SWAMIJI'S VARDANTI

MONDAY 27TH MAY 2013

Some devotees were keen of conducting japa and homas on the day of Swamiji’s birthday to pray for his good health and longevity. Sri Rudra Ekadasini Homa, Vardhanti Homa, Nakshatra Homa, Navagraha Homa and Avahanti Homa were performed on that day by eleven Vedic pundits.

Kumaris Vishnupriya and Radhika performed parayana of Devi Mahatmya on that occasion at Swamiji’s kutir.

SANKARA JAYANTI

WEDNESDAY 15TH MAY 2013

Sankara Jayanti is an important day in the Brahma Vidya tradition as Adi Sankara emphasized the importance of the teaching of the Upanishads as the way to self-realization. He wrote the bhashyas for the main Upanishads, Gita and Brahma Sutras. Several prakarana granthas which are very useful for study of Vedanta are also attributed to him. The Upanishads teach the unique methodology of superimposition and negation, thereby leading to the realization of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality, as the Substratum of all phenomena, which is the goal of human life. Sankara also revived the Vedic culture laying the foundation for Hindu religion as we see today.

Parayana of Krishna Yajur Veda was performed for 4 days from 16 April to 19th April 2013 by four Vedic pundits.
                                                                                              

AKSHAYA TRITIYA

MONDAY, 13TH MAY 2013

Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious day on which many good things are supposed to have occurred according to our Puranas. “Akshaya” means “never diminishing”.

Nowadays there is a huge rush on this day in gold and jewelery shops. But in tradition, Akshaya Tritiya is a day on which special importance is given to dana or gifting away without expecting any return or recognition. It’s a virtue to be cultivated replacing the usual normal habit of hoarding. Of all such danas, annadana or gifting of food is considered to be the best.

From last year 2012, the seva of Annadana on Akshaya Tritiya day is done at Sri Gnanananda Niketan. It will be continued every year. This year 200 people from surrounding villages were fed.