaus

immulation of the qualities of a devotees is the way to their inculcation, and whe

we truly become like Hanumanji then the darshan of Sri Ramji will never be a fa

cry.

gain knowledge of the Self. He lives a life as a representative of Lord Ra

inspired by his virtues and knowledge.

This day is very popularly celebrated not only in India but all over the wo

The devotees celebrate the day with special Ramayana parayans(readin

Ramayana), pujas, devotional songs,chanting of Ram nama.

As we celebrate Sri Ramnavmi, let us aim to enquire and see the di

nature of the ideal of perfection known as Maryada Puroshottam. Let us make

most of the auspicious day by rejoicing the manifestation of the Lord, by see

the blessings of our Revered Guru, by offering worship to Sri Rama. chan

Rama nama, singing devotional songs and reading of Ramayana. Jai Sree R


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vedanta-sandesh-mar-2010 10/16anta Sandesh - Mar 2010

A man was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset.As he walked along he began to see another man in the distance.

As he grew nearer he noticed that the local native kept leaningdown, picking something up, and throwing it out into the water. Timeand again he kept hurling things out into the ocean.

As our friend approached even closer he noticed that the manwas picking up starfish that had washed up onto the beach, and oneat a time, he was throwing them back into the ocean.

The first man was puzzled. He approached the man and said,"Good Evening Friend, I was wondering what are you doing?" And hereplied, "I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it'slow tide right now and all these starfish have been washed up ontothe shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they will die fromthe lack of oxygen."

"I understand," my friend replied "but there must be thousandsof starfish on this beach and you couldn't possibly get to all of them.There are simply too many and don't you realize that this is happen-ing on hundreds of beaches up and down this coast ... can't you seethat that you can't possibly make a difference?

The local native smiled, bent down, picked up yet anotherstarfish ... and as he threw it back out into the sea, he replied, "Itmade a difference to that one!"

You may feel like you cannot make a difference in the world

today, but you CAN make a difference in one life at a time.

Make a Difference


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vedanta-sandesh-mar-2010 11/16 Padanta Sandesh - April 2009

O n c e u p o

n

a t i m e ...

Gen Stories

Reading More & Dusting Less

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard a

admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.

spending more time with my family and friends and less time work

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to sav

not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and che

them.

I'm not 'saving' anything; we use our good china and crysta

every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopp

or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market.theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small b

of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties,

wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank. 'Som

day' and 'one of these days' are losing their grip on my vocabular

it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and d

now.

I'm not sure what others would've done had they known t

wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I th

they would have called family members and a few close friends. T

might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fen

for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a C

nese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing

never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry

knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certletters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry t

I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I tr

love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save a

thing that would add laughter and luster to our lives.

And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that

special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from G

P



Mahashivratri Celebrations, Indore:

On 12th Feb Mahashivratri was celebrated with great devotio

enthusiassm at Vedanta Ashram, Indore. There were special pujas throu

out the day. The first Rudrabhisheka was in the morning, second in the a

noon which concluded just before the evening Aarti, and then a late n

puja which ended around mid-night.In the evening special decoration of Bhagwan Sri Gangesh

Mahadev was done. Smeared with ashes, the kingly demeanour of

looked very gracious in the midst of a beautiful flower rangoli. Hundred

devotees are given an opportunity to have darshan of Shiv-linga on the ash

terrace on this day, and offer their respects at the Shiv-Paduka. Later d

tees came and sat down quietly for some dhyana too.

Gita Gyana Yagna, Lucknow:

A seven days Gita Gyana Yagna by Poojya Guruji Sri Sw

Atmananda Saraswatiji was organized at Hari om Mandir, Lalbag, Luck

from 20th to 27th Feb 2010. The subject matters of the two morning & eve

discourses were Bhagwad Gita Chapter 1, and Ashtavakra Gita Chapte

The evening discourse series was for the Bhagwad Gita, in w

Poojya Guruji revealed the profound importance of studying the first cha

of Gita, which is often overlooked & bypassed. Every specialist takes lo

time to specifically diagnose the problem before jumping on the bandwa

of solutions. The celebrated author of Bhagwad Gita who does not w

even a single word, has given us an entire chapter, which obviously ca

be redundant. It is often said that because of Moha there is Shoka, whic

like saying that because of infection there is fever, but the real test lie

identifying the nature of Moha, then alone specific solution, if any, can

given about the problem.

In the moring session Poojya Guruji revealed the profound dedica

of Ashtavakra Rishi for Brahma-Vidya. Knowledge alone redeems and

any Karma’s whatsoever. Karmas are just to prepare the mind and therea

it is just knowledge and knowledge alone which as though liberates. Duthe Yagna P.Guruji also visited the famous Lucknow Zoo.

Feb’10 VM / VA Programs

Ved

antaMission/Ashram

Programs

anta Sandesh - Mar 2010

Sanyas Day Bhandara, Indore:

On Mahashivratri day was also the Sanyas Deeksha day of PooSwamini Amitanandaji and P. Swamini Poornanandaji. However, as that

fasting day, it was decided to have a special Bhandara to commemorate

occasion on the week-end, the 14th Feb. Smt Vidya Awasthi took the p

lege of offering the special Malwi feast of Dal-Bati to all devotees. Both

Mahatmas were specially felicitated by her and others.



Bithoor Yatra:

After the Gyana Yagna, Poojya Guruji, Swamini Samatanandaji twenty five other devotees went for a day long visit to the ancient pilgcenter of Bithoor. After concluding the morning session of Ashtavakra and a quick breakfast, the caravan of five cars started from Lucknow aAM.

The first stop was a nice scenic place of Nawabganj Bird SanctuThere is a lake at the heart of the sanctuary which is home for dozenlocal as well as migratory birds. The Sanctuary has nice walking trails arothe lake, with greens all over. Later we reached Bithoor, where the gsage Valmiki had his ashram, and thus it was here where Ramji first

him, later Laksman left Sitaji near this place, Lav-Kush were born here oLater in the history this place became famus for having Nanarao Pesand Rani Laksmibai. Gangaji flows near this ancient town.

Check out the detailed Photo Albums of the various functions on

VM News Blog at : http://vmissionews.blogspot.com/ Pa

Feb’10 VM / VA Programs

Ved

antaMission/Ashram

Programs

Talks at Treveni Almirah, Lucknow:

On 23rd and 24th Feb Poojya Guruji gave a talk on the starting doof Hanuman Chalisa to the management and staff of Treveni Almirah copany at their factory at Chinhat Industrial Estate. The 350 plus staff adevotees listened to the talks with nice attention. Hanuman Chalisa w

distributed to all.In his discourse Poojya Guruji revealed Hanumanji as a role-mo

for all fearless and dynamic workers. He was an embodiment of Knowleand Devotion. He is an enlightened one, and represents the best of all quties. Hanuman Chalisa has been revealed as Book of Life-Managemand more so Self-Management, which culminates in actualizing ones copetencies and potential. This finally leads to the ultimate goal of human- Self-Realization.

Holi Celebrations, Lucknow:

On 28th Feb was the Holika Dahan, also called as Dhulendi. PoGuruji and Swamini Samatanandaji were at his ancestral home in LuckCantt. In the night the traditional fire was lit by the children and family mbers. Earier in the evening a music Program was organized at the reside

of Sandeep & Jaishree Misra at their Kabir Road flat, in which AnupamPranav Tiwari presented Flute and Voilin programs. Both these brotherslearning classical music. Later Sandeep and his friends presented varnew numbers on their modern musical instruments.

Sandeep sang some songs and even played a number on his HawGuitar. Lovely dinner followed the program which everyone enjoyed toughly. All over the city at almost every crossing a fire had been lit bylocal residents, and there was festivity in the air.


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vedanta-sandesh-mar-2010 14/16danta Sandesh - Mar 2010

Quotes

In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream

always wins--not through strength but by perseverance."

- H. Jackson Brown

Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.

- Margaret B. Runbeck

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has

many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

- Charles Dickens

Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, despera-

tion, perspiration and inspiration. - Evan Esar

You don't get to choose how you're going to die, or when. You can

only decide how you're going to live now.

- Joan Baez

You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you've collected a

lot of empty yesterdays.

If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.- David Carradine



Forthcoming Programs

Page # 17

Gita Gyana Yagna, Dehradun:A Gita Gyana Yagna by Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will shortly be organized at

Dehradun. She proposes to take Gita Chapter 1 and Ashtavakra Gita Chapter 1. Dates arebeing finalized and will be announced soon.

Gita Gyana Yagna, Ahmedabad:A Gita Gyana Yagna by Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will shortly be organized

at Ramkrishna Kendra, Maninagar, Ahmedabad. She proposes to take Gita Chapter 1 andAshtavakra Gita Chapter 1. Dates are being finalized and will be announced soon.

Gita Gyana Yagna, Wellingborough, UK:A week long Gita Gyana Yagna will be organized at Hindu Temple at Wellingborough

from 10th to 17th Apr 2010 by Poojya Swamini Samatanandaji. The subject matter of thediscourses will be 1st chapter of Bhagawad Gita and a morning session at the residence ofKirtiben Thakrar on Sadhana Panchakam.

Gita Gyana Yagna, Mumbai:A Gita Gyana Yagna by Poojya Guruji Swami Atmanandaji will shortly be orga-

nized at BHA Hall, Bandra, Mumbai from 10th to 16th May. He proposes to take the thirdchapter of Ashtavakra Gita and Gita Chapter 2.

Sadhana Camp, Rishikesh:Poojya Guruji will conduct a 6 days Sadhana Camp at Swami Dayananda Ashram,

Rishikesh from 7th to 12th June. The participants are expected to reach there by 6th evening

and can leave on 13th June. The subject matter of discourses will be Kaivalya Upanishadand Gita Chapter 3.



Documents

Vedanta Sandesh - Mar 2010