VISIT OF CHINESE STUDENTS FOR SATSANG AT SRI GNANANANDA NIKETAN

A group of about 17 Chinese students led by Dr.David Blanco on a spiritual tour to India visited Sri Gnanananda Niketan for Satsang.

Swami Nityananda Giri, Swami Prabhavananda Saraswati and Swami Atmatatvananda Swaraswati interacted with students and gave them an Introduction to Vedanta. 

TIRUVACAKAM MUTTRODAL CELEBRATIONS 2016 - A REPORT

It was on completion of the construction of Satsang Mandap at Sri Gnanananda Niketan, the first group singing of Tiruvacakam, “Tiruvacakam Muttrodal” was organized on 12th December 2011. It was a great success and made many people in and around Tapovanam, and also devotees from outside get interested in it. Hence, it has now become a regular annual feature, a joyful spiritual event, a Gnana Yajna at Niketan and devotees eagerly look forward to it. It charges the atmosphere with exalted spiritual vibrations by the soul-stirring content of the devotional hyms. 

This year, the annual festival took place on Sunday, 27th November 2016 in the sacred month of Karthigai, just a few days before the commencement of 43rd Aradhana Mahotsava of Sadguru Gnanananda at Tapovanam. It is most appropriate as the great Sage encouraged the singing of Tamil Saivite and Vaishnavaite devotional hyms at the ashram. 

The Muttrodal was very well coordinated by Sri Ambalavanan of Trichy under the guidance of Sri Swami Samananda Saraswathi of Tatvananda Ashram, Madurai.  Swami Nityananda Giri, Swami Sadasiva Giri, Swamini Prabhavananda Saraswathi, Swamini Atmatatvananda Saraswathi and Trustees of Sri Gnanananda Niketan were present throughout the recital.  

Two hundred well-trained Sivan-adiyars(devotees of Lord Siva) in and around Trichy, Chennai, East Tambaram, Arcot and Kandachipuram together with a group of one hundred devotees in and around Tirukovilur participated in the group singing. 

As usual, Sandana-kappualankara (decoration with sandalwood paste covering) of the Moorthies of Somaskanda- Lord Siva, Sri Parvati and Sri Subramanya and also of the four Saivaite saints – Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manikkavachakar was exquisite. The Puja was performed by the Vedic pundits from Sri Bhuvaneswari Peetham at Pudukottai, as in the past years. 

Special arrangements for accommodation and food were made in the nearby Kalyana Mandapam as in the past years. More than four hundred devotees were served with food on the occasion. 

VYASA PUJA CELEBRATIONS 2016

Vyasa Pooja marks the commencement of Chaturmasya. The elaborate pooja was performed by Swami Nityananda Giri. One Yajur Veda Pundit and two Rig Veda pundits performed preliminary poojas like Sri Ganapathi Pooja, Punyaha Vacana, etc. and chanted Vedic hyms wherever required.

Dr. Srinivasan, an eminent Sanskrit scholar and retired principal of Vivekananda College, Chennai, helped Swamiji in the performance of pooja of the six Guru Panchakams. Swamiji pointed out the sequence of the poojas of the panchakams and explained the continuance of the tradition. At the end of the pooja of every Panchaka, its significance was explained by him.

Ashtottara sata nama archanas were offered to Sri Krishna, Sri Vedavyasa, Sri Sankara Bhagavadpadacharya, Sri Daskshinamoorti and Sadguru Swami Gnanananda. Nirguna Ashtottara sata nama archana was performed to Sudda Chaitanya. Guru Stuti (selected verses from Guru Gita) was chanted after the pooja of the Dravidacharya panchakam.  

Swamini Prabhavananda Saraswati and Swamini Atmatatvananda Saraswati were present during the performance of the pooja.

Devotees chanted Stotras and rendered Keertanas in respect of each Guru Panchakam. 

Dr. Srinivasan gave an illuminating discourse on Chaturmasya vrata, importance of Sampradaya Nishta and devotion to the tradition of the lineage of the Gurus who have transmitted the Upanishadic message in the proper manner.

Just before the final arati, Smt. Indumati sang the very famous Pada of Sri Purandarasa “Varaguru Upadesa’ and ‘Ramanama Payasakke’.

There was a good attendance of the devotees and Vyasa Akshata and fruits were distributed as Prasad.

Following Vyasa Pooja, the parayana of Rig Veda Samhita, was performed by four qualified Vedic pundits guided by Brahmasri Rajesh Bhat from the 20^th July 2016 to 23^rd July 2016. 

SAMA VEDA PARAYANA - A REPORT

As part of the Sankara Jayanthi Mahotsava, Sama Veda parayana was organized at Sri Gnanananda Niketan.

Sama Veda Parayana  (Kauthuma sakha) was performed by five well qualified Vedic pandits (srautigal). It was under the guidance of Brahma Sri Seetharama Srautigal. Parayana commenced in the morning of 26^th May 2016 and concluded on noon of 29^th May 2016.  

May the Grace of Adi Sankaracharya and blessing of Sadguru Gnanananda be showered on you and all the members of your family. May all of you be blessed with Sowbhagya, prosperity and Sreyas, the highest good!

Pictures from the Sama veda parayana function:

   

VARDHANTI CELEBRATIONS 2016

 We are glad to inform you that 88th Vardhanti (Birth Anniversary) of Pujyasri Swami Nityananada Giri was celebrated on Wednesday, the 25^th May, 2016 at Sri Gnanananda Niketan.

On the day of Vardhanti, 20 Vedic Pundits took part in the Mahannyasa Ekadasa Rudra Japa. Sri. Mahaganapathi Homa, Navagra-ha Homa, Avahanti Homa, Mrutunjaya Homa and Rudra Homa were performed after which Vasordhara was offered praying for the welfare and prosperity of all.

Prayers were offered for the good health of Swamiji and many more years of his service to the Brahma Vidya tradition. It was also prayed that all devotees may be blessed with the fourfold Purusharthas – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, fulfilment of all desires and above all, ever increasing devotion to God and Guru. May they be blessed with Viveka (discrimination between Real and non-Real), Vairagya (dispassion) and Gnana (Self-knowledge) !

Devotees offered their Pranams to Swamiji after Abhisheka. 

Swamiji prayed that Sadgurudev may bless all devotees with intense Sradha or spiritual aspiration, unshakable faith in the scriptures and teachings of the Guru.

Some pictures from the function:

VISIT OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF PONDICHERRY TO SRI GNANANANDA NIKETAN

It was with great joy that we received the Lt. Governor of Pondicherry Sri A.K.Singh at our Vedantic Sadhana Kendra, Sri Gnanananda Niketan on 23rd May 2016. together with Sri Manoj Parida, Chief Secretary of Pondicherry, Sri Praveer Ranjan, Inspector General of Police and Dr.N.R.Bhat.

Swami Nityananda Giri spoke to them about Sadguru Gnanananda, his life, personality and teachings of the great sage.

Some pictures from the visit:

SRI SANKARA JAYANTHI MAHOTSAV 2016 - AN UPDATE

Sri Sankara Jayanti Mahotsava commenced at Sri Gnanananda Niketan on the sacred day of Akshaya Tritiya on Monday, the 9^th May 2016. It was celebrated with annadana. About 250 people from the neighboring two villages participated in the Annadana.

Sri Sankara Jayanti was celebrated on Wednesday, the 11^th May 2016. The poojas were performed at Satsang Mandap. On the day of Sri Sankara Jayanti an elaborate pooja was performed to Adi Sankara.  Ashtottarasata Namavali Archanas offered to Sri Dakshinamurty, Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavatpadacharya and Sri Gnanananda Swaminah.

Before the Aarti, Swami Nityananda Giri read a few sentences from Sri Sankara Bhashya on Bhagavad Gita and also Chapter VI of Chandogya Upanishad. He also explained their meaning in detail. The passage on Gita Bhashya was from the introduction where Sri Sankara points out that the Gita presents the essence of the teachings of the Vedas and also Yoga Sastra. He specially draws our attention to an important aspect that our religion, Sanatana Dharma, comprises of Pravritti Marga (engagement in activities relating to Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga) and Nivritti Marga (withdrawal from religious activities to totally devote oneself to the study of Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Brahma Sutra – Gnana Yoga).

Sankara Jayanthi Celebrations at Ananda Kutir:

Annadana on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya:

Moola Parayana of Krishna Yajur Veda was performed by four qualified Vedic pundits. It commenced on 12^th May morning and concluded by mid-day on Sunday, the 15^th May 2016.

Short note on Krsna Yajurveda Samhita:

It is a collection of yajus, the mantras in prose which are especially useful to the adhvaryu-priest in the performance of sacrifices.

Though the Krsna Yajurveda Samhita is reputed to have had 85 sakhas or recensions, only four are available a.Taittiriya; b. Maitrayaniya; c. Katha; d. Kapisthala.

The Taittiriya Samhita which is widely prevalent in south India, has  7 khandas or books, 44 prapathakas or chapters, and 651 anuvakas or mantras. It deals mainly with the detailed descriptions of sacrifices like Paurodasa, Yajamana, Vajapeya, Rajasuya, Darsa-purnamasa and Somayagas.

The other three sakhas are not so well-known through they too deal with similar sacrifices. The last of these, the Kapisthala, as available now, seems to be incomplete.

Associated with the Taittiriya Samhita are the Taittiriya Brahmana, Taittiriya Aranyaka and the Taittiriya Upanisad. The well-known Kathopanisad also belongs to Krsna Yajurveda, but to the Katha recension.

-          A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism

by Swami Harshananda, Volume III Page.532

INVITATION FOR AKSHAYA TRITIYA, SANKARA JAYANTHI AND ARADHANA OF PARAMAPUJYA SRI SWAMI SWAMI VIDYANANANDA GIRI 2016

Monday, the 9^th May 2016 is the sacred day of Akshaya Tritiya.

“Akshaya” means “never diminishing”. In our tradition dana or gifting away is praised as the means for spiritual progress. Of all gifts, gifting of food or annadana is said to be the best. Therefore, at Sri Gnanananda Niketan annadana is organized for the people of the nearby villages on that auspicious occasion. It is done as Narayana seva or service to God to help increase our wealth of spiritual values.

Sankara Jayanti will be celebrated this year on Wednesday, the 11^th May 2016. It was He who revived the Vedic culture laying the foundation for Hindu religion as we see today.

As Buddism did not accept the authority of Vedas, Sankara challenged it successfully and made it almost disappear from its country of origin. Vedas teach the   proper methodology of super imposition and negation, thereby leading to the realization of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality as the Substratum of all phenomena. 

With the advent of Sri Kumarila Bhatta, Purva-mimasa, the ritualistic portion of Vedas was revived. Adi Sankara gave proper direction and orientation to it. He emphasized the importance of Upanishads which alone leads one to Self-realization which is the goal of human life. He underlined the importance of the stages of Vanaprastha and Sannyasa. At the same time, he reminded them about the necessity of ritualistic worship and meditative devotion or upasana as they help one to get Chitta Suddhi, which would lead one to Bhakti and Vairagya and then to Gnana.

He laid great emphasis on the necessity to transcend the empirical stage of the distinction between the Creator and creature and thus realize Brahman, the Impersonal Absolute, the One without a second. Such a Gnani is doubtless the greatest bhakta, as he loves God most as his own Self.

Adi Sankara put an end to the wrong practices of certain cults by establishing Shanmata, worship of the six main forms of God as Ganesa, Siva, Vishnu, Surya, Divine Mother and Muruga. Thus, he laid foundations of Hinduism as known today.

Thus, it is an important day for all Hindus and especially for those who are in the path of Self-enquiry.

At Sri Gnanananda Niketan, it is an important event of celebration. On that day, we worship Sri Adi Sankaracharya and the celebration continues for a few days. On the morning of 12th May, Krishna Yajur Veda Parayana (Samhita and Sakha) will be commenced. It will be concluded on 15th May. Five Vedic pundits will participate in the parayana as in the previous years.

Aradhana of Paramapujya Sri Swami Vidyanananda Giri will be celebrated on Sunday, 15^th May 2016. Swami Vidyananda Giri was blessed by Sadguru Gnanananda Himself as the Vedanta Acharya of the ashram and was the founding Chairman of Sri Gnanananda Niketan Trust.

These events have become regular celebrations at Niketan. We heartily invite you to attend these functions and receive the grace of Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavadpadacharya and blessings of Sadgurudeva.