THE DIVINE LIFE

Vol. LXXIV NOVEMBER 2015 No. 8

KATHOPANISHAD CHAPTER II VALLI iii Vm§ `moJ{_{V _Ý`ÝVo pñWam{_pÝÐ`YmaUm_² Ÿ& Aà_ÎmñVXm ^d{V `moJmo {h à^dmß``m¡Ÿ&&11Ÿ&&

11. The firm control of the senses, they regard as Yoga. At that time one gets careful, for Yoga is ac quired and lost.

(3) 4 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015

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SIVANANDA-STOTRA-PUSHPANJALI

(Sri Swami Jnanananda Saraswati, Sivanandanagar)

(Continued from the previous issue) H$méʶmbmoH$Omb¡ñgH$bOZM¶mZ²² {Z˶‘m‡mX¶ÝV‘²² H$mbwî¶meof{dÜd§gZ{d{hV‘qV {dídbmoH$m{^dÝÚ‘²² H$m‘mÚwJ«m[aqhgm{ZnwU‘Zwn‘m‘o¶{Xì¶à^md‘² gr‘mVrVmZwH$ån§ ö{X ^OV {edmZÝX‘mZÝX‘y{V©‘²²&&35&& 35. Worship Sri Sivananda, the embodiment of Bliss, who makes the whole world happy by his graceful looks, who has set his mind to destroying the sins of the whole universe, who is universally adored, who is skilful in destroying the enemies of desires, who is endowed with innumerable and incomparable greatness and whose compassion is limitless. bmoH$jo‘moËgwH$‘{daV§ ‘mZdmZm§ H¥$nmÐm©- bmoH$ñVmo‘¡a{‘VHw$VwH§$ dY©¶ÝV§ {ZVmÝV‘²² emoH$ÀN>oXo ^dJXOwfm‘wÚV§ {Xì¶^ì¶m- bmoH$d«mVñ’w$[aVdnwf§ lr{edmZÝX‘rS>o&&36&& 36. I worship Swami Sivananda, who is always keen about the welfare of the whole world, who, by his graceful looks coupled with a melting heart, is capable of generating limitless joy in the minds of the people, who is bent upon destroying the miseries born out of the disease of Samsara and who has his features shining with Divine splendor. (To be continued) NOVEMBER 2015 SKANDA SHASHTI MESSAGE 5

SKANDA SHASHTI MESSAGE*

(H.H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj)

Beloved Immortal Selves! inspired them and attacked the Skanda Shashti is the six days’ Asuric-forces. The Asuras were routed worship of Lord Skanda or Kartikeya. and the glorious victory gained by the He is the spiritual son of Lord Siva. Devas. Thus it was through the able Lord Skanda is worshipped with guidance and leadership of Lord intense devotion by a very large section Skanda that the Divine forces obtained of people throughout Southern India the victory over the demoniacal. and Ceylon as well. The inner life of the spiritual The origin of Lord Skanda, the aspirant is precisely such a constant purpose of His Avatar and its struggle between the divine and the significance is of much importance to demoniacal aspects in Him. The all seekers after Truth. During the seeker’s Sadhana is this determined battle between the Asuras and the battle against the Asuric forces that try Devas, the latter were defeated several to drag him down into deeper darkness times by the former. Devas were unable and take him away from his ideal. At to resist the onslaught of the Asuric times he becomes so totally helpless forces, Then in despair, they under the violent attacks of his lower approached Lord Siva and entreated nature that it seems as if all hopes of Him to give them an able leader under progress is doomed to failure. He feels whose heroic lead they might obtain that he has fallen never to rise again. victory over the Asuras. They But, let all Sadhakas take heart that surrendered themselves completely, the compassion and grace of the Divine and prayed to Lord Siva sincerely. The Lord is never failing. It will never let Gracious Lord granted the request by you down. Nil desperandum; should be creating the Mighty Divine warrior, your guiding motto for the eternal law Lord Skanda out of His divine power or is “darkness cannot stand before light.” Achintya Sakti. This great son of Lord Make a whole-hearted surrender at the Siva at once assumed leadership of the feet of the Divine even as the Devas celestial forces, organised them, surrendered to Lord Siva. And like

*Taken from DL 1947 6 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015 them pray earnestly with Bhav and importance of self-surrender, the sincerity. The Divine help will surely supreme efficacy of sincere prayer and come, and in your heart there will the unfailing compassion of the Lord. If spring up the routing torrent of Divine you try to surrender yourself to the Shakti. The Lord’s grace will become Lord with Bhav, He will at once shower manifest to you in the form of inner Grace upon you. Real prayer from the strength or soul force. This power is the bottom of your heart will not remain Skanda or the Kartikeya manifest in unanswered. If you obtain Lord’s grace inner being to aid you in your battle you will certainly succeed and against the lower Asuric self with its overcome all obstacles and devilish minions like passion, anger, annihilating forces and darkness that greed, jealousy, falsehood, deceit, can stand against you. There is no cruelty and thousand other aspects of force that can stand against the evil. No more are you helpless. The Supreme power of Divine Grace. descent of the Divine Grace with this Take shelter at the Lord’s feet. Pray Atma Bala, with this Skanda Sakti will to Him earnestly and invoke Him and vanquish all the undivine forces that obtain His Grace and Compassion. attack you on the spiritual path and Emerge triumphant and victorious. emerge triumphant and victorious. Attain the lofty and glorious spiritual You achieve your life’s goal. state of freedom, perfection and bliss. Therefore Lord Kartikeya is the Upon this joyous occasion of Skanda very embodiment of the Divine Grace. Shashti, when you are all celebrating He is the personification of the Daya the victory of the Lord over the demon, Sakti or Kripa Sakti of the Lord. The Tarakasura the powerful leader of the grace of the compassionate Lord when Asuras, remember these great Truths prayerfully and sincerely invoked and have courage. Surrender yourself manifests as such an irresistible afresh at His feet. Divine power that all Asuric forces fly away in terror at its mere approach. May the glorious Lord, Skanda The Lord’s Grace is the ultimate resort inspire you and infuse you with inner and unfailing support of all struggles spiritual strength! May He lead you all in the inner warfare of every one’s to victorious triumph against the spiritual life. The significance and the demons of nescience and worldliness. spiritual message embodied in Skanda May He bless you all. Avatara is the message of the supreme OM Santi Santi Santi * * * NOVEMBER 2015 BEHOLD THE LIGHT OF LIGHTS—THE ATMAN 7

Dipavali Mes sage:

BEHOLD THE LIGHT OF LIGHTS—THE ATMAN*

(Sri Swami Chidananda) Dipavali or Divali means a ‘row of ignorance, and attain full inner lights’. This festival falls on the last two illumination. days of the dark half of Asvina The screen that obscures the (Sep.-Oct.). For some it is a three-day splendour and the light of the Atman is festival: the first day is Naraka- called the veil of Ajnana or Maya. Maya Chaturdasi, the second is is Trigunatmika, viz., Sattva, Rajas and Lakshmi-Puja on the New Moon day Tamas combined, Ajnana is manifest and the third is Bali-Padya. The festival in the individual consciousness in of Dipavali is observed as the joyous three forms: Mala (impurity), Vikshepa commemoration of the victory of the (distraction) and Avarana (veil). After Divine forces over the dark ones. On the destruction of the first two, it is on this day, according to ancient the final piercing of the Avarana that tradition, Sri Krishna killed the demon all dualities cease to be and the highest Narakasura. In our own bodies, egoism non-dual consciousness of the Atman or Ahankara is the real Narakasura. alone shines there in all its radiance Kill this egoism through the sword of and brilliance. This truth is brought Atma-Jnana or knowledge of the Self, out to us by the battle between the and merge in Sri Krishna, the Supreme Atma-Sakti as represented by Sri Light of the world, and thus enjoy the Krishna and the demon Narakasura, spiritual Dipavali or inner who is annihilated in the end. illumination. The ultimate aspect of Ajnana Many Dipavali festivals have come (Maya) is nothing but the human ego and gone, and yet the hearts of the vast which continues to persist to the very majority of people are as dark as the last, and it is a prolonged struggle by New-Moon night. The houses are lit which the Sadhaka ultimately with brilliant lights, but the hearts are overcomes it and has Aparoksha full of the darkness of ignorance. O Anubhuti or direct realisation. The ego Man! wake up from the slumber of of man persists right up to the ignorance, eradicate your ego or threshold of Nirvikalpa Samadhi. We Ahankara (the real Asura), completely, are told that ever, in one of the highest and realise the eternal Light of the types of Savikalpa Samadhi, when all Soul, through meditation, and Vichara other aspects of Jiva-consciousness or enquiry, and dispel the darkness of are completely eradicated; the mere

*Taken from Divine Life Magazine 1964 8 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015 feeling of ‘I am’ (Asmita) persists. We assumption that the ego has now been learn from this that it is only when we completely removed. But to our begin to go deeper and deeper into surprise we will notice that the ego has Dhyana that certain obstacles, deeply always been there, that it has so hidden Vasanas and Samskaras of completely changed its form that we do bygone experiences, begin to make not find it in the form we thought of, themselves felt. In the first superficial but is in a totally different form which stages of meditation most of the deeply we did not at all recognise. Ego is the submerged Vasanas do not come up in first son of Maya, it is a superb actor. the form of Vrittis, because they are No vigilance is too much on the part of deep down in the unconscious of the the seeker, if he is determined to track individual. It is only when the down the ego to its last stand and meditation proceeds and becomes deep destroy it. that these hidden Vasanas suddenly The ego can deceive and enslave all spring up into life and begin to distract parts of the seeker, but not that part the inner meditation of the Sadhaka. It which is formally and wholly given over is the keen one-pointedness of the to the Divine. The Divine cannot be meditative mind, the absolute fixity of deceived. The only insurance against concentration, the Tivra Ekagrata, the the deception of the ego is a Brahmakara-Vritti which is generated whole-souled giving ourselves to the and held steadily that overcomes: the Divine, so that we become completely last attack of the suddenly aroused merged in the Divine and allow the hidden Vasanas, in a final assault. Divine to take complete possession of From the foregoing a great truth is us. For, it is the Lord alone who can revealed to us, viz., the ego is very hard ultimately overcome Maya. No amount to identify, to pin down, to catch and to of individual cleverness can ever be of destroy, for we do not know in what any avail in rooting out this product of particular form it actually persists. Maya, ego, because the very fact of Therefore, even the greatest of wise individuality is within the realm of people, the most earnest and sincere of Maya. Individual consciousness flows seekers and the cleverest of Yogis are, from Mula-Avidya (primordial too, often deceived by the different ignorance). While you are in Ajnana, forms and disguised shapes, which the you can never perceive its nature in all Bahurupi (all-formed) ego assumes. It its subtle aspects. It is by a complete is a master-strategist. We will be handing over of ourselves to the Divine looking for the ego in some particular that we shall be able to get beyond the form with a particular notion of its pale of our ignorance or Avidya. This is nature; but we will find that it is not a very subtle truth which will be there. And we will be caught unawares; apparent only after much reflection, we will be careless with a false Vichara. NOVEMBER 2015 BEHOLD THE LIGHT OF LIGHTS—THE ATMAN 9

One should develop keen Vichara Pratyahara, Dharana and Dhyana shakti (power of discrimination). stages of the Yoga way, where the Vichara is the greatest friend of the destruction of Ajnana in its finer aspirant, well-wisher and guide at aspects takes place. Again we are told every stage of Sadhana, right up to the in the scriptures that Brahma-Jnana is very end, until he is merged in not a thing to be acquired, it is Samadhi. Progressive aspects of finer something which is already there in us and finer Vichara Sakti are eternally. The only requirement is that indispensable companions to the the thing which obstructs it has to be Sadhaka on every stage of the ascent. If removed. the leader is given but the army is not The truth which the different united in its willingness to accept him, sacred observances and festivals there is bound to be dissension within symbolise is better understood and the ranks, and this will hamper the glimpsed when their scriptural smooth progress and outcome of the background is impartially studied. campaign. Even so, if the personality of Start regular daily meditation (those of the Sadhaka is divided against itself, you who are not regular, make a and there are some parts unwilling to resolve on the sacred occasion of accept the new implications of the Dipavali) and Vichara, and feel for answered prayer and the working of yourself the wonderous power that you Grace, these little parts can bring derive therefrom. This is the real power about a great deal of delay in the of powers. It will guard you from all progress, spiritual evolution and the dangers, give you infinite strength to expansion of consciousness. With overcome all obstacles and take you to Vichara Sakti constantly active, with the very pinnacle of splendour, power, resolution firm, with faith abiding and peace and illumination. deep in the Lord, one will have to pass O Man, Awake, Arise! Sing the through the critical stage; and once Names of the Lord. Worship and there is a total acceptance of the Grace meditate on Goddess Lakshmi, the and total surrender at the feet of the Abode of all virtues. Do Vichara. Turn a Divine, there can be no fear. Here it is new leaf in the book of your life. Light the play of the Divine, and the part of the lamp of wisdom in your heart and the individual is one of only a mute, dispel the darkness of ignorance—the willing follower. From now on the perception of name and form. Behold Sadhana proceeds on a higher plane. now the Light of lights, the Atma within Here the ultimate annihilation of yourself. May all men’s hearts be the ignorance is brought about. We illumined with wisdom! may equate this stage with the Sivanandashram, 10th October, 1964. * * * 10 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015

THE PHILOSOPHY AND TEACHING OF SRI GURUDEV

(Sri Swami Krishnananda)

Contin ued from the previ ous issue You see, when Sri Gurudev spoke like Gurudev was a great master, the that it was difficult for a person to like of which it is very difficult to see. As swallow these things, and we couldnot it is often said that the Bhagavadgita is help being elated and overjoyed at the the great gospel which Bhagavan Sri childlike affection which he showed Krishna himself lived in his life, and that towards us, together with the severe the life of Sri Krishna is a practical discipline. As he used to say, “I am illustration and commentary on the Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra combined. I gospel of the Bhagavadgita, so it may be shall create work, create opportunity for very beautifully and aptly said that The progress and prosperity in every way like Divine Life Society is the visible Brahma, and I shall take care of it like demonstration of the embodied Vishnu, but I shall also be a very severe personality of Swami Sivanandaji person like Rudra when the necessity for Maharaj, and he himself was the it arises.” And he was. Many of us found practical commentary on the ideal of it very hard to live like that, and at least divine life. 75% or 80% of the people left the ashram Thus, in the early morning of the 3rd because the discipline was too much, of July, 1948, a few of us gathered, and because, well, it does not matter if there for years our classes were at 4:30 in the was discipline, but there should be also morning. True to his word, Swami some kind of facility and comfort. But Sivanandaji Maharaj used to get up first, that was not there. It was only hard work before we got up, and he used to come for no recompense, no visible effect and peep into my room and say, whatsoever. One did not know where one “Krishnanandaji, 4:30!” and I would stood. But God’s grace was there on shake my head and wake up. He would some people, and a few had the blessing come and ring the bell first, and we of being in his physical company for would come afterwards. It was a shame years and learning from his personal life upon all of us that he used to come and and example rather than from teachings ring the bell; afterwards we made it a and books. point to come earlier because it was NOVEMBER 2015 THE PHILOSOPHY AND TEACHING OF SRI GURUDEV 11 painful to have him wake us up and then onwards we can say there has been sit and wait for us. When we came, another chapter altogether. Swamiji was already there. We would all The academy was called a weep, really, that though he was not a university, but people said we should not young boy and we were all young at that call it a university because ‘university’ time, he had to get us up. has a peculiar connotation and system of Four swamis were requisitioned to working which is impracticable here. give lessons on four subjects. I was to Then Sri Gurudev changed the name to give lessons on philosophy or Jnana the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy. Some said ‘Academy’ also is not good, but Yoga, Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj was Swamiji said, “It doesn’t matter. Some to give lessons on the Raja Yoga of name has to be there.” And occasionally Patanjali, Swami Venkatesanandaji was he himself used to give his message. It to give lessons on Karma Yoga, and was not that every day he spoke, but on Swami Harishanandaji Maharaj, who is special occasions he took the now in Barsana, was the professor of opportunity to give us a message of what Bhakti Yoga. Gurudev really behaved he meant by the Yoga Vedanta which like a student. Immediately after the was the subject of teaching. lecture was over he would go to his room The yoga and the Vedanta that and jot down all the points, write four Swamiji taught and lived, and expected poems on the subject, and sometimes a others to practise,was and is, as he was few articles as well. It was a very wont to say,‘the yoga of synthesis’. The educative period. yoga of synthesis is what he meant by This went on from 1948 and, to the term ‘Yoga Vedanta’. As we have digress, there was a new chapter of The the colophon of the Bhagavadgita, Divine Life Society from 1948 till the year brahmavidyayam yogashastre, signifying 1963. It was a period of expansion after the scientific foundation of knowledge this training that was given to inmates, and the methodology of practice— expansion in every department of the Brahmavidya and Yogashastra—we have Society. More and more people started the terms‘yoga’ and ‘Vedanta’ indicating coming, more disciples, more inmates, practice and the scientific foundation and more work was created. More of it. departments were instituted, and the Thought precedes action. Idea is ashram grew economically, physically, always precedent to the implementation socially, internationally, and also of a principle or a law. We think first, and spiritually. In every respect, I should say, only afterwards try to do something. This it went on improving until the chapter thinking is Vedanta, and the doing of it is came to a close in 1963 when Swami yoga. To do something, we have to think Sivananda passed away. From 1963 first as to what is to be done. Before the 12 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015 government of a nation starts working, it consequence of one’s action, deed or frames a constitution, the principles on practice is entirely dependent on the which it has to work. The background of extent of one’s understanding of the law, rule and regulation is first laid down basis or the philosophy of this practice. theoretically as the principle and the The relation between theory and theorem which is the grounding of the practice is not the relation between the various ramifications in the form of means and the end. It is something departmental activity, administration, much more. Or we may say, if at all we etc. So is the case with spiritual practice. wish to use this concept of the relation We cannot suddenly jump into doing between theory and practice, it is the something unless we are something,we relation between the foundation and the understand something and are educated building. The building alone is visible. in a particular manner. The foundation is not visible, it is This fundamental process of underground, but we know the theoretical, scientific education in importance of the foundation for the principle is Brahmavidya, the Vedanta building. Everything rests upon it. philosophy, and when we start living this Similarly, all practice is founded upon philosophy we are said to be practising the philosophical discipline which one yoga. Here, yoga does not mean the has to undergo. sutras of the Yoga System of Patanjali, The whole of the system which Sri nor does Vedanta mean the Brahma Swamiji Maharaj introduced into the Sutras, the Upanishads or the system of aims and objects of The Divine Life AcharyaSankara. Yoga is a general term Society is nothing but this Vedanta and that was applied to give a comprehensive yoga worked out in practice. There was idea of the theory and the practice of no such thing as a world for Swami spiritual life in its comprehensiveness. Sivanandaji Maharaj. In a small Vedanta is not a textbook, nor is biographical note that he wrote, which yoga a system of sutras. The Vedanta was published as “What Life has Taught philosophy is a universal discipline of Me”, we have his fundamental concept of the human system, the process of life given in a nutshell: “There is no world comprehensive education of the human before me. I see the Virat before me.” personality in its scientific spirit, and That was his philosophy; that was his unless we are trained in this scientific Vedanta. It was not the Brahma Sutras, manner to think correctly, we will not act it was not the Upanishads, it was not the correctly. One who cannot think rightly Rigveda, it was not any textbook. It was a cannot act rightly. Most people are simple precept. “There is no world for accustomed to the shibboleth, “Do, act, me. I see the Virat in front of me.” There be very active in your daily life and be can be no greater philosophy than this. working out something or other” but the There can be no scientific foundation for NOVEMBER 2015 THE PHILOSOPHY AND TEACHING OF SRI GURUDEV 13 practice other than this visualisation of “Oh, I see. So two horns have the Virat before the human eye, and this grown,” said Swamiji, gesturing to show philosophy was what Swamiji lived, what two horns. “Now you have got two horns. he demonstrated in practice, and what That means ahamkara, egoism, has he expected of his disciples. While the started. You want to be a learned man, a yoga of synthesis was the Viveka Chudamani professor.” He went implementation of his philosophy, the on haranguing on this theme, and from philosophy was having the visualisation the next day onwards the swamiji of the Virat in all bodies. He was fond of stopped going to Kailash Ashram. He the Purusha Sukta of the Rigveda: said, “It is not appreciated.” sahasrasheershaa purushah (P.S. 1). And The point was not that he should not his practice was simple, not a read, but unless we are properly trained complicated network of disciplines as for the purpose behind the study of scriptural texts, the study becomes seen in the Yoga Shastras such as the another horn to the one that already Hatha Yoga Pradipika, etc. He was not exists, as Swamiji said. That is, there is fond of books. As a matter of fact, in the every likelihood of a sadhaka slipping early days he was averse to the study or into the rut of self-consciousness, reading of any book. self-complacency, self-sufficiency and an There was one swamiji in the untutored, inadequate and immature ashram. I am talking of the very early notion that one has reached the pedestal days when there were only a dozen in spiritual life. Nothing can be worse people in the ashram, perhaps even less. than this for a spiritual seeker. We study Sri Swamiji Maharaj never encouraged the Panchadasi and the Chhandogya Upanishad, and then we think that the the study of books or reading of any only thing left for us is to uplift the world: kind. He said, “Do what I say. This is “Now I shall go around uplifting the your study.” One morning a swami world.” These ideas will suddenly come happened to go to the Kailash Ashram up in the mind of almost every seeker without the knowledge of Swamiji, and who originally comes with a genuine he was asking, “Where is this Swamiji? aspiration for spiritual practice and Where has he gone?” God-realisation. Spiritual pride is the We said, “He has gone to Kailash worst of prides. The pride of the worldly Ashram.” man is nowhere near the pride of the spiritual seeker because he thinks the “What for?” Swamiji asked. Nobody world is nothing before him; and because knew. So when he came back,Swamiji this was well known to Sri Gurudev by inquired from him where he had gone. sheer practice and observation, he was “I went to Kailash Ashram to study averse to any chance being given to Viveka Chudamani,” he replied. sadhakas to develop egoism of any kind. 14 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015

Swami Sivanandaji hated what he disciples who came from outside but to called the lip Vedanta of the everyone who was in the ashram. Mandaleswars or the scholars. Lip Swamiji lived and taught the Vedanta was also called dry Vedanta in Brahmavidya, the perennial, perpetual the sense that it has no connection with undercurrent of thought that life. I am quoting his own words and the God-realisation is the goal of life. Every way in which he used to put things:“ You discourse, every speech that he gave have read the Panchadasi and the started with: “God-realisation is the goal Chhandogya and Brihadaranyaka of life” or “The goal of life is Upanishads wholly, and you can God-realisation”. Many of his earlier expound the Brahma Sutras in an books would begin with this sentence: oratorical fashion, but you will be angry “The goal of life is God-realisation”; and with your cook because he put a little he would not tire of saying this. One can less salt in the dahl or there is a little less sugar in your tea. ‘What an idiot you are!’ repeat this truth any number of times you will say to the cook, and throw the and it would not be a redundancy cup. This is not philosophy, this is not or tautology or repetition. The goal of Vedanta, this is not the scientific life is God-realisation. This is the foundation of yoga.” This was the philosophical foundation of yoga practical instruction which Sri Gurudev practice. used to give untiringly not only to (To be continued)

REALIZE THE HOMOGENEOUS ESSENCE Listen to me, O ye children of Light! Hark! You are essentially the all-blissful Self: all-health, all-joy, all-bliss and all-peace. Never forget this. Forgetfulness of this essential nature brings the negative, undesirable state. Tap the source. Draw strength, power, joy and peace from within. Realize the Self within. Feel always that Flame burning brightly within you. See that Light shining in every form and name. Learn to recognize the unmistakable presence in every phenomenon. One who lives this way never strays away from the Right, from Dharma. He never loses the sight of the Truth. He never falls into darkness. Such a one never utters falsehood, for he knows the Lord as the Antaryami dwelling in the innermost recess of every being. He never commits sin, for nothing can be hidden from the all-pervading Lord. He ever does his duty heroically and courageously, knowing that the real doer is indeed the Lord who impels him to act upon this earthly Life. —Swami Sivananda NOVEMBER 2015 THE INNER GURU 15

THE INNER GURU

(Sri Swami Atmaswarupananda) Pujya Swami Chidanandaji constantly If the guru has an even more quoted Gurudev, and one of the quotes immediate desire for the disciple than he used to frequently make was, getting rid of the ego, it is to rub away the “Obedience is better than reverence.” ego to an extent that we can obey the Both Gurudev and Pujya Swami guru within. The purpose of the outer Chidanandaji had literally thousands of guru is, in another expression they devotees who were very dedicated to would use, to lead us to the inner Guru. them. But somehow what they seemed to The outer guru will let us go as soon as he can, as soon as he can train us to appreciate more than anything else was listen to the inner guru. But like an outer those who would obey them. guru such as Gurudev or Pujya Swami The difficulty that devotees of both Chidanandaji, the inner Guru seldom Gurudev and Pujya Swami Chidanandaji gives us direct orders. had was, to quote Swamiji, “I don’t think Sometimes it happens—in a very I ever heard Gurudev give a direct order.” strong voice the inner guru will give us In other words, if you wanted to obey certain instructions—but normally we Gurudev—and the same thing applied to have to listen. We have to want to give up Pujya Swami Chidanandaji—you had to our own will in order to follow the will of go beyond obeying orders and listen the inner guru. It is our choice. The inner carefully for suggestions that were very guru won’t force it. If we want to spend often, indeed perhaps usually, so birth after birth after birth going our own indirect that if you weren’t paying close way, the inner guru has all the patience attention—or if you didn’t have a real of eternity. It will wait for us to get fed up desire to obey—you would miss the with our own mistakes, our own way of suggestion altogether. doing things and finally recognize that Why is obedience better than our happiness and salvation is in being reverence? We can be very devoted to in harmony with It, with the inner guru. someone, serve them, offer them Thus, finally, our devotion, our financial help, be dedicated in all ways, understanding, all our spiritual without giving up one fraction of our ego. practices are to lead us to take refuge in As Pujya Swami Chidanandaji said, “The the Lord—to take refuge in the inner only purpose of the guru is to get rid of guru, to obey the inner guru with all our the ego of the disciple,” and obviously heart, to be silent and listen to the inner giving obedience to another person is a guru, to constantly refer ourselves to the hammer blow to our ego, which always inner guru—until we finally recognize wants to remain in charge of our life. that we are the inner Guru. * * * 16 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015

STRESS ON ANCIENT VALUES

(Smt. Savitri Asopa, University of Jodhpur) IT was the 14th of March 1954. I had It was on Bhakti-Yoga. Three things Darshan of Sri Swami Sivanandaji impressed me the most and revealed to Maharaj in his office at Sivananda me the values dear to him. “If you have Ashram, Rishikesh. It was the most a spiritual aspiration and if you have thrilling and invigorating event of my got a great Guru and if you are born in life. Gurudev distributed coconut Bharatavarsha, consider yourself to be bis cuits that day. It was my favourite most lucky.” “When God wants to draw sweet. Then a handful of it Sri Gurudev a person towards Him, He destroys all gave to one of his disciples to take to Sri the pleasure-centres.” “In our ancient Swami Chidanandaji. That was my Guru-disciple tradition, the best first introduction to Chidanandaji—of instruction given to the disciple course, in absentia. Thereafter, I is—Mother is God; Father is God; Guru noticed that Sri Gurudev often is God; Guest is God.” remembered or referred to or sent What else Chidanandaji talked of something to Swami Chidanandaji. I that day I am not able to recall, but the wondered who the invisible Sannyasin message of his theme clearly whom I had not seen till then and of was—Blessed are those that are born whom Gurudev thought so often, could in Bharatavarsha, twice blessed are be. With my simple logic I could infer those that are endowed with an abiding that since Swami Chidanandaji was spiritual aspiration and thrice blessed near and dear to Gurudev’s heart, are those that have gone about and Gurudev too must be very dear to Sri gained a great Guru. His message went Swami Chidanandaji. By and by I came straight to the heart. It was spoken in upon the conviction that Sivananda all humility and simplicity. There was dwelt in Chida nandaji’s heart and neither artifice nor ornament. He Chidanandaji in Sivanandaji’s heart. spoke from the depth of his heart and My inference was simple enough, his innermost being was out in the based on the so very simple law of open. The appeal was irresistible and devotion. I was therefore keen to see the message moving. The style was this great Yogi and devotee. elevating, the substance spiritual. I soon had an opportunity. He There was a sort of inevitability and delivered a lecture in the Bhajan Hall. urgency about the message. No more NOVEMBER 2015 STRESS ON ANCIENT VALUES 17 the pitiless spectacle of the spirit Sri Swami Chidanandaji has the willing and the flesh faltering. Moksha most versatile personality. That is is my destiny and I must attain to it. Sivananda’s stamp on him. I have seen There was the same sort of agony about him worshipping idols and feeding Chidanandaji as with the Awakened sweepers with equal Bhava. If anyone One vowing on the threshold of Nirvan is in trouble in the Ashram, straight he that he would not enter into it till the would go to Chidanandaji. For the last soul on earth had been redeemed. latter, Seva is Sadhana’s starting I remember, in another lecture, point. He would serve the ailing animal Chidanandaji said, “When God calls and the oozing leper with the utmost you, He will call you through the path divine Bhava. Per haps he sees God in of sorrow”. Our spiritual literature has them. They, surely, find him to be their always considered sorrow to be the God. He can render first-aid and at the best eye-opener. Sri Swami same time crack a joke. He can Chidanandaji conveyed the message of entertain guests with the utmost hope hidden in sorrow. He says, hilarity and also preach with intensity “Always welcome sorrow”. and profundity as the occasion arises. The mark of success in any path, says Chidanandaji is never, never tired Sri Swami Sivanandaji, is of telling us that our spiritual heritage cheerfulness. Chidanandaji is ever is the highest and the loftiest and that cheerful. He always says, “Why worry? we should ever be drawing upon it. The Everything happens according to cultural climate of Bharatavarsha, as Divine Will. Know this and be happy”. bequeathed to us by our Rishis of yore, That is why Chidanandaji has never is the most suitable soil for salvation. failed or faltered, whatever the So says Sri Swami Chidanandaji often. occasion. He would joyfully do any type The jeweller alone knows the worth and of work. He can feed, cook, sing, sweep, value of a precious gem. The ignorant meditate and meditate, all with equal cannot distinguish between the real ease. He believes in the simplest of and the artificial. living and the highest of thinking. His Sri Swami Chidanandaji lays all philosophy is more and more of the stress upon the reawakening of our practice and less and less of theory. He ancient values. He lays all the is the harbinger of a better new world emphasis upon cultural purity. He fashioned in accordance with our says, “As is the culture, so is the man”. ancient spiritual values. He himself Culture is everywhere the cause of lives up to them and makes us see that destiny—be it of the individual or of the spiritual values are living realities, not race. just a chimera in closed books. * * * 22 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015

THE PROTECTOR AND THE DESTROYER

(Swami Ramarajyam) The childhood name of Lord In the meantime, Devadatta, his Buddha was Siddhartha. One day cousin, came there and said, “Give Siddhartha was strolling in his me this swan. I have shot it.” garden. Up in the sky a flock of swans Siddhartha gave him a sad look was flying. All of a sudden, he noticed and asked, “Is it you, who wounded a swan falling from the sky. He this creature? Didn’t you feel any pity screamed and ran to the place where for this mute bird?” the swan had fallen into thorny “Do not blabber about things like bushes. He found that an arrow had pity. I have shot the bird. Hand it over pierced the body of the swan. This to me,” said Devadatta. sight brought tears to his eyes. He Siddhartha replied, “Don’t you took out the arrow from the body of know that ‘the protected’ belongs to the swan and poured a few drops of the protector as of right, and not to water in its mouth. Thereafter he the one who tries to cause it pain. Go away. I will not hand the swan over to plucked some green leaves and you. I have protected it. It belongs to applied their extract on the wound. me by right.” This alleviated the pain of the swan Devadatta hanged his head in and it opened its eyes. shame. He left without uttering a Siddhartha felt relieved to notice word. that the condition of the swan had improved. He pierced his own wrist Dear children! A living creature, with the arrow. He felt intense rightfully, belongs to the one who pain. He said to himself, “This arrow gives birth to him, nourishes him and must have caused great pain to the protects him and not to the one who swan.” tries to destroy him. * * * NOVEMBER 2015 NEWS AND REPORT 47

Blessed Atman, Om Namo Narayanaya Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya 24th September 2016 marks the sacred day of Birth Centenary of Beloved and Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj. The Jayanti Celebrations of the saints are indeed the blessed occasions to remember their inspiring lives and re-affirm our dedication to the lofty and sublime ideals which they have placed before us. To commemorate this auspicious occasion, the Headquarters Ashram and the Divine Life Society Branches all over the world are organizing various programmes. As we have entered into the Birth Centenary Year of Worshipful Sri Swamiji Maharaj, I would like to share with you all the General Guidelines given to The Divine Life Society Branches published in the July, 1986 issue of the Divine Life magazine for the Centenary Year Celebrations of Sadgurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj (8th September 1986 — 8th September 1987). These guidelines epitomize Sadgurudev’s cardinal mottoes of Serve, Love and Give. Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj’s life has been a glorious and inspiring saga of intense devotion to the Lord and self-sacrificing and loving service of His suffering children especially the destitute, distressed and the lepers. Therefore, these guidelines become a blueprint for all of us for undertaking suitable projects and programmes during Pujya Sri Swamiji Maharaj’s Centenary Year i. e. 24th September 2015 to 24th September 2016. By following these guidelines, we would indeed be offering our real tributes to the sacred memory of Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on the blessed occasion of his Birth Centenary. May the divine grace of the Lord Almighty, Sadgurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj be upon all. Yours in the service of the Lord

Swami Vimalananda President 48 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015

GENERAL GUIDELINES TO THE BRANCHES OF THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY FOR THE CENTENARY YEAR CELEBRATIONS The year-long celebrations should focus on either one or more of the following cardinal objectives for which Worshipful Gurudev strove all his life: 1. Feed the hungry 2. Clothe the naked 3. Nurse the sick 4. Uplift the fallen 5. Disseminate spiritual knowledge and unfold the spirituality latent in man. 1. Distribute food, clothing, medicines etc. for the poor and needy on 8th of every month, by the members individually or collectively. 2. Visit nearby leprosy centres or orphanages or destitute homes and arrange to give them food, clothing, books etc. and have Satsanga with them, at least once a month. 3. Visit in small groups hospitals to help the poor, disabled or lonely patients, to boost up their morale, by talking to them and giving them flowers and fruits and distributing Gurudev’s literature. 4. Arrange free medical camps in rural areas in collaboration with service-oriented and philanthropic organizations and help those stricken by natural calamities and give educational and medical aid to the poor and deserving. 5. Arrange as many public meetings and Satsangas as possible in different parts of the town and also in educational institutions, to popularise the life and teachings of Gurudev. 6. Arrange Yoga Asana classes and spiritual discourses in schools, colleges, clubs etc. and distribute literature and books free, on or by Gurudev, in order to develop spiritual awareness and high moral standards in the students and members of social institutions. 7. Popularise “Prabhat Pheris” with Gurudev’s portraits, preferably every Thursday or the 8th of every month. Each and every member of the Branch should identify himself as the ‘Ambassador’ of Gurudev’s Divine Life Organisation and strive to keep up the highest ideals of truth, integrity and utmost ethical standard both in personal and public life. The ultimate aim of every Branch should be to carry the message of Service, Love, Charity, “Be Good, Do Good”, to every house, where a DLS Branch exists. NOVEMBER 2015 NEWS AND REPORT 49

SEVA THROUGH SIVANANDA HOME ‘Sivananda Home is a Center for the recognized, she felt, she empathized and loving care of the destitute and the dying she acted accordingly. people who are found by the roadside, Another younger gentleman, who with no one to care for: the people who are was found at the side of the road, at the home-less, temporary or permanent, fell edge of a deep ravine, where he was sick, got lost or were abandoned. sitting right at the boundary to slip off. (Swami Chidananda) He was brought to the home and started Salutations to them who silently talking only a few weeks later, how he bear hardships, who do not protest or was sent out of the house, after he lost revolt, but who have learnt to tolerate his job at a ration shop, all the way from and accept. Salutations to them, who Bihar he had come. Not more could he have put their lives at the feet of the tell, and his face was without much Almighty One, who do not let a sound expression. He settled in with the other come from their lips, come what may. inmates and attended the daily satsang New patients were admitted this in the Mandir. Every day one can see his month, who invoked this picture, this face lighten up, bit by bit, moment by image in our mind. Being a woman, with moment. just a towel over the head, and a kind of More than anyone, they know. They bedsheet to cover herself. But she did not know what patience means, they know complain, she did not demand, she what is means to stand on the cliff, right hardly talked, she just bore her fate and at the edge, having lost everything adjusted with all the other inward material, having lost everything what residents and patients. Not even a bag or once mattered. And it remains a miracle a jhola she had with her, not a single that in spite of this condition, nay maybe thing. And in her nothingness and thanks to this condition, that they are quietness she even recognized the pain wide awake, vigilant and alive. That we of fellow ones, tried to console them, who might be forgiven for being blind, in spite cried, gave a helping hand to them who of having eyes and for being deaf, in spite could not see, and covered them up, who of having ears. Praying to the Lord were cold and weary. Such greatness she Almighty to shower His Mercy upon one showed in overcoming her own sorrow, and all, and to help us to keep our minds in seeing beyond her personal pain, and always cool and our hearts ever warm. stretching herself out, as a worthy Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. instrument of His Love. “Let us behold Thee in all these She had overcome herself. She had names and forms. Let us serve Thee in all not forgotten. But she had forgiven. And these names and forms. Let us ever she could go on with her life. She did not remember Thee. Let us ever sing Thy carry any burden with her, neither of glories. Let Thy Name be ever on our lips. clothes or materials, nor was heavy Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever.” loaded with grief from her past. She (Swami Sivananda) 50 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015

CULTURAL TOUR OF H.H. SRI SWAMI NIRLIPTANANDAJI MAHARAJ H.H. Sri Swami Nirliptanandaji Nischalananda Saraswati Maharaj Maharaj, Vice-President, DLS presided over the inaugural function of Headquarters, went on a cultural tour in the Mahotsav on 25th evening. Parama September, 2015. Pujya Sri Swami Tejomayananda On 11th September Swamiji Saraswati Maharaj, Head, Chinmaya Maharaj attended the meeting of the Mission Worldwide, attended the Trust Board of Swami Sivananda valedictory session on 27th evening as Memorial Institute, East Punjab Bag, the Chief Guest. Hon’ble Chief Minister New Delhi, of which he is the Chairman. of Odisha, Sri Naveen Patnaik and Then Sri Swamiji proceeded to Hon’ble Minister of State, Govt. of India, Odisha on 17th September, and visited Sri Dharmendra Pradhan, were the Chief Sivananda Centenary Boys’ High School, Guests respectively on 26th and 25th Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, of which he September evening. The Celebrations is the President of the Managing were also attended by Parama Pujya Sri Committee. Swamiji had some Ramdev Maharaj, as Chief Guest on 26th discussion on various aspects of the and as Guest of Honour on 25th. School and attended to some important Parama Pujya Baba Chaitanya matters. Charan Das Maharaj and Pujya Sri On 21st September Swamiji Prasad Harichandan, President Odisha Maharaj visited Chidananda Tapovan Pradesh Congress Committee, were the Shanti Ashram, Baliguali, Puri. Chief Guests on 27th and 26th In that Ashram there was a function respectively, in other sessions. Parama on 24th September, the Birthday of Pujya Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji Pramapujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, Spiritual Head, Kriya Yoga Maharaj. Sri Swamiji participated in the International, Puri, Venerable P. programme and also spoke on the Seewalee Thero, Chief Monk, Mahabodhi occasion, addressing the devotees who Society of India, Kolkata, Revered Father had assembled from various parts of Anselm Francis, Spiritual Director, Odisha as also from outside. Khristo Jyoti Mahavidyaloyo, Sason, Swami Chidananda Janma Samani Malayapragyan, Jain Shatabarshiki Samiti, Odisha, was Terapanth, Cuttack, Brother Shakeel having the State-level Celebrations Ahmed, IQRA Research Academy, commemorating the Birth Centenary of Cuttack, Gyani Sukhdev Singh, Head Parama Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Granthi, Gurudwara, Cuttack, Parama Maharaj, from 25th to 27th September, Pujya Sri Swami Atmaprabhanandaji at Puri. Sri Govardhan Peethadhishwar Maharaj, President, Ramakrishna Math, Parama Pujyapad Jagadguru Bhubaneswar, Param Pujya Sri Shankaracharya Srimad Swami Lokanath Swami Maharaj, Regional NOVEMBER 2015 NEWS AND REPORT 51

Head, Western India, ISKCON, also conducted Pratah Prarthana in the Pandharpur, Parama Pujya Sri Swami morning. Satyaprajnanda Maharaj, Founder More than 5000 delegates had President, Viswatma Chetana Parishad, participated in the Mahotsav. Besides, a Bolangir, and other Saints and huge number of devotees were also dignitaries also attended the attending the different sessions, Celebrations as Guests of Honour on including the general public whose different days. Parama Pujya Sri Swami number was also very appreciable, being Advaitanandaji Maharaj, Chairman, in thousands. Swami Chidananda Birth Centenary It was a very grand function and was Organising Committee, DLS Hqrs. a grand success in every way. The Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh also Mahotsav was very well organized by attended the Mahotsav as a Guest of Swami Chidananda Jnama Honour on 25th and also presided over Shatabarshiki Samiti, Odisha. The the Forenoon and Afternoon Sessions on Samiti was very well led, directed and 26th and 27th. spear-headed by Pujya Gajapati The Mahotsav was having Pratah Maharaja Sri Dibyasingha Deb as its Prarthana and Yoga Sadhana in the Chairman, who took immense pains and morning. It had different topics for put in untiring efforts, and meticulously different other sessions such as, “Swami looked into every minute detail all along Sivananda, Swami Chidananda and The for its preparation and from beginning to Divine Life Society”, “God-realisation— conclusion. Our grateful thanks to the The goal of human life”, “Swami Shatabarshiki Samiti, Odisha, its Sivananda and his mission”, “Universal Chairman Pujya Gajapati Maharaja, and brotherhood and harmony”, “Spirituality all the office-bearers and organizers and in daily life”, “Swami Chidananda”, and devotees who made all this possible, and “Vedic renaissance for a better world”. also hearty congratulations to all of them Parama Pujya Sri Swami Ramdevji for making the function so grand and so Maharaj conducted the Yoga Sadhana successful. It provided great inspiration on 26th and 27th. to all concerned, made everybody happy, Pujya Sri Swami Nirliptanandaji was immensely beneficial to all Maharaj attended the Mahotsav on all spiritually and had a very great general the days. Sri Swamiji was a Guest of overall impact. Honour in the inaugural session on After the Mahotsav at Puri, Swamiji 25th, and he presided over the evening Maharaj attended the meeting of the sessions on 26th and 27th which were Managing Committee of Sivananda having respectively the topics “Universal School at Bhubaneswar on 2nd October, brotherhood and harmony” and “Vedic and also interacted with the students in renaissance for a better world”. Swamiji their evening prayer session on 1st and Maharaj also gave discourses in these 2nd October and answered their sessions. On 26th and 27th Sri Swamiji questions. 60 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015

42nd TELUGU DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY SPIRITUAL CONFERENCE & H.H. SRI SWAMI CHIDANANDA BIRTH CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 17th – 19th JANUARY 2016, at KARIMNAGAR, TELANGANA STATE

By the grace of Worshipful Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj , under the aegis of Birth Centenary Celebrations of Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, the 42nd Divine Life Society Spiritual Conference will be held from 17th to 19th January 2016, at Karimnagar, Telangana State.

The Conference will be blessed by Senior monks from Headquarters and saints and scholars from other institutions. Devotees from all the Branches of the Divine Life Society are cordially invited to participate in the Conference aimed at dissemination of spiritual knowledge.

Delegate fee for participation in the Conference will be `150/- per person inclusive of food and accommodation, which may be sent by DD/Cheque in favour of “ The Divine Life Society, Karimnagar Branch”.

The last date for registration/enrollment is 31-12-2015. Delegate fee along with the Registration Form has to be sent to:

Sri Kamarapu Rameshwar, MIG II No. 99, H.No. 5-7-126, Housing Board Colony, KARIMNAGAR, Telangana-505001

For Registration and Information please contact:

1. Prof. Kasireddy Venkat Reddy, Convenor 0 9866956250

2. Sri U.V. Raghuram Reddy, President, DLS Karimnagar 0 9390086643

3. Sri M. Janardhan Reddy, co-ordinator 0 9868167729

4. Sri G. Sai Babu, co-ordinator 0 93940 05462

—The Divine Life Society * * * NOVEMBER 2015 NEWS AND REPORTS 63

REPORTS FROM THE D.L.S. BRANCHES INLAND BRANCHES Puja, and chanting of Vishnu Aska (Odisha): Daily morning Sahasranam, and there was an essay and evening Puja, weekly Satsang writing and Gita chanting every Thursday and Paduka Puja on competition arranged for students. 8th and 24th of every month are the Punyatithi Aradhana of H. H. Sri regular programmes of the Branch. Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj was There was a special Satsang from 1st observed on 11th. Around 400 to 7th August at the residence of a patients received treatment through devotee. Chidananda Health Centre. Ambala (Odisha): Regular Bangalore (Karnataka): The Satsang was held on every Sunday. Branch conducted Satsangs on Sri Krishna Jayanti was celebrated Sunday and Thursday with Paduka on 5th September with chanting of Puja, Swadhyaya from Gurudev’s “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”. books, recitation of Guru Gita and 128th Birthday of Sadgurudev Sri distribution of free literature. 128th Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and Birth Anniversary of Gurudev Sri 99th Birthday of worshipful Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj were 99th Birthday of Worshipful Sri celebrated respectively on 8th and Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj were 24th September. Free Jala seva and celebrated respectively on 8th and Homeopathy Dispensary continue to 24th with Bhajans, discourses on serve the people. Bhagavad Gita and audio visual Balangir (Odisha): The Branch teachings of Sri Swami Chidanandaji continued daily Paduka Puja, Yoga Maharaj. They were concluded with classes and weekly Satsangs on Arati. Saturday and Thursday. Sri Krishna Barbil (Odisha): The Branch held Janmastami was celebrated on 5th weekly Satsangs on Thursday and September. Birth Anniversaries of mobile Satsangs on Monday. Around Sadgurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji 545 patients had free Homeopathic Maharaj and H. H. Sri Swami treatment through Sivananda Chidanandaji Maharaj were Charitable Dispensary. Sadhana day celebrated in September with Paduka was observed on 24th of every month. 64 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015

Balvihar classes continued every Centenary Celebration of Pujya Sri Sunday. Sri Krishna Janmastami Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, the was celebrated on 5th September. Branch organized 3days (18th to Bargarh (Odisha): The Branch 20th September) special Satsang. had Rudrabhishek on Mondays, Chandigarh: The Branch Guru Paduka Puja on Thursday, organized a Yoga Shivir at Satsang every Saturday and Panchakula from 15th to 23rd recitation of Bhagavad Gita on August 2015. Sri Swami Sundays. The Oriya magazine ‘Mahat Devabhaktanandaji of D.L.S. Hqs. Vani’ was published for free Rishikesh conducted the Yoga Shivir distribution. Treatment of poor and Satsangs. Punyatithi Aradhana patients through Sivananda of H. H. Sri Swami Chidanandaji Charitable Homeo Dispensary was Maharaj was observed on 28th done. August with Paduka Puja, recitation Bellagunta (Odisha): The of Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, and Branch continued daily meditation, Pravachans. mobile Satsang on Thursday and Cuttack (Odisha): 52nd weekly Satsang on Sunday. Sri Punyatithi Aradhana of Sadgurudev Krishna Jayanti was celebrated on Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj was 5th with chanting of “Om Namo observed with Paduka Puja, chanting Bhagavate Vasudevaya” and Havan. of “Om Namo Bhagavate Punyatithi Aradhana of worshipful Sivanandaya” and discourses on his Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj life and teachings. During was observed on 11th September. Navakalebara Rath Yatra, the Branch 128th Birth Anniversary of Param Pujya Gurudev Sri Swami conducted discourses on Jagannatha Sivanandaji Maharaj and 99th Tattwa. Birthday of worshipful Sri Swami Dolamandap Dhenakanal Chidanandaji Maharaj were (Odisha): 128th Birthday of Gurudev celebrated respectively on 8th and Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj was 24th with Paduka Puja and celebrated with Paduka Puja, Bhajan distribution of food and clothes in and discourses on life and teachings leprosy colony. Under Birth of Sadgurudev. NOVEMBER 2015 NEWS AND REPORTS 65

Jajpur Road (Odisha): 128th blind and did Narayana Seva for poor Birth Anniversary of adorable and needy people. Sadgurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Madhavapatnam (A.P.): Daily Maharaj and 99th Birthday of Satsang activities continued worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji regularly with Bhajan, meditation, Maharaj were celebrated respectively Parayan, Pravachan and Narayana on 8th and 24th September with Seva for poor and needy people. Prayers, Paduka Puja, chanting of Punyatithi Aradhana day of Gurudev “Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya” Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj was and “Om Namo Bhagavate observed on 8th August with Paduka Chidanandaya”, and Narayana Seva. Puja and Sankirtan. Every 2nd and 4th Sunday the Branch conducted Jeypore (Odisha): The Branch “Kishora Bharati” programme for continued daily Puja, weekly students. Satsangs on Sunday and Thursday. Punyatithi Aradhana day of Param Pattamadai (Tamil Nadu): The Branch continued daily Puja, weekly Pujya Gurudev Sri Swami Satsang on Thursdays and Sivanandaji Maharaj was observed Antaryogam on every 1st Sunday of with Prayer, Paduka Puja, the month. Monthly magazine “Voice Swadhyaya, and talks on life and of Pattamadai” is being published teachings of Gurudev, and concluded every month for free distribution. with Prasad. The Koraput District 128th Birth Anniversary of adorable Charitable Homeopathic Dispensary Sadgurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji treated 600 patients freely. Maharaj was celebrated with Prayers, Lanjipalli Ladies Branch Paduka Puja, Bhajan, and evening (Odisha): Daily, weekly, and mobile Nagara Parikrama. Satsangs were carried on regularly. Rajkot (Gujarat): Regular There were also Swadhyaya, and Gita Satsang was carried on with chanting on Ekadasis, recitation of recitation of Slokas from Bhagavad Hanuman Chalisa and Gita, Sundarakanda Parayan and Sundarakanda Parayan on Sankranti lectures on Shrimad Bhagavatam. Sri day. The Branch distributed snacks, Krishna Jayanti was celebrated with fruits and medicines in school for the Bhajans. The Branch organized free 66 THE DIVINE LIFE NOVEMBER 2015 medical camps (Eye, Dental, Chidanandaji Maharaj were Homeopathic, Acupressure etc.). The celebrated with Paduka Puja, camps have been successfully Bhajan, and Pravachan. Sivananda rendering services to poor patients. Accupressure Centre served 24 There were also free Yoga classes, people as Narayana Seva. charity programmes, and free Sunabeda Ladies Branch coaching classes for students of the (Odisha): The Branch conducted Weaker Section of the Society, daily Mahamantra Sankirtan for 1 providing text/exercise books. In hour, weekly Satsangs were on connection with Swami Chidananda Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday. Birth Centenary Celebration, the Ekadasis were observed with Branch adopted a poor student for Abhisheka, and recitation of Vishnu her studies. Sahasranam, and Narayana Seva Razole (A.P.): 128th Birth was on every Tuesday. Chidananda anniversary of H.H. Sri Swami day was observed with chanting of Sivanandaji Maharaj was celebrated Mahamrityunjaya Mantra and on 8th September with Paduka Puja, Sundarakanda Parayan. There was a Rudrabhishekam, Bhajan and Anna special Satsang on 15th August with Prasad. 99th Birthday of Pujya Sri Akhanda Parayana of Sri Ramcharit Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj was Manas and Bhagavat Path and observed on 24th with Veda Path: Pravachan. Primary school Chidren participated South Balanda (Odisha): There on this occasion and pens and Prasad were twice-a-day Puja, and weekly were distributed to the children. Satsang on Fridays. Under Birth Rourkela (Odisha): Regular Centenary Celebration of Sri Swami Satsang activities continued with Chidanandaji Maharaj, Gita Parayan Paduka Puja. In connection with Sri and recitation of Vishnu Sahasranam Swami Chidananda Birth Centenary and Hanuman Chalisa were done. Celebration, the Branch observed five There was an Akhanda Mahamantra Sadhana days during the month of Sankirtan for World Peace and September. Birth Anniversaries of Universal Brotherhood. Sri Krishna Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Jayanti was celebrated with chanting Maharaj and H. H. Sri Swami of “Om Namo Bhagavate NOVEMBER 2015 NEWS AND REPORTS 67

Vasudevaya”. The Branch conducted Thursday and Saturday, Hatha Yoga Sri Ramcharit Manas Parayan and classes in both the morning and Pravachan from 8th to 16th evening, Meditation, talks on September. Birth Anniversaries of Bhagavad Gita and Integral Yoga Param Pujya Sri Swami Sivanandaji course were held weekly. Free Maharaj and worshipful Sri Swami distribution of sandwiches is done Chidanandaji Maharaj were three times a week as a part of Karma celebrated with Paduka Puja, and Yoga also free health camp and Narayana Hong Kong (China): One hour Seva were arranged. Mahamantra chanting was held every Varanasi (U.P.): The Branch Saturday in both Cheung Sha Wan conducted Satsang at Vridhasram and North Point Centers of the during the month of August 2015. Branch. Regular Yogasana classes Visakhapatnam (A.P.): The based on “Practical Guide to Yoga” Branch continued daily Yoga class, and covering essential yoga exercises and chanting of Vishnu Sahasranam, and meditation were continued. The Lalita Sahasranam on Fridays, monthly Satsang was held with Bhagavad Gita Pravachan on chanting of Hanuman Chalisa, Sundays, weekly Satsang and free Mahamrityunjaya Mantra and medical camps on Mondays and Sri Swadhyaya from Gurudev’s “Yoga Satynarayana Swami Vratam on Full Vedanta Sutras”. Moon day are the regular programmes of the Branch. Birth Special Activities: The 4th Yoga Anniversaries of Sadgurudev Sri Teachers Training Course was Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and organized in July and special Bhajan, H.H. Sri Swami Chidanandaji Kirtan and a talk on the “Essence of Maharaj which were respectively on Bhagavad Gita” were conducted. The 8th and 24th were celebrated with Branch has also been providing Yoga Paduka Puja teachers who volunteer to serve in Yoga classes, organized by the Social OVERSEAS BRANCH Welfare Society Elderly Centre. The Cape Town (South Africa): The Branch celebrated holy Paduka Puja Branch conducted Satsangs on on Gurupurnima. * * *