Wake up Bharat !!

Enlighten the world

A Bi-monthly bulletin of Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation

Edito s pe
A Dream Comes True
Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari

Long long ago, about 70 years back, as a child I had a dream of visiting Switzerland, after learning about that dreamland in Geography classes, where descriptions about the snow capped mountain peaks, green velvety undulating valleys with beautiful fat cows grazing, with wonderful robust and honest people, the little little toys they made and of course of the famous Swizz watches (Titans and HMT were not yet so common), caught my imagination. Of course, it was a childhood dream which automatically got pushed out of my mental screen as I grew up. But I didn t imagine that innocent childhood dreams are invariably pick pocketed by the Cosmic Thief and allowed to mature in their own sweet time. Like my other childhood dream that I would dedicate my life to do Swamiji s work, which matured and got fulfilled through Ma. Eknathji s calling me to Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, this dream was also in the Cosmic Treasure Chest at the Vedanta Centre, Geneva awaiting fruition And lo One afternoon on 15th February, I received a call from Swami Amarananda of Centre Vedantique Geneva, almost commanding me to be the Centre s Chief Guest in their celebrations of Swami Vivekananda s 150th birthday, to be held at Saas Fee (the Alpine village, where Swami Vivekananda stayed for several days), Geneva and Zurich, on 29th and 30th of August and 1st of September. On 27th August I flew via Dubai to Zurich on my way to Geneva. I landed at Zurich airport at 8.36 pm, stayed overnight with a devotee and travelled to Geneva by one of the best travelling modes I have used so far, the Swiss Railway, which glided over hills and dales, towns and villages providing panoramic soul filling views of the Swizz country side, finally reaching me at Geneva at 1.42 pm exactly in 3 hours. Thus did my childhood dream come true. Magnificent indeed are the fruits of surrender. Apara mahima Gurumahima . More about my visit in later issues

Independence Day Ramayana Month Raksha Bandhan Sree Krishna Jayanthi U.B.Day Celebration Other programmes in Campus Didis Programmes in August and September Shraddhanjali

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67th Independence day was celebrated at Anandadham, Kodungallur with the hoisting of the National flag by Mananiya Lakshmi Didi. Sandeepani Sishuvihar children, their parents, Samskar varga children and the inmates of Anandadham were present. Singing of the National anthem and followed by singing of patriotic songs by the children formed part of the programme. Sweets were distributed at the end of the programme.

15th of August was also the end of the Karkatakam observed as Ramayana month. A colorful demonstration by the Sishuvihar children and the samskar varga children who dressed up as different characters in the Ramayana, was one of the interesting items during the Samapanam of Ramayana month. Recital of some of the portions of the Adhyatma Ramayana by children and elders followed by a Ramayana Quiz for the children were the other items of the programme. Uniqueness of the demonstration programme was that, starting from the Portrayal of the writer of Ramayana Sri Tunchathu Ezhuthachan to Pattabhisheka of Lord Rama was enacted by the children.

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About 30 houses were visited by Kum. Bindu and her companions during the Ramayana month. Almost all those family members were present for the Samapanam.

On the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, Sandeepani Siushuvihar children tied rakhies round each others wrist and on their teachers also. Children simply enjoyed tying rakhies and later they were told the story of Rakhi bandan

Civilizations have arisen in other parts of the world. In ancient and modern times, wonderful ideas have been carried forward from one race to another...But mark you, my friends, it has been always with the blast of war trumpets and the march of embattled cohorts. Each idea had to be soaked in a deluge of blood..... Each word of power had to be followed by the groans of millions, by the wails of orphans, by the tears of widows. We, of all nations of the world, have never been a conquering race, and that blessing is on our head, and therefore we live....!" Swami Vivekananda VOLUME 2 - ISSUE 9 3 AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2013

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Sri Krishna Jayanthi was celebrated at Anandadham on 28th August. For Keralites it is Asthami Rohini Day. Throughout Kerala this day is celebrated with Sobha Yatras of small children dressed as Sri Krishnas. All the parents would like to see their wards dressed as Sri Krishna or Gopikas or various characters of the Bhagavata . Anandadham was vibrating with the presence of Kutty Krishnas on the happy occasion of Astami Rohini. It provided an opportunity for all the Mothers to identify with the Motherhood of Yashoda while dressing up their children as little Sri Krishna. All the children from Sandeepani Sishuvihar and other children from neighborhood participated in the programme. All together taking the gopikas, go-

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palas and Yashodas, there were 40 children on the stage. Children with best performance on stage were given token of appreciation. Singing of Krishna bhajans and dancing to the tune of songs were also part of the programme. After exhibiting their talents all the children and parents together went to Brindavan to pay their respects to the Krishna Statue. Lastly there was Uriyadi or breaking the pot which was the most interesting part of the programme. Anandham was transformed into a mini Vrindavan on that day.

CELEBRATION OF UNIVERSAL BTROTHERHOOD DAY

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On 3rd September forenoon, there was a Painting competition for the students of classes V to VII. The lamp was lighted by Sri Balakrishnan, one of the judges for Painting competition. Students from 6 different schools took part. On the same day, in the afternoon was arranged a narration competition for the VIth and VIIth classes. Topic was any incident from Swamijis life. Students from 9 schools took part. On 7th September there was an Elocution competition, both in Malayalam and English for classes VIII to X. 10 schools participated. On the same day in the afternoon a quiz programme on Indian Culture for the Higher Secondary students was conducted.

The Sarda Shati celebration committee of Kodungallur held a "Vivek Marathon" in the city on September 11th, on Wednesday, at 3.30 pm. The Marathon started from the Town Hall, Chandapura and circumbulating the Kodungallur Bhagavati Amman temple ended at Vivekananda Nagar at Thekkenada, a distance of about two kms. The programme was flagged off by the Circle Inspector Sri Surendran. The concluding function was held at Vivekananda Nagar. Nearly 200 people took part in the Run. Lakshmi Didi and Shri Prabodh from Vidya Niketan School, Kadakara, addressed the gathering.

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On 22nd September, Universal Brotherhood day was celebrated at Anandadham. Swami Bhadreshanandaji Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission, Ernakulum was the Chief Guest. Swamiji blessed the prize winners of different schools. The running trophies for both Malayalam and English Elocutions went to S.N.Vidyabhavan, Chantrapinni. Didi presented a report with photo clippings of her visit to Switzerland and U.A.E to attend the Sarda Shati programmes held there. The prize winners of various competitions presented speeches of Swamiji and Sishuvihar children sang a song on Swamiji and recited thoughts of Swamiji.

Say not one harsh word against this society. I love it for its past greatness. I love you all because you are the children of gods, and because you are the children of the glorious forefathers. How then can I curse you! Never. All blessings be upon you.
Swami Vivekananda

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OTHER PROGRAMMES IN THE CAMPUS

RAMAYANA IN DAY TO DAY LIFE
In continuation of the Ramayana Masacharan, Rev. Swamini Samhitanandaji from Chinmaya Mission Thiruvananthapuram, was invited for spiritual discourse on 4th August, Sunday. She talked on the practical application of the epic Ramayana in ones daily life. All the family members in whose houses the Ramayana Parayana was conducted were present in the programme. Swamini highlighted the role of Hanunaman Chalisa and Ram Charit Manas in day today lives and extolled the audience to start chanting Hanuman Chalisa regularly

PRAVASI SANGAMAM
A Pravasi Sangamon for the NRIs was organized by the Sevabharati on 9th August, from 7am in the morning to 9.30 p.m. at night. Sri Sudhakar conducted yoga class for the members in the morning. Nearly 300 people were present. Didi inaugurated the programme in the morning and later separately spoke to the mothers. A number of cultural programmes by the children of Saraswati Vidyaniketans added to the glamour of the occasion .

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OTHER PROGRAMMES IN THE CAMPUS

ONAM IN SCHOOL
Onam was celebrated in Sandeepani Sishuviahr just the day before their Onam vacation. Children themselves with the help of their mothers and teachers made a beautiful floral design with flowers brought by each one of them. Ritupoorna of LKG was dressed as Vamana and Akshara of UKG as Mahabali . This year, as usual, 40 needy people were given Onam coupons worth Rs 250/- each to celebrate Onam.

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GANAPATHI HOMAM Ganapathi Homam and Srichakra Puja were performed on 21st August and 19th September respectively. Karumatra Dr. Vijayan himself, with the help of his disciples performed the Homam. Sri Vishnu sahasranama archana was held in the evening in which took part. all inmates of Ananda dham

YOGA SATRAS
In the Yoga satra, six ladies and six gents underwent yoga training in separate classes, men in the morning and ladies in the fore noon, during the months of August and September.

YOGA VARGA AND SAMSKAR VARGA

. Yoga varga had five men in the morning and four ladies in the afore noon class. Two ladies were trained in Pranayama. Regular Samskar varga was conducted by the vidyarthanis of Anandadham, Kum. Veena, Priyanka and Srithu, on every Sunday.

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OTHER PROGRAMMES IN THE CAMPUS

MYSTERIES OF LSN Girishji conducted his regular classes on Sri Lalitha Sahasra Namam, on 24th August , 28th and 29th September. The classes started and ended with highly meaningful meditations.

TRAINING IN KALARI A Kalari (Martial Arts) training course has been started in Anandadham by Shri Raghunathan , from the month of September on every Monday and Tuesday. Twelve students have enrolled. Classes are conducted in the evening from 6pm to 8 pm.

All-merciful, all-powerful, omnipresent are the a ributes of Divine Mother. She is the sum total of the energy in the universe. Every manifestation of power in the universe is Mother.

Swami Vivekananda
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DIDIS PROGRAMMES ABROAD IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER

SWITZERLAND-TOUR
Unveiling of the plaque with the picture of Swami Vivekananda at the entrance of the Best Western Metropolitan hotel at Saasfee the Alpine village ( Swami Vivekananda had stayed in this hotel in August 1897), on 28th August 2013.

1. Swami Amarananda of the Vedanta Centre Geneva at Sasfee. In front is Swami Vivekanandas bust installed in front of the Sasser Museum. 2. Didi at Rietberg Museum, Zurich. 3. Didi addressing the gathering at the Museum auditorium at Sasfee 4. Swami Amamrananda presenting momento to Didi

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DIDI AT VARIOUS SATSANGHS AND MATRI SAMMELAN AT U.A.E.

1. AT ALAIN 2. AT MUSSAFAH 3. AT MUSSAFAH 4. AT SHARJAH ADDRESSING THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS 5. DIDI WITH A NORTH INDIAN GROUP AT SMT KUSUM DUTTAS HOUSE, DUBAI.

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SRADDHANJALI
Smt Lata Menon Smt Lata Menon, a close welwisher of Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation ,and niece of Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi, is no more. Since the start of this centre of Vivekananda Kendra at Kodungallur, till her demise, she had been whole heartedly supporting it both monetarily and morally. Her untimely demise is a great loss for all of us. May her soul rest in peace. Shanthakka Dear Shanthakka attained immortality on 28th September 2013 at Thoothukudi, due a massive heart attack. Born on 17-10-1948 she took voluntary retirement from the Department of Posts and Telegraph in 1987. After attending a Yoga Shiksha Shibir in May 1986 at Kanyakumari, she joined Vivekananda Kendra in 1987. From then on she was working in Vivekananda Kendra Rural Development Programme. As a Secretary of VKRDP, under her tireless work, VK RDP made a mark in the southern districts of Tamilnadu. A Karma yogi, inspired by Swamiji she was ever active and used to get involved in the work, totally identified with the job on hand. A powerful speaker in Tamil on Swamiji and Sharada Ma, her values of dedication and commitment has drawn many youth to Kendra, especially Rural women. Few days back, she concluded a three month Yoga instructors course, with a mass suryanamaskar progamme. She had wide contacts and her Loksamgrah was astounding. Without bothering much for high sugar, she kept on working till her last breath. Her passing away is an irreparable loss to Kendra.

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SWAMI VIVEKANANDAS MESSAGE TO THE WEST

Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari (Text of the lecture delivered at Saas Fee, Switzerland on 28. 8. 2013)

It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome you have given me. I want to share a special joy with you and that is, it was my childhood dream to come to Switzerland to enjoy the magnificence of nature that is unfolded here. I thank Revered Swami Amaranandaji Maharaj and all the members of the organizing committee for providing me this wonderful opportunity. Hear, ye, children of immortal bliss! Even Ye that reside in higher spheres! I have found the Ancient One, who is beyond all darkness, all delusion, knowing Him alone you will be saved from death over again. There exists no other way for liberation. (S. w. Upanishad) Thus did the great rishis of India reveal to the world their magnificent discovery of the existence of the One Ultimate Truth, which lies beyond the perceptions of human body, mind and intellect. This very same knowledge of Truth has been handed over through millennia and has remained as the central fulcrum of Indian spiritual heritage or Sanathana Dharma. Thousands of years back when humanity had not yet tasted the fruits of culture, civilization, knowledge, religion, etc., when they were still groping in darkness as to the value, meaning, purpose and goal of life, in the blessed land of India there was already a flourishing civilization. The people here, having understood the ephemeral nature of life, as seen and enjoyed through senses, turned to a life of deep contemplation, steadily withdrawing their senses, mind and intellect from the ever changing phenomenal world outside and delving into the depths of their being through the perfect technique of meditation. The realization of the Ultimate Truth that they achieved transformed them totally. Their vision was no more restricted or fragmentary but became unified and

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wholesome. Their whole life became surcharged with the vision of Oneness, which was omniscient and omnipotent. They also discovered that such a vision was capable of destroying all the miseries arising out of fragmented understanding of the Truth which is a source of infinite indestructible sat chidananda. They also became aware of the highly potential blissful nature of the soul within each and every being. Out of this awareness came the immortal words quoted above. It was this nectar of immortal bliss that Swami Vivekananda was carrying with him all through his life on that memorable day 11th September 1893 Swamiji shared with the eagerly awaiting assembly at the Chicago Parliament of Religions and through them with the world at large the eternal, the ever fresh, soul stirring vision of the Indian rishis through his famous lecture beginning with the immortal words Sisters and Brothers of America which drenched the audience in an unheard of bliss emanating from the wholesomeness of the Indian Vedic Vision of life in totality. The highly enlightening spiritual unifying force released by Swami Vivekananda on that momentous occasion brought in its wake a resurrection of human faith, reaffirmation of the eternality of Satya and Dharma and a reawakening of human soul to an awareness of its essential divinity. The message of unity and universal love that poured in from the soulful words of Swami Vivekananda drenched the whole of humanity in a new wave of spiritual understanding and universal brotherhood which continue to soothen many a tortured soul even today. Through his tireless work of 9 years he brought about a synthesis of not only of the East and the West but also of knowledge and action, science and spirituality. The sum total of his efforts was the unfoldment of the philosophy of Practical Vedanta for the elevation of man to the divine, from the much maligned level of a sinner. No wonder, to this day Swami Vivekananda remains as the best mediator between the East and the West. More than a century has passed since Swami Vivekanandas sonorous voice echoed these immortal words resplendent with the never diminishing shine of Eternal Truth. In fact, these words were a short commentary on the inexplicably sweet utterance he made at the opening of the Parliament of Religions. His words fell like the first rain drops on the thirsty chataka birds who had thronged the opening session of the Parliament, yearning for a new message, a new vision, a new impulse and a new command that would make not only their lives fruitful but also bring a new silver lining on the dark clouds that were beginning to gather over the worlds horizon. It was this vision that translated itself into the words Sisters and Brothers of America
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as he stood up and began his address to the assembly. The sound vibrations that emanated from him have merged with the Universal sound. But the soul stirring expressions that poured out of him over the next nine and half years still remain with us as his own commentary on the vision he had nurtured, thanks to his realization of the Self within. These commentaries are fortunately available to us distributed in the nine volumes of Vivekananda literature. In living form they remain in the monasteries and mission centers for which he had laid foundations in his own life time and in the hearts of millions of Indians for whom they form a never ending source of inspiration and guidance. .(to be continued)

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