Two Week Vedanta Course 2013 at Saylorsburg Gurukulam
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Two Week Vedanta Course 2013 at Saylorsburg Gurukulam The Two Weeks Vedanta Retreat was held Music. Kalpesh Jasapara taught Sanskrit from September 22 to October 5 at the classes. Lance Daniels conducted Yoga Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Saylorsburg PA. classes during the camp at the Yoga Studio. Approximately 80 students attended the camp. Pujya Swami Dayanandji continued teaching Nishta from last year’s course Prose (Chapter Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati taught II and III). The Nishta draws from various Nishta and Swami Tattvavidananda sources of Vedanta and it is in the form of Saraswati taught Bhrug Valli from Taittriya a dialogue between a Guru and Shishya. It Upanisad. Pujya Swamiji left for India on includes the concepts of consciousness, right September 26 to continue teaching the knowledge and the obstacles in realization ongoing Brahmasutra course. Swami of Brahman. It highlights the fact that a finite Tattvavidanandaji completed the remaining individual can grow into the infinite Upadesa Sahasri. Suddhatmaji conducted Brahaman. Swamiji highlighted the fact that the chanting classes and Pandit Mukesh time or space does not have any effect on Desaiji taught the Hundustani Classical self.Theself is pure consciousness. Everything 26 Arsha Vidya Newsletter - November 2013 in the Universe is evident to self. Suddhatmaji taught Vedic chanting on Knowledge is evident to self. That self is alternate days. He instructed the students you. Therefore Self is self evident. Every on proper way of chanting the mantras. goal or achievement is Tapas. Tapas are a The chanting included Bhrgu valli from supreme Sadhana for Moksha. It is Taittriya Upanisad and the changing the way to think about yourself. Purusottamayoga from the Bhagavad Gita. It is to understand that you are not what Pandit Mukesh Desaiji taught Hindustani you think you are. Tapas (austerity), Classical Music during the camp. The involves recognizing the contradictions teaching included raga Darabari in very between the Divine and the Samsara and popular Bhajani taal. It is a slow night raga. becoming free from the contradictions. Panditji also taught raga Yaman Kalyan, an evening raga in teen taal, sixteen beats. Swami Tattvavidanandaji taught the Bhrgu Additionally, Panditji presented Bhajans Valli from Taittriya Upanisad. The chapter every evening before satsangs. is in the form of a dialogue between Bhrgu and his father Varuna. The son asks his On September 23, a Carnatic Music Concert father to teach the knowledge of Brahman. was presented by Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi With the help of his father Bhrgu reflected and her brother Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishan. on different ideas about Brahman and They belong to the sixth generation of the finally arrived at the conclusion that famous family. The two artists are worthy Brahman is the Supreme Being. The of their illustrious father Lalgudi Jayaraman Vedantic knowledge included in this Valli and have received several national and is about the goal of life, the destination of international awards. They played various human being and the attainment of compositions including those composed by Moksha. Swami Tattvavidnanadaji Pujya Swamiji. It was a delightful concert. explained the concept of Kosas (Sheaths) and significance of the Annamaya (the On September 26 and October 2, Pradosh body), Pranamaya (the vital airs) and Pujas were performed at the temple for Manomaya (the mind). The Upanisad Lord Daksinamurti. stresses vratas to acquire concentration of mind. Vratas related to food are: one should On October 4, on the suggestion of Swami not blame food, one should not reject food, Tattvavidanandaji and under the direction one should produce ample food and one of Savithri Maniji, the students presented should not refuse food to a visitor or guest. a play ‘Nichiketa” based the dialogue The Pranamaya has five airs vital for life. between Nichiketa and lord Yama taken Manomaya is identified with the mind as from Kathopanisad. It was nicely done. the diversity of ‘I’ and’ You ‘. It helps The Priests Sri Ravichandran and Sri processing the knowledge. Swamiji Ganesan performed Pujas regularly. The explained various Upasanas. The Upasanas Kitchen staff provided excellent meals on help to control the mind. Japas (reciting time. Suddhatmaji and the staff, teachers mantras) are helpful in Upasana. Homa and volunteers worked hard to make the rituals are performed for pleasing the Gods. camp successful. The camp ended on Swamiji discussed other Upasanas including October 5, 2013. that of OM and Akasa. Reported by Arvind Bagal Arsha Vidya Newsletter - November 2013 27 .