CANADA SABHA OF CHITRAPUR SARASWATS Sweekar SPECIAL POINTS OF (CSCS NEWSLETTER) I N T E R E S T : VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 SEPTEMBER 2010 • September Satsang September Satsang September 25th Satsang to observe and celebrate the Chaturmas Sampati on the banks of Credit • Important River was canceled due to unavailibity of the adjoining park. This was the park where H.H. Pari- Dates jnanashram Swamiji III observed the Chaturmas Sampati in 1979. If anyone would like to hold the Satsang at their residence please contact Maya (905-566-7908 or email [email protected]). • NRI Shibir • ANZ Sammelan Important Dates in September and October Sept 01 Shri Krishna Janmasthami Sept 10 Punyatithi of Param Pujya Anandashram Swamiji Sept 10 Swarna Gowri Vrata / Haritalika Sept 11 Shri Ganesh Chaturthi INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Sept 12 Rishi Panchami. Sept 22 Anant Chaturdashi Sept 23 Chaturmasa Vrata Samapti, Seemollanghana Chaturmas 2 Sept 24 Mahalaya Paksha Prarambha. Oct 4 Punyatithi at Shirali - H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashram Swamiji II Oct 8 Navaratri Prarambha Annual Math 2 Oct 12 Punyatithi at Shirali- H.H. Shrimat Shankarashram Swamiji I Vantiga Oct 17 Vijaya Dashami Oct 22 Kojagari Pooja, Laxmi Pooja and Bhoomi Pooja Punarpratishtha 2 NRI Shibir 2010 will take place at the Shri Chitrapur Math in Shirali from December 24th, 2010 to December 30th, 2010. Anyone who is interested should contact Lalita Kulkarni ([email protected]). Shibir is going to be held in the Divine Presence of P.P. Sadyojat SVBF 2 Shankarashram Swamiji. The Shibir committee would like to see more enrolments for December 24-30th event. The date is approaching fast and your enthusiastic response will be appreciated. Swami 3-4 Anandashram Australia-New Zealand Meet—April 2011 In pictures 5 The venue, dates and costs of this event have all been confirmed and following are the de- tails. Venue: Quakers Hills Community Hall, Quakers Hill, Sydney Dates: Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd April 2011, (Easter long weekend) Catering: This is a fully catered event where in all participants will be provided with breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea/coffee and dinner for the two days. Program: Include a variety entertainment program and potentially one outdoor activity, monthly Satsang and AGM during this event. Accommodation/Hosting: Some Sydney based members have agreed to host guests. All are cordially invited to participate in this Meet. Please RSVP to [email protected]. VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 P A G E 2 Chaturmas 2010 Chaturmasya Vrata has commenced in the presence of P.P.Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji at Shri Durga Parmeshwari Mandir, Karla on Ashadha Shukla Purnima Sunday July 25, 2010 and will conclude on Bhadrapa Shukla Purnima Thursday 23, 2010. See www.chitrapurmath.net for details. Annual Math Vantiga Paying the annual Math vantiga is not mandatory. But it is a sacred duty of every bhanap who is gainfully em- ployed. Math depends on the vantigas and sevas performed for daily viniyogas and maintenance of all sacred samadhis. Even though the vantiga can be given at any time during the fiscal year, the members are requested to remit their annual vantiga preferably in the beginning of the year. Those who are not certain whether they have paid their vantigas can call the Sabha Treasure at any time. It is hoped that the members will pay their 2009- 2010 and 2010-2011 vantigas as soon as possible. **Note: It is preferred to have the majority Vantiga collections finished before the end of October 2010 so that Vinayak Shanbhag can remit the drafts and cheques by the end of November or early December 2010 to India. If anyone prefers to give post-dated cheques in Indian Rupess for bank in India (favour of Shri Chitrapur Math) or in dollar for local bank ( favour of CSCS), CSCS would be able to facilitate such an arrangement as well. Punarpratistha – Shri Anantheshwar – Vitthal The trustees have appealed to all devotees to send contributions and donations to the Manager of the Temple by M.O., Cheque/DD., drawn in favour of ‘Shrimath Anantheshwar Temple, Vittal’ with full address and telephone number, so that they may send a receipt back. For detailed information about the programme, please visit the CSCS website. The campaign to raise funds for the renovation project has begun. Details will be published in the next issue. Upcoming Cultural Events at SVBF, Toronto September 11, 2010 - Anup Jalota, best known for his bhajans and Ghazals will perform at SVBF. Tickets & Dinner - $20.00 September 12, 2010 - Grand Carnatic Violin Duet Concert - Kumari Kanyakumari and Embar Kannan- A Bharati Kala Manram Program. September 18, 2010 - Hanuman Chalisa chanting 10:00 AM September 26, 2010 - Bharati Kala Manram brings the renowed violinist Dr. L Subramaniam. Note: To read an interesting article "Pailow Vidaw" about how Sringeri Math honours Chitrapur Saraswats by Mr. M. R. Sujir in KSA magazine please visit www.kanarasaraswat.in P A G E 3 Swami Anandashram, Indian Saint This article is reproduced with permission from Jupiter Indianetzone Publications on Indian Saints. Swami Anandashram was the ninth guru of the Chitrapur Saraswat Community. In the year 1915 He succeeded his guru Swami Pandurangashram . He remained the Head of the community. As He had to take the charge of the Math just after 8 days of His initiation, He had no time to learn under the tutelage of a guru. After the initial periods of financial imbalance, His regime is characterized by advancement and prosperity of the community. Swami Anandashram made His regular visits to the various centres of the community all over the country. The strict social norms implemented by his predecessor, Swami Pandurangashram, under his regime were made more lenient. On June 29, 1902, to the priest Haridas Ramchandra Bhat and his wife Janakidevi, Swami Anandashram was born as Shantamurti Haridas Bhat. Shantamoorthy was accepted as the shishya (disciple) of Swami Pandurangashram on June 5, 1915. On June 14, 1915 Swami Anandashram was appointed as the head of the community at the tender age of 13. Thus it was not possible for him to hold the sole authority over the community. Even He did not get any time to learn the Sanskrit Scriptures, Administrative responsibilities etc. under the guidance of a guru. This had been foreseen by Swami Pandurangashram that this kind of difficulty his disciple might have to face. Thus He ordered that until Swami Anandashram received due education and necessary training, the administra- tive responsibilities would be taken care of by the Shukla Bhats of the matha. The priests in the Chitrapur Math took care of the general education of Swamiji. Swamiji set out for Rishikesh in 1927, located at the foothills of the Himalayas, to the ashram (Hermitage) of Swami Krishnacharya Saraswati under whom he studied for many days. Swamiji learnt the Brahma sutras and other texts under His guidance. The Chitrapur Math faced discriminating financial constraints, during the initial period of Swamiji`s reign. This was took place mainly due to the advent of World war II, severe drought conditions in the Kanara districts and the country in general and Financial burden occurring due to the last parts of India`s Freedom struggle. Swamiji gave priority to that financial problem. To tackle this financial situation, Swamiji took some immediate steps. These were: `Suspension of the Rathot- sav (Car Festival), Introduction of Sadhana Saptahas and framing of a new constitution`. Suspension of the Ra- thotsav appeared to be the only logical solution as damage control over the rapidly dropping financial situation. Instead of the Rathotsav, a Sadhana Saptaha (Week of prayer) was introduced. During a week in the month of December every year this event was held, usually from December 24 to December 30. On December 24, 1940, the Sadhana Saptaha was first introduced. The Sadhana Saptaha furnished the community to ponder upon them- selves and thus help in enlightening the community. In 1932, at Shirali a representative Maha-sabha was held, which laid the solid foundation for co-operation be- tween members of the community. A constitution was redacted under H. Shankar Rau and others, which was supposed to regulate the expenditure of the math. The Standing committee recommended that the Rathotsav be suspended. The Standing Committee not only act as a body that pass resolutions but also follow up on the reso- lutions with hard work. During the decade from 1935 to 1944, important milestones achieved were as follows: · To pay off old debts and rebuild old buildings, Rupees One Lakh(Rs.100,000) was collected. · Harijans and other backwards members of society were allowed to enter the Temple premise. · Various funds that are aimed at a particular cause was established. · Abeyance of the Rathotsav (Car festival) and introduction of the Sadhana Saptaha P A G E 4 Many social reforms were introduced under Swami Anandashram. The community was allowed by Him to go abroad without any fear of exclusion. Furthermore, by Swami Pandurangashram most of the people who were excluded from the group on grounds of foreign travel or marriage outside of the community were accepted back to the community. Till the end of the 19th century, the community had lived in the Kanara districts of Karnataka. The young generation migrated to the urban areas of Bombay, Bangalore, Madras, Delhi and Calcutta, in search of greener meadows. Their busy schedules and other allegiances resulted in the urban community estranging from the Chitrapur Math. Swamiji travelled to all these urban areas and brought the members of the community close. This resurgence of interest may be as a result of a few factors in the Guru Parampara and the Chitrapur Math: Economic Depression (the economic condition of the urban areas began to look bleak) and Encourage- ment from parents (the younger generation were encouraged by the older generation to take part in the activities of the Math.