Monthly eMagazine of the International Vedanta Mission

Vedanta Sandesh Aug 2019

Year - 25 Issue 2
 Cover Page

The cover pages of the Aug 2019 issue of Vedanta Sandesh is the
beautiful avian creation of God - the cute & colorful Indian Pitta. This photo
was clicked in the Katkut forests on the outskirts of Indore in June 2019.

The Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura) is a small, stubby and shy bird
inhabiting the scrubby and dense evergreen forest. It is locally called
Navranga, meaning - the nine or multi-colored one. It has buff-colored front
(lower) parts, dark green upperparts, with a bright cobalt blue patch on the
wing coverts; the lower belly and vent are bright scarlet red, and the short
stubby tail is dark blue. Its legs are slightly longish & thin, yet strong; the
stout bill is black; there is a thick black eye stripe, a buff-colored crown stripe,
and black coronal stripes. Indeed it looks like God's cute & lively shade-card.

Sighting Indian Pitta requires stealth approach because it prefers

dense undergrowth where it hops around foraging for insects in the leaf litter.
Also seen on tree branches perched in a dignified way with its chest boldly
out, and flies around from one tree branch to another, yet gives ample time
to click. It is more often heard than seen and has a distinctive two-note loud
whistle. The call is heard mostly at dawn or dusk time leading to its common
name of 'Six-O-Clock' bird.
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 CONTENTS Vedanta Sandesh
Aug 2019
1. Shloka 5

2. Message of P. Guruji 7-8

3. Sadhana Panchakam 9-13

4. Letter 14-15

5. Gita Reflections 16-22

6. The Art of Man Making 23-27

7. Jivanmukta 28-30

8. Story Section 31-33

9. Mission / Ashram News 34-70

10. Forthcoming Progs 71

11. Internat News 72-73

12. Links 74
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 Monthly eMagazine of the International Vedanta Mission
Aug 2019 : Year 25 / Issue 2

Published by
International Vedanta Mission
Vedanta Ashram, E/2948, Sudama Nagar,
Indore-452009 (M.P.) India
http://www.vmission.org.in / vmission@gmail.com

Editor:

Swamini
Samatananda
Saraswati
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 thoUeqDrLrq rf}}ku~
iwwoksZsikf/kxq.kkaLR;tsr~A
lfPpnkuUn:iRokr~
Hkosn~HkzzejdhVor~~AA
A liberated one, endowed with Self-knowledge, gives up
the traits of his previously explained equipments (upadhis)
and because of his nature of Sat-chit-ananda, he verily be-
comes Brahman, just like a wasp (which drastically trans-
forms itself from a worm).

Atma Bodha - 49
 Message
from
Poojya Guruji

Truthfulness is very Powerful

In the Shaankar Bhashya on the mantra Satyameva Jayati (Munda-
kopanishad) Bhagwan Bhashyakara Bhagwatpada Sri Sankaracharya

says that lR;L; cyor~ lk/kuRoe~ meaning, the quality of

Satya is a very powerful quality. In fact all the so called good qualities are
very powerful and have transformative capacities in them, but the quality of
Satya, stands right on top of them all.
Satya simply means the quality of transparency, living as per one’s
understanding, and not putting up a face which may falsely impress some-
one around. Truthfulness means being truthful to what we are and what
we know. No situation or provocation is justified for presenting a fact which
we know is not factual. Many a times in life there are situations where we
can falsely present a fact just to ward off any possible inconvenience or
get some benefit. This happens in our relationships, business or even light
day-to-day interactions with our friends & relatives.
V edanta Sandes h

There are broadly two kinds of benefits which we accrue. One is

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 worldly, and the other is subjective. Avoiding pestering by a doubtful wife or
husband, getting some tax benefit, showing off oneself as very knowledga-
ble person, well-connected or financially well-off etc. are classic examples
and situations wherein we effortlesssly & innocently speak untruth. We do
get some benefits out of such false presentation of facts - these are worldly
benefits. The other is subjective benefit. When a person speaks untruth,
then something happens in our minds. We create a split in our minds. One
part of our mind knows a fact in one way and the other part, for whatever
reason, presents it in a different way. This split may help get us some tem-
porary benefit outside, but thereafter something terrible happens, that part
of our mind which knows the truth, is progressively made subservient, and
thus sidelined. That which we falsely present outside is made more pow-
erful. The consequence of this is that slowly whatever we know, we cannot
live that. All our wisdom becomes useless, and we thereafter live a life of
dependence on things outside.
The crux of all adhyatmic wisdom is that we all can be complete
in ourselves by ourselves, but resorting to untruth continuously makes us
dependent on things outside, and also keeps on making us weaker & in-
capacitated. Resorting to truth not only helps present ourself as a very
reliable person, whose word is enough, but brings peace in our minds.
The best part is that thereafter we live as per our convictions, which is the
single most important quality to get true benefit of our wisdom. Resorting to
truthfulness turns the table, and cleanes the mind of various consequences
of untruths which we were resorting to till now. Indeed it is a very powerful
quality.
Sarve bhadrani pashyantu. Om Tat Sat.
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 Sadhana
Panchakam

-:1:-
V edanta Sandes h

Swamini Samatananda
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 Sadhana Panchakam
S adhana Panchakam reveals the ladder of
spiritual journey and awakening into the state of atmani eva at-
mana tushtaha which means being fulfilled by the Self and within
the Self. Awakening into the truth of ourselves is Self-realization.
It is the ultimate goal of human life. This journey is basically
two-fold - one, of first becoming a ‘yoga-yukta’, and then cul-
minating into Brahma-Vidya. Bhagwan Sankaracharya broadly
divides this entire journey into 40 steps. From where to begin,
and then what is next - this entire revelation is made in this small
yet profound text. He says focus fully on one sadhana and then
take the next step. So we will now go on to understand all these
40 rungs of ladder. We now start with the first sadhana in this
beautiful, simple yet a complete package of spiritual growth.

osnks fuR;e/kh;rke~
May one study the Vedas everyday. Vedas is an eternal body
of knowledge which was given in the begining of the creation by
Parmatma himself. They are mantras revealing the eternal truth
of all existence be it inert or living. Vedas means that knowledge
which gives us a divine vision towards the Self and the world
outside.

We all are on a journey of life seeking something, but unfortu-

nately we all have a vague idea of what we are truly seeking and
at the same time we are also ambiguous of the means to attain a
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 Sadhana Panchakam
goal in life. We all are living like a heard of sheep who are blindly
following each other. We discern a goal inspired by what we see
around in our family and social environment. The irony is neither
of us knows where we are heading too. We just have a hazy idea
that I want joy, I want satisfaction and I will get this by acquir-
ing money, a car, a house, a family, some fame, some status, all so
because we have seen someone else follow this path. We need to
ask ourself what am I seeking? What is the goal of my life? By
recognizing the goal we recognize our Purushartha. It is only
when we are aware of our Purushartha our goal in life, can we
also recognize the means to attain the goal. With some introspec-
tion We come to realize that we all are fundamentally looking
for blissful contentment. But unfortunately the means to attain-
ing that which is eternal is temporary and inert by itself. This is
where the Vedas, the Upanishads become a guiding lighthouse.

The Vedas introduce us to our goal in life which is awakening into

a state of fulfillment, a state of completeness by our own self and
within our own self. The Vedas introduce ourself to our own self.
Not only that they reveal the ultimate goal of self realization but
they also show us the path, give us the guidance as to how we can
reach that goal of self knowledge. Not knowing the truth of the
Self and leading a life based on imaginary notions about the Self
has been the cause of all human suffering from time immemorial.
The Vedas give us a divine vision of the Self which transcends
the limitations of time and space, which is the life principle of all
existence and which is blissful in nature.
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 Sadhana Panchakam
The objective world which we see through our sense organs
shows duality. What ever we see through our sense organs is al-
ways dual. And if this is the means of our vision then we see
duality everywhere and also see ourself as limited. Our world
becomes small. Me, my family, my society and my country. This is
the consequence of seeing only through sense organs. Our space
becomes limited and we even see God as limited because we see
him also as per our sense organs. The Upanishads are saying ‘Isha
vasyam idam sarvam’. There is only one water which is mani-
festing as different waves. To understand the secrets of all exist-
ence, one must go through the vedas. The journey of realizing
the truth of one’s Self is what the Vedas call our Purusharthas. It
is through the four purusharthas one comes to see the facts about
the world and its experiences by practising righteousness and
then enquiring into the truth through knowledge culminating in
moksha. The Vedic darshan reveals every one is my atma. Not
only all beings are an expression of my Self alone but I am one
with Ishvara too.

Keeping in mind this Vedic vision, in this first step of the 40

rungs of ladder of Sadhana Panchakam, here the Acharya is first
emphasising and glorigying simply the chanting of the Vedas.
All the Vedas are in sanskrit. Sanskrit is a divine language un-
matched by any other in the world. Its precision is appreciated
and recognized by the world. It is not only a medium of commu-
nication amongst human beings but scientists all over have con-
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 Sadhana Panchakam
cluded that sanskrit is the most accurate language for computers.
One who can chant sanskrit mantras properly, reveals his or her
clarity of speech, their focus and faith towards the Vedas. We can
start by chanting only one shanti mantra from the Vedas. Take
this as a goal to learn to chant a vedic mantra. Chanting the vedic
mantras sow the seeds of curiosity of wanting to to know the ve-
das. Sooner or later one will surely feel inspired to understand the
meaning of the Vedic mantras too. Chanting is the first sopan.
In fact, in the beginning one should not even worry about the
meaning. Its first important to develop faith towards the vedic
manatras and bring about clarity of speech. In this manner once
we learn to chant we will also feel inspired to know the meaning
and be prepared too.

So, Vedo Nityam Adheeyataam - Study Vedas Daily.

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 Mail from
Poojya Guruji

Handling Household Fights

Hari om !

Someone has asked as to give some mantra to them to end the

endless household bikerings & fighting.

As the saying goes - It takes two to Tango. Obviously this scenario

of household infightings reveals that both the partners are people

of strong opinions and their convictions are so strong that the

effort is not only to live as per them, but even make others live

as per their values & convictions. The consequence of this alone is

infightings. No one likes to create a hell in their own dream home,

but still that alone is the consequence.

Obviously everyone needs to like as per their convictions & values,

yet if at all there is arrongance that you alone are right, and the

other is a fool, then only we will sincerely strive to somehow im-

press others and assure that the other fellow lives as per that un-

derstanding alone. Now imagine if both the partners are of such a

state of mind. Both consider the other a fool and themselves alone
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as wise, Infightings is a result of such a state of mind.

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 The better option is to listen to the opinion of others with an open

mind, and then share reasons of your convictions & values rather

than try to impose your opinion. Such an attitude of imposition is

disrespectful & arrogant. Rather be a good listener too. Hear the

other person out, and share the reasons of convictions. Whosoever

doesnt have good reasons will shortly realize the truth and peace-

fully & happily change. That’s the way to go.

It is not enough to speak just the truth, but also speak it in such

a way which is pleasant and beneficial to others. Try speaking in

as little words as possible. The sutra given by shastras for this is:

Satyam Vada, Priyam Vada, Hitam Vada and Mitam Vada, meaning

Speak the truth, speak it in a way which is respectful & nice, speak

it for the benefit of others, and finally speak it in as less words as

possible - short, crisp & clear. Try, we all can & should be able to

do this. Think. Thereafter there shall definitely be Shanti Parva

in your home.

Lots of love & om,

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 Gita Reflections

;= ;ksxs’oj% Ñ".kks
;= ikFkksZ /kuq/kZj%A
r= Jhfot;ks Hkwfr%
/kqzok uhfreZfreZeAA
V edanta Sandes h

(Gita 18/78)
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 Guru-Upasadana
(;= ;ksxs'oj%---)
Swamini Samatananda

Wherever there is Shree Krishna, the Lord of all Yoga, and wherever there
is Arjun, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be unending opulence,
victory, prosperity, and righteousness. Of this, I am certain.

(Gita : Ch-18 / Sh-78)

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 Gita Reflections
S angati: The divine song of the Lord ‘Srimad
Bhagwad Geeta’ concludes with a clear and deep pronounce-
ment by Sanjay. This statement reveals to us that wherever
there is Shree Krishna, the Lord of all Yoga, and wherever
there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will certainly be all
kinds of wealth be it material or spiritual, victory, prosperity,
and righteousness.

The dialogue between Bhagwan Sri Krishna and Arjuna comes

in a scenario where on one side we have a despondent, disen-
thused, shattered and confused Arjuna and on the other side we
have Yogeshwara, the Lord of all Yoga, Bhagwan Sri Krishna
who is an embodiment of Yoga and knowledge, playing the
role of his Sarathi (Charioteer). The dialogue between Sri Kr-
ishna and Arjuna began on the background of Arjuna’s moha
and its consequence shoka. This shatters Arjuna to the extent
of surrendering his famous bow and arrow-the Gandiva in ut-
ter helplessness and confusion as to whether He should fight
the war or compassionately give away everything to his high-
ly egoistic, self-centric, merciless brother Duryodhana and his
kin. The desire to give up fighting the war amidst various jus-
tifications as to why Arjuna and all the Pandavas should avoid
such a hedious action Arjuna finally surrenders at the Feet of
Sri Krishna gracefully accepting his ignorance and indecisive-
ness. This point of the scene in chapter two marks the turn-
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 Gita Reflections
ing point in Arjuna’s life where now we have Arjuna not as a
warrior Arjuna but a disciple, a student Arjuna who graceful-
ly accepts his ignorance and expresses his desire for enquiry
and understanding what is his Dharma. With the surrender
of Arjuna as a disciple we then also come to see Bhagwan Sri
Krishna adorning the role of a Guru, a Teacher.

The scenario of Arjuna and Bhagwan Sri Krishna as a student

and teacher in the entire discussion of the Bhagwad Geeta
gives us some serious food for thought regarding an ideal stu-
dent and an ideal Teacher. Knowledge in any field is always a
blessing from a teacher. Be it in the form of our first teachers
our parents, our school teachers, teachers of arts or any kind of
higher knowledge. If worldly knowledge is not possible with-
out a Guru, it is impossible to acquire knowledge of Dhar-
ma (Righteousness) and Self knowledge without an authentic
Guru. Worldly knowledge too requires faith and surrender to-
wards the teacher to get the best of knowledge but still world-
ly knowledge accomodates a good amount of liberty in the
sharing of knowledge, the realtionship can be purely one sided
without interfering in the personal domain of either of them.
But when it comes to a relationship of a Guru and Shishya
as per our Vedic traditions, this bond shines out most unique-
ly surpassing all other relationships in the world. There is a
beautiful and very popular shloka from ‘Guru Stotram’ which
says - Twameva mata cha pita twameva, twameva bandhushcha
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 Gita Reflections
sakhaa twameva. Twameva vidya dravinam tvameva, twameva
sarvam mum deva deva

This sloka trying to see the beauty of our special worldly re-
lations in the relationship of a teacher and student actually
puts its hands up implying that no relation in the world can
surmount this beautiful and divine relationship of a Guru and
Shishya. This relationship encompasses all relationships in the
world and yet it is much more.

The bond between a spiritual teacher and his disciple is a rela-

tionship. It is not a sermon given from someone standing on a
pedestial. It is a relationship which is nurtured and grown to
the extent of subtle connection of two hearts. Sharing knowl-
edge is a highly specialized communication between the teacher
and the taught. It marks total surrender and faith on the side
of the student where as a teacher too is like an architect who
moulds the physical and mental personality of the student to
live a life of purity, a life of righteousness thereby also prepar-
ing him for the highest of all knowledge that is knowledge of
the Self. All these qualities of this beautiful relationship can be
looked up to in Bhagwan Sri Krishna and Arjuna.

We can see the firmness of Acharya Krishna rejecting all the

justifications given by Arjuna in the first chapter and shaking
him to the point of realizing his ignorance and wrong notions.
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 Gita Reflections
Even though Arjuna’s question pertained to understanding his
duty i.e. his dharma in this particular situation Bhagwan Sri Kr-
ishna is seen as Shrotriya Rishi of the Upanishads who reveals
the ultimate nature of the Self as the limitless, self effulgent,
eternal and blissful Self and then compassionately guiding him
on the path of Dharma, exactly from where he stands. The Re-
vered Master of Vedic Philosophy not only paints the picture
of a Jivanmukta but the entire song of the Lord is a manu-
script of the Art of Karma Yoga teaching us to perform actions
in the most integrated and dynamic way and yet making every
action an expression of pure devotion which paves the path of
the ultimate knowledge of the Self taught in the Upanishads.
We can see the compassion of a loving Guru who very patient-
ly listens to the sometimes fundamental and sometimes highly
subtle questions of his student in Arjuna. His compassion goes
to the extent of showing him the glorious cosmic form of Ish-
vara spilling out all the beans that Bhagwan Krishna is none
other than Ishvara himself.

On the other hand Arjuna too represents an inspiring role

model of being a good student. Begining his journey from a
despondent and shattered Yodha he goes on to surrender at
the Feet of his Guru in Bhagwan Sri Krishna. He reveals to us
an inspiring combination of a humble, transparent, sensitive,
devotional, thoughtful and enquiring student desirous to learn
one’s Dharma in life.
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 Gita Reflections
Bhagwan Sri Krishna and Arjuna in the BhagwadGeeta show-
case a perfect picture of a Guru and Shishya which is an inspi-
ration for all who are desirous to taste the nectar of knowledge.

Therefore this statement of Sanjay in the concluding verse of

the divine song of the Lord declares that if at any time there is
a communion of the Supreme Lord Bhagwan Sri Krishna and
his devotee Partha then undoubtedly, there will be wealth of
all kind, material and spiritual, wealth of righteousness, victo-
ry, and prosperity.

As we celebrate Janmashtami this year let us pray to Bhagwan

Sri Krishna that may we too be blessed by this beautiful rela-
tionship.
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 - 17-
The Art Of Man Making
Picture of The Goal

P.P. Gurudev
Swami Chinmayanandaji
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 The Art of Man Making
T he means in themselves have no charm of
their own save the glow of beauty imparted to them by the
goal. If the goal is great, the means appear heroic, respectable,
noble, brilliant, even divine. But Arjuna, the warrior, the man
of the world, is not satisfied. The question, ‘What then will I
gain?’ bothers him. If Vasanas erupt, as desires and wishes in
the intellect, as passions and thoughts in the mind, and as ac-
tions at the body level, then when all Vasanas have ended, there
can only be a life without desires, wishes, without passions and
thoughts, and naturally, therefore, without any actions. To con-
sider such a life would be dreary dream of total inactivity, a
dumb state of thoughtfulness-at its best, perhaps an unend-
ing sleep! This is not acceptable to any dynamic man of ac-
tion, and the Pandava Prince knew that such an inert existence
could never be the goal glorified in the scriptures. There must
be some covetable, brilliant existence, higher than what we are
now living, but what it is eludes the mind of Arjuna.

So he asks, pertinently, five direct questions to Krishna: *O Ke-

shava, what is the nature of the Man of Perfection? What is his
inner poise? How does He sit, speak and walk? Krishna divines
the student’s inner demand and elaborately answers all these
questions.

The following eighteen verses comprise one of the most sub-

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 The Art of Man Making
lime poems of the world wherein Vyasa paints a word-picture
of the Man-of-Perfection. The questions inspire Krishna to an-
swer at length, pointing out the intellectual values of life, the
emotional reactions to happenings and the physical responses
of the Man of Perfection, a man in whom all Vasanas have
ended. Here we have a brilliant picture of him who has come to
dwell in pure, Infinite Consciousness, and yet lives in our midst
as one of us playing his role as a Godman upon earth.

This adds up to a picture of a totally dedicated, utterly selfless

man, who while living his own inner experience of a vaster and
fuller understanding, beams his love and purity upon the world
around him. Above all temptations, in himself, far away from
the din and roa of lust, ever kind and benevolent, with divine
mercy and consideration, he lives amidst the sense-objects of
the world-peaceful, serene, unaffected-free from passions and
agitations.

The student in Arjuna asks,

(1) What is the nature of the Man of Perfection? (Kaa Bhaasha)
(2) What is his inner life of tranquility and peace? (Samadhi)
(3) How does he speak? (Kim Prabhaashet)
(4) How does he sit amidst the natural temptations of sense-ob-
jects? (Kim aaseeta)
(5) How does he move about in the world of objects unaffected
by all the jostling around him? (Vrajeta kim)
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 The Art of Man Making
An exhaustive picture of the Man of Perfection such as given
in the Geeta is not found anywhere in the scriptures of the
world even in our own Upanishads.

Painting can give us a sense of movement, but it has not the

four-dimensional solidity that sculptures can give. But sculp-
ture, alas, depicts only one arrested moment of action-not the
flowing play of activity. Vyasa wanted both the movement of
painting and the strength and solidity of sculpture for his de-
piction of the Man of Perfection. As a true artist, he had to
discover a new medium for his extra ordinary theme.

And he found it in what we may call word-painting. It has the

fluidity of painting and the four sided solidity of sculpture. But
alas! it has its own weaknesses. When colour is applied to the
canvas on the casel, the onlooker sees the colours as they are.
Here words are used to paint upon the canvas of the listeners’
minds. Words have different suggestions to different people. In
short, the canvas(the mind) is ever agitated, and so scatters the
picture painted! So, too, each reader would perceive differently
the same word-painting!

Yet in these 18 verses, with 15 superb strokes, Vyasa accom-

plishes the picture of the Man of Perfection. These include
digressions to satisfy possible doubts that might arise in the
mindof the listner, and thus to provide data for the student’s
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 The Art of Man Making
easy comprehension. In the end, the picture stands out firm and
clear, bathed in the captivating light of our own understanding
-not as a motionless statue, but as a streak of lightening , flash-
ing through life, lighting up the path with an unearthly glow
of joy and peace.

Such a one is not, thereafter a useless member of society, not a

mere dead weight upon the community, not one more mouth to
be fed by the world. He is an active and dynamic man of good-
ness, living every moment in inspired joy, meeting all challeng-
es with a smile, accepting life and death equally, unaffected by
the world of turmoil around, unattached to anything, free and
ever liberated from the weakness of the flesh. He reigns-indeed
he reigns as a siveriegn-wielding his power with infnite love
and wisdom.
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 Jivanmukta
Wandering In
Himalayas

79
Trilokeenath

Excerpts from the Travel Memoirs of

Param Poojya
V edanta Sandes h

Swami Tapovanji
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 Jivanmukta
A ll the sadhus, except two, now set out in the
direction of Kashmir which could be reached from there in ten or
twelve days As for me, I decided to return to Kullu in the com-
pany of the other two sadhus We followed the same path which
we had pursued on our journey to Thrilokeenath On our way back
we passed a day at Jaturaa, fourteen miles from Trilokee During
these journeys we supported ourselves on sattu, flour, milk and but-
ter-milk, which we obtained at wayside villages From Jatuma a path
leads to the holy spot, Manmahesam. Manmahesam is situated in
the Champa State It is encircled by chains of snow-covered moun-
tains and is hardly accessible to common people. It is far from all
human habitation. The Iravathi, a tributary of the Sindhu, has her
source near it Though we had heard of the holy temple, we made
no attempt to visit it for more reasons than one. For one thing,
pilgrims from Jatuma have to cross a high pass called “ Kapti Pass
” to reach Manmahesam For another, the season was not suitable
for making the attempt , snow still lay deep for five or six miles
along the route Besides, we failed to secure the services of a relia-
ble guide. Leaving our direct route, we struck out along the bank of
the Chandra and travelled five miles or more, simply for diversion,
reaching a large village called Kelang. As there were certain British
officials camping there, we passed a day with them as their guests.
On that day there was heavy rainfall, followed by snowfall. Howev-
er, we did not perish in the bitter cold, as by God’s grace, we had
V edanta Sandes h

been received as guests by the officials. From the village, capital of

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 Jivanmukta
the province called Lavel, a road leads up to Tibet and Turkistan.
At Kelang on the tops of the mountain peaks we could see the
beautiful hermitages of the lamas. Shivering with cold, but de-
lighted with the sights around us, we proceeded on the very next
day from Kelang (12,000 ft. above sea-level) and travelled across
the mountains which were dazzling with fresh, bright snow.
Rainfall started again and it became unbearably cold. To set our
feet on the icy ground became almost impossible. True indeed is
the Sastric view that even for those who have attained monistic
knowledge, advaita is possible only in feeling and not action. Heat
and cold, pleasure and pain, milk and poison, fire and water are all
Brahman, one can feel them all as self, but even for the staunchest
advaiti it is impossible to treat them as one and the same for prac-
tical purposes. Even the true knowers cannot lie on the bare cold
ground during a snowfall, as they do in the gentle warmth of the
Sun ; they cannot swallow poison as they drink milk ; they can-
not plunge into fire as they do into water, even though they are
convinced, beyond all doubt, that they are all Brahman. Worldly
existence is on the physical plane. The body is the same in the
case of the Knower and in the case of the Ignorant. So there is
not much of a difference between them physically. On the attain-
ment of True Knowledge, one develops powers like physical and
mental control and endurance but even then one can not alter the
innate nature of snow and fire, wind and rain. It being so, there
is no reason why people should wonder if we, common mortals,
suffered severely on account of the attack of cold, etc.
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 STORY
Section
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 Omkareshwar
S ituated on the banks of River Narma-
da on the Mandhata Island formed in the shape of OM in San-
skrit, Omkareshwar is another famed Jyotir Lingas.

As per Hindu legend, Vindya, the deity controlling the Vin-

dyachal mountain range was worshipping Shiva to propitiate
himself from the sins committed. He created a sacred geomet-
rical diagram and a Lingam made of sand and clay. Shiva was
pleased with the worship and believed to have appeared in two
forms, namely Omkareshwar and Amaleswara. Since the mud
mound appeared in the form of Om, the island came to be
known as Omkareswar. There is a shrine for Parvati and five-
faced Ganapati in the temple.

The Legend was that Narada provoked the powerful Vindhya

Mountain as the latter boasted of his height and might; Vin-
dhya was no doubt high but was not comparable to that of Meru
Mountain, Narada said. Vindhya Raja felt jealous and resorted
to concentrated Tapasya to Maha Deva who granted Vindhya’s
request to establish a Shiva Linga on the banks of Narmada
River. Puffed by Shiva’s presence there, Vindhya grew taller
and taller to compete with Sumeru. This disturbed Surya’s rou-
V edanta Sandes h

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 Omkareshwar
tine circumambulation of the Universe as he had to return half
way as one half of the Universe remained dark. Devi Bhagavati
asked Sage Agastya from Varanasi to visit Vindhya Raja who
out of veneration for the Muni bent down. Agastya asked Vin-
dhaya to be in that position till he returned and the Muni had
yet to return from Dakishna Bharat eversince!

Adi Shankara’s Cave – Omkareshwar is said to be the place

where Sri Adi Sankara met his Guru Govindapada in a cave.
This cave can be found even today just below the Shiva temple
where an image of Adi Shankara has been installed
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 Mission & Ashram News

Bringing Love & Light

in the lives of all with the
Knowledge of Self
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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Camp - Indore

By Poojya Guruji Swami Atmanandaji

VivekChudamani - Sloka 1 (Jantunaam)

V edanta Sandes h

13th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Camp - Indore

By Poojya Guruji Swami Atmanandaji

Vivekchoodamani - Sloka 2 (Jantunaam)

V edanta Sandes h

13th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Camp - Indore

By Poojya Guruji Swami Atmanandaji

Vivekchoodamani - Sloka 2 (Jantunaam)

V edanta Sandes h

13th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Camp - Indore

By Poojya Guruji Swami Atmanandaji

Vivekchoodamani - Sloka 2 (Jantunaam)

V edanta Sandes h

13th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Camp - Indore

By Poojya Guruji Swami Atmanandaji

Vivekchoodamani - Sloka 2 (Jantunaam)

V edanta Sandes h

13th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Puja - Indore

Puja of all the Acharyas of our Sampradaya

By Poojya Guruji
V edanta Sandes h

16th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Celebration - Indore

Then was the Pada-Puja of Poojya Guruji

by Suresh Rohra & Bhagat Singh Bhati

V edanta Sandes h

16th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Celebraton - Indore

Pada-Puja of Poojya Guruji

It was House-Full with Devotees

V edanta Sandes h

from Near & Far

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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Celebration - Indore

Eack devotee got a chance to pay their respect

to their respected & beloved Gurudev

V edanta Sandes h

16th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Celebration - Indore

Then there was a short discourse

By Poojya Guruji Swami Atmanandaji

V edanta Sandes h

16th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Guru Poornima Celebration - Indore

Bhandara for All

Made by Devotees - for Devotees

V edanta Sandes h

16th July 2019

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 MIssion News
Guru Poornima Celebration - Mumbai

Puja / Bhajans / Pravachan at Mumbai

By Poojya Swamini Samatanandaji

V edanta Sandes h

20th July 2019

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 MIssion News
Guru Poornima Celebration - Mumbai

Hotel Executive Enclave - Basement Hall

Very good participation by devotees

V edanta Sandes h

All arrangements were lovingly done

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 MIssion News
Guru Poornima Celebration - Mumbai

Paduka-Puja - by Jagdeesh & Sheela Raikwar

Lovely arrangements - by Sh Suresh Rohraji

V edanta Sandes h

20th July 2019

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 MIssion News
Guru Poornima Celebration - Mumbai

P. Swaminiji spoke on ‘Tvameva Mata’ shloka

Finally there were refreshments for all

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20th July 2019

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 MIssion News
Guru Poornima Puja-2 @ Mumbai

Paduka-Puja - by Satish & Suman Sharma

at their residence - in Dahisar

V edanta Sandes h

21st July 2019

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 MIssion News
Guru Poornima Puja-2 @ Mumbai

Puja guided by P. Swamini Samatanandaji

Finally blessings to all - by P. Swaminiji

V edanta Sandes h

21st July 2019

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 Ashram News
Hanuman Chalisa Satsang: July 2019

vUrdky j/kqojiqj tkbZ----

guqeku pkyhlk & pkSikbZ u- 34

V edanta Sandes h

28th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Hanuman Chalisa Satsang: July 2019

vUrdky j/kqojiqj tkbZ----

guqeku pkyhlk & pkSikbZ u- 34

V edanta Sandes h

28th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Hanuman Chalisa Satsang: July 2019

vUrdky j/kqojiqj tkbZ----

guqeku pkyhlk & pkSikbZ u- 34

V edanta Sandes h

28th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Cultural Program - by Children

Balvihar Children presented a Drama

Story of Dev-Shayani Ekadashi

V edanta Sandes h

At Sankaracharya Sabhagruh on 15th July

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 Ashram News
Cultural Program - by Children

Balvihar Children presented a Drama

Story of Dev-Shayani Ekadashi

V edanta Sandes h

At Sankaracharya Sabhagruh on 15th July

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 Ashram News
Cultural Program - by Children

Balvihar Children presented a Drama

Story of Dev-Shayani Ekadashi

V edanta Sandes h

At Sankaracharya Sabhagruh on 15th July

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 Ashram News
Cultural Program - by Children

Balvihar Children presented a Drama

Story of Dev-Shayani Ekadashi

V edanta Sandes h

At Sankaracharya Sabhagruh on 15th July

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 Ashram News
Cultural Program - by Children

Balvihar Children presented a Drama

Story of Dev-Shayani Ekadashi

V edanta Sandes h

At Sankaracharya Sabhagruh on 15th July

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 Ashram News
Jokes Program - by Manoharlal

Be Happy & Smile - You are Ananda

Laugh and get rid of all Tensions

V edanta Sandes h

Everyone looks their very best - in joy

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 Ashram News
Jokes Program - by Manoharlal

Be Happy & Smile - You are Ananda

Laugh and get rid of all Tensions

V edanta Sandes h

Everyone looks their very best - in joy

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 Ashram News
Saavan Mahotsav @ Ashram

As the pious month of Saavan began

Shivji was brought in garden

V edanta Sandes h

Then there was Bhajan & Bhojan

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 Ashram News
Saavan Mahotsav @ Ashram

Sureshji & Bhagatji donned Rajasthani Pagri

and served all Mahatmas lovingly

V edanta Sandes h

Deeksha Soni presented a dance on a Bhajan

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 Ashram News
Visit - to Nakhrali Dhani

It is a Rajasthani Village Resort

Presnts Village Culture beautifully

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Visited on 18th July 2019

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 Ashram News
Visit - to Nakhrali Dhani

Bagghi Ride / Bhajans / Dances

Rope-Walking / Monkey-plays / Magic-Show

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Dances with 5 Pots on Head

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 Ashram News
Visit - to Nakhrali Dhani

Fire-emitting dances

Finally - a lavish & rich Dinner

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Served with great love & respect

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 Ashram News
Installation of Hydroponic System

This is a Soil-less Gardening System

Nutrients are supplied by water

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Requires very less water & management

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 Ashram News
Installation of Hydroponic System

Installed by WE Hydroponics, Indore

Hopefully within a month crop will be ready

V edanta Sandes h

Ashramites will have fresh & organic Vegges

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 Ashram News
Visit to Kalash Food Factory

Of - Sunil & Sangeeta Agarwal

There was puja in their new premises

V edanta Sandes h

Poojya Guruji blessed the owners

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 Ashram News
Saavan Somvar Shringar

Bhagwan Gangeshwar Mahadev

Decorated as Bhagwan Amarnath

V edanta Sandes h

29th July 2019

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 Forthcoming VM Programs
19th-23rd Aug 2019

VEDANTA CAMP @ Ashram, Indore

Upadesha Saar / Sthita Pragnya / Meditation / Bhajans etc

P. Guruji / All Swamiji’s

24th Aug 2019

JANMASHTAMI CELEBRATIONS @ Ashram

Conclusion of Camp / Sri Krishna Janma Celebs

P. Guruji /All Mahatmas & Devotees

25th Aug 2019

HANUMAN CHALISA SATSANG @ Indore

from 6.30 PM @ Vedanta Ashram

P. Guruji Swami Atmanandaji

26th Aug - 1st Sept 2019

GITA GYANA YAGNA @ Jalgaon

Gita Chap 13 / Mundakopanishad 1-1

V edanta Sandes h

P. Swamini Poornanandaji

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 Internet News
Talks on (by P. Guruji) :

Gita Chapter - 1 (Mumbai)

Gita Complete

Gita Chapter - 6

Mandukya Ch - 2 (Mumbai)

Sadhana Panchakam

Dakshinamurty Stotram

Vivek Chudamani sloka 1

Hanuman Chalisa - 68

Photo Albums

Hanuman Chalisa: July

E Zines

Vedanta Sandesh - July

Vedanta Piyush - July

Camp Form
V edanta Sandes h

Janmashtami Vedanta Camp Form

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 Internet News
PDF Publication

Commentary in Hindi on :

Tattvabodha

Sadhana Panchakam

Vibhishan Geeta

Shiv Mahimna Stotrm

PDF Publication

Commentary in Hindi on :

Vishnu Sahasra Naam - Vyakhya

VSN - 1 (1-100)

VSN - 2 (101-200)

VSN - 3 (201-300)

VSN - 4 (301-400)

VSN - 5 (401-500)

VSN - 6 (501-600)

VSN - 7 (601-700)

Bird Photo Album

V edanta Sandes h

Avian Vibhootis
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 Visit us online :
International Vedanta Mission

Check out earlier issues of :

Vedanta Sandesh

Visit the IVM Blog at :

Vedanta Mission Blog

Published by:
International Vedanta Mission

Editor:
Swamini Samatananda Saraswati
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