Divya Jivan Newsletter
Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad
September 2015
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OM Namo Bhagawate Sivanandaya!
OM Namo Bhagawate Chidanandaya!
OM Namo Narayanaya!
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Glories of Lord Sri Krishna, Divine Incarnation-  On auspicious Janmashtami ( Sept 5, 2015)

"Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the immortal manifestation of God in all His splendor, that man was ever given the fortune to behold. Man! Blessed thou art, that hast visualized with thy fleshly eyes the mighty Dignity of the Supreme Sovereign of the Universe! Thou art purified; thy birthright is to realize Him; thy fortune is a part of His Greatness! Sri Krishna may be called the "Collective Man", who represented all beings hungering and thirsting to gain the Highest Freedom and who voiced forth their deepest aspirations in the loudest possible tone. He came to release man from the thraldom of vice and correct his vision so that he could walk along the ever-illumined path to perfection. Sri Krishna is the articulation of the pure longings that are buried in the hearts of people. Sri Krishna is not merely a historical man who came and went, like others, but the Eternal Purusha who dwells even now and shall live in the everlasting future, in the core of all manifestation. It is the Symbol of the Absolute descended into relativity that we call Krishna, the ever-beloved protector of all that breathe and air."
 
 "So Sri Krishna is called an Avatara, a descent of God in the world, of the Whole in the parts, of the Absolute in the relative. An Avatara is different from a Rishi or a Jivanmukta who represents an ascent of man to God, whereas the Avatara is a descent of God to man, consciously and deliberately. Sri Krishna lived the universal life, laughed a universal laughter, and walked on earth as the moving Spirit of the universe. To worship Him is to be in the Presence of God; to know Him is to realize the Self."- Swami Sivananda << More>>
 
 Shyam Darshan ( Video clip)
 
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Adoration & Prostrations Holy Master Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj on HIS Birth Anniversary  (Sept 8, 2015) 

"Gurudev’s life after Self-realisation, after becoming an enlightened sage and shining as a great light of the Himalayas, was a saga of selfless service—service of the poor, service of the suffering, service of the sick, service of the distressed, service of spiritual aspirants and seekers, service of all humanity, service of the whole world. In diverse, numerous ways, his entire life was one great, continuous stream of selfless service. He had even forgotten how to think of himself; he could only think of others. He lived thinking of others: "In what way can I be of benefit, in what way can I serve?" That was Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj till the very last days."

"Gurudev declared in one of his eighteen handwritten autobiographical epistles: "I live to serve, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to raise the fallen, to console the distressed. This is my mission in life." And anyone who has known him, anyone who has lived with him, anyone who has seen him instantly recognised: "Here is a totally selfless, dedicated human being." He fulfilled to the very letter the scriptural description of this type of realised soul, who having attained illumination, having done everything that has to be done, having no desires because all their desires have been fulfilled through God-realisation, are seen to be, in the words of the Gita, "intent on the welfare of all creatures." << More>>

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Salutation and Prostrations to Gurumaharaj on HIS 100^th Birth Anniversary (Sept 24, 2015)
Chidananda Darshan - through Life incidence of Guru Maharaj

Kodanda Rama
After the holy occasion of Sridhara's sacred thread ceremony, when all were returning from Tirupati Sridhar (Poorvashram name of Swamiji) felt drawn by a beautiful idol of Sri Rama in one of the shops and beseeched his parents to buy the image for him. The parents were happy to hear the request and bought for him the wooden idol of Sridhar Sri Kodanda Rama.

Thereafter Sri Kodanda Rama was to occupy a central place in the children's life in the house. The idol was installed by the side of the family deity and offered ceremonial worship on all important occasions. Sridhara was now found to be very meticulous in observing spiritual discipline and rituals of worship. Daily he used to sit down at the feet of Sri Kodanda Rama, in the company of his aunts, brother and sisters and offer his
prayerful worship. A miraculous thing came to be observed at the time of Sridhara's worship. When he used to offer flowers to the Lord, apply fragrant sandal and vermillion to His forehead and light the lamp before Him, the idol seemed to shine with an extraordinary effulgent halo and a celestial smile used to wreathe the divine countenance. The young devotees could see this almost everyday and they were thrilled with joy at this manifestation of divine grace.

The image is still being worshipped at the residence of Srimati Malati Bai Govind Rao at Jagir House, 213, Raja Street, Coimbatore. Malati Bai Mataji is herself convinced that the idol has an undoubted potency and mitigates the misfortunes of her family whenever they seek His protection.

"How Rama came into his life is an instructive lesson to every seeker. To him in his childhood He came as the idol Kodanda Rama, whom he worshiped and in whom he had his whole being. At a later stage, He came to him in the shape of the unfortunate lepers. Then a time came when the Lord appeared before him in the form of the inspired words of Ramdas. Next, the life of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa rose before him as a beckoning ideal. Saints and mystics blessed him. At last, the Lord gave him Darshan in the form of his Sadguru. Sivananda entered into his very being. He was filled with devotion to Guru. Sivananda dwelt in him and he dwelt in Sivananda "

The story of Swami Chidananda has been a story of total divinisation of the human personality. It is a story of silent service and complete self-effacement. On the basis of the profound authority of his personal experience and direct realisation, therefore, this peerless saint of the Himalayas could proclaim to the world of seekers: "Yoga is not only in Nirvikalpa Samadhi. It is in every moment. .............."The Holy Stream - Biography of Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj by Sarat Chandra Behera

Birth Centenary Celebration of Guru Bhagawan Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj at Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad.
"Be a part of celebrations and Be benefited "
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Yoga Learning from a book "Yoga, A way of life" by Sri Swami Adhyatmananda

Primary Yogasana (Yoga Postures) - The Physical techniques of Yoga are the stepping stones to meditation. According to Patanjali, Yoga is the cessation of the modifications of the mind. 

In the beginning the primary prerequisite to peace of mind is posture. Yogasana practiced to gain steady posture, health and lightness in the body. All Yoga postures are intended to directly or indirectly quiet the mind. The majority of Asana have been devised to build up different parts of the body and to develop the strength required by the more advanced  Physical disciplines. The purpose of the yogasana is to recondition the system, both mind and body, and to develop the nervous and glandular systems. The different Yoga postures have been devised to bring a rich supply of blood to the brain and to the various parts of the spinal column. The yogasana work by stretching, bending and twisting the spinal column in different directions to promote the health of the nerves. When the body is purified, Prana (vital energy) can be conserved and the individual becomes healthy and conscious. << More>>

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Highlighting the News & Upcoming Events

Chidananda Birth Centenary Tour of  H.H. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji to USA, Canada & UK (June 1, 2015 - Sept 1, 2015) Update since the last  - Pujya Swamiji had full three weeks of satsang and programs were scheduled in UK that included Mandir Mahotsav at Anoopam Mission (Denham), Sutton, Putney, Bristol and Surrey area. With that concluded Swamiji's three months tour to the West. Pujya Swamiji has reached to the Ashram on Sept 1, 2015. 

A few more sentiments of gratitude to add on ..... 

"On July 3rd, Swami-ji visited Kula Kamala Ashram. His Holiness conducted a Divine Yagna to bless this new space and then He spoke with a group of students about the meaning of mindfulness in Yoga. The Blessed event started with a wonderful kirtan led by David Dragonfly. All the beautiful voices raised up to the heaven as this community chanted the Divine Name. So happy to spend time in His company, the evening ended with students saying that they felt their lives shifted toward the better and that they felt they gained a deeper understanding of Yoga. While at the Ashram, Swami-ji planted a tree in celebration. We are always grateful for our time with Swamiji and look forward to his visit next year. " -  Smt. Sharon (Sudha) Alitt (Founder of Kula kamala Ashram).

"Divine Experience": It was indeed a "Blissful" experience to be a part of  Maharudra and Navchandi Yajana (June 13 & June 14) at Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in the holy presence of Pujya Swami Adhyatmanandaji and so many Saints & Mahatma. Congregation of Vedic exponents from all over the world chanted the Veda mantras synchronously and the vibrations generated by this divine recitation invoked the very presence of the Lord that elevated higher level of consciousness which was felt by all. It was indeed a Divine experience. 
तन्मे मनः शिवसङ्कल्पमस्तु॥ meaning "Let the mind be immersed in Shiva (Auspiciousness)" - the devotees, whoever tried sincerely with concentrated mind at the Maharudra Yajana, surely did achieve the prasad of Shiva and got absorbed in THAT Auspiciousness."  -

"His knowledge of the subject, communication skills and melodious voice are exemplary. Everyone in the audience enters into a sort of trance where they are fully immersed into the divine nectar that is flowing. His sense of humor and use of everyday examples make difficult spiritual subjects much easier to understand. He has a unique ability to put everyone at ease by conversing in their mother tongue and showing genuine interest in their personal welfare. Overall, the program was a huge success and the local community members around Parsippany were able to derive precious pearls of wisdom from Pujya Swamiji's vast knowledge. Pujya Swamiji is always welcome at Shri Sanatan Mandir every time he visits the US." - Sri Ajit Kothari (President, Shri Sanatan Mandir)

 
Upcoming YTTC ( Dec 11, 2015 - Dec 30, 2015)/ Registration form : Transform your life to Yoga way of Living. Enhance your skill in Yoga, be a teacher and spread the knowledge to others. On completion of three weeks residential YTTC and successfully passing the test including theory and practical, the graduate will receive a diploma certificate recognized by Gujarat University.

 It is organized under the guidance & leadership of  Pujya Sri Swami Adhyartmanandaji Maharaj, who has conducted over 770 Yoga camps in the East & the West. Ashram's holy atmosphere is ideal for enhancing your spiritual growth as well as the skill in the science of Yoga. You can still enroll. Contact the ashram for the details - sivananda_ashram@yahoo.com / Registration form

Chidananda Centenary celebrations - Sivananda Yoga DVD (new) It is a complete guide for  the beginners as well as experts. It contains 84 Yoga postures. It is like Yoga Teachers comes to your home. A "must possess" treasure for not only Yoga lovers but for everyone.

Upcoming Krishna Janmotsav & satsang programs
News and Activity Report for the Month of  August
Divya Jivan / July 2015
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Gitamrutam

"I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all beings! I am the beginning, the middle and also the end of all beings." (10:20)

 

"And, I am seated in the hearts of all; from Me are memory, knowledge, as well as their absence. I am verily that which has to be known by all the Vedas; I am indeed the author of the Vedanta, and the knower of the Vedas am I." (15:15)

"Having become the fire Vaisvanara, I abide in the body of living beings and, associated with the Prana and Apana, digest the fourfold food" (15:18)

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

Lord Ganesh - "Embodiment of Wisdom" on auspicious Ganesh Chaturthi (Sept 17, 2015)