AUGUST 2014 NEWS AND REPORTS 27

Guru is God in physical form;God is Guru in His unmanifested aspect.

The auspicious day ofGuru Purnima was celebratedwith great sacredness andspiritual éclat at theHeadquarters Ashram on 12thJuly 2014. A large number ofdevotees from different parts of India and world gathered atSwami Sivananda SatsangaBhavan (Auditorium) to offertheir loving gratitude at thefeet of the Holy Master. TheCelebration commenced at

Swami Sivananda

NEWS AND REPORTSGuru Purnima Mahotsava, 51st Sadhana Week and

Punyatithi Aradhana of SadgurudevSri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj at the Head quar ters Ashram

28 THE DIVINE LIFE AUGUST 2014

4.30 a.m. in the divine presence ofSadgurudev Sri Swami SivanandajiMaharaj, Worshipful Sri SwamiChidanandaji Maharaj andWorshipful Sri SwamiKrishnanandaji Maharaj withBrahmamuhurta prayers andmeditation. Thereafter, H. H. SriSwami YogaswarupanandajiMaharaj in his message inspired thedevotees to feel the divine presence of Sadgurudev and constantly repeatthe name of the Lord. Sri SwamiAtmaswarupanandaji Maharaj in histalk urged all to take a pledge tofollow Sadgurudev’s divine

teachings. This was followed byPrabhat-Pheri wherein the devoteessinging fervently the Divine Namepermeated the entire atmosphere ofMuni ki Reti with spiritualvibrations. A special Havan wasperformed at the AshramYajnashala for the peace and welfare of the world.

In the forenoon session, aspecial worship was offered toBeloved Sadgurudev at the HolySamadhi Shrine and a grand

worship was offered to the sacredPadukas of Sadgurudev at theauditorium followed by Jaya Ganeshprayers. Thereafter, Sri SwamiPadmanabhanandaji MaharajGeneral Secretary, DLSHeadquarters made invocations toVyas Bhagavan and read the firstfour Sutras and the last Sutra of theBrahmasutras as a worshipfultribute to Guruparampara . Twentythree books and one DVD werereleased to mark this sacredoccasion. The forenoon session

AUGUST 2014 NEWS AND REPORTS 29

concluded with the blessing messageof H.H. Sri Swami VimalanandajiMaharaj, President, DLSHeadquarters. In the afternoonsession, the devotees presentedBhajans and also spoke on the lifeand teachings of Sadgurudev SriSwami Sivanandaji Maharaj. Duringthe night Satsanga, devotees offeredmelodious Bhajans as theirPushpanjali at the sacred feet of theSadgurudev. The celebrationconcluded with Arati and distributionof holy Prasad.

From 13th to 19th July 2014, theFifty First Sadhana Week wasorganized at Sivananda SatsangaBhavan. Every day the programmecommenced with early morningprayers-meditation sessionconducted by Sri SwamiDevabhaktanandaji and Sri SwamiGurupremanandaji which wasfollowed by Prabhat-Pheri. Sri SwamiDharmanishthanandaji conductedYogasana Class. The forenoonsession commenced with JayaGanesh prayers and recitation of Sri

Vishnusahasranama and Srimad

Bhagavad Gita by Sri Swami

Kaivalyanandaji and Br. Sarojji and

the afternoon session started with

Bhajan-Kirtan by Sri Raghava Das.

During the forenoon and the

afternoon sessions, the spiritual

luminaries of different organizations

and senior monks of the

Headquarters Ashram blessed the

devotees with their inspiring and

elevating discourses. � � �

30 THE DIVINE LIFE AUGUST 2014

Mahamandaleshwar Sri Swami DivyanandaSaraswatiji Maharaj of Kailash Ashram, Rishikeshin his inaugural address explaining theUpanishadic truth said that we are verilySatchidananda—Blissful Divinities. Due to theignorance of our True Self, we run after worldlyobjects to seek happiness. But these objects cannotgive us the true and eternal happiness. The pleasure we feel while enjoying them is illusory and is only the reflection of the bliss of the soul. Sri SwamijiMaharaj inspired the Sadhakas to take refuge at thefeet of Guru to realize one’s True Self.

Mahamandaleshwar Sri SwamiVishwatmananda Puriji Maharaj of SadhanaSadan, Haridwar in his discourse emphasizingupon the significant role of mind in attainingLiberation said that mind is the cause of bondageand liberation as well. If it is attached towards thesensual objects, it puts one in bondage and if itrenounces desires and attachment towards objects, it becomes an instrument to take one towardsLiberation.

Mahamandaleshwar Sri Swami

Asanganandaji Maharaj of Paramarth Niketan,Rishikesh in his blessing message reiterated thegreat Upanishadic Truth that we are Satchidananda Brahman but due to ignorance, we identifyourselves with body. This Dehadhyasa(identification with body) causes our bondage, painand misery. Sri Swamiji Maharaj advised theSadhakas to be wise and constantly assert one’strue Self.

Mahamandaleshwar Sri Swami Ananda

Chaitanya Saraswatiji Maharaj (Darshanacharya)

Ananda Krishnadham, Haridwar in his message

glorifying Jnana Yoga Sadhana as the highest

Sadhana for attaining liberation said that all

Sadhanas culminate in the knowledge of Brahman.

To be initiated into that supreme knowledge, one

should surrender himself completely at the feet of

Sadguru and serve him wholeheartedly.

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H.H. Dandi Swami Sri Swami Hamsananda

Saraswatiji Maharaj of Swargashram in his

message quoting copiously from various scriptures

gave an elaborate description of Karma Yoga,

Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Sri Swamiji

Maharaj inspired all to seek God for one’s highest

welfare.

Mahamandaleshwar Sri Swami Bhagawat-

swarupji Maharaj (Darshanacharya) Gurumandal

Ashram Mayapur, Haridwar in his discourse quoting

from Kapil-Devahuti Samvad of Srimad Bhagavat

said that attachment towards sensual enjoyments is

the cause of our bondage and if the same

attachment is directed towards the saints, one can

attain Liberation.

H.H. Sri Swami Vimalanandaji Maharaj,

President, DLS Headquarters in his message

described the two paths—‘Preyo and Sreyo’ as

mentioned in Yama-Nachiketa Samvada of

Kathopnishad and advised the Sadhakas to be like

Nachiketa and tread the path of wisdom i.e. Sreyo

Marga. Sri Swamiji Maharaj also inspired all to

cultivate a constant link with God while performing

actions and dedicate one’s actions at the feet of God.

H.H. Sri Swami Yogaswarupanandaji

Maharaj, Vice-President, DLS Headquarters, in his

discourse highlighting the significance of Japa

Sadhana said that constant repetition of the Lord’s

name is the panacea for all physical, mental and

spiritual ailments. Referring to Patanjali Yoga Sutra

‘Tajjapah Tadarthabhavanam’ , Sri Swamiji Maharaj

advised the Sadhakas to constantly repeat the

Lord’s sacred name contemplating its meaning.