October 26, 2001 Vijayadasami - Thirunãngoor, Tamizhnadu.
Vaishnava Ãgama patasala was opened at Madhuramurali Bhavanam, Thirunangoor on Vijayadasami.
October 29, 2001 - November 5, 2001 Ernãkulam, Kerala.
Sri Swamiji performed upanyãs on ‘ Bhakta Vijayam’ at
Brahmana Samooham Hall, Ernakulam. Hundreds of enthusiastic locals attended
the discourse on all days.
During Sri Swamiji’s Ernakulam visit, Divya nãma sankirtan and Radha
kalyanam were performed at Sri Sethuraman’s residence.
November 8, 2001 - November 14, 2001 Premika Bhavanam
Akanda “Hare Rama….” sankirtan was performed by devotees at Premika Bhavanam from 6 a.m to 6 p.m.
The nama kirtan began on 8th November which is Sri Swamiji’s date of birth as per the English
calendar and went on till 14th November(Sri Swamiji’s janma nakshatra ‘Swathi’).
November 11, 2001 Mathurapuri Ashram
25 young men from the nearby Amarampedu village chanted
“Hare Rama! Hare Rama! Rama Rama Hare Hare!
Hare Krishna! Hare Krishna! Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!”
from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Sri Swamiji’s presence. Sri Swamiji blessed every one of them with a tulasi mãla, Gopi chandan and a picture Lord Krishna.
Sri Swamiji then performed Nãmasankirtan in which all our patasala students and our
Satsang’s Namakirtan group participated.
Sri Swamiji did pradakshina of Divyanãma Krishna chanting
“Hare Rama! Hare Rama! Rama Rama Hare Hare!
Hare Krishna! Hare Krishna! Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!”
with an occasional recital of a sloka from Srimad Bhãgavatam.
November 14, 2001 Mathurapuri Ashram.
|
This year ‘Swathi’ fell on Deepãvali. Jayanti of our Sri Swamiji was celebrated this year
in Mathurapuri Ashram and in a style favoured by Sri Swamiji. It was incessant of
“Hare Rama! Hare Rama! Rama Rama Hare Hare!
Hare Krishna! Hare Krishna! Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!”
by local and nearby village youths and children.
Click here for a detailed report with photos
|
November 14, 2001 Sri Swamiji's Jayanti Celeberations at other places
Sri Swamiji's Jayanti was celebrated in Australia, India, Indonesia and Singapore on November 14, 2001.
Sri Swamiji's Jayanti Celebrations at Sydney, Australia
Click here for a detailed report with photos
November 27, 2001 - Tulasi Kalyãnam - Premika Bhavanam
Karthika Dwãdasi, known as ‘Uthãna Dwãdasi’ is the day of ‘Tulasi kalyãnam’ (marriage of Tulasi). This is the day that Lord Krishna married Tulasi (a Gopi who had unconditional love for Lord Krishna and thus enjoyed a special place in His heart). It is said that this Gopi was bestowed with the special blessing (by Krishna) to be born as a plant on earth and spread auspiciousness all around. Tulasi leaves have the highest medicinal value. Lord Hari’s Presence is wherever She (Tulasi) is. Thus a home having Tulasi is blessed with all prosperity (worldly and spiritual).
A very special occasion of the people of Karnataka, on this day the Tulasi ‘mãdam’ is decorated beautifully with jewels, flowers and a ‘gaja vastra’ (as known in Karnataka - a thin garland made of cotton). A small gooseberry branch, that represents Krishna, is placed alongside Tulasi. Decorative ‘kolams’ are drawn all around and below the place of the Tulasi ‘mãdam’. Small brass and mud lamps are lit all around Tulasi. She looks lovely with lamps all around.
|
|
Tulasi Kalyãnam at Premika Bhavanam
|
Sri Sivaraman and Sri Tattvamasi- students of our Patasala chanted from the Upanishads. Sri Kannãmani Dikshitar performed the ‘Kalyana vaibhava’ for Tulasi.
Smt. Jayanti Janakiraman performed Suhãsini puja to Mrs. ‘Mullaivãsal’ Krishnamurti.
Lady devotees sang Sri Swamiji’s kirtans on Tulasi Devi
“Tulasi Devi Namostute!’
‘Tvãm pranamãmi haripriya Tulasi!’
Sri “Mullaivãsal’ Krishnamurti, Principal of Sanskrit College, Chennai, spoke a few words on Guru Mahatmiya. Sri Kannãmani Dikshitar spoke on the greatness and auspiciousness of Tulasi.
This was followed by Divyanãma sankirtan led by Sri Swamiji.
November 28, 2001-Sri Sankara Higher Secondary School, Tambaram, Chennai
At the invitation of Sri Sankara Higher Secondary School, Tambaram, Sri Swamiji blessed the teachers and students with ‘anugraha bhãshana’.
Sri YogiRamsuratkumar Jayanti
November 30, 2001 - Kãni Mutt, Kanyakumari
Sri Swamiji participated in Sri YogiRamsuratkumar Jayanti Utsav at Kãni Mutt as the Guest of Honour.
December 1, 2001 - 3 p.m to 5.30 p.m - Rãghava Ashram, Kolathur, Chengalpattu
Sri Swamiji was the Chief Guest at Sri YogiRamsuratkumar Jayanti celebrations at Rãghava ashram, Kolathur. Sri Swamiji spoke on the greatness of Bhagavan
Nãmasankirtan and blessed the gathering.
December 1, 2001 - 7 p.m to 9 p.m - Sri Balakumaran’s residence, Mylapore
Sri Swamiji participated in Sri Yogiramsuratkumar’s Jayanti in Sri Balakumaran’s residence. Sri Sumanth Bhãgavata and group performed ‘sampradãya bhajan’.
December 8, 2001 - 6.30 p.m to 9.30 p.m - Sri Kumaraswami’s residence, Nanganallur
Sri Swamiji led Divyanãma sankirtan at Sri Kumaraswami’s residence.
December 11, 2001 - 7.30 p.m to 9 p.m - Premika Bhavanam
Mr. Lee Lozowick and his friends, devotees of Sri YogiRamsuratkumar, performed Nãmasankirtan at Premika Bhavanam.
Mr. Lozowick who hails from America is a devotee of Sri YogiRamsuratkumar. He runs ashrams in America and France and guides numerous students on the spiritual path shown by
Sri Yogiramsuratkumar. He tours around the globe spreading the message of the Yogi. He performs Nãma sankirtan, gives lectures and guides people on this path. He has been visiting India for the past two decades. Every year, he visits India to participate in
Sri YogiRamsuratkumar’s Jayanti.
Mr. Lozowick and his friends performed melodious and devoted bhajan for half-an hour from 8.10 p.m. They began the bhajan with
“YogiRamsuratkumar namma Bhagavãn!” followed by
“Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!” and
“Guru Sharanam”
Mr. Lozowick then shared some of his experiences with Sri YogiRamsuratkumar.
Mr.Lozowick was then honoured with a shawl and garland on behalf of our Mission.
The following are the excerpts from Mr. Lozowick’s talk
‘I first met ‘Bhagavãn’ YogiRamsuratkumar in 1976. Subsequently, I met Him within the next couple of years. During my first two visits, He gave me a warm welcome, smiled at me and spoke with me. When I visited Him the third time He did not seem to remember me. He asked me who I was. I realized that He was talking to my ego and not to me.’
'After a certain point, YogiRamsuratkumar asked me to leave. I decided that if that were His wish, I would follow it and not stay on forcibly. I thought I would stay abroad and spread His message. When I left India I never thought that I would see Him again in His mortal body. Since then, I have been traveling all around the world teaching students and giving lectures. We have ashrams in America and Europe. Our ashrams are not orthodox ones. Most inmates live with their families and perform ‘Guruseva’. We also have devotees living outside coming here to serve. But we do have very strict rules. We have a routine of japa, meditation, Nãma sankirtan as a group. We follow a strict vegetarian diet and have regular physical exercises. Four months of the year I travel around Europe. I run a very tight schedule during this time. I conduct classes on most days of the week. Wherever I go, I carry a picture of ‘Bhagavãn’ and introduce ‘Bhagavãn’ to my students. The remaining eight months, I stay in America. In America, I do not travel around. Here, if anyone wants to see me, they have to come to my ashram.
It is the tendency of man to be attracted to cultures other than his own. As for me, I like India and Indian culture very much. I like European culture and European people. I do find a lot of people from here who seem to like America very much!’
‘I have traveled all over India and met innumerable Teachers. But what I liked most about YogiRamsuratkumar was that He did not have bias on cultural basis. He understood me, as would a fellow westerner. All though I hold all Saints and Teachers in high regard, personally I am a Yogi fundamentalist!’
‘Years later, I received an invitation to participate in ‘Bhagavãn’s’ Jayanti. I did not know the man who had sent me the invitation and I do not know how he had obtained my address. The Jayanti was to be held in Kanyakumari in South India. I somehow felt that I should participate in this Jayanti celebration. I sent a letter of acceptance. I planned a
two-week long trip and planned to stay two days in Thiruvannãmalai at the end of the trip. I thought that having traveled all the way to South India, I might as well spend two days in Thiruvannãmalai as I wished to have ‘Bhagavãn’s’ darshan. As desired, I went to Thiruvannãmalai. I went upto ‘Bhagavãn’s door and knocked very softly. I was very sure that He would come rushing outside and shout at me, asking me to leave. What happened was beyond my wildest dreams! He came out, held me by my arms and remembered everything about me! ‘Bhagavãn’ then took me and my group of students to Arunãchaleshwara temple. One of my students was walking ahead, leading the group; Bhagavãn and I walked behind. Every time we visited a temple, we would circumambulate in the wrong direction. And each time, ‘Bhagavãn’ would call out “Hey!” and point the right direction. This happened again and again and at one point ‘Bhagavãn’ said “ Lee! Are we leading them or are they leading us? (!)”
‘Though my experiences with ‘Bhagavãn’ are many, I would share a few of them with you. ‘Bhagavãn’ had a great sense of humour. He would always laugh and make others laugh. I had taken few of my students to ‘Bhagavãn’. I had given them Indian names. I did not know that ‘Bhagavãn’ was not in favour of giving Indian names to Westerners as He felt that it was not necessary. But that was how I was at that time - pretentious!
‘Bhagavãn’ looked at the first lady and asked her what her name was.
Very proudly, she said “Radha!”
‘Bhagavãn exclaimed, “Oh! Radha!”
He then asked her why she had come there. She pointed to me and said, “ To be with him!”
‘Bhagavãn’ then turned to the next lady and asked her, “ What is your name?”
She, too, said very proudly, “Meera!”
‘Bhagavãn’ again exclaimed, “Oh! Meera!” as though He were remembering Meera’s poems!
He then asked her the reason for her visit and she also pointed to me and said, “To be with him”.
This was getting a little embarrassing for me.
Bhagvãn then moved up to the man sitting next and asked his name.
And this man said, “Balaram!”
‘Bhagavãn’ suddenly became very silent and seemed immersed in deep thought. He tuned His head slowly to my side and looking from the corner of his eyes, said, “Oh! Krishna!” and burst intolaughter. He was literally rolling with laughter. It took Him nearly ten minutes to control His laughter. Even after that, every few minutes He would turn towards me and say, “Krishna!” and burst into laughter all over again. This happened over and over again. He continued to talk to all of us, but one could clearly make out He was trying very hard to control His laughter!
An average American would have thought that ‘Bhagavãn’ was complimenting him, but I was not that stupid. I knew what He was telling me and I believe that’s what ‘Bhagavãn’ liked about me.’
I would like to express my gratitude to Sri Guruji for giving me the opportunity to share with you my experiences with ‘Bhagavãn’. I thank all of you for giving me a patient hearing. You have been an exceptional gathering, for, in other places I have found it difficult to make people laugh!”
December 14, 2001 - Premika Bhavanam - Krithika Amãvãsya
This is the day when the Ganga gushed out from the well in Sri Sridhara Ayyãvãl’s (a great Mahatma) house. At the behest of Sri Swamiji ‘anna dãna’ (food offering) was performed at Premika Bhavanam and at Mathurapuri ashram.
In the evening, Divya nãma sankirtan, led by Sri Swamiji, was performed at Premika Bhavanam.
After the bhajan, Sri Swamiji spoke on the greatness of Sri Sridhara Ayyãvãl.
“Sri Sridhara Ayyãvãl was born in and lived in Karnataka. He was born in a family of Siva Bhaktas. He was also a great Siva bhakta and was ever chanting Siva Nãma.
Sridhara Ayyãvãl later moved to Tamizh Nadu. He first came to Tiruchirãpalli, where he stayed at Thãyumãnavaswamy sannidhi in Rockfort . At that time, a little boy used to come to the temple everyday and worship the Lord here with utmost sincerity.
Sri Sridhara Ayyãvãl was greatly attracted by the boy’s ‘shraddha’ (faith and sincerity) and bhakti. One day, this boy failed to turn up. Deeply worried, Sri Sridhara Ayyãvãl went out in search of the boy. He found his dead body. A snake had bitten him. Sri Sridhara Ayyãvãl chanted a ‘stuthi’ on the Lord and the boy came back to life.
This resulted in people troubling him with worldly prayers. He, therefore, moved to Thiruvisanallur on the banks of Cauvery. Thiruvisanallur is the birthplace of
Sri Sadãsiva Brahmendra and Sadguru Swami. Sri Sridhara Ayyãvãl first met his contemporary Sri Bodendra Swami in the Mahãlingaswamy temple in Thiruvisanallur.
Once, on Krithika amãvãsya (New moon in the Tamizh month of Kãrthika)
Sri Sridhara Ayyãvãl performed shraddha ceremony for his mother. He had invited Brahmins for the conduct of the ceremony. A variety of dishes had been prepared for offering. Some poor men who had not eaten for days passed by his door. Sri Sridhara Ayyãvãl’s heart melted on seeing hunger writ upon their faces. He fed them all sumptuously with the dishes that had been prepared for the ceremony. The Brahmins condemned this act of Ayyãvãl and told him that the only ‘prãyaschittha’
(atonement) was Ganga ‘snãna’ (Dip in the Holy Ganges). Sri Ayyãvãl chanted a ‘stuthi’ and Ganga gushed in full force from the well in his house!
Sri Sridhara Ayyãvãl finally merged with Mahãlingaswamy in the form of a Jyoti, just as Mira had merged with Dwãrakãdiisha!”
“GOPIKÃ JEEVANASMARANAM!
GOVINDA! GOVINDA!”
