TIRUVACAKAM MUTTRODAL 2017 - A GNANA YAJNA

It was on completion of the construction of Satsang Mandap at Sri Gnanananda Niketan, the first group singing of Tiruvacakam “Tiruvacakam Muttrodal”, a Gnana Yajna 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. It charges the atmosphere with exalted spiritual vibrations by the soul-stirring content of the devotional hymns. It has, therefore, become a regular annual feature which all the devotees of ashram and the public of Tirukovilur eagerly look forward to.

The seventh annual festival of Tiruvacakam Muttrodal was celebrated on Sunday, 10^th December, 2017. The following groups of Sivan-adiyars (devotees of Lord Siva) from Trichy Ayyappa Nagar Sekkizhar Manram, Trichy Thiruvathavurar Tiruvacakam Muttrodal kuzhu, Manapparai Tiruvacakam Anbar Kuzhu, East Tambaram Karpaga Vinayakar Thiruneri Manram, Keezh Visharam Appar Swamigal MadamTevaaram students, Kandachipuram Tamil Veda Vara Vazhipattu Sabhai participated in the Mutrodal.

Besides 188 Sivan-adiyars of the above mentioned groups, about one hundred devotees in and around Tirukovilur participated in the group singing.

Sri Nityananda Giri Swamigal welcomed all the devotees for the seventh annual festival of Tiruvacakam Mutrodal. Tiruvacakam, in the tenth Tirumurai was Sadguru Gnanananda Swamigal’s favorite. When the famous Dr.Guruswami Mudaliar of Madras came to him for his darsan, Swamiji turned the conversation towards the life of the foetus in the womb. The physician was surprised when the Sage began to quote “Pottri Thiru Agaval” of Tiruvacakam. In that passage, descriptions are given vividly about the growth of the foetus month by month amidst various risks till the birth in the tenth month. The sage was very fond of Sivapuranam which used to be chanted every day at the ashram.

Singing of Tiruvacakam with great fervor is indeed a Gnana Yajna. When it is performed with the knowledge of the content, it leads to Sivagnana and God-realization, thereby to the liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Hence, it is very essential that we grow spiritually also with increasing Antarmukhatva (interiority), detachment and Vairagya.

Swami Samananda expressed his great happiness that the festival was being celebrated over six years with increasing vigour and having very good response from the devotees at Tirukovilur and other places.

The Muttrodal was very well coordinated by Sri Ambalavanan of Trichy under the guidance of Sri Swami Samananda Saraswati of Tattvananda Ashram, Madurai.  Swami Nityananda Giri, Swami Sadasiva Giri, Swamini Prabhavananda Saraswati, Swamini Atmatatvananda Saraswati and Swami Amruteswarananda Saraswati. Sri V.Parameswaran, Sri A.S.Krishnamurthy and Sri Venkatesh Narayanan, Trustees of Sri Gnanananda Niketan were present throughout the recital.

As usual, Sandana-kappu Alankara (decoration with sandalwood paste covering) of the Moorties of Somaskanda- Lord Siva, Sri Parvati and Sri Subramanya and also of the four Saivaite saints – Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manikkavacakar was exquisite. The Puja was performed by Sri Venkatraman of Tirunelveli with Sri Venkatasubramaniam assisting him.

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

Sri Ambalavanan recalled that it was in 2011 he came to Muttrodal as invited by Swami Omkarananda Saraswati. He was deeply moved by the interest showed by devotees here. Every year the number of participants is increasing. 

On behalf of Sri Nityananda Giri Swamigal, Swami Samananda thanked all for assisting and participating in the festival. 

Watch videos from Tiruvacakam Muttrodal 2017 below:

 

PUJYA SWAMI OMKARANANDA VISIT TO U.S

Swami Omkarananda is at present the President Trustee of Sri Gnanananda Niketan. Swamiji is visiting USA from 17th September to 13th October 2017.

 

Swami Omkarananda is an outstanding Teacher of Vedanta known for his eloquence in Tamil and Sanskrit. His ability to present the most intricate topics of Vedanta in an easily understandable manner has won him a large following of youth as well as rural and even not so well educated masses.

Swamiji was  inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. His spiritual thirst led him to Pujyasri Swami Chidbhavananda of Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam, Tiruparaiturai. Swami Chidbhavananda  was a disciple of Swami Sivananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. Swamiji received sannyasa diksha from Swami Chidbhavananda.

Swami Omkarananda studied Advaita Vedanta under his vidya Guru Pujyasri Swami Paramarthanandaji, the well-known disciple of Pujyasri Swami Dayananda  Saraswati, the great master of our times.

Swamiji founded Sri Swami Chidbhavananda Ashram at Theni run by Vedanta Sastra Prachara Trust. He succeeded Sadguru Santananda Swamigal of Sri Bhuvaneshwari Avadhuta Vidya Peetham, Pudukkottai. 

Sri Swamiji is an authority on Tirukkural, a great admirer of Manickavacagar, Saint Tayumananavar and Mahakavi Sri Subramanya Bharati. A unique feature of Sri Swamiji’s classes is the spontaneous flow of quotations from the Vedas as well as Tamil texts like Tirumandiram and Kaivalya Navaneetam.

VYASA POOJA 2017 - MESSAGE FROM SWAMIJI

Blessed One!

Hari Om!

i³yte naray[Sm&it>,

We are glad to inform you that Vyasa Pooja was celebrated very well in a traditional manner at Sri Gnanananda Niketan on Guru Purnima, Sunday, 9^th July 2017. 

Vyasa Pooja marks the commencement of the two months’ retreat, Chaturmasya for Sannyasins. 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. Special archana was performed to pictures of Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Sankaracharya, Sri Dakshinamoorthi and Sri Sadguru Gnanananda.

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. During the pooja of every Panchaka, after the archana a stotra was chanted and kirthana was sung pertaining to it.

Dravidacharya Panchaka archana was offered with chanting of Guru Stuti with special verses from Guru Gita recited in the Pada puja.

Ashtottara sata nama archanas were offered to Sri Krishna, Sri Vedavyasa, Sri Sankara Bhagavadpadacharya, Sri Daskshinamoorti and Sadguru Swami Gnanananda in their respective panchakas. Nirguna Ashtottara sata nama archana was offered to Suddha Chaitanya.

Swamini Prabhavananda Saraswati, Swamini Atmatatvananda Saraswati and Swami Amriteshwarananda Saraswati were present during the performance of the Pooja and participated in the commencement and in the special mantra pushpa along with Swami Nityananda Giri.

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

Smt. Renganayaki and Smt. Abhiramasundari sang a keertana on Sri Veda Vyasa composed by Sri V.G.Parthasarathy. Smt. Indumati sang the very famous Pada of Sri Purandarasa “Varaguru Upadesa’.

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 Krishna Bhat from the 10^th July 2017 to 13^th July 2017.

We are sending with this letter the Vyasa Pooja Prasad (“Akshata”) with our prayers that Sadgurudev’s special Grace may be showered on you on this especially auspicious occasion and you may be blessed with ever increasing devotion to His lotus feet of Sadgurudev, Sampradaya Nishta, Viveka, Vairagya and Gnana. May all the members of your family, be blessed with Sowbhagya (prosperity) and Sreyas (the highest good) !

With love and Narayanasmriti again,

Swami Nityananda Giri

ANNADANAM TO SCHOOL CHILDREN ON 14TH JULY 2017

The family of Sri Rajamani arranged for Annadanam for the school children around Thapovanam on 14th July in his memory.

Some pictures from the functions is below:

VYASA POOJA CELEBRATIONS 2017 AT SRI GNANANANDA NIKETAN

We are glad to inform you that Vyasa Puja (Guru Purnima) was celebrated on Sunday, 9th July 2017.

Vyasa Puja is the only and special elaborate puja that a Sannyasin is called upon to perform to pay his homage to the tradition. It marks the commencement of his spiritual retreat (“Chaturmasya”). It is a very sacred day for all spiritual aspirants, to pay homage to the Brahma Vidya tradition and lineage. Guru Purnima is celebrated in all ashrams with great fervour.

Vyasa Puja is of particular importance to us at Sri Gnanananda Niketan, as Niketan is dedicated to the study of Adhyatma Vidya, and therefore to the service of Brahma Vidya tradition and Sannyasins.

As you may already know, the traditional Vyasa Puja comprises of the worship of the following:

1. Sri Krishna (Pure Consciousness) Panchakam: Sri Krishna with his four disciples, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Vasudeva and Sankarshana.
2. Vyasa Panchakam: Vyasa with his four disciples, Vaisampayana, Jaimini, Sumantu and Paila.
3. Sri Shankara Panchakam: Sri Shankaracharya with his four disciples, Padmapada, Sureswara, Hastamalaka and Thotakacharya.
4. Sanakadi Panchakam : Sanaka with his four disciples, Sanandana, Sanatana, Sanatkumara and Sanatsujata.
5. Dravidacharya Panchakam: Dravidacharya with his four disciples, Gowdapadacharya, Govindabhagavadpadacharya, Sankshepakacharya and Vivaranacharya.
6. Guru (Gnanananda Giri) Panchakam: Guru is at the centre along with Paramaguru, Parameshtiguru, Paratparaguru and other Gurus of Brahmavidya sampradaya.

VYASA POOJA 2017 GREETINGS

RELEASE OF BOOK KAIVALYVA NAVANEETAM BY SRI GNANANANDA NIKETAN

The release of the book "KaivalyaNavaneetam" of Sri Tandavaraya Swamigal translated into Sanskrit by Sanku Kavi, was held at Sanskrit College, Mylapore, Chennai on 24th June 2007.

Pujya Swami Omkarananda Swamigal released the book and Dr. K.S.Maheswaran Namboodri, Professor, Advaita Vedanta, Sanskrit College, Chennai received the first copy.

The function was a great success and attended by more than 50 people. Some pictures from the function is attached below:

INVITATION - RELEASE OF BOOK "KAIVALYANAVANEETAM" AT SANSKRIT COLLEGE ON 24-JUNE-2017

We cordially invite you to the release of the book "KaivalyaNavaneetam" of Sri Tandavaraya Swamigal translated into Sanskrit by Sanku Kavi, published by Sri Gnanananda Niketan. 

The book release function will be at 6.00 P.M. on Saturday, the 24th June 2017 at Sanskrit College, Mylapore, Chennai - 4. 

Pujya Swami Omkarananda Swamigal will release the book and Dr. K.S.Maheswaran Namboodri, Professor, Advaita Vedanta, Sanskrit College, Chennai will receive the first copy.

We invite you to participate in the function and make it a big success.

VAIKASI VISAKAM ANNADANAM AT SRI GNANANANDA NIKETAN

The supreme divine incarnation of Lord Muruga took place in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (mid May – mid June) on a Full Moon day in the asterism or nakshatra `Vishaka`. The auspicious Vishaka nakshatra is a combination of three stars that shines brightly in the sky. It is the sixteenth nakshatra of the 27.

Lord Muruga incarnated to destroy the demons – Surapadma, Tarakasura, and Singamugha. 

It was on this day that Lord Muruga manifested to destroy the dark forces and establish dharma and grant supreme protection and wisdom. Many Muruga temples hold the 10 day Brahmotsavam festival on Vaikasi Visakham. Devotees carry Pal kudam (milk pots) to do milk abisekam to Muruga and vow to carry kavadi ( a decorated yoke) on their shoulders in procession to the temple of Muruga. On this day, in temples special pooja, homa, aarti and abisekam are done to Muruga to seek his blessings.

Lord Muruga incarnated for a divine purpose on Vaikasi Visakam day as a young and ever resplendent one in all glory.

Saint Arunagirinathar says we should bear this in mind, draw strength and power to think of Muruga today at least for half a minute and meditate on his beautiful form with eyes closed to be blessed by his grace.

The saint says that he is the infinite reality residing in the cavern of our heart, who will protect us and lead us in the path of wisdom and light. 

On this auspicious day, annadanam was organized at Sri Gnanananda Niketan. 

Around 250 people from the nearby villages participated in the annadanam. Swami Nityananda Giri started the annadanam by serving to the people. Swami Sadasiva Giri, Swami Prabhavananda Saraswati, Swami Atma Tatvananda Saraswati, Swami Amrutheswarananda and other vedantic students at Niketan participated in the Annadana. 

SANKARA JAYANTHI MAHOTSAV AT SRI GNANANANDA NIKETAN

Sri Sankara Jayanti Mahotsava commenced at Sri Gnanananda Niketan as usual on the sacred day of Akshaya Tritiya on Monday, the 28^th April 2017. It was celebrated with Narayana Seva (annadana). More than 250 people from the neighboring two villages were served with food on the auspicious occasion.

“Akshaya” means never diminishing. Many things happened on this sacred day. Lord Krishna blessed Draupati with Akshaya Patra (bowl which supplied unlimited food to the Pandavas and to all the guests during their vanavasa). Kubera who is treasurer of god prayed to Sri Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth to fill his treasury. Lord Vishnu took his sixth avatar as Parasurama. After the end of Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga commenced on this day. Ganga descended from heaven in response to the tapas of Bhagiratha. Veda Vysasa began dictating the epic Mahabharata to his scribe Ganesa. Sudhama came to Dwaraka to see Lord Krishna. He could bring only a handful of beaten rice which the Lord received with great happiness and blessed him with immense wealth on this day. Gates of the temple of Badri Narayana open on this day after winter. Construction of the chariots for Jagannath Rath Yatra at Puri commences on this day. This is also important day for Jains for fasting and prayer marking the breaking of one year long fast by king-turned-muni Rishabadeva.

Sri Sankara Jayanti was celebrated on Wednesday, the 30^th April 2017. Elaborate poojas were performed at Satsang Mandap. Ashtottarasata Namavali Archanas were offered to Sri Dakshinamurti, Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavatpadacharya and Sadguru Sri Gnanananda.

Before the Aarti, Swami NityanandaGiri read the portion from Sri Sankara’s Gita Bhashya on sloka no. 50 in Eighteenth chapter. It is about Gnana-nishta, which Sri Sankara points out, is same as Para-bhakti.

Sri Sankara laid great emphasis on proper performance of prescribed ritualistic duties Svadharma, which leads one to spiritual perfection.  In Karma Yoga, which is Bhakti in action one offers all his actions to the Divine and accepts the result as Iswara prasada. In fact, it marks the commencement of the spiritual journey of man. He realizes in due course of time that all his skills come from the Divine and, in fact, his work is a part of the universal yajna and the result is yajna prasada which gives chittasuddhi. Slowly, he realizes that it is only the Prakriti that is performing the action and he is only a witness.  Apart from developing chittasuddhi and fourfold qualities of Sadhana chatushtaya; which makes him eligible for receiving instruction in Brahmavidya, which alone dispels the primordial Ignorance, avidya. In fact, it is Bhakti that gives the Grace in the form of viveka and vairagya and develops in him the inclination towards advaita in him.

Adi Sankara points out that Sanatana Dharma comprises of both pravritti, engagement in religious activity and nivritti, withdrawal from all such activities, turning inward and becoming exclusively devoted to the study of Upanishads and Self-enquiry. Mere Vedic rituals can only give temporary results and not Self-knowledge, which is freedom from the cycle of birth and death. This was particularly important and had to be emphasized, as at the time of Sankara, as there was resurgence of Purvamimamsa with the advent of Kumarila Bhatta. Thus, He gave proper orientation to the place of karma kanda in a man’s life.

Sankara brings out that Samsara is the sense of doership and of enjoyership of the results of actions. It is due to ignorance about one’s own true nature as the Infinite. He compares the constant contemplation on the teaching of Upanishads to the rubbing of Sandalwood, stinking because of its lying immersed in an unused well for long time, till its natural sweet fragrance only is clearly felt.

It was Sankara who highlighted the importance of Prasthanatraya – Upanishads for spiritual insight, Gita for discipline and Brahmasutra for logic. He establishes through them that the Trans-causal Brahman is the Ultimate Reality as per the Upanishads. The later Acharyas also used the same criteria for proving the validity of their spiritual insights of the Causal Brahman, God. In this manner, Veda Mata in the Upanishads is able to take care of all aspirants of different spiritual attitude and disposition. Thus, the Upanishads present a broad spectrum of God-experience.

Sankara lucidly explains the Upanishadic method of superimposition and negation by which the nature of the Ultimate Reality is very well unfolded as the Changeless, Timeless Substratum of the appearances of all changing and time-bound phenomena.  This brings out clearly the difference between the appearance and reality and how the Reality supports the appearance.

As in the past few years Krishna Yajur Veda parayana of Samhita and Saka was commenced with ghatasthapana on the day of Sri Sankara Jayanti. It concluded on 4^th May 2017.

Swami Vidyananda Giri was given initiation into Sannayasa by Sadguru Gnanananda on Sri Sankara Jayanthi day. His Aradhana also followed Sankara Jayanthi and was celebrated on 05^th May 2017 at the Main ashram.

Sannyasins and devotees from Niketan attended the special puja at the Adhishtana (Samadhi shrine) of Swami Vidyananda Giri in the morning of 5^th May 2017. Sri Swami Sadasiva Giri attended the traditional aradhana, which was performed in the main ashram. A samaradhana was organized at Niketan and a special bhiksha was offered to Sannyasins and other devotees. Bhiksha for sadhus was also arranged at Yogi Ramsuratkumar ashram, Tiruvannamalai on the day of aradhana of Swami Vidyananda Giri. 

Sankara Jayanthi Mahotsav concluded with prayers that the Grace of Adi Sankaracharya and blessings 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!

Watch the beautiful rendering of Sankara Vijayam by these children from Chennai who are students of Smt. Mohana