Divya Jivan Newsletter
Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad
  March 2016

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OM Namo Bhagawate Sivanandaya!
OM Namo Bhagawate Chidanandaya!
OM Namo Narayanaya!
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"Shiv Aradhana" on the occasion of auspicious Shivaratri  Utsav  ( March 7, 2016)
 

"The formal worship consists of bathing the Lord. Lord Shiva is considered to be the Form of Light (which the Shiva Lingam represents). He is burning with the fire of austerity. He is therefore best propitiated with cool bathing. While bathing the Lingam the devotee prays: “O Lord! I will bathe Thee with water, milk, etc. Do Thou kindly bathe me with the milk of wisdom. Do Thou kindly wash me of all my sins, so that the fire of worldliness which is scorching me may be put out once for all, so that I may be one with Thee—the One alone without a second.”
Offer this inner worship to Lord Shiva daily: “I worship the jewel of my Self, the Shiva residing in the Lotus of my heart. I bathe Him with the water of my pure mind brought from the river of faith and devotion. I worship Him with the fragrant flowers of Samadhi—all this so that I may not be born again in this world.”

Here is another formula for the supreme worship of the Lord: “O Shiva! you are my Self. My mind is Parvati. My Pranas are your servants. My body is your house. My actions in this world are your worship. My sleep is Samadhi. My walk is circumambulation of you. My speech is your prayer. Thus do I offer all that I am to you."- Swami Sivananda  << More>>

Shiv Aradhana: Live recording of Divine Satsang, Bhajans & Kirtans in praise of Lord Shiva during Shivaratri Utsav at Sivananda ashram, absolutely soul starring and touching the heart to the core.

Satarudriyam or Rudram, Namakam -  Hymn dedicated to Rudra (an epithet of Shiva), taken from the Yajurveda. Sri Rudram is also known as Sri Rudraprasna, Śatarudrīya, Rudradhyaya. The text is also famous for its mention of the Shaivite Panchakshara ("five-syllable")mantra (Sanskrit: Namaḥ Śivāya), which appears in the text of the Śatarudrīya in the eighth anuvaka. Lord Shiva's various attributes and aspects are invoked and worshiped. Chanting the Rudram is considered to be of great benefit.

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"Guru Darshan" - through Life incidence of Guru Maharaj Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj
Birth Centenary Celebration of Guru Bhagawan Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj (Sept 24, 2015 -Sept 24, 2016)

"Pluck With Devotion": Swamiji's consideration extends even to the world of plants. On the Mahasivaratri Day when devotees in the Ashram go to collect "Bilva Patra" for the worship of the Lord Siva, he advises them not to proceed towards the tree with an upraised axe, for the tree would be terrified. They are to approach the tree tenderly, even meekly, and beg for the leaves, as it were. The plucking must be done with tenderness, love and devotion. 

"Surrender And Be Secured" : Swami Chidanandaji teaches us how to become secure. "If we only knew that what God does is always for our good, we would be like the kitten and not like the baby monkey. The baby monkey hangs on to the mother, and when the mother jumps from branch to branch, sometimes it loses its grip, falls down and dies. But the kitten lies down in one corner and cries for the mother. The mother cat comes and takes it away. There is no chance of the kitten falling down.
"We would know that self-effort is made only in order to know that no self-effort is necessary and we would surrender. 'Thy will be done' would always be our prayer."  << More>>

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Yoga Learning from a Yoga GURU, Swami Adhyatmananda
 

Diabetes & Yoga-Abhyasa

Diabetes can, in early stages be cured by Yoga way of Living. The essential factors in managing diabetes are proper dieting, weight control, regular exercise, practice of Yogasanas, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha etc. To begin with, one should start flexibility exercise, Trikonasana and Suryanamaskara. Gradually and in proper order one should practice main yogasanas namely Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, Paschimottanasna. Shitali and Shitkari Pranayamas have good effects on internal secreting glands. One needs to seek proper medical consultation also in advanced disease . << More>>   on "Health Topics" from a book " Yoga & Health " by Swami Adhyatmananda

Learn  "Jeevan Yoga" (Yoga way of Life) from Sri Swamiji through Television series ( of 52 episodes) by TV Durdarshan Girnar (started on Jan 8, 2016) of  Govt. of India. Do not miss opportunity to learn Yoga from a Master. It is on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 7.00 am - 7.30 am (Indian time). It started on Jan 8, 2016  and will continued.

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Highlighting News & Upcoming Events

Come join us, all are invited to Bhakti Ganga at Sivanana Ashram

Srimad Bhagawat Katha ( February 29, 2016 - March 6, 2016  3.30 pm to 7.00pm) by H. H. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj on Vyasapeeth.  It is a blessed occasion to listen to Srimad Bhagawata through Pujya Swamiji's Maharaj. 

"The Bhagawata consists of eighteen thousand Slokas. The book is named Bhagavata because it speaks of the glory of Bhagavan or Vishnu. It contains the essence of all the Puranas. The Bhagavata Dharma as taught by the nine sages to King Nimi in the beginning of the eleventh Skandha, is thrilling and soul-stirring. The tenth Skandha contains all the Lilas of the Lord.

The teachings given by Lord Krishna to Uddhava on the eve of His departure from this world, are wonderful. These are contained in the eleventh Skandha. Sri Krishna clears all the doubts of Uddhava, His friend, foremost disciple and the chief of the Yadavas. He gives instructions on a variety of subjects. But the one ringing note is: “See Me in everything. Surrender yourself to Me. Do all actions for my sake. Cut off all sorts of attachments. Have perfect unswerving devotion to Me. Sing My glories.” - Swami Sivananda

Mahashivaratri Utsav (March 7, 2016) Come , join us Continuous twenty four hours worship at Lord Vishvanath Temple, starting in brahmuruht on March 7, 2016 concluding on next day on March 8, 2016.

 Upcoming 37^th YTTC ( May 11. 2016 - May 30, 2016) .SIVA (Sivananda Institute of Vendanta -Yoga Academy)

News & Activity Report for the month of February 2016
Divya Jivan /  February 2016

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Gitamrutam

Whoever offers Me with devotion and a pure mind (heart), a leaf, a flower, a fruit or a little water—I accept (this offering). (9:26)

Whatever thou doest, whatever thou eatest, whatever thou offerest in sacrifice, whatever thou givest, whatever thou practiseth as austerity, O Arjuna, do it as an offering unto Me! ( 9:27)

To those men who worship Me alone, thinking of no other, of those ever united, I secure what is not already possessed and preserve what they already possess.(9:22)

Abandoning all duties, take refuge in Me alone; I will liberate thee from all sins; grieve not.(18:66)