CANADA SABHA OF CHITRAPUR SARASWATS Sweekar S P E CI A L P O I N T S O F (CSCS NEWSLETTER)

INTEREST: VOLUME 5, ISSUE 12 M A R C H 2 0 1 2

 Next Satsang

 Important Next Satsang Dates Aruna and Gautam Ullal would like to invite CSCS members to join in for Satsang from 11.30 am to 1.15 pm on Sunday April 15, 2012 at their residence 170 Chedmac Drive, Hamilton.

The Prasad bhojan will follow thereafter. Please RSVP by April 7th to Aruna at 905-525-5964 ([email protected]) or Maya at 905-566-7908 ([email protected]).

I N S I D E THIS ISSUE:

Annual Math 2 Vantiga Important Dates in March

Published Arti- 2 Mar 1 Shishya Sweekar divas of H.H.Shrimat Parijnanshram Swamiji III cles Mar 3 Vardhanti at Karla-H.H. Shrimat Parijnashram Swamji III Sannidhi Swamiji’s Itiner- 2 ary Mar 10 Vardhanti at Mangalore-Shri Umamaheshwar Sannidhi

Sri Ramkrishna 3 paramhansa Mar 22 Khara-Nama Samvatsara Samapti

Mar 23 Ugadi-Nama Samvatsara Prarambha Math Vantiga 4

AGM & EC 4 Nominations Stamp and First Day Covers SVBF March 5 Events We have received 25 commemorative stamp and first day cover envelopes from Shri Arun Heble of US. They will be available for sale at next stasang/ or AGM.

Photos 6,7 To View the recently release stamp please visit the following website http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Netscape/Stamps2011.html#2

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 12 P A G E 2

Annual Math Vantiga We have forwarded all vantiga dues of our Sabha members to Shri .

Published Articles

Following are list of articles that were published in Sweekar volume 4, Issues 1-12 April 2010 to Mar 2011

FUTURE May 2010 : 2009 Tercentenary Scholarships Award presentation SATSANGS August 2010: Age of Saraswat Community by Dr, Kanak Raval; Purnima in Karla by Vanita Kumta Those who wish to September 2010: H.H. Anandashram Swamiji sponsor future October 2010 : H.H. Parijnanashram Swamiji II; H.H. Shankarashram Swamiji I; satsangs are Chaturmas 2010”A beautiful description of Seemollangan” by Vanita Kumta requested to contact December 2010 : H.H. Keshavashram Swamiji; H.H. Krishnashram Swamiji; Maya Kulkarni. H.H. Vamanashram Swamiji March 2011 : H.H. Parijnanashram Swamiji III; NRI Sanskriti Prachar Shibir 2010 report by Chirag Amembal,Advait Amembal et al;

Swamiji’s Itinerary Following is the itinerary of H.H. Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji’s till Mar 26, 2012.

March 2012 Mar 5-Mar 6 Shirali Mar 8– Mar 10 Manglore Mar 12– Mar 15 Shirali Mar 17 - Mar 18—Goa Mar 22—Mar 25 On Tour Mar 26—Mar 31 Shirali

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Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, (1834– 1886) Indian Spiritual Leader

(Article Source : Indianetzone.com)

Ramakrishna Paramahansa was a great religious saint and a teacher of Bengali language. He was a scholar who interpreted Hindu religion in the true vedantic spirit. He believed that all religions of the world were alike and their ultimate mission was the realization of God. He wished to bring about a synthesis among divergent faiths. Vivekananda, the greatest saint was his disciple who founded the "Ramakrishna Mission".

It is said that Bengalis possess a curious mixture of high intellectuality coupled with an equally strong emotionalism. A remarkable man of saintly character, Ramakrishna Paramahansa was born in 1834. He represented a tradition of loving faith and service of hu- manity during the second half of the nineteenth century. He was a simple priest in a temple at Dakshinswara near Calcutta.

His simplicity was a symbol of wisdom and guide towards peaceful social life. He was a man of faith and great virtue, who believed in the Indian traditions. He interpreted Hindu religion in the true Vedantic spirit. According to him all the religions are alike and their ultimate mission is realization of God. He adopted the modes of worship practiced by various religions.

Ramakrishna, in his search of self-realization even met Muslim and Christian mystics, some of whom also lived with him for some time. His extra ordinary personality and character gradually attracted the attention of people.

Laying stress on the essentials of religious faiths, Ramakrishna linked up the various aspects of the Hindu religion and philosophy and seemed to represent all of them in his own personality. He also brought within his fold other religions. He was opposed to all kinds of sectarianism and emphasized that the ultimate destination of life lies in the adoption of the road that leads to peace.

He had a magnetic style of presenting his ideas and thoughts, which could touch the sentiments of people and give them peace. His personal life is a story, full of inspiration to humanity, even for those who have never seen him. An order of service was established in his name, called "Ramakrishna Mission" by his famous disciple Swami Vivekananda. It has an unequalled record in humanitarian relief and social work. The Mission is also committed to serve the people who are suffering from various ailments. The members of the Ramakrishna Mission carry on their work in hospitals and educational establishments and engage in relief work whenever there is any calamity, either in India or any other part of the world.

Ramakrishna asserted that God sees no difference between a Brahmin and Chandala and at times he would live like a Chandala. Ramakrishna passed away in 1886. P A G E 4 Math Calendar

As in the past this year also CSCS has sponsored the month of June in Math Calendar. CSCS has requested copies of the Math calendar for year 2012-2013. Calendars are expected in Month of April.

Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meeting will be held on April 15, 2012 at 2.45 pm to 4.00 pm at 170 Chedmac Drive, Hamilton. The main agenda will be the selection of new CSCS Executive Committee Members for 2012-2014 term and presentation of April 1,2011- March 31, 2012 Financial Report. The detail meeting agenda will be presented on April 15th, 2012 prior to the meeting. Your presence will be greatly appreciated

Executive Committee Nominations

Two year term of the current executive committee expires on March 31,2012. The slate for nominations for new executive committee members is now open. Please send your nominations to Vivek Kulkarni (email:[email protected]) and/or to Ganesh Shenoy (email: [email protected]). At the next Annual General Meeting which will be held probably between April-June 2012 (date and place to be advised), the new executive committee will be formed. P A G E 5

Yugadi, Vasantha Navarathri and Rama Navami Celebrations

Vasant Navaratri, also known as Vasant Navratras, begins on March 23, 2012. This festival of nine nights in is dedicat- ed to Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is also known as Chaitra Navratras or Spring Navratri or Basant Navratri. As this Navratra coincides with Ram Navami, it also referred as Ram Navratri. The dates are from March 23, 2012 to April 1, 2012. March 23, 2012 also marks the beginning of the New Year for the Kannada and Telugu speaking people. Yugadi or Ugadi is cele- brated on march 23, 2012.

Click here for details of the celebrations for Yugadi, Vasantha Navarathri & Rama Navami. P A G E 6

Photo (courtesy of Shri kishan kallianpur & Atul Rao. Sunbeam Jan 2012 issue)

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Photo (courtesy of Shri kishan kallianpur & Atul Rao. Sunbeam Jan 2012 issue)

Canada Sabha of Chitrapur Saraswats (CSCS) Chitrapur Heritage of Canada Inc. (CHCI)

Board of Trustees: Maya Kulkarni, Vivek Kulkarni, Kishore Nadkarni, Vinayak Shanbhag, Ganesh Shenoy, Pramod Udiaver, Gautam Ullal.

Editorial Team: Mahesh Nileshwar, Vivek Kulkarni, Sadanand Mankikar, Ganesh Shenoy Web: Deepali and Vinayak Shanbhag

Contact: Articles for publication as well as questions, inquiries etc. may be 3727 Queenston Drive, forwarded by e-mail to Vivek Kulkarni ([email protected]) or Mississauga, Ontario, L5C 2H4 Sadanand Mankikar Phone: (905) 566-7908 ([email protected]) or by mail to 3727 Queenston www.canadasabha.com Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L5C 2H4. [email protected]

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