April in the Divine Presence of Guruji and Many Other Monks and Teachers

Guru Vandana

Gururmadhyesthitavisva Viswamadhyesthito guru Gururvisvamamastubhyam Visvagurunamamyaham

In the whole universe the spiritual master is abiding and in the spiritual master the whole creation is abiding. I bow to the microcosm and the macrocosm , to the guru in the universe and the universe in the guru.

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3 CONTENTS

VOLUME 16 ISSUE 3

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• GURU VANDANA 3 • EDITORIAL 5 • MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER 6 • DATES TO REMEMBER 9 • PRAJNANAVANI – TECHNIQUE FOR... 10 • TEACHINGS OF THE MASTERS 17 • MYTHS AND METAPHORS 18 MAHABHARATA • VALUABLE VOLUMES - LAW OF KARMA 25 • YOGA SUTRA OF PATANJALI 30 • STORIES TO LIVE BY 32 • AROUND THE GLOBE 34 • NEW ASHRAM IN AUSTRALIA 40

Printed and Published by Swami Achalananda Giri on behalf of Prajnana Mission, Printed at Graphic Art Offset Press, at Nuapatna, Manglabag, Dist : Cuttack (Orissa) and published at Prajnana Mission at Nimpur, P.O. Jagatpur, Cuttack-754021, Orissa. Editor : Swami Achalananda Giri

4 FROM THE EDITORS :

In Message from the Master Gurudev talks about the life of joy and bliss and how it depends on our outlook and attitude towards life. Prajnanavani elaborates on the ways to discipline the mind. “Keep the mind active and alive” says Guruji “Make God your friend and open up your heart and never underestimate the power of faith.” Myths and Metaphors takes us to the interesting story in Mahabharata, of Drona and Drupada, their friendship and how it could not be maintained. Valuable volumes continues with The Law of Karma. Paramahamsaji elaborates beautifully on the intricacies of karma and how desire is the root cause of all karma. The unfailing means of attaining Samadhi is complete surrender to the will of the divine , says sage Patanjali in his yoga sutras. Power of the name of god is illustrated in our short stories. We bring you the news of the many special events and celebrations of Prajnana Mission – the IIKYS, Prachi Parikrama and Mahashivaratri celebrations. For the first time in our kriya lineage a retreat exclusively for women was organized and conducted by the Matruashram monks at the Gurukulam in Odisha. We also bring you the news of our Kriya activities worldwide. Our new permanent ashram in Australia will be inaugurated on the 18th of April in the divine presence of Guruji and many other monks and teachers.

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5 MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER THE BEAUTY OF SCRIPTURAL WISDOM PARAMAHAMSA HARIHARANANDA DIVINE LIFE

Bhagavad Gita (14:4) it is written: tasam brahma mahadyoni aham bijam pradah pita “The great Brahma is the womb and I am the Father who sows the seed.” Tasam brahma mahadyoni: If our mothers and fathers had not taken breath, then we all would be dead bodies. Breath is the cause of life, and the medium People say human life is for creating new life. Without full of frustrations, troubles, their breath, you and I could sorrow, anxieties, not have been born. unpleasantness, and Ahambijapradah pita: dissatisfaction, but human life “I am the Father who sows the can also be a divine life, full of seed.” joy. It depends upon one’s If the power of God does outlook and attitude to life. We not inhale through the nose of create our own unpleasantness, the father, then the father frustrations, and sorrows. In cannot give his seed. Breath is the same manner, one can make the soul. We have come with it loving and divine. In the joy. We are to live with joy, beginning, human life is joy. In and one day we will have to joy we are born. We are really leave in joy. There are two born with joy. This is a divine qualities in every human being drama of love and joy. This is – devil and divine. Think of your foundation. In the Jesus. The devil came three 6 times to tempt him, saying that your bad qualities. If all is well, he would give him a kingdom, then this is because of your everything, if he would not think good qualities. Unintentionally, of God. But Jesus replied, “It we create danger and trouble. is nothing to me. I am that In the same Taittiriya power. I am the Son of God. Upanishad (3:6), it is taught: I will remain in godhood.” ananda prayanyabhisam (Matthew 4:8– 10) vishanti Many people cannot “They move towards and enjoy the beauty of life because merge in bliss.” of their emotions and ego. We You can live up to one create our own unpleasantness, hundred years, may be more. but remember that our Why has God given you such a foundation is joy. In joy we long period? It is for your are born, and in joy we are transformation, to experience growing. A child is growing bliss within. Constantly, He is with joy, every moment. If you changing your mood. He only give him a cherry, or a wants to give you a new type strawberry, he will be happy. of joy, but first of all, you have In this way he is growing. to make your field ready. Joy When he is a little older, he is your foundation. Joy means runs, plays, laughs, and does your life. everything with joy. In the Taittiriya Upanishad (3:6), it is If someone has no life, said: he cannot come here to see me. You have seen me, and I anandena jatani jivanti have entered into your brain. “Each one being born of Even when you leave, you bliss must live in bliss.” cannot erase Hariharananda We are alive because the from your brain. He will power of god is inhaling the remain with you permanently, breath for us, giving us constant even in old age. If someone joy. You are hearing my talk asks, “Have you seen and you are happy because you Hariharananda?” You will say, are learning something. The “Yes.” But if someone points world is not bad. It is you that to another person and says, is doing something wrong and “That is Hariharananda,” you getting into trouble because of will respond by saying “No, he 7 isn’t; I have seen him.” You Kings, millionaires, and store everything in your beggars lie side by side. God midbrain, good and bad, and has given us an opportunity to both are coming from your soul. be the real “King of kings.” Joy is within you, the Jesus was called this, and it power of God. If you seek Him means one who is the knower and calmly meditate, going three of the Self. He didn’t want to four inches deep between anything. He was so near to the two eyebrows, and take a God, and had spiritual wealth. very feeble breath, then Mind rules the body as the king, automatically you will feel that but one who rules the mind is Thou art That. Your sorrows above it—”King of kings.” If will disappear. You are all you have spiritual wealth, then you too, are “King of kings,” growing with joy, gradually. In but if you have only material the Taittiriya Upanishad, in the wealth, you are just like an same manta it is said: ordinary king. You cannot carry anandadyeva khalvimani your material wealth after your bhutani jayante death, but you can carry your “The whole universe spiritual wealth. exists with joy because the If you meditate and feel power of God is pulling breath.” that you are the power of god, One day you will be old then you can always feel joy in like Hariharananda, and after your life. Unpleasantness will that, you will go to the place come, but you can avoid it. Just where everybody, kings and as you are creating your own queens and the poor, are all lying unpleasantness you can also in the same place. The stop creating it, and then you cremation ground is only place will remain in joy. If you calmly for meditation and the final abide at the atom point, you will resting place for all. There is stay in the world, but view it a saying in Bengali: from that place. If you just ke bole apavitrashmashan take a slow and feeble breath and go there, then you will “Who says the cremation perceive a different world. The ground is bad place, dirty world will change. Divinity will place?” be reached.

8 The divine sound will be When you come up from the there : sa laya nadam asritaha lower centers to the vacuum Hearing the sound indicates that center and you hear the sound. you are spiritual. How do you This will give you constant know when you are spiritual? liberation and a state of bliss.

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DATES TO REMEMBER April - June, 2018 April 29 : Birthday of Lord Buddha May 10 : Birthday of Swami Shriyukteshwar May 17 : Foundation day of Prajnana Mission May 27 : Birthday of Gurudev Baba Hariharanandaji

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Go puja at Gurukulam

9 PRAJNANAVANI - THE VOICE OF WISDOM TECHNIQUES FOR CONTROLLING THE MIND

The Power of Humility mind to Him before we start Let us be humble children our day. and offer all we have to God, When we put on new “O Lord, this mind is Yours; this clothes we feel happy, and we food is Yours; this world is want to share our happiness Yours. You have brought me with others. But how does one to this world. Please help me share his or her happiness? I keep my mind peaceful and remember bowing to my mother clean.” Humility gives us the and father when I got my new power to control and discipline clothes. Seeing my joy, they the mind. Remember, keeping would rejoice, even though they the mind controlled or disciplined were not the ones who received is the same as keeping the mind new clothes. They would clean and pure. Like little rejoice and their hearts would children who offer their clothes be filled with happiness and love to God before wearing them, because their children were each morning let us offer our happy. The meaning of this is 10 that we should share whatever You many ask what all we have that is good and of this has to do with the mind. beautiful with others. Have your ever considered that Therefore, do not tell negative we often fill our minds with things to others because it garbage? Due in part to the pollutes their minds. Do not modern revolution in technology, contaminate someone’s mind our minds are exposed to an with your dirty thoughts or bad incredible amount of feelings. Keep your mind information on a daily basis. It peaceful and healthy. comes to us from many sources, Remember, a person with a including computers, television, healthy mind can digest newspapers, and a variety of negative things very easily; they other handheld gadgets. As always look for the goodness soon as anything happens in others. anywhere in the world, good or Do Not Pollute Your Mind bad, we know about it immediately. One can compare the mind to a plant. For example, When we see our even though a cactus may have friends, what are the topics we many beautiful flowers, it also discuss? Ordinary people has thorns. If you are not discuss events. Spiritual people careful, the thorns will hurt you. discuss ideas or ideals. It is interesting that the same However, when ordinary people soil, same compost, same water, discuss an ordinary event, they produces both thorns and make sure they let others know flowers on the plant. All the what they think about it. If this ingredients are the same, but is something you do, then be the result is different. When warned: this news that you caring for a plant, we can take found so interesting has already whatever garbage we have and polluted your mind and now you use it for compost to nourish are polluting the mind of others. the soil. By transforming the By stating your opinion, you garbage into compost and may think you are expressing putting it on the soil, it helps the truth, but you are only produce flowers, fruits, beauty expressing whatever random – not dirty things. thoughts come into your head.

11 There is a wonderful Whenever we become story about the time Lord Shiva angry, we not only contaminate drank poison. When the venom our mind but also the minds of from the evil serpent Vasuki others. Let me illustrate this threatened to destroy the entire with the following example. A creation, everyone prayed to man who worked in an office Lord Shiva for help. Out of had a boss who became very love, Lord Shiva told them, “Do angry one day and yelled at him not worry; no harm will come for no apparent reason. to you, I will drink the poison.” Because the man did not want However, when he drank the to lose his job, he suppressed poison, he did not completely his anger until he got home. swallow it. He held the poison Later that afternoon when he in his throat, and as a result, walked into the house, he his throat turned blue. Thus, shouted at his wife for asking neither did he take the poison him a question. This really in, nor did he let it out. This is angered his wife, but because what we should do when we she did not want a confrontation hear negative and harmful with her husband, she began information. Like Lord Shiva, scolding their daughter. The we should not take poison within little girl then began to sulk and us and suffer, and we should throw her toys across the room. also not let it out so that others Fortunately, toys do not react. are miserable. Live in such a Thus, the chain reaction stopped way that you will survive and there. others will survive, you will be Anger is such an intense peaceful and others will be and harmful emotion, and it peaceful. Furthermore, if you creates such an uncomfortable really want to be peaceful and feeling inside us, that we quickly improve your mind, have some look for an outlet to release it. good ideals. Be clear about Ordinarily, we take it out on your ideals, your goals, your other people, but sometimes, like objective. Do not pollute your children, we take it out on mind with day-to-day, inanimate objects, which insignificant happenings. It is a obviously is a little better than contagious disease, one that not taking it out on people. only pollutes your mind, but also Children, however, will often ask contaminates others. 12 the toy if it is unhappy with them Shriyukteshwarji’s story of the for throwing it—at least children goblin, and go up and down the remember that perhaps the toy well to keep your mind busy. is hurt. Ordinarily, people tend If you keep your mind busy, it not to feel that their misconduct cannot wander here and there. may have hurt others. If we That is why many holy people want to control our minds, we and yogis sing the name of God. should transform all the The masters often instruct their negativity we encounter into students to watch their breath compost, rather than carry in or teach other techniques for our minds, and then use it to keeping the mind active and bring love and happiness into alive. However, the best way the lives of others. Remember, to keep your mind busy in the every experience in life can help beginning of spiritual life is to us expand and evolve and every read about the lives of holy negative thought can be people. When you read about transformed into one that is a holy person, whether they are beautiful; however, this requires a saint, a God-loving person, or a conscious effort on our part. a social reformer, like Gandhiji, Being Lazy can make you Mother Theresa, or Saint crazy Francis, you will see how hard Some yogis say that to they worked, how much keep the mind disciplines and humility they had, and how controlled, one should remain many troubles they faced. You active. If you become lazy, just will come to understand that life sitting around entertaining is not just a fluffy dream where useless thoughts or dwelling on everything and everyone is how someone hurt you or wonderful and nice. You will angered you and how you can begin to accept that it is natural take revenge, you are only for life in this world to be increasing negative qualities challenging and difficult at within yourself by concentrating times. Why does it matter? If on them. Remember, a lazy you keep yourself busy and mind is a crazy mind. Don’t bring a little joy into your life, become crazy being lazy. Keep your mind will not go here and yourself active. If you have there and dwell on negative nothing to do, think of Swami things, which lessens the 13 likelihood of becoming reactive. become both the supporter and This in turn prevent you from counselor of each other. In this communicating with others in a way, many of their problems negative way. You may notice are solved very easily. In that when you are emotional, modern times, people are more you look for aomeone to talk alone. They often feel isolated to. During those times whyn and believe no one is interested you are upset and confused, it in listening to their problems. is best to just talk to a picture What happens when someone of the Divine. Do not think who lives alone has a bad day? you are only talking to a picture; When something happens to speak to the picture as if it was them, no one is there to give alive. If you love Jesus, them the sympathy and support, Buddha, or any other holy which would allow them to put being, keep a picture of him or the problem in perspective and her nearby. When faced with approach it with a healthier any trouble, look at the picture attitude. Instead, whatever of your Beloved and tell them happened goes on brewing what has happened and ask for within them. Although we live their advice. If you in an age of many communicate with a person who conveniences, modern life is not is healthy, stable, and so easy in many ways. supportive, that person will give Nevertheless, life becomes a positive, healthy solution. easier if one expresses one’s Human beings are social feelings to a spiritual being animals that love to whose love is unconditional, like communicate and interact with Jesus, Mother Mary, Krishna, others. or Buddha. Never Dealing with Our Problems underestimate the power of The beauty of family life faith. If we want to keep our is that when the husband and minds disciplined and controlled, wife return home from work, we must surrender to god and they greet each other and minds disciplined and controlled, dicuss what happened during we must surrender to God and the day. When they each keep some high ideals. It is interact in a genuine way with not necessary to discuss the their emotions and feelings, they things that happen in your life 14 with others if you are a healthy The man gave Tolstoy a person. One who is strong can very strange look, and said, “I easily digest their own problems. beg your pardon, Sir. Did you However, if you are fortunate hear what I was saying?” and have a friend, a mother, a Tolstoy replied that father, a guide, a husband, or a because he was speaking loudly, wife that you can share your he could not help but hear him. feelings with and get their The man became hostile and support, then that is good, too. said, “How dare you listen to It is not always easy to find what I was saying. I was someone you can trust with talking to God, not to you!” your heartaches and fears. Such support is rare these days. When we approach God That is why it is best to open we can share our innermost your heart to a master whom secrets with Him. “O God, You you love, like Shri Krishna or are my most treasured friend. Christ. You love me more than a mother loves her child. You accept me Leo Tolstoy spoke of an just as I am, and You forgive incident that occurred early one me when I am foolish. I can morning when he went to open my heart to You and tell church to pray. Upon entering You everything that is troubling the chapel he saw a young man me. When I do, O my Beloved, sitting in a corner loudly it gives me such great relief.” praying. Unaware that anyone You may say it is all just mental had come in, the young man was confessing to God all his play or imagination, but that past transgressions and asking does not matter. There is a His forgiveness. Because he relief when you talk to God: the was speaking so loudly, Tolstoy relief that comes when you could hear every word he was fully express yourself to saying. After he finished, he someone. stood up to leave and spotted You are fortunate if you Tolstoy who was also on his have someone you can trust to way out the door. “It is confide in when your mind is wonderful that you love God so troubling you. But as previously much you can openly tell Him stated, it not always necessary. all you have done,” Tolstoy said You can easily handle your own in a tone of admiration. mind if your watch your mind. 15 For example, when we notice someone watching me eat who that our clothes have a spot on lets me know when my beard them, we immediately apply needs to be cleaned? It means some soap to remove the strain. that it is difficult to see our own If the strain does not come out mistakes, so if we really want right away, we change our to grow, it is good to listen to clothes. Likewise, if we notice others who point them out. some dirt or a stain on our mind, There are two types of people we can immediately take steps who will point out our mistakes. to remove it. One is our bitter enemies who Become Aware of Your point out mistakes in a very Weaknesses destructive way. The other is In coming to the West, I our friends, those who really had to adjust using spoons and love us. It is especially forks during meals. In India, important for a married person we eat with our fingers. This not to think his her spouse is was not a problem for me until always trying to find faults and my beard grew long. Then mistakes in them. Instead, they eating with a spoon resulted in should consider that the other some food sticking to my beard. person is helping them become People sitting nearby would a better person. If we take whisper or gesture that food such things in a negative way, was there, which was my cue sooner or later we will begin to to clean it. Although this is a see everything in a negative very simple story, it has a way. In spiritual life, a teacher philosophy behind it. The or master may sometimes philosophy is that my own become extremely strict and mistakes are not ordinarily tough in pointing out the visible to me. If I am eating mistakes of their students. The alone, then no one is around to master that I lived with was a tell me food is sticking to my very kind and loving master, but beard. However, if I take a also sometimes very strict and moment to look in a mirror, it tough. He was tough only for will show me that food is there. the purpose of one’s self- What is the symbolism of rectification.

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16 Teachings of the Masters “The door of Kriya Yoga is open only to earnest seekers and sadhakas.” Mahavatara Babaji

“Forget your past suffering and troubles. If you set your mind on selfrealization and work towards your spiritual uliftment, you will receive immense benefits.” Lahiri Mahasaya

“Every day do regular swadhyaya coupled with meditation and study of spiritual books and scriptures.” Swami Shriyukteshwar

“One who is blessed with the eye of wisdom is free from all doubts, confusian and duality.” Sanyal Mahasaya

“By drawing and observing the graph of your mind, your can see whether everyday you are making any progress in your life or not.” Paramahamsa Yogananda”

“Make an effort to study the scriptures related to self-knowledge and to discuss the teachings of the Masters.” Swami Satyananda

“When your breath becomes very feeble, then you are really practising Kriya. You are established in truth.” Paramahamsa Hariharananda

“One must constantly endeavour to be perfect in every thought, word and action.” Paramahamsa Prajnanananda

17 MYTHS AND METAPHORS MAHABHARATA STORY OF KIND DRUPADA

Draupadi was the expectation) and the other is daughter of King Drupada, the sakama dhyana (meditation ruler of the kingdom of with material expectation). Panchala. His father was What type of meditation do we Prishata. Initially, Prishata did practice? not have any children. Swami Vivekananda was However, while meditating to born into a very rich family. He have a child, a celestial dancer was young and intelligent. His named Menaka came to him father was an established and he forgot his meditation. attorney, but he spent money in They had a child together, such a way that he had no whom they named Drupada. savings at the time of his death; Hence, Prishata went for he died in debt. At that time, meditation and, as a result, this Vivekananda was twenty years child was born. People go to old, the eldest of a few siblings, the temple and pray for many and had completed his things. There are two types of education with a Bachelor of meditation. One is Arts. After his father’s death, nishkamadhyana (meditation the family feared they might without any material desire or lose their house. Human 18 destiny is very mysterious. In somebody came and splashed modern times, to think of water on his face. As soon as unemployment is usual. But he became conscious again, he unemployment about 115 or 120 got up and went to Shri years ago for a young man like Ramakrishna and told him what Vivekananda, who was had happened. Shri educated, handsome, dynamic, Ramakrishna said, “Go to my and intelligent is beyond Mother and ask Her. Today is imagination. He could not find a special day so whatever you a job anywhere. Going from will ask the Divine Mother, She office to office, he requested a will give it to you.” job, but despite his efforts, all Vivekananda initially never was in vain. At home, there believed in idol worship. was no food. Whenever he However, that day he went to returned home, his mother the temple. He was member would try to give him food, but of a spiritual group, Brahmo he knew if he would eat food, Samaja, who believed in the his mother would sleep without formless God, and they made a eating herself. So he told her promise never to go a temple he had eaten and requested her or bend their body before a to eat and sleep. As a result, deity. Thus on the one hand he became very weak. One was his family, and on the other day, he fell down on the street hand was his promise. He and became unconsciousness. went to the temple, looked at He was thinking of his family, Mother Kali, and later narrated, thinking of maintaining his “When I went to this temple younger brothers and sisters and looked at Mother Kali, I and widowed mother. From knew that it was a black statue extreme prosperity, he suffered of stone, but to me, it appeared so much misery. as a living and loving mother In the meantime, he had looking at me and smiling. I forgotten Shri Ramakrishma looked at Her and bowed down, Paramahamsa, whom he had but I forgot what I came to ask met earlier. When there was for. I asked, give me knowledge, so much trouble in his life who give me detachment, and give was thinking of him? That day, me pure love. When I came when he fell unconscious, back, Shri Ramakrishna

19 Paramahamsa asked, ‘Did you was young and dynamic. ask my Mother?’ I answered Drupada and AcharyaDrona, that I forgot to ask. I told Her who later became he teacher to give me knowledge, of the Pandavas and Kauravas, detachment, and love.” Shri were childhood friends in the Ramakrishna told Vivekananda gurukulam. They were the to go again and ask. Three students of the same guru, times Vivekananda went and which made them brother- the same thing happened. disciples. Drona was the son Initially Shri Ramakrishna of a great rishi, Bharadwaja. scolded him, “There is no food But, even if one is a great sage, at your home and you are there is still every possibility of asking for pure love! What are having some weakness. One you going to do?” But after day, he had a weakness when the third time Vivekananda looking at an extremely beautiful came back. Shri Ramakrishna celestial nymph, and because of said, “Don’t worry. What you that, he had a loss of vital have prayed for, you will get. energy, which he then Your family will have simple preserved in a special container food and clothing. They can (droni). It is said that from live a very simple and humble that container, Drona was born. life. They will not have many In other words, Drona was not riches.” Shortly thereafter, born from a mother. Drona had Vivekananda got a job as a a few names: Ayonija, meaning schoolteacher for some time to “one who was not born form a maintain his family. mother” and Ayonisambhuta. When we go to the The father, Bharadwaja, temple, for what do we pray? became Drona’s guru. Under We ask for something or other. his tutelage, his son Drona and When we meditate, what is our Prince Drupada grew up. Both prayer? What is the purpose were experts in their studies of our meditation? and archery. Later on, Prishata went to meditate Drona became the student of with the hope of getting a son two great teachers, Agnivesha, and fell in love with a celestial who knew special warfare, and dancer with whom he had a Parashurama, from whom he child named Drupada. Drupada got brahmastra, which is a 20 divine weapon that can how many were lost? What eliminate everything in the was the reason for losing a creation. When Drupada friend? Never blame the other finished his education, he bowed person; rather, see what down to his teacher and said, mistake you made. Remember, “What offering can I give to friendship and love live with you?” The guru said, “No need recognition first of all. Drupada to give anything. I am happy could not recognize his friend, with you.” Drupada said, “Now his classmate. Recognition and I will go and take care of my acceptance bring more love and father’s kingdom. If at anytime, strengthen the bond of either you or your son, who is friendship. Another message of also my friend, comes to me this story is that no friendship for help, I will be there to help.” is permanent except one’s Then Drupada left. Later on, friendship with God and the he became the king. However, guru-preceptor. All other after some, he forgot the friendships or relationships are promise. temporary. The relationships Examples of Friendship with one’s family may be good, but still, they are not permanent. One day, Drona, Once there is a touch of power, Drupada’s brother-disciple, his selfishness, ego, and pride, friend and the son of his guru, friendships are gone. Where approached Drupada for help. there is friendship, such things Drupada, who was in power, cannot exist. forgot the old relationship and friendship and humiliated For example, look at the Drona. Although they studied in friendship between Lord the same school under the same Krishna and Sudama. They guru and spent so many years studied under the same guru, together, they could not maintain Acharya Sandipani, in Ujjain. their friendship. In this world, When they were staying many types of friendships are together, Lord Krishna, who difficult to maintain. We need was a divine incarnation, friends, but can we maintain the accepted the studentship in friendship? If you think back order to create an example. If to your childhood until now, how you are to learn, you have to many friends did you have and be a disciple, you have to be 21 obedient, you have to serve – of friendship increases in giving. and he did. Together, the two How can I go and ask?” When friends lived, studied, worked, his wife persuaded him again served, and went to collect and again, Sudama asked his firewood in the forest. When wife how he could go with their education was over, Lord empty hands to his friend. He Krishna returned to Dwaraka, wanted to take something to the most prosperous city at that give him, but there was nothing time, and Sudama returned to at home. Thus, his humble wife his village. Sudama lived a life went to a neighbour’s house of prayer and meditation and and brought back a bit of broken was very poor. During those rice (There are two versions: days, brahmins who took the some say she made puffed rice path of prayer, meditation, and from it and some say she a life of austerity never thought prepared flat rice) Then, in a about material possessions. small piece of cloth, they neatly One can accept poverty, one’s tied a little puffed or crispy wife can accept poverty, but rice. Sudama took the rice and when there are children, how walked miles and miles to see can one tolerate the suffering his friend, Lord Krishna. of one’s children? Therefore, According to one story the Sudama’s wife told him that he gatekeeper did not allow must consider their poverty and Sudama to enter but according the suffering of their children. to another story he was well Sudama said, “What can I do? received. I cannot go and earn money; it Lord Krishna embraced is not in my head.” His wife Sudama and told him to sit on suggested that he go to his his throne; then he washed his friend Krishna, whom he spoke feet and attended to all his so much about. She said that needs. Even Lord Krishna’s because Krishna was the lord wives, the queens, became of Dwaraka, the most jealous of this friendship. “So prosperous city. Sudama should much joy, love, and happiness! go to him to ask for help. What type of friendship is this? Sudama said, “The beauty of What is going on?” but Lord friendship is lost when you ask Krishna and Sudama were both for something, but the beauty enjoying reminiscing about their

22 student days: how they got up to forgive, the flame of jealousy early in the morning, how they and revenge keeps on burning, had cold showeres, how they and that is what happened to got water from the river for their Drona. He could not forgive. guru, and so on. Suddenly Lord When his revengeful attitude Krishna asked his friend, arose, he wanted to retaliate but “Surely you have brought how? Drona was a poor something; surely my friend’s brahmin and Drupada was the wife has sent something to give king. However, Drona had me.” Sudama felt reluctant to knowledge. Thus, he had a show his poverty after seeing plan to show Drupada that he the prosperity of Lord Krishna. was also powerful, and it is why Lord Krishna, knowing that Drona wanted to be a royal Sudama was hiding something teacher. He thought that if the in his armpit, pulled out the princes were his students he small packet, opened it, and would teach them and then tell started eating with so much them what he wanted as love and said, “So delicious!” gurudakshina, a respectful At that time Rukmini (Lord offering to the teacher, requiring Krishna’s principal wife) and them to anything he instructed. others snatched away the One day, the Pandavas packet saying that Lord Krishna and Kauravas were playing a could not eat all of it himself; stick game. In India, the they also wanted to have some. children play with two sticks, Indeed, that is what true one big and one small. They friendship is. The two friends hit the small stick with the big then slept in the same bed and one, and when the small stick spend the whole night talking. flies up, they hit the stick in the That type of love and respect air and small stick flies some is real friendship. feet away. While they were But in the case of playing like this, the small stick Drupada, he did not recognize fell into the well and was his childhood friend Drona and floating in the water. The little humiliated him: “Go away poor children ran to get it. Drona brahmin! How could you dare was sitting and observing the to call me your friend?” When little princes’ predicament as one is hurt and not kind enough they played. The children

23 asked Drona, who was an very smart brahmin. This is elderly man, for help. Drona how Drona was introduced and had some special grass, and became their teacher. Drone with the grass and a special was married to Kripi, the sister trick, he lifted up the stick. The of Acharya Kripa. Acharya children were amazed at this Kripa and Acharya Drona both feat. Seeing this, the children became the teachers of the reported to Bhishma and Pandavas and Kauravas Dhritarashtra that they saw a ***

Retreat at gurukulam for mothers

24 VALUABLE VOLUMES

THE LAW OF KARMA BY PARAMAHAMSA PRAJNANANANDA

COMPLEX KARMA other hand, hurting others in When we understand the thought, word, or deed intricacies of karma, understand continues to create negative the law of karma, understand karma with its vicious nature. the effects of karma and how To grow in a positive way, to it affects us from one life to cultivate a healthy mind, to live the next, and if we live a little in a healthy atmosphere, to live more carefully in the future, we lives of giving and forgiving – can grow very quickly. With if we sincerely try to live like love, with prayer, and with god this, our lives will change in consciousness, we will soon many beautiful, amazing, and advance and go forward. How unexpected ways. should we act if we want to God has given us human reach the goal? We need to be birth, and moreover, God has stronger, healthy and happy, and given us a desire to change our we must help others to be lives. If that desire had not healthy and happy. We must been instilled in you, you would live with a positive attitude, not be reading this book. God never polluting our minds with has given us a path to walk negative thoughts and emotions, along. It is our duty to learn never criticizing and judging how to proceed down that path. others. By doing good, we When you put his book down create good karma. On the and go back to your daily

25 activities, you must strive to be steady and balanced, or are perform sadhana (spiritual we affected by the practice) sincerely. You must environment, people, and make an effort to live with love difficult situations? and understanding. You must We are all God’s make your life easier, simpler. children; therefore, we should How is that achieved? This all grow. Let us grow with answer is easy – we make our love, with prayer, with lives complicated with meditation. Let us grow with complicated thinking. Many inner strength. Let us not times I ask people, “What is pollute our minds with negative easier, to smile or to be angry?” thoughts. Those who do wrong To be unhappy or to frown will surely receive the takes lots of preparation, but to consequences of their actions. be happy and to smile just takes Let us not judge others; rather, a moment. Those who have let us keep our eyes focused studied human anatomy and on what we are doing and on physiology tell us that when we our state of mind. Someone smile our muscles are relaxed. who speaks badly of others Conversely, when we are sad, pollutes their own tongue. Let unhappy, or angry, our muscles us avoid that behaviour. are tense. As a result, those Choosing the positive attitude, let us live our lives. who through life with a smile, who are always cheerful, lead Humble prayers lives that are much more Let our lives and relaxed and carefree than those activities be charged with love who are always angry and and prayer. Let us pray: complaining. It is our choice. O God, this human life is We might be wondering how Your gift to me. I understand anyone can be happy living in that my life and all that I modern society with myriad encounter is the result of my personal, family, and social karma. Day and night in the problems. If we always form of thoughts, words, and experience bad things, how can physical actions, karma is being we be content and balanced? created. Previously, due to ego, This is the test to see how I was involved in all these much we have grown. Can we activities, but from now 26 onwards I will become flowers and delicious fruit, in conscious of them; I will be a the chirping birds and the silent witness. Anything I do, I varieties of animals, in the will do with Your love in my majestic trees and tiny blades heart. Kri and ya – activity of grass, in the five elements. and divinity together. Your presence is both inside and O god, for so long this outside my house, and within heavy load of karma has everyone I meet, even those bothered me; it has made me who so foolishly treat others weary and created so much badly. Beautiful One, give me trouble for me. Now I want to the strength to love all, to serve unload it. Now I want to be all. Give me the strength to free. You have shown me the remember You in whatever I way to unpack my karma see, feel, or think. O God, bless through prayer and meditation. me; let my every moment be O Beloved One, I am Your spent in Your love. Please help child; please forgive my all my me. I want to grow, to be strong weaknesses. Give me strength, and steady, to live in knowledge, give me love. Whatever is gone to live in devotion, to do is gone; the past is finished, everything in love, without dead. This moment is in my attachment. In everything I hands, this breath is in my think and do, let me be free hands, this situation is in my from expectation. Whatever hands. Hence, I will spend the You have given me, I will use present moment in love. for a good purpose. Help me, O my Masters; be with me O god, bless me, guide always. I bow to you again and me, help me. I am Your child. again. You are my Mother; You are my Father. Cleanse me and Kriyamana Karma, the cleanse my life; help me to Present Action begin anew. For so long I have Like gravity, karma is forgotten You. For so long I so basic we often don’t even have been separated from You. notice it. – SakyongMipham That was my ignorance and the Life is action. Life and cause of all my suffering. Now action are two sides of the I see that You are everywhere. same coin. There is no action Your presence is in the colourful without life and no living being 27 can exist without action, choices right now. It is our consciously or unconsciously. creativity unfolding; it is our Action is the door to bondage free will. and also the key to liberation. We are so identified with Actions can be instruments for our bodies that all of our deeds, purifying the mind and for whatever we have done using peaceful living. Right action the body, mind, senses, or (karma) is the art of living, intellect, is kriyamana. The giving, and forgiving. body has ten outer organs and From time immemorial, four inner instruments, which yogis have looked at the are continuously working. The intricacies of life and karma. ten outer organs are the five Since ancient times, highly organs of perception and the advanced saints and sages have five organs of action. The five described three categories of organs of perception include the karma: what we are today, what eyes to see, the ears to hear, we have done, and what we the nose to smell, the tongue to are doing. They have explained taste, and the skin to touch. that all action can be The five organs of action include categorized as kriyamana, the mouth for speech, the hands sanchita, or prarabdha. for giving and taking, the feet Understanding Karma More for movement, the anus for Deeply excretion, and the genitals for pleasure and procreation. The Kriyamanameans ten organs of actions are on the “continuing or continuously outer part of the body. Day going on.” Whatever we have and night for hours and hours done since birth until the present we see through the eyes, we is a continuation of all our hear a lot, we speak a lot, we activities. Kriyamana karma eat, we talk – we do many is the karma presently being things. We also have four inner created. It is enjoyed at the instruments known as present time and also added to antahkaranachatushtaya: sanchita karma. It is a result mind, intellect, memory, and ego. of our thoughts, words, and We are endowed with ten outer actions in this life., or in the organs and four inner organs, inner worlds between lives. It and day and night the work is what we create through our 28 proceeds; action is continuous. be many? Being alone can be This is kriyamana karma. very nice; however, when we While some kriyamana look in the mirror do we not karmas bear fruit in the current feel a little bit excited, a little life, others are stored for the more cheerful and happy? Do future. Each of these types of we look at ourselves and think, karma can be divided into two “I look good,” or perhaps, “I categories: arabdha karma should look a little better?” (begun, undertaken, sprouting), When we are all alone, we are and anarabdha (not in a state that in itself produces commenced, dormant or seed a special inner joy. But when karma). Some of the we look in the mirror and there kriyamana karmas are stored are two, there is something as sanchita and some we enjoy more. God was alone; He wanted to play, so He became or suffer during our current many. A beautiful song in birth. Bengali is dedicated to the Desire, the Root Divine Mother Kali, “O Divine Moreover, any work Moher, You are singing, dancing, (action) that we undertake is and enjoying Your own song first associated with a desire. and dance (tumi, apni nacho Without desire there is no apnigaoapnidao ma action. This entire creation is karatali. sadanandamayikali.)” a creation of desire, a creation When I speak, the words enter of thought. God thought, “I will my ears. Consequently, when I create.” The Bible (Genesis) am talking, I am simultaneously discusses how God created. hearing. When I am singing, I God wished that there would hear my own voice, my own be light, and there was light. It melody. I enjoy my singing and was a thought, a desire. The speaking. While I enjoy my Taittiriya Upanishad (2:6) says, song and speech, I am blissful, sa kamayat bahusyam and this feeling holds true for prajayeti : “He thought, ‘I am everyone. Hence, God was alone,’ and He wished, ‘I will alone and He wanted to play, be many.”” Now the question so He multiplied and became arises: Why did God want to many. ***

29 THE YOGA SUTRA OF PATANJALI

Sutra 23 elimination of obstacles is Surrender to God known as the means of yoga. isvara-pranidhanadva The feeling of separation Word Meaning from the Divine is the cause of suffering. It is born of isvara – the Lord; ignorance. To eradicate this pranidhanat – surrender, false notion of separation and devotion; va – otherwise, to be free from such delusion indeed, surely is the main purpose of the path Translation of yoga. This path is the most Samadhi (concentration) effective and practical one. can be achieved through Ishwarapranidhanatva: devotion to Ishwara. Through sincere practice of Commentary by Shri Lahiri living in the presence of God Mahashaya and surrendering to the will of Through sincere devotion the Divine, samadhi can be and absorbed in god attained quickly. The word va consciousness one attains at the end of the sutra has a samadhi: dual meaning. The first Metaphorical Explanation meaning of va is “indeed,” In this sutra, the sage “surely,” or “certainly.” It explains the unfailing means of emphasizes the means, the love attaining samadhi. Yoga, in and devotion to the Lord. It is reality, is not a mere means, but the surest means for success. the ever-existing, eternal state The second meaning of va is of unity. Still, the sage, out of “otherwise.” It refers to an compassion, explains how to alternative. It can be explained eradicate hindrances on the as the alternative means to path of yoga. This explains how Sutra 1:2 (yoga chitta vritti to eradicate hindrances on the nirodhaha), but this is not the path of yoga. This process of real import of the sutra.

30 Pranidhanat is means “tolerance” or composed of pra + ni + dha “happiness”); vara means “the + anat: pra is “completely,” ni supreme,” “the great,” or “the is “without any doubt,” dha is adorable.” Thus, Ishwara is the “to behold,” and anat (suffix) Supreme Lord, the great Master implies “fulfilment.” Thus, who rules with the help of pranidhana means to behold shakti (inherent strength), and completely without any trace of a symbol of tolerance and doubt. Pranidhana can also happiness. be broken into pra + nidhana: This sutra for the first pra is “ultimate” and nidhana is “shelter.” Thus, pranidhana time introduces Ishwara (God). is the ultimate shelter or abode. Surrender completely to the Lord God, with all your heart, Ishwara is made of ish with all your soul, with all your + vara; ish or isha is the strength, and with all of your Master or the Lord (i means Shakti or “energy,” and sha mind. To love God ***

Jagannath Festival

31 STORIES TO LIVE BY POWER OF THE NAME OF GOD

There is a story from Lord Rama wondered, “Is it Ramayana that also illustrates really the power of my name the power of god’s name. The that is making the stone float?” king of Lanka, Ravana, So, standing at a distance, he kidnapped Lord Rama’s kicked a small stone near his consort, Mother Sita, and held feet into the ocean and the stone her captive in the sank. The stone with his name ashokavatika, a garden of on it was floating, but the stone ashoka trees on his island that he himself kicked in the kingdom of Lanka. Lord Rama water was sinking. Lord wanted to rescue Sita, and so Hanuman was watching this he set out with his army. But play, and he smiled and said, in order to go to Lanka, they “Lord, whoever is kicked away had to cross the ocean. In by you is sure to sink in the those days, the only solution ocean of the world, and one was to build a bridge across the who is embraced by you will Indian Ocean between India be free and liberated. The and Lanka. While they were stone you have kicked sunk, but all worried about how they the stone embracing your name could build this bridge, one is floating.” Thus, the Lord has among the group came forward given more power to His name. and said that he could build a floating bridge. He asked the There was an acharya others to start collecting huge born in South India who was stones and said he could make initiated by his guru with a the stones float, which he did. mantra; he was told that the Lord Rama was observing what mantra was very powerful and he was doing, and saw that he would give freedom and was writing the name of Lord liberation to everybody who Rama on each stone that he listened to it and chanted it. He was throwing into the ocean also warned him that if he and then the stone was floating. disclosed this to anyone, he

32 would be in bondage and would “What about you?” not be liberated. The disciple asked the guru. “I have warned immediately climbed up on the you about it.” roof and started shouting “Listen The disciple replied, “It everyone, listen to this mantra. doesn’t matter about me. Let This mantra is going to make so many others be liberated.” you all free.” He then started There is vast power in the name chanting the mantra loudly. of God. Hearing this, the guru rushed Although the names of out and asked him what he was God in different forms are doing. many, remember that God is The disciple replied, “I only one. God is one and am trying to liberate names are many, but that name everybody.” itself is so beautiful it brings great joy to the heart.

***

Prachi Parikrama

33 AROUND THE GLOBE ACTIVITIES OF PRAJNANA MISSION

With Paramahamsa Talking about the Prajnananandaji in residence, significance of the Prachiyatra, our Hariharananda gurukulam Guruji talked of the name Andha has been the hub of activity Kapileshwara and said andha through January - March. means blind and that each The year long human being is blind with celebrationsof the 125th birth dambha and mada – vanity and anniversary of our great guru arrogance. The yatra is to Paramahasa Yoganandaji were overcome these negatives .It is concluded with a grand said that we come across celebration with discourses and ekadashashabhus (11 forms of cultural programs at Lord Shiva) during the course Bhubaneshwar in Odisha, India, of parikrama in addition to in the divine presence of guruji. Kapileshwara, the source of Prachi, from where the The Annual Intensive parikrama begins and ends. The International Kriya Yoga river manifested her self at this Seminar was held from the 14 place and went east and so the – 20th of January. Many name Prachi. Kapila muni – disciples both national and sage Kapila considered an international attended the retreat incarnation of Lord Vishnu is to improve their sadhana and believed to have lived in Odisha receive the blessings of the and there are many Shiva Masters. temples where the Lord is The annual Prachi known as Kapileshwara. Parikrama followed from the The purpose of the th th 5 through 11 of February, parikrama, Guruji said, should where disciples walked behind be to discipline the 11 sense Guruji circumambulating the organs on the path to self holy Prachiriver from dawn to realization. One should not be dusk with an early morning restless, should be calm and worship and arati at the river continuing sadhana with limited banks. food, disciplined mind and be

34 goal conscious. During the GurukrupanandaGiri, Swami parikramasnana (bathing in the Gurupriyananda Giri, and holy river), dana (acts of Swami SamtruptanandaGiri charity), tapasya (penance) and coordinated by Swami homa (fire ceremony) are to be Girijananda Giriand other monks done. of Matruashram. Then followed The week long parikrama the inspiring message of Guruji concluded at Andha who expressed his felicitations Kapileshwar with a beautiful to the mothers of Matru ashram celebration of satsang and for organizing such an event. havan followed by Prasad. Conducted with Hindi SWAMI GURU language as the medium, the PREMANANDA MATRU retreat was well attended by JAGARAN SIBIRA mothers mostly from Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha Retreat Exclusively for who registered for the retreat. Mothers -Feb 12 -16 The program included a series In the Kriya yoga of discourses, guided lineage, for the first time a meditations and question retreat exclusively for answer sessionsand seva women was conducted. It opportunities. The highlights was a retreatby the mothers, were the discourses of guruji of the mothers and for the every morning about the pivotal mothersthat was held by the role of women in society and Matruashram monk mothers how best to play that role. using Hariharananda Excerpts from the Gurukulam, Puri as the venue. Discourses Titled “Swami “Guruji talked about the Gurupremananda Matru vedic system of four ashramas Jagarana Sibira” in memory of of Brahmacharya (student), swami GurupremanandaGiri, the Garhastya (house holder), theme of the retreat was Vanaprastha (retiree) and awakening of Matru Shakti or Sannyasa (monk) as a well creative energy. The thought out life style. He inauguration was held on the explained how the house holder afternoon of the 12th, in the stage is the root for the other divine presence of Gurujiwith three ashramsquoting a verse introductory talks by Swami describing and ideal household 35 sananda sadanam sutascha helps the husband on the path sudhiya of values, morality and ethics. kantanadurbhashini, Family is a temple of discipline sammitram sudhanam and sacrifice where each one svayoshiti ratihi ca ajnapara sacrifices for the other. sevaka Mother’s sacrifice is atithyam sivapujanam incomparable. Talking about the pratidinam mishtanna panam role and responsibility of the grihe mother in the family, Guruji sadhosangamupsate hi spoke of three words –Prakriti, satatam Vikriti and Samskriti. dhanyam grihastashrama Prakriti or mother nature ‘A good house hold is is the creative aspect of the onewhere the mind is divine. It is present in all of us disciplined and does not go to irrespective of the gender. Our other pleasures except between body, mind and the senses are the husband and wife, where all prakriti. God gave us the children are brought up well and body, mind and senses to be are intelligent, wife is not of an used. If prakriti is not used in arrogant nature, has good the right manner it could friends and wealth earned become vikriti–which is through just means, the servants aberration as down ward are loyal and obedient, is movement. For example milk is hospitable to guests, worships prakriti. If you leave a pot of god every day, has good food milk without using it gets spoilt and drink and always seeks the and is vikriti. Instead if you have company of the sadhus.” used the milk to make yogurt it The four fold goals of would stay longer but will also dharma, artha, kama and be spoilt after some time. If you moksha are pursued kama and could make butter out of the artha being within the yogurt and make ghee, it would boundaries of dharma and stay much longer. Samskriti moksha. means culture. Culturing the Speaking of the women’s milk makes it stay longer and if role in the family, Guruji said, uncultured it is spoilt. In our life the wife is known as dharma if we do not culture our body, patni or sahadharmini, who mind and senses it becomes 36 vikruti resulting in bad thoughts rest of her life in seva and and extrovert activities. sadhana and achieved supreme Who gives this samskriti devotion. Shakti, bhakti and or samskar to the family. It is mukti – courage, devotion and the mother.It is the mother who liberation are all referred to as is given the bigger responsibility. feminine aspects. A prayer in Taittiriya Upanishad If any one is successful begins with Matrudevobhava there is a mother behind that then comes the father.Mother success. A mother is should live with dignity , love and complete.In the presence of the compassion and others should mother negative qualities do not respect and recognise her. survive.” Women are not lacking The retreat had the in courage or strength. Our blessing of Mahashivaratri puranas have Kaikeyi, and celebration during the retreat. Subhadra who drove chariots The program also and Draupadi who questioned included visits to the Goshala Bhishma in the kurusabha. and Guru Mandir and had a During foreign rule double blessing of having Maha women were kept more indoors Shivaratri which was celebrated but we still have women coming on the 14 th of February as a forward during pre part of the retreat. independence days to take an The retreat was active part in the freedom successfully concluded on the struggle with dignity and morning of 16th of February. strength. Mahashivaratri Celebration After independence the at the ashram vikriti started. There is more talk about women’s rights but Mahashivaratri was duties are forgotten. Duties celebrated at the gurukulam in come first and then the rights. the divine presence of Guruji. God gave more responsibility to Swami Muktipriyananda Giri mothers. Shabari a tribal conducted the programs with woman left home on her the help of other priests and wedding day not tolerating the volunteers. sacrifice of animals for the The program started with wedding feast and spent the the go puja in the morning. 37 Gomata with her calf and Nandi function in a more dynamic and were worshipped and there was more productive way. a fire ceremony following the The question answer worship at the devamandir. session that followed was The evening program another enlightening session started at 6 pm with abhisheka where several questions were to Lord Shiva who was adorned answered and doubts were beautifully after each abhisheka cleared. and offered arati in the divine Inauguration of Organic presence of Guruji. Worship and farming Website at abhishekas, and bhajans and Kharagpur devotional songs continued all night. At midnight the traditional A video presentation hoisting of the lighted lamp to the about improving organic farming top of the temple was done as was held on the IIT campus devotees cheered and chanted attended by several of the and every one felt truly blessed. interested campus staff. Talk at IIT Kharagpur Several questions were raised about quality control, cost of On the 16th of February production and product pricing, Guruji addressed the staff and feasibility and other related students of IIT Karagpur on the issues. Speaking not only as a campus in the Netaji Auditorium. The topic was the spiritual leader but as an “Science of Breath.” The highly economist who has achieved scientific talk on the great goals and has studied the coordination between the breath problem Guruji answered every and functioning of the human question raised and encouraged brain was well received by the the project in all possible academic audiences. manner. The importance of Addressing them as the crème indigenous cow products as both of the society guruji lectured on dietary needs and fertilizers the importance of the science were explained and stressed. It of breathing and encouraged will not be an overnight change them to learn the skill of proper he said, but with hard work, breathing and the internalising commitment and positive of the breath for the better attitude it will be successful. functioning of the brain to over Guruji inaugurated the website come stress and fatigue and and then followed a dinner 38 where only organic vegetables constructed Shiva/Kali and and dairy products were used Guru Smruti Mandir that was for cooking. inaugurated last year, Foundation day Celebrations Yuktashram has grown into a of Yuktashram Bhishindipur- most beautiful ashram in a rural Feb 17-19 setting. The ashram also houses a school building for the ashram Yuktashram, Bhishindipur primary school – founded by gurudev Baba Hariharananda Vidyashram with Hariharanandaji and Swami classes from 1 through 4. Narayan Giri (known as The 2 day festivities Prabhuji) in memory of our included several satsangs, great Guru Swami initiation program, Siva Shriyukteshwar, celebrated the abhishekam and rudrahoma. 76th foundation day of the The children of Hariharananda ashram in the divine presence Vidyashram presented a of Guruji, Paramahamsa beautiful variety entertainment Prajnananandaji, president of program of dance, drama, Yuktashram -Swami music and poetry. On both Shuddhananda Giri and Swami evenings Guruji addressed the Samarpanananda Giri. Several audiences of the village other monks from the nearby numbering in thousands who sat villages also graced the in rapt attention listening to his occasion. inspiring and elevating discourse. Several monks and Guruji talked of how to make acharyas were also present the ashram their home and also from Hariharananda how to make one’s own home Gurukulam. With the newly into an ashram.

***

39 NEW ASHRAM IN AUSTRALIA

The temporary ashram at towards truth and knowledge Castle Hill, in Australia is now towards the ultimate goal. moved to our permanent ashram The first permanent kriya at 226, Macdonaldsroad, yoga ashram in the pacific area, Lisarow, a beautiful central coast at 226, Macdonald Road , location. Moving to the new Lisarow will be officially ashram happened on the day of inaugurated on the 18th of April, Saraswati Puja, a very 2018 in the divine presence of auspicious day in the Hindu Guruji, Paramahamsa Calendar also known as Vasanta Prajnananandaji and many other Panchami or Sri Panchami the monks and teachers. This would 5th day in the period of waxing also be the 3rd foundation day moon in the month of Magha . of the ashram in Australia . The day is considered to be the To celebrate this joyous birthday of Goddess Saraswati occasion, AKYA will be and is dedicated to her worship. launching a program of events Goddess Saraswati - is the — A Blaze of Spirituality — fountainhead of all learning and the likes of which has never art forms. She is also known as before been seen in our part of the Goddess of the fine arts and the world. Paramahamsa music. Through her blessings, a Prajnanananda will be joined by person can gain knowledge and Swami Samarpanananda Giri wisdom — she is also known and Swami Atmavidyananda as Goddess of truth. Giri who have both spent time Let us all try to practice in Australia in previous years, goodness in our thinking, speaking, and also Swami and acting. Let our lives be filled Matrukrupananda Giri and with love, compassion, Swami Sampurnananda Giri. To forgiveness, and an attitude of have the blessing of so many service. With the blessings of Kriya Yoga monks and teachers Mother Saraswati let us travel is a great spiritual feast.

40 Kriya Yoga Residential Swami Gurupriyananda Giri and Retreat 2018 Swami Sarvatmananda Giri. This As part of this program is a rare opportunity to spend a of events, a Silent Kriya Yoga few days with a realised master Residential Retreat will be diving into meditation and held from 12-15 April with seclusion, enlivened by spiritual Paramahamsa Prajnanananda discourse, and immersed in and all these teachers, including peace and bliss. our resident monk teachers,

New Ashram in Australia

41 Prachi Parikrama

Holi at Balashram

Special Gurupurnima at Gurukulam