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    There is a subtle entity beneath the external objects the senses

    perceive all around. And that is what truly makes the objectworld emerge. When you are able to perceive this subtle

    substratum, the surrounding objects will not physically

    disappear. With the physical grossness encircling you, mentally

    you have to overwhelm and sublimate the influence of the

    gross. That will take you to the wonderful realization that the

    subtle is verily the source of the gross, and is infinitely vaster

    than the gross. That alone will then shine as real, and allothers as appearance.

    Swamiji

    Contents

    Science of Inner Redemption 42

    King Bhageerathas Spiritual Quest - II 03Verses for Introspection 24

    Remembering the Lord Here & Now M Gurupriy 12

    Days in USA - I M Gurupriy 15

    USA Jna Yaja 2012 Devotees (USA) 22

    Correspondence

    Experiencing the Divine Within 33News & Notes 35

    N a r a y a n a s h r a m a T a p o v a n a m

    Venginissery, P.O. Ammadam, B.O. Paralam, Thrissur, Kerala 680563. Tel. (0487)2277963/2278302/2278363email: [email protected]; www.SwamiBhoomanandaTirtha.org

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    Science of Inner Redemption 42

    (Series on Yoga-vsiha, Nirva-prakaraa)

    King Bhageerathas Spiritual Quest II

    Transformation of King Bhageeratha

    King Bhageeratha received the spiritual instructions from his Guru, SageTritala, with utmost earnestness. The effect was truly stunning! Sage Vasihaexplained to prince Sri Rama, the transformation that took place in KingBhageeratha:

    ii: Ei{ Mi : *

    +Mx]J SG iMEr **Mhn nn vxi: *

    uV xVxv MhMhSx **

    njjh {iVx *+j%pV Ml: **

    +l lH iiJz|Efii{E *

    xix ifih V nn **j x Yi xx j x Yi Ji *

    ij Oh n vx **(6p.75.2-5,7)

    A few days passed, and he (Bhageeratha) performed Agnioma (aprotracted ritual) to gain the benefit of complete renunciation.

    (As part of the ceremony,) he gave away cows, land, horses, jewelsand the rest, exhausting all his wealth, to the twice-born (dvijas)

    and relatives, disregarding their merits or demerits (with animpersonal note).

    Giving away everything he had, King Bhageeratha became a totaldestitute in three days, left with only the life-breath in his body.

    Bereft of all wealth and possessions, he gifted his extensive kingdom,like a blade of grass, to his enemy, causing torment to his own

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    citizens.

    (Then) he lived boldly and confidently in far off villages where hewas neither known by name nor by face.

    Imagine how the illustrious king could not escapefeeling a void in his heart, which the throne androyal opulence could not redress! When spiritualquest and awakening overtakes the mind, externalworld can offer no solace. To such a zealous heart,nothing but in-depth renunciation and austerity could offer the neededappeasement and remedy. It is in line with this intense dispassion, that

    Sage Tritala instructed the splendid note of renunciation gifting thekingdom to his enemy and resorting to begging for livelihood.

    Ours is a holy land where people for countless generations have revelled inleading a life of renunciation, preserving the body by seeking alms (bhik).The renunciate, seeking bhik, is held in the highest esteem. Giving bhikto a mendicant, piously feeding the ascetic travellers, has the spiritual effectof redeeming the giver as well as his family of all sins, both past and future!To be a parivrjaka (an ascetic traveller) implies austerity of such a loftyorder.

    Sage Tritala enjoined that ascetic mission on Bhageeratha; and the Kinginstantly heeded it in full. This is not a solitary event in this land. Ourtradition carries ineffable religious culture and sanction, not to speak of thespiritual grace and splendour.

    From palatial grandeur to voluntary penury

    In order to empower and express his resolve ceremonially, Bhageerathaperformed Agnioma, a Vedic sacrifice, to mark his transition from the royallife to that of a mendicant. The king went on gifting away money, gold,silver, cows, and other articles until he exhausted all his possessions, makinghimself a total destitute. What more? The land he ruled he gifted to hisneighbouring king who was inimical to him. To give the needy and noble islaudable, but to include even enemies in the list of such recipients calls for

    When spiritual questand awakening

    overtakes the mind,external world can

    offer no solace.

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    great impartial and impersonal outlook. Such can be the equanimity, theSamatva-vision, that one makes no preference between a friend and a foe!King Bhageeratha excelled in this.

    Do not set limits to human mind, its zeal, fervour and excellence! All knowhow the young prince Rama himself, the incumbent of Sage Vasihasinstruction, resolved to abandon his coronation and leave the palace, nosooner than his stepmother, Kaikeyi, asked him to do so. About herunsparing and harsh demands, he said: Dear step mother, only this much!Before the sun sets today, Rama will have left Ayodhya. He merely neededsome time to apprise and console his mother and the rest, to get them stand

    by him in support.Can human mind invoke and muster such splendid resolve and readiness?And when it does, what would be the aftermath and the reward? Thesalutary impact it instituted in the minds and hearts of the people permeatedso powerfully in our land that it has ever since remained the warp andwoof of our culture and civilization.

    These instances may have an epic note in content and dimension, but theeffects they forged and preserved have shaped the history of our people.Yes, the character and behaviour of many a man and woman in this landhave excelled to incorporate and display this kind of inner spiritual elegance.

    In being able to attain this lofty dimension, lies even today the lasting

    fortune of our citizens, especially the earnest and dedicated seekers.

    Witnessing what the zealous King did, his subjects felt afflicted and

    dislodged at heart. But the call of renunciation was so strong inBhageerathas heart that he did not stop to think of anything else.

    What delights a human heart is not bodilycomforts and luxuries, but the grace and splendourof spiritual resignation. This is not an appeal or

    compulsion to be ratified by sensory reason ormaterial logic. The call of dispassion and the urge

    it unleashes are so sublime, instantaneous andwholesome, that a devout heart cannot wait any more. Right and wrong,

    What delights a humanheart is not bodily

    comforts and luxuries,but the grace and

    splendour of spiritualresignation.

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    morality and its opposites, public esteem and scorn all these are butindulgences of the worldly mind. For one under spiritual quest, the responsetranscends all these.

    This is what the story of King Bhageeratha illustrates. Qualities of the mindand heart are as profound and meaningful today as they were ages ago,and will be millennia hence.

    The King soon reached unknown villages and settlements,where none could recognize him. How could his heartcourt so covetously such stark privation, leaving aside allthe royal pomp and glory? The mind is not matter, while

    the body and senses are. What is pleasing to the senses isof no avail to the mind. The inner mind and heart need subtle spiritualnourishment and embellishment.

    Purificatory effects of parivrajana

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    Even when besought by his enemy king: O lord, kindly take backthe kingdom and rule it, he refused the offer like a blade of grass;he merely wanted a few morsels of food.

    Wandering as an ascetic is the highest form of physical sdhan, a stronglimb of spiritual pursuit. It has tremendous effects, visible and invisiblealike. Bhageeratha, in contrast to what he was while sitting on the throne,found himself altogether light, free and delightful.

    Desire and passion, however deep-rooted they were, became extinct, makingthe mind shine like the sentient sky, spreading delightful splendour. Allcare, caution and concern vapourized. The bodily plight did not hinder

    this sovereign transparence, abundance and expansion. While the bodymoved on the earth, the inner personality remained restful on its ownexquisite essence. The ease and felicity that reigned were ineffable.

    Bhageeratha continued to ramble. In the universe,which is like an unbounded sphere, every motion,small or big, is cyclic. Thus, before long in the handsof Providence, the ascetic king found himself in theland he lorded over so endearingly once. And hewaited at the gates of his erstwhile citizens and ministers residences forbhik! Recognizing him and reminded of his merits as well as benevolence,

    all of them jointly besought him to accept the throne again, for grantingthem the same benevolent rule. But it was of no avail. Accepting but a fewmorsels of food for his hungry stomach, he bypassed them, empowered allthe more by the spirit of renunciation.

    What an astonishing dimension of an enlightened and dispassionate mind!The delight that possessions bring is far inferior to what dispossession

    bestows.

    Magnificence of Guru-iya bond

    EiSqij xi%xj VM : *

    Ml% E]i Ex Si: **

    The delight thatpossessions bring

    is far inferior towhat dispossession

    bestows.

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    +lxj{xii {xiv: J *

    +i EnSk |{ ji M **

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    changing its direction suddenly. Leaving villages and towns, the Teachertook his disciple to dense forests, where they were greeted by wild trees,shrubs, bushes, creepers, plants and a variety of animals, birds and otherbeings. In the unsullied atmosphere immersed in solitude, the mind effortlessly

    rose to rare heights of expansion and jubilation.

    The body, enlivened intensely by the inner spiritual radiance, imbibed suchrare characteristics that are reserved only for ascetics and even today remainthe cherished dream of zealous seekers. To live and move closely with theGuru, coming to know how he lives and interacts, hearing what he says,

    gleaning his unspoken thoughts and visions, is the last grace and grandeur

    any good seeker can look for!Loka-sagraha the chosen path of the Wise

    ij |Efii: Jz x]nG xfi{ *

    +xxi H MhI **

    i Mlt l IS x *{Y x x SG{i **

    (6p.76.2,3)(In due course of time), overtaken by anarchy and lawlessness, thepeople felt tormented, and went out in search of a King, endowedwith qualities, and a broad mind (to take up the saddle of rule).

    They met the poised King Bhageeratha, living on alms. Recognizinghim well, they brought him with honour, gave charge of the army,

    and made him sit on the throne.The plight of the subjects in the kingdom had become so bad that it resultedin total anarchy. Plunder and pillage rampant, cruelty escalated, people gotstifled on every front. Many joined in searching frantically for a suitableperson, to hold the reins of Administration.

    And lo, they spotted their King Bhageeratha, in ragged clothes and unkemptbody, nonetheless with matchless radiance and benign grace. The spirit offraternity still reigned in his countenance. Falling at his feet, they presented

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    their distress, beseeching him to come back and take the saddle of rule.

    His benign heart responded, as by then, he hadalready gained the reward of asceticism. Freed from

    all quest and affectation, he clearly felt assured of hisinner poise and fullness. Obliging their earnestness,he went back and sat on the throne as an enlightenedruler.

    Ml VMzl Vii Vx: *xxwi{VMMxph M: **

    : xix x iM i: *|{iEEEh: ii: **(6p.76.5,10)

    People then shouted: Here is Bhageeratha, our lord; may he bevictorious forever. The noise thereof reached the farthest mountains,and echoed in hollow caves.

    He continued to discharge the duties of royalty without the least

    dismay or disquiet. He was quite calm and serene in his mind,reserved in his speech, and devoid of passions, envy and selfishness.

    To rule the kingdom is verily to ensure the prosperity as well as felicity ofthe people. For this, the ruler must be able to dissolve his individual egoand imbibe the much-needed expanse and elevation, which alone willempower him to feel for the people and world at large.

    Contrary to the popular notion that spiritualwisdom and its bounties are reserved for theascetics, who eschew worldly life altogether, SageVasiha presents King Bhageeratha, who, after alife of intense austerities and wandering, stillagrees to take up the mantle of publicadministration. Spiritual enlightenment equips one to take up any task and

    pursue it well. Public Administration is no exception. Generally, spiritualstalwarts do not get involved in secular missions, restricting themselves to

    Freed from all questand affectation, he

    clearly felt assuredof his inner poiseand fullness.

    Spiritual enlightenmentequips one to take upany task and pursue it

    well. PublicAdministration is no

    exception.

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    knowledge-pursuit and dissemination. Nonetheless, no pursuit orinvolvement is debarred to them.

    We have rare instances in which illustrious ascetic luminaries have taken

    up worldly pursuits, finding the society in dire need of powerful, righteousand enlightened leadership. Vidyraya, Madhusdana Sarasvati,akarchrya held such distinctions. However, the genesis of this lies farearlier, as Vasiha narrates, in King Bhageeratha, whose epic example hadbeen the beacon for one and all.

    (to be continued)

    * * *

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    Verses for Introspection 24

    Remembering the Lord Here & Now

    M GurupriyEfih in{n{REV{\Vxi+t i xV: *

    |h|h Ei{k:

    Eh`vxv h Eii **ka tvadya-padapakaja-pajarnte

    adyaiva me viatu mnasa-rjahasa:,

    pra-praya-samaye kapha-vta-pittai:

    kahvarodhana-vidhau smaraa kutaste.

    Mukundaml 33

    O Ka! May my swan-like mind enter the cage of Your lotus feet,today itself. Because, at the time of death, when the throat gets chokedwith phlegm, wind and bile, how can one remember You!

    Points for Introspection

    Life in this world is like an ocean. As in the ocean, huge fearful waves arisecontinuously, so do in our life in the world. Continuously we are hit by bigor small waves of difficulties, torments and troubles. We are always afraidof getting drowned or being swept by the waves.

    While we are surrounded by the waves of tension, anxiety, and fear, we findthat relief and peace is had only when we rely on God, feel His presence inour heart, and try to surrender all our troubles at His feet, with the faiththat He alone can remove all our sorrows and difficulties.

    Although we experience this relief at various moments, we are not able tosustain these feelings. As soon as the problems are over and happinessreigns, we forget God. We do not make God a part of our daily life. We

    think of Him and pray to Him only when in trouble. Had we grown a habitof remembering Him always lovingly, we would have no problem in facing

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    the fierce waves of worldly tribulations. Alas, we are ignorant of this Truth.

    Many think and believe that pursuit of God-remembrance can be taken uponly when one is old and has completed all responsibilities. Most of the

    people say: Where is the time to think of God when we are young andactive? We are extremely busy throughout the day in performing our dailyactivities and carrying out our responsibilities. There is no time to spend inremembrance of God or pursue spirituality. Surely, when we grow old andbecome free from our responsibilities, we will have abundant time to thinkabout God.

    Alas! That auspicious time, although contemplated upon, never comes. When

    one grows old, the body gets troubled by various diseases. As a result,whole focus of ones mind goes to the suffering of the body. How can thesuffering mind, overtaken by the aches and pains of the body, remember

    God?

    Also, since the mind has not been trained to be stillat the Lords feet, it roams about here and thereeven in old age, running behind objects of sensorypleasures or thoughts of past and future. Anuntrained mind, which knows only to run behindworldly objects, cannot focus on God in old age, however much it may try

    to do so.

    However, very few people think deeply and understand this Truth. A fewrare souls alone understand using their viveka, that to get peace, contentment,

    and joy, one must remember God always, feeling His presence in the heart.In this loka, the devotee cries out: O Krishna, my supreme Lord, I find mymind to be very restless. Like a swan flying to great distances and heights,my mind too wanders off from Your Feet to distant objects, places and events,pulling me into unhappiness and sorrow.

    O Lord, just as a swan is able to drink the milk separating the water fromit, so also may my mind be able to discriminate the real from the unreal, theeternal from the ephemeral. May my mind be able to understand that all the

    An untrained mind,which knows only to

    run behind worldly

    objects, cannot focuson God.

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    worldly allurements behind which it runs after relentlessly, are unreal andtransitory; that Thy holy feet alone are eternal and imperishable. So, myLord, I pray to Thee: Let my swan-like mind be imprisoned in the cage ofThy holy feet so that it cannot fly away anymore, but is compelled to be at

    Your feet and think about You.

    Let my mind enter the cage of your abode right today. I do not want towait till old age, to be surrendered at Your feet. I want to be Yours rightnow. For I know, in old age the troubles of my body will become tooprominent troubles due to phlegm, arthritis and bile. So much so, that mywhole mind will be focused on my body and its various ailments. I will not

    be able to remember You at all. My voice will have no strength to call You.So, O Lord, make my mind a prisoner at Your lotus feet right now, so that it

    cannot fly away anywhere and remains at Your holy feet eternally.

    What a beautiful loka! While chanting this loka, a great conviction arisesin the mind, that Lords holy feet is the supreme abode; a yearning grows inthe mind to be surrendered to the Lord right now, without delay.

    Word Meaning

    Efih (ka) = O Lord Krishna; in (tvadya) = your; {n-{REV-{\Vxi(pada-pakaja-pajarnte) = in the cage of Your lotus feet; +t (adya) =today;B(eva) = itself; (me) = my;i(viatu) = may enter;xV:(mnasa-rjahasa:) = the swan-like mind; |h-|h (pra-praya-samaye) = when the life forces are about to leave the body; Ei{k:(kapha-vta-pittai:) = by phlegm, wind and bile; Eh` v x v (kahvarodhana-vidhau ) = in the condition of throat being choked;h

    (smaraa) = remembrance; Ei: (kuta:) = how; i (te) = your.

    +x:

    () Efih! xV: in {n{REV{\Vxi +t B i * |h|hEi{k: Eh`vxv i h Ei: *

    (Hey) Ka! me mnasa-rjahasa: tvadya padapakaja-pajarnte adya

    eva viatu, pra-praya-samaye kapha-vta-pittai: kahvarodhana-

    vidhau te smaraa kuta:.

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    Days in USA - I(E-mails sent from USA during the CIRD-NA Jna Yaja)

    M Gurupriy

    20 September 2012 (Thursday)

    There is a small table and chair kept near my window. The idea is that Ishould be able to see the scenery outside while working at the table. Just infront of the window, there is a big tree whose branches are stretching uptowards the sky as if to greet the Creator. The sunrays are falling on my bedthrough the leaves of this tree while the leaves themselves are shining in

    the morning sun. Through the window I can see the clean and wide road,which runs through the neighbourhood. The road is dotted with cottage-

    type cute houses on both sides some single-storied and some double-storied. Every house has beautifully trimmed lawns laced with flowerbeds.There are a few shady trees in every house. On the whole, each compoundlooks like scenes from fairy tales.

    I was told that the tree outside my window is an oak tree. There is onemore oak tree in the garden. In between the two oaks is a maple tree. Theatmosphere now is announcing the advent of the fall where except for theevergreens, the leaves change colour green to yellow to red, bright red,orange, maroon, etc.. The change of colour has just started. At the peak ofthe fall, there is a riot of colours all around. Last year, since we had comeone month later, we were able to see the fall at its peak.

    This area is known as McLean. As you all may know, we are staying withPankaj and Anu this year. They have packed away all their things to theirfriends houses. The kitchen has been completely vacated. For the time being,this house has become the ashram. All volunteers are coming and goingfreely. There are a few new volunteers also. Food has been arranged foreverybody.

    With love, M

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    23 September 2012 (Sunday)

    The Experiential Vedanta programme started on 21st. After the first sessionin the morning, we started getting ready for our journey to New York City.

    The rest of the sessions on 21st

    , and all but the last session next day wereconducted by Nutan Swamiji. We were to take the 4:00pm Amtrak trainfrom the Union station, Washington DC. Pankaj and Mala went in a taxiabout 10 minutes ahead of us. Bharat drove us (Poojya Swamiji, myself,Namrata) in his car. Bharat somehow took a wrong route. The result was:Pankaj and Mala reached the station in 15 minutes, and we took 70 minutes.You can imagine our condition! Even at 3.30pm we were quite sure that we

    would miss the train. And we did! We reached the station at 4:00pm.

    Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and M with devotees in Virginia, USA

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    All along Pankaj was in touch with us. On reaching, we found that he hadalready fixed a porter with a trolley. The Amtrak trains between DC andNYC are there every hour. We entered the station and Pankaj dashed towardsthe booking counter to book for the next train. But, tickets for the 5:00pm

    and 6:00pm trains were all sold out, and we got tickets only for the 7:00pmtrain. What to do now? We could not have gone back home and come again.Poojya Swamiji chose to spend the time in the station itself. We were worriedthinking how tired Poojya Swamiji would become. We would reach NewYork only by 9.45pm. That too in a completely new place!

    We decided to sit near a food-joint in the station and occupied one of their

    tables. They wont allow us to sit unless we ordered something. So twoglasses of iced-tea were ordered.

    The station is really a grand one having a royal look. But, there was aterrible sound in the station. On observation it was clear that nobody wasshouting in particular. With the huge volume of people going in and out,the sound of rolling suitcases and people talking to each other produced adeafening noise. How to spend three hours there? Very soon Poojya Swamiji

    suggested that we could drive around through the streets of Washington DCand see the places of importance. Pankaj and Namrata stayed back withluggage. Poojya Swamiji, Mala, and myself went for the so-called joyride.Not to take any chance, Bharat was told by everybody to be back by 6:00pmsharp.

    We went past many places of importance the Senate House, Washingtonmonument, National archives, etc. We saw the White House from a distance;there was no chance of driving close to it. There were lots of tourists. Mostlythey were walking. But some were travelling in the open roof top buses,sitting on the upper deck of the bus with no roof above.

    Poojya Swamiji and myself have seen the Washington DC area earlier also.But, for Mala it was the first time. This is her maiden visit to US. As wewere driving around, we happened to see cycle-rickshaw in the capital of

    US! You can imagine our amusement. Never expected such a sight. Also,saw pot-holes, broken roads, and unattended old buildings too!

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    When I came to know that this was Malas first visit to USA, I thought overand over again how selflessly she has taken up this task of service to PoojyaSwamiji. She never shows any wish for sight-seeing. She has come a fewdays before us and will return on the same day of our departure. She doesnt

    seem to be having any other aim than to cook for Poojya Swamiji, NutanSwamiji and myself, apart from helping us in almost everything.

    We went back to the station by about 6.30pm. Our porter friend had arrangedfor a buggy car, which would carry all of us as well as our luggage. Thiswas very thoughtful of him as we could do away with the wheelchairnow. This man turned out to be very helpful and friendly. He took the buggy

    car near to the train to a point, that we were the first to board. We chosenice seats (There is no advance seat booking. One can sit anywhere one

    likes to.) It is a very fast train and well maintained. The train journey wasvery comfortable. Poojya Swamiji took his dinner in the train itself. We hadcarried his food.

    Poojya Swamiji and M with devotees in California, USA

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    Dr. Kumar was supposed to meet us in the Penn Station, New York City. Hewas supposed to buy vegetarian food for all of us. Although Pankaj tried tocontact him over mobile, it was not successful. So, what happened?

    With love, M

    24 September 2012 (Monday)

    While in the Ashram we had decided to take the 4:00pm Amtrak, so that wewould reach NYC by 6.45pm. That would give us enough time to settledown in the new place, was our thought. Now, having missed that traineverything would get delayed. Anyway, nothing could be done about it. Wewere a bit worried that Dr. Kumar could not be contacted, and were

    wondering what he would do not finding us in the station!

    Our train started sharp at 7pm. Two rows of double seats on either side ofthe aisle. Poojya Swamiji and Pankaj sat together, Mala and myself sat nextto each other, and Namrata sat alone and had all the time to herself to takea good rest. Mala and myself also fell asleep after some time, only to wakeup to serve food to Poojya Swamiji. Pankaj and Poojya Swamiji kept talkingto each other. Soon after the train started, Pankaj got a call from Dr. Kumar.He was obviously quite anxious not finding us at the station at 6:45pm. Hewas upset with Pankaj for not informing him in time. Actually, Pankaj couldnot contact him over mobile and had left messages at his home number.Nobody was there at his home, it seems. All kinds of confusion!

    Pankaj heard Dr. Kumar patiently without defending himself. Poojya Swamijiwho was a witness to the phone conversation praised Pankaj for being able

    to handle such situations with poise and unaffectedness. Dr. Kumar calledagain, this time in his own self, lovingly trying to plan out our late arrival inNYC. It seems, he, with his younger son Heath (a young lawyer) had earlier

    come to the NY Penn station and discussed the modality of receiving PoojyaSwamiji at NYC. This was the first time ever that he had this great opportunityof taking care of Poojya Swamiji (and party). You know how he loves PoojyaSwamiji and the Ashram! You can understand his disappointment as well as

    frustration when he did not find Poojya Swamiji, M and others! It seems

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    both of them went up and down the platform several times to locate us. But,we were nowhere to be found!

    The train entered NYC Penn station at 9.45pm sharp. We got down and got

    busy getting a porter with a trolley. There was no buggy car in sight, norcould we get hold of a wheel chair. The platform was quite long. How willI walk such a long distance, was the question! Poojya Swamiji told me towalk slowly and not to try keeping pace with others in the group. So, Istarted walking. Had to use the escalator at various places. A very busystation indeed!

    Now the problem was, how to find Dr. Kumar? He had asked Pankaj to

    give him a ring on his mobile once we reached the station and alightedfrom the train. While we were busy following the porter, Pankaj suddenlyturned back and said smilingly that Dr. Kumars phone was giving themessage, I have no clue where my mobile is. As soon as I locate it, I willgive you a ring. So we were left with no other option than to stand at aplace and wait for his call. We were lucky! Within seconds we saw himgoing past us hurriedly with an anxious look on his face. He had not seen

    us and had we not seen him, we would definitely have missed each other.

    Oh! The smile on his face! He simply fell prostrate at his Bhagavns holyfeet. Now he became our guide and started leading us to the car where

    Heath was waiting. On the way he was describing how he felt when he didnot see us. Again the next moment, he would describe very lovingly whatall food he had bought for us. His being around was such a relief!

    We started driving towards Manhattan, the heart of NYC, where we were tostay in the Marriott hotel arranged by the organizers of Global IndianBusiness Meet (GIBM). Dr. Kumar also had booked a room there so that he

    would be near us and be of help. On our way, Dr. Kumar and Heath gavecommentaries on how Manhattan is always busy and full of people, eventhroughout the night!

    Suddenly the car stopped in front of the Marriott hotel, right on Manhattan

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    It is easy to grow love and intimacy for one whom we can see,

    whose qualities we know. But how to be fond of that One whom

    we cannot see or know? To cultivate love for God, we must

    constantly listen to His glory, read and contemplate on His

    qualities and characteristics, and revel in them. Only then the

    fondness for the Invisible will dawn and become deep, strong

    and stable. Swamiji

    busy street and in Time Square. If Pankaj and Dr. Kumar were not there, wewould have simply got lost. The hotel is very high and our rooms were onthe 36th floor. We settled down and all of us took food so lovingly broughtby Dr. Kumar.

    (to be continued)

    * * *

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    USA Jna Yaja 2012

    Virginia

    Anuradha Bhatia

    Preparations and planning for the USA Jna Yaja 2012 in Sept-Oct.commenced about 3 months earlier. A sense of understanding and the

    recognition of the benefits of Poojya Swamijis teachings in daily life propelledCIRD-NA volunteers to share the news of Jna Yaja with their friendsand family to ensure maximum participation. They promulgated the newsof the various programmes through flyers at prime locations like temples,libraries, community centers, and colleges; and by sending emails, through

    word of mouth and so forth.

    It was encouraging to see some devotees, who have come in the fold onlyrecently, serve Poojya Swamijis mission by taking up more and more

    Poojya Swamiji at the Global Indian Business Meet, New York (Sep 22)

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    responsibilities with dedication to make the Jna Yaja possible andeventually successful.

    Newer outreach efforts were undertaken by devotees and disciples to ensure

    that a greater number of people have the rare opportunity to listen to PoojyaSwamiji, Nutan Swamiji, and M, and thereby live a more meaningful andfulfilling life. The momentum was intensified through regular Satsangs, andSkype Satsangs with Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and M during the monthlyViu Sahasranma japam sessions held rotationally at the homes of differentdevotees.

    CIRD volunteers displayed fervour in their service, heartily taking up

    innumerable tasks like purchasing groceries, transporting and arrangingfurniture, arranging the satsang hall for lectures, arranging the bhakti-bhojfor volunteers and invitees, winding up, and so forth.

    Poojya Swamiji along with Nutan Swamiji and M

    at the Experiential Vedanta Programme (Sep 21-23)

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    They were joined by Mala and Swati, who specially travelled from Delhi toserve their Guru. Tirelessly working throughout the day, leaving no stoneunturned in carrying out the daily chores, both of them left an indeliblemark on our hearts and minds, setting an example of selfless service and

    sacrifice.

    The first programme of the Jna Yaja, Experiential Vedanta The Wayto Transform Life, saw a number of seekers from different parts of USAspecially travel to Virginia, taking leave from their office and homeresponsibilities. The three days of unique and enlightening sessions wereconducted by Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and M. While Swamiji, accompanied

    by M, traveled to New York after the inaugural session on 21st Sept, NutanSwamiji continued the Experiential Vedanta sessions in Virginia.

    On 22nd, Poojya Swamiji addressed the Global Indian Business Meet at theMarriot, New York City, returning immediately to Virginia to rejoin the

    Nutan Swamiji speaking on Bhagavadgeet (Sep 27-30)

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    Some shed tears, as Swamiji expounded the eternal truths with cogentarguments to bring home the message that reliance on the Supreme alonecan provide solace and everlasting joy to human beings. This joy evades usas we scramble through lifes challenges, striving for desires, thereby getting

    entangled in our own preferences and prejudices.

    Three weeks passed and the Jna Yaja came to an end. After seeing offPoojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and M at the airport, we came back to theempty house. The house, which for three weeks was so vibrant with PoojyaSwamijis divine presence, and with his devotees loving participation andservice, now resonated with sublime memories that we will cherish all our

    life!The sadness filled us with a sense of deep longing for the next Jna Yajaon one hand, while on the other, made us think how we need to grow inour sdhan so that the physical distance between our Guru and us makesus think of him all the more. After some thinking, the answer emerged as if

    Smt. Shanti and Sri Natarajan performing pda-pooj (Sep 27)

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    from the pain itself: instead of getting dejected by sadness, we must getuplifted by it to state wherein we go beyond sadness, dropping thepreferences and prejudices, and accepting both alike.

    First Viu Sahasranma Mah Yaja in Virginia (Oct 06)Lata Ganesh

    When Poojya Swamiji visited the US in October 2011, he had asked oursmall group comprising a dozen volunteers in CIRD-NA to take up thepractice of chanting Viu Sahasranma during our regular weekly Satsang,and to conduct a larger group Viu Sahasranma Japa once a month tospread awareness. Swamiji also told us that if we complete 51 such Japas,he will himself come and conduct the Viu Sahasranma Mah Yaja inthe US.

    The group took up the weekly practice with great enthusiasm and sublimity.The first monthly event of Viu Sahasranma Japa was conducted inDecember 2011. As we progressed with the weekly and monthly chanting,Swamijis Grace flowed and participation increased. We were also fortunate

    to have Swamiji, M and Nutan Swamiji to speak to the group via Skypefrom Thrissur and on one occasion from Delhi, during Swamijis travel.

    In April/May of this year, it was confirmed that Poojya Swamiji would visitthe US in September-October, and that we should go ahead with preparationfor the Mah Yaja. We were delighted, at the same time nervous thinkingof the enormity of the task. This event would be the first of its kind aunique spiritual event -- and we were conscious of the logistic constraints

    at all levels, starting with participant registration. But our group, with greatdevotion and surrender to Swamiji, marched ahead.

    The first step taken was to order 51 brass lamps from Kerala. One of ourgroup members, Raghuji, made all the arrangements and the lamps were ontheir way from Trivandrum to New York. Next to be considered was the

    location for the event. The officials of Durga temple in Virginia readily agreed

    for conducting the Mah Yaja at their basement hall. With these twoessential requirements met, we went ahead preparing for the event. Regular

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    Skype sessions were held to seek guidance from Poojya Swamiji, M andNutan Swamiji. Namrataji was our anchor and she clarified all our questions.Ashwinijis detailed notes on how the Yaja used to be conducted in Delhipaved way for preparing the outline for our event.

    Thanks to information technology, we used our skills with photographyand with email communication and Skype sessions, to get all the clarificationand modifications needed for the preparation. All our efforts in organizing- flowers for the archan, the decoration of the hall and the stage, the searchfor a suitable Krishna idol, finding the right Vedi (pedestal) for placing thelamps, seating arrangement for the participants, audio/visual for the event,

    bhakti bhoj started falling in place seamlessly.Our Swamiji along with M and Nutan Swamiji came to visit the DurgaTemple on Monday (September 24), and they were happy with the hallfacilities. They gave us a few more directions with regard to placement oflamps and other arrangements.

    On October 5, a group of volunteers started working to set up the hall in

    Poojya Swamijis discourses on Realize the Self Here & Now at the

    Gayatri Consciousness Centre, Anaheim (29, 30 Sep)

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    preparing the Yaja-l and stage, getting the flowers ready for archan,and the lamps decorated. Leepakshi, Swamijis devotee for many years, tookon the challenging task of designing and decorating the stage and the hall,and transformed it elegantly. Swamiji, M and Nutan Swamiji visited the

    venue and walked around and talked to the volunteers the previous evening(October 5).

    On October 6, the Viu Sahasranma Mah Yaja participants startedarriving around 8:30 am. A number of archan participants had neverchanted Viu Sahasranma before. All the fifty-one lamps were occupiedfor archan. We had about 135 archan participants and about 75 as

    audience. Powerful and melodious chanting of the mantras by PoojyaSwamiji, M and Nutan Swamiji brought divinity to the Yaja. No words

    can describe the feeling of fulfillment felt by the participants. As promisedto us by our dear Swamiji, the Yaja-l was indeed transformed intoVaikunha for three hours.

    Satsang with Poojya Swamiji (Sep 29, 30)

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    At the end of the Yaja, a large number of participants took prasda andblessings from Poojya Swamiji and expressed their joy and satisfaction ingetting such a unique opportunity. Bhakti-bhoj was served with love andcare by our team of volunteers led by Santhi.

    Our small CIRD-NA group members were overwhelmed and humbled bythis experience. A deep sense of faith and surrender to Swamiji made thismagnificent outcome possible.

    Irvine, California

    S Murthy

    Poojya Swamijis program, although starting with a few individuals, soonturned out to be a full-scale, multi-day festival for many. Yes, like swarmingbees waiting for the honey-laden flower to blossom, many spiritually parchedsouls of this dry land eagerly awaited their beloved Swamijis arrival.

    Ms discourses on Growth & Enrichment of Devotion (Sep 29,30)

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    They were not disappointed. While even the prior preparations offered ampleopportunities for interactional sdhan, all satsangs with Swamiji and Mwere soaked in Brahma-vidy, sometimes running late into the wee hours,showing the exalted state and yet, the endearing, caring nature of the

    Sage and his disciples.

    What they heard on Making mind a treasure, Avakra Sahit andother topics were very potent and valuable for all, including many teenagers.They loved how Swamiji led them directly into the mind and introspectionof Truth. Ms talks on devotional topics were appealing to many and movedthem to tears listening to her own personal journey and also, on another

    occasion, about how strenuous Swamijis loka-sagraha schedule usually isbut how cheerfully he handles it. Devotees were totally at ease in Q&A

    Satsangs as they were able to ask questions without any inhibitions. Swamijitook all questions and questioners seriously and his answers, withenthusiasm and wit, addressed both.

    Earlier, Swamijis frequent reminders that all tasks and interactions beapproached without any constrictions of the mind, helped the hosts to plan

    and execute several tasks ahead. They could plan well, identifying andbooking auditoriums, informing about the proposed visit to all individualsand organizations, who had expressed interest last year to assist, and soon. Initial doubts and concerns got ironed out quickly, open items gotresolved very well and also ahead of time, as though directed carefully bysome unseen force. Gurus grace led the hosts all the way, in their meticulousplanning and attention to details. Needed purchases for home and for

    programs were done months in advance, alterations/re-arrangements at homecompleted well in time, ensuring comfortable accommodation for Swamijiand M.

    Many volunteers signed up by themselves for assistance in prasdapreparation/packing, hall and parking arrangements, sound system andaudio/video recording setup, flower collection and garland making, book/CD counters, and transporting out-of-town devotees to and from theauditorium. Smt. Padma Kutty trained her students to sing melodious

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    devotional bhajans creating a sublime atmosphere before every Satsangsession.

    Before the California trip concluded, devotees fondly insisted that they drive

    Swamiji and M around for sight-seeing. Both enjoyed the brief trip toDisneyland, the famed theme park, and the drive along sunny beaches ofCalifornia.

    Incessantly reminded of the sublime Truth from the first Guru-archansession to the last talk on four varas, pururthas and ramas, ghastha-devotees here have heartily started their sdhan with regular satsangs,awaiting next visit by Swamiji.

    Jai Guru!

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    Correspondence

    Experiencing the Divine Within

    28 January 2009

    Beloved Swamiji:

    Swamiji, thank you for responding to my earlier letter with such promptand deep concern. I feel truly humbled that in spite of your many important

    engagements both at the Ashram and in the larger community, graciouslyyou find time to write to a distant and casual devotee with such tirelessattention. I marvel at your energy, and feel blessed to receive advice from

    you so personally. For me, receiving your letters is such a treat and blessing.I treasure your words as advice from God Himself

    In my heart I am longing to experience the Divine first-hand. This desire

    has grown deep and I have become quite impatient to experience It. I wasdissatisfied that God was still an intellectual concept despite my dedicatedfaith in Him for years now. I wanted to feel Him, Know Him and be Him orHER! I know my faith in the Divine is genuine and yet I wanted to go

    beyond faith and mere belief

    I prostrate at your divine lotus feet with deep love and gratitude for all thatyou have been to me. May the Divine keep you close to me always and Icontinue to seek your blessings. My love to you, Nutan Swamiji and M.

    With love always, K

    * * *

    7 February 2009Dear and blessed K:

    Hari Om Tat Sat. Your email of 28th January is before me. I read it again.

    Spirituality truly proceeds from the heart to the intelligence. But for thosewho lack the necessary heartiness, it has to first involve the intellect andthen only touch the heart and mind. For, where are goodness, warmth,

    simplicity and earnestness, which really adorn the heart? These are so rare.So some people tend to be intellectuals, looking for reason and rationality.

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    Hence all this jugglery. It cannot be avoided as long as people think intellectis the pride and prestige of the human in all fields of excellence.

    But in reality, it is the heart that unfolds and bestows

    the experience. Let the yearning be there. I often say:I dont want you to be pure, but I want you to beyearning to be pure. I dont want you to be a seeker,but surely you should wish to be one. It is thisearnestness, resignation and identity with it that determine the outcome.Mostly people lack these.

    So, tap your own heart. Sit, feel and generate all the fondness needed. If

    and when the day comes and you need an unfolding process, let me know.Whether you get it or not, you have my blessings as ever.

    Our body is a biological aggregate. But it spins and moves with psychologicalpulsations. All kinds of thrill and joy emerge from within the body, not fromoutside. Objects are seen to arouse experience, but in reality experience byitself is subjective, not objective at all. Childhood, boyhood, adolescence,youth and the like are outcomes the potential of the Subject alone brings tothe body.

    Any joy is first and last emotional. Emotions belong to the mind. Divine joyis nothing but a natural, original emotion, resting on the mind. Otheremotions are related to the objects of the world. Can they ever equal thedivine? But this delusion is widespread, even hereditary.

    By virtues, more importantly by the fondness and grace of the Sadguru

    alone this enlightenment will take place, leading the seeker to delve withinand get at the source. The process is one of unfoldment, spiritual fondnessand resignation.

    We are proceeding to Kolkata and Jamshedpur on 10th, to be back on 4thMarch.

    My love and rvd. M and Nutan Swamiji also send you loving good

    wishes.Antartm, Swamiji

    I often say: I dont

    want you to bepure, but I want

    you to be yearningto be pure.

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    SIRD-Malaysia shifts to its new premise: Society for Inner Resources

    Development (SIRD)-Malaysia has moved to its new premise at 23, Jalan 11/12,Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya. The new telephone number is +603-79322023.

    On 29th September, many devotees joined in transportation of the items. The

    Sunday satsang of 30th Sept was held in Sri Jeyabalasingams home. Following

    the guidelines given by Poojya Swamiji, the consecration ceremony at the new

    premise was conducted for three days from 4th to 6th October. Guru-pdapooj

    was performed on 4th morning with the chanting of 108 nmval of Poojya

    Swamiji. This was followed by 108 times recital of Viu Sahasranma by a

    group of devotees over 3 days till 6th Oct. With the successful completion of

    the consecration ceremony, the first Sunday satsang in the new premise was held

    on 7th October. Forty-nine devotees attended the satsang.

    Jna-Yaja in USA: Poojya Swamiji along with Nutan Swamiji and Mreturned from USA as scheduled, on Oct 12. Ms emails from USA, and detailed

    report by devotees on US programme appear in pages 13 to 23.

    Jna-Yaja in Chennai: Poojya Swamiji left for Chennai on Oct 24. He

    will return to the Ashram on Oct 31.

    38th Annual Delhi Jna Yaja: Poojya Swamiji along with M and Nutan

    Swamiji will be leaving for Delhi on Nov 14. They will return to the Ashram by

    the 1st week of December. Programme details are given in page 28.

    Contacts: CIRD: 0120-2698563; Sri Prem Arora: 98100 26906; Sri Y. B. Prasad:

    98684 71277, 95603 47334; Sow. Swati Dagur: 98113 21130; Br. Prasanna

    Swaroopa: 98180 77380; Sri Sanjay Chakravarty: 98112 03815; Smt. Deepti

    Mehrotra: 98108 24642.

    News & Notes

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    11th reemad Bhgavata Tattva Sameeksh Satram will be held from

    December 23, 2012, to January 1, 2013 in Paralikad Naimishrayam, in the

    sacred precincts of Tacchanatthukavu Devi Temple. Narayanashrama Tapovanam

    and Hind Navotthana Pratishtan will jointly conduct the event.

    More than 30 distinguished exponents, sannysins and scholars, will expose the

    listeners to the invaluable inner treasure. Thousands of people are expected to

    assemble every day. The arrangements include anna-dna for all, accommodation

    for outstation seekers and scholars, the spacious pandal, sound, light, first-aid,

    medical help, water disposal, etc.

    This greatjna-mahotsava (knowledge-festivity), meant to ensure the prosperity

    and well-being (kema-magala) of one and all, is intended to instil spirituo-

    socio-ethical values and messages, the great Text discusses and presents, making

    the society strong and cohesive. Our scriptural texts like reemad Bhgavatam

    have the sole object of revealing and inculcating eternal values, which ensure

    long-term auspicious growth of the individual, family and society. Hence, events

    like reemad Bhgavata Tattva Sameeksh Satram, aiming at disseminating these

    eternal values, are always a recurring need of the society.

    Processions (ytr) for bringing the (i) ri Krishna idol (ii) Dharma-dhvaja and

    (iii) reemad Bhgavata Grantha, will form part of the event. As in the previous

    year, there will be a collective Mtyujaya Homam on Dec 23. Also, essay

    writing, reemad Bhgavata hymns recital, and elocution competitions are beingarranged for different age groups, to imbue a lasting effect in the society.

    Viu-sahasranma Srvajanika Mahyaja, will be on the concluding day

    (January 01, 2013), when over 1000 people will perform archan and havana,

    with the specific sakalpa of bringing prosperity, unity, inner strength and welfare

    for one and all.

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    Oct 24: On the day of Vijaya-daami, Poojya Swamiji initiated many children

    into literacy (Vidyrambham) in the traditional manner at Sri Dakshinamoorthy

    Temple, Vyasagiri, Wadakkanchery.

    * * *