Monthly eMagazine of the International Vedanta Mission

Year 21 Issue 1Kvmz!3126

Monthly eMagazine of the International Vedanta MissionJuly 2015 : Year 21 / Issue 1

Editor: Swamini Samatananda Saraswati

Published byInternational Vedanta Mission

http://www.vmission.org.in / vmission@gmail.com

That which is free from all modifications, that which is infiniteand is causeless, that which cannot be described or objectified,and is free from beginning & end - the wise awake to that timelesstruth and realize themselves to be ever-free.

fufoZdYieuUra p gsrqo`kkUroftZre~ A vizes;euk|a p ;TKkRok eqP;rs cq/k%AA

Amrutbindu Upanishad - 9

Section Index

1. Message of P. Guruji - 52. Tattva Bodha - 6-74. Letter - 95. Gita Reflections - 10-116. Jivanmukta - 137. Yoga Vasistha - 14-157. Story Section - 178. VM News - 189. VM Activities - 1910. Album - 20-2111. VM Programs - 23

The first International Yoga Day on 21st June 2015 was indeed a historical day in the annal ofhuman celebrations. More than two billion people all over the world did Yogic exercises with the sankalpato help bring about better health & harmony within & outside themselves. PM Narendra Modi describedthe event nicely when he said that today wherever the sun will rise all over the world it will witness peopledoing Yoga. While almost every country of the world participated in this mega event, yet the program atRajpath in New Delhi got the award from the Guiness Book of World Records, for not only the biggestgathering for an event, but also for the largest number of people of different nationalities in one event.The process of this event started last year when the Indian PM put forward a proposal in his address tothe UN General Assembly last year, and it was co-sponsored by 177 countries of the world. Later 192countries organized mass gathering in their respective countries. The fact that a record number ofcountries co-sponsored was because the awareness of Yoga was spread all over the world by variousYogic masters for so many years. They deserve our salute & namaskars for their yeoman services.Obviously so many people had already directly benefitted by this unique package, thereafter credit goesto the Indian PM to not only lay the foundation of this mega event, and execute the event so nicely. Onlya true world leader can think & execute at this level. He is indeed a blessed soul.

While Yoga is not merely limited to Yogic exercises, yet it definitely encompasses this aspectalso. In Yogic exercises the focus is on integrating our different faculties in a sattwic way. The body, theprana and the mind are made to work in a synchronized & integrated way. Having integrated onesfaculties, thereafter the Yogic sadhanas help turn our attention for bringing about constant awareness ofGod. The word Yoga in Bhagwad Gita is used basically for that objective. In the 8th chapter of Gita LordKrishna tells Arjuna that 'Mam Anusmar Yudhya cha' - meaning, that O Arjuna, May you strive to do yourduties and at the same time remain conscious of existence of God - the infinite Consciousness, the Selfof all. Who so ever does this sadhana will retain balance in all ups & downs of life, and this is yet anotherdefinition of Yoga - 'Samatvam Yoga Uchyate', meaning Retention of Equanimity in all situations is Yoga.As a person slowly & steadily learn to become Yogaroodha - abiding in Yoga, thereafter various secretsof life are revealed to him. He comes to know that Truth is One. It is infinite, non-dual and all-pervasive.This timeless, all-pervasive divinity alone is God, with whom we were trying to be one. Vedanta comesand tells us that we are already that. Everyone is basically divine, already one with God. The problem isjust of ignorance. So the culmination of Yoga is in the negation of all duality and discovering the ever-existing identity. The various Yogic practices basically prepared us for this great awakening. All the initialpractices kept on making us healthier, peaceful, & intelligent - thus preparing us for the final take-off ofSelf-Knowledge.

Stress has become such a great problem in the world today, it is here that Yoga will help thehumanity in a big way. May this event keep on taking bigger & bigger form in the years to come. We alsosincerely pray that 'May such good package of holistic well-being bless the whole world'. This has beenthe prayer of the great Vedic masters from ancient times. Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah - May all be happy;Sarve Santu Niramayaha - May all become healthy.

1st International Yoga Day

from Poojya Guruji

Vedanta Sandesh

Tattva BodhaSix Divine Qualities: Samadhanam

This is a quality that has to be mentioned,because it is one of the most common obstacles manypeople are facing. Most of us have difficulty inconcentrating expecially when it comes to practisingmeditation, chanting, or even listening. This is a qualitythat must be developed to be able to absorb oneselffully in any spiritual persuit.

What is Samadhanam? Chittaikaagrataa.Samadhana is the capacity to focus on a single

goal in an integrated manner. The definition given bythe Acharya here is 'Samadhanam is Chitta ekagrata'-Here 'Chitta' is the mind, 'eka'- is having a clear andsingle goal, 'agre' is in front of you. So focusing themind on a single goal at one time laid down in front ofus. Although the definition of Samadhana is focusingthe mind single pointedly, yet to accomplish any goal,it is our entire personality comprising of our physicalenergy, our sense organs, pranas, our emotions andthoughts that need to work in an integrated manner.Itis a state of mind that is not interested or lured in runningbehind too many things at the same time. In todaystimes there is a fad popularly known as 'Multitasking'.

Although people today take great pride in showing howgood they are in multitasking, yet it is not a good habitas it reflects a fragmented mind and a mind that doesnot reflect peace, quitude, and focus within but it showsan overloaded mind trying to catch up with too manythings at a time. This is not only an unhealthy practisein the practical arena of life but also a quality thatshould be avoided by any spiritual seeker. Having onegoal at one particular point of time and being fullycommitted to it, mentally and physically, is the realsamadhana. At the spiritual level all goals in life leadto the single and ultimate goal about knowing the truthof the Self.

Difficulty in Concentration:Most often each one of us often complains of

being unable to focus our attention and get fullyabsorbed in something. Be it meditation, or on one'sstudies, or even office work. Surprizingly each one ofus has an inbuilt power to concentrate, to keep themind focused on a single track. Yet this is one of themost talked about problem from which even Arjuna isnot spared. He too in the Bhagwadgita mentions to

The first five qualities Sama, Dama, Uparama, Titiksha & Shraddha have been discussed so far. Theseare the qualities that help us in having a free mind available for gaining knowledge. They free the mind of anykind of extraneous distractions and enable the mind to turn inward and get focused. The last quality of the sixdivine qualities which is discussed now is Samadhanam.

Q: What is the Samadhanam ?A: It is the single pointedness of the Mind.

- 7 -

Sri Krishna that the mind is so unsteady that controllingit is like controlling the winds. In fact this being thesituation many such Arjunas facing difficulty in thecapacity to concentrate often become gullible victimsto unauthentic and farce teachers who prescribeunauthentic measures to bring about this focus of themind. It is always most appropriate to find out from agenuine teacher the authentic means prescribed inthe scriptures. So, what is the real problem? Is it reallytrue that we lack the capacity of having a single pointedfocus or are there some other secrets to this? To getthe right answers let us first try and understand whatthe mind is.

The mind's nature is to move:Mind is a flow of thoughts, just like a river is a

flow of water. One cannot imagine a river with thesame water at one place. The moment we feel thecoolness of water it has already changed. That waterwhich we touched has moved on. Similarly the natureof the mind is also dynamic and moving. In fact thisvery nature of the mind to go all over helps us to knowthings. The mind cannot be stagnant. Otherwise wewill not be able to know anything. The mind is like acamera that is rolling. It goes on taking pictures. Itcannot be a like a polaroid camera that takes singlepictures. Even Lord Krishna in the Bhagawadgitaconfirms-'Chanchalam hi manah'-The mind does goall over. Having known this nature of the mind onecan now deal with the question of how to bring aboutconcentration. What is the obstacle that one faceswhen trying to focus one's attention in something. Letstry to understand this with an example-When I try tochant the name of the Lord or do meditation, the mindmoves away from my practise and I try to bring it back,it moves away again. In fact in such a case the

capacity to bring it back on track is what samadhana isall about.

Having Love for the Goal:A very frequent and important question arises

why should the mind keep wandering away from whatit is doing. Do we really have a concentration problem?Let's take the example further, when I try to chant thename of the Lord the mind wanders away, but when Iam reading a novel of my interest and love, I cancontinue to read the novel all night without gettingdistracted by any person or thing. Why is this so? Do Ihave a concentration problem? No. Concentration isnot a problem at all. In fact I can set an example ofsuper concentration. The only reason why I am able toread a book without getting distracted even for asecond, it is because that subject is of my interest, mypassion and my love. Therefore not only do I read thenovel in one night but I also fail to hear the umpteenno of shouts that my mom has given for dinner. Soconcentration is not a problem at all? Everybody hasthe capacity of concentration; it is only a question ofdiscovering love in the subject of concentration. At thesame time it is equally important to discover the futilityof indulging in other worldly pleasures as they are sovery momentary. One needs to discover love and valuetowards God and the goal of knowing the truth. Oneneeds to discover this love and value through satsang,reading good literature, analyzing life experiences &seeing the blessings of God. Having discovered thislove the mind may still go as a matter of habit and thishas to be dealt with by bring the mind back towardsthe subject of focus. This capacity to bring the mind onthe point of focus is what samadhana is all about. Sohave a goal, a goal that comes from the heart, be it theseat of meditation or the field of activity.

Guru Poornima Camp, IndoreA four days Guru Poornima Camp will be organized at Vedanta Ashram,

Indore from 27th to 30th July. For four days Poojya Guruji will talk on just

one mantra - Parikshya Lokan (of Mundaka Upa) . Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji

will conduct classes on Guru Paduka Stotram.

Vedanta Sandesh

Once a group of 500 people were attending a seminar. Suddenlythe speaker stopped and decided to do a group activity. He startedgiving each person a balloon. Each person was then asked to writetheir name on it using a marker pen. Then all the balloons werecollected and put in another room.

The people were then let into that room and asked to find the balloonwhich had their name written on it within 5 minutes. Everyone wasfrantically searching for their name, colliding with each other, pushingaround others and there was utter chaos.

At the end of 5 minutes no one could find their own balloon.Then, the speaker asked each person to randomly collect a balloonand give it to the person whose name was written on it. Withinminutes everyone had their own balloon.

The speaker then began, "This is happening in our lives. Everyoneis frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where itis.

Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give themtheir happiness; you will get your own happiness. And this is thepurpose of human life...the pursuit of happiness."

The Home of Happiness

Yoga & Advaita

The packageof Yoga is veryhelpful for allbeginners. It helpsto bring about betterhealth, integratedpersonality, sattwicdisposition which isendowed with highdegree ofintelligence &sensitivity.

- PoojyaGuruji

Hari om !

Further to your question whether Yoga is based on the Non-Dual philosophy,please let me first answer the question clearly that: - No, Yoga is not based onthe Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Nearest to the philosophy of Yoga is Sankhyaphilosophy, which accepts Prakriti & Purusha as two seperate entities. BecauseYoga shastra is based on this duality therefore there is tenability of their statements& definitions like 'Yoga is a sadhana to become one with God' - from their point ofview. Vedanta on the other hand says that you are already one with Brahman,you just need to realize this already existing fact. Any effort of trying to 'becomeone' with God is in fact the very denial of an already existing identity, and thereforeall such efforts will always be a futile endeavour. It is no wonder that Sh AdiSankara in his Bhashya of Brahma Sutras negates Yoga philosophy thoroughlyand then goes about establishing the non-dual philosophy of Advaita.

Having said this, we also need to appreciate that while ultimately non-dualityalone is the truth and also the teaching of Upanishads, yet initially this is notwhere we begin with. Because of Agyana and the subsequent aviveka we havetaken duality as a matter of fact. Duality is not revealed by scriptures, but is amatter of belief of all ignorant jivas. Just as treatment of a patient is by firstaccepting the problems of the patient and thereafter slowly & steadily guidinghim to good health, so also we need to initially accept the erroneous presumptionsof the ignorant jivas and then slowly & steadily guide them to non-duality. Thepackage of Yoga is very helpful for all beginners. It helps to bring about betterhealth, integrated personality, sattwic disposition which is endowed with highdegree of intelligence & sensitivity. Once such a mind is brought abaout then wedefinitely need to keep aside the dualistic implications inherent in Yogic approachand take resort to non-duality.

Not only Yoga but the same thing applies to rituals, do's & dont's, devotionalpractices etc. - all are based on duality and as long as we take ourself to be asmall separate individual so long we do need all these packages, because theydo set right certain negative conditionings.

So do take the help of Yoga and thereafter expand the very definition of Yoga,just as in Bhagwad Gita Lord Krishna says (in the 13th Chapter) that real Yogainvolves Viyoga and not Sanyoga.

Love & om,

Swami Atmananda

- 9 -

by

SwaminiSamatananda

Gita chapter six is solely dedicated to meditation propounding a completepackage on the preparation for meditation, its ways, the obstacles faced on theseat of meditation, and how to handle them. Sri Krishna as a perfect teacher whodoes not miss out on mentioning also the fruits of meditation for those who needto know it's goals clearly and also be inspired by them. The chapter began withthe discussion of the most significant topic of performing one's actions and dutieswith an attitude of renunciation yet emitting the fragrance of selfless love andperfection. Becoming a 'Yogyukta' by performing actions with a God-centric attitudeforms the fundamental platform for Self-knowledge, without which, either knowledgewill not be possible or it will be a show of intellectual appreciation, devoid of reallife practise. Having discussed about karma yoga being such an important factorin bringing about a poised, quite, subtle and pure mind as a mental preparation formeditation, later on in the chapter Bhagwan Sri Krishna also reveals the necessityof discipline and balance at the basic level of ones lifestyle such as one's foodhabits, sleep, and other day to day activities. Just as Sri Krishna spoke of being a'Yogayukta' to mentally qualify for meditation so also he uses the term 'Yukta' withfood, sleep, actions & daily interaction with the world. All food intake, sleep etcare aimed towards moderation not only for one's physical & mental well being butthese are planned as well as lived in accordance to one's spiritual goal in life. Ourentire life style can either be a maize where each one is frantically trying to achieveone's worldly goals and ambitions or it can be a balanced lifestyle where worldlyaccomplishments are only a means to support more higher goals in life. One caneither indulge in the world as an enjoyer( bhogi) or as a (yogi) to make our worldlyexperiences a stepping stone to discover the real nature of the Self and the world.

The discipline of food:Food is an inevitable part of existence. A healthy body is as important as a

healthy mind. Not only is good health required at the physical level or to fulfilvarious other worldly activities but without the support of the body even spiritualpursuit is not possible. Most of us know that food is a support to live and to pursuethe spiritual path only when right kind of food is taken in the right proportion, butironically, most of us fail to practise it. Food has more often been a reflection ofenjoyership and at times even an escape measure. But little do we realize thatfood is like a medicine which is to be taken to keep the body fit enough to pursuevarious goals. It is not a means of total fulfilment. In fact the enjoyment of the tastebuds is as momentary as bubbles in water. Hence the Gita says that over eatingfood or not eating at all or eating too little both ways are giving undue importanceto food and our sense organs. It surely reflects a very superficial conviction of aperson towards the goal of his life. Sri Krishna says a person who eats too muchis not suitable for meditation and so also a person who eats too little. A personwho overeats will be pre-occupied with such thoughts before and after meditation

Yuk

taah

aar

vihaa

rasy

ayu

kta

chesh

tasy

a kar

mas

u

Vedanta Sandesh

All foodintake, sleep andactivities areaimed towardsmoderation notonly for one'sphysical & mentalwell being butthese are plannedas well as lived inaccordance toone's spiritual goalin life.

and will surely feel lethargic and sleepy during meditation too. One has to strike abalance. This balance has not been prescribed by Sri Krishna as any kind of do's& dont's but the word 'Yukta' has been used to denote the right kind of food in theright amount and that which is had keeping one's goal in mind. This right proportionis relative from person to person. Each person has to understand the constitutionof his body, his daily physical and mental activities and then decide for himselfhow much and what is suitable to eat. Our body is the best judge if we listen to itand follow this principle.

The discipline of sleep:Just as in the case of eating habits so too in the case of sleep one requires

a balanced approach. A person either oversleeping or sleeping too little both aremisfit for any kind of contemplation & meditation. In fact these are people whowhen they are supposed to sleep they think of meditation and so dont sleep welland when they should be doing meditation then they sleep. God has designed thebody in such a manner that a good sound sleep takes away all the fatigue of theday and recharges the body with fresh new energy. Hence sleeping at the righttime and getting sufficient and good sleep to revitalize the body is as important asgood food. Again here the quantity of sleep depends on individual constitutionand the physical activities of the body. So one is the best judge for himself. At theend of the day what matters is that one wakes up feeling fresh and recharged.Only such people will be able to focus their mental energy in meditation.

The discipline of activities:One who does not waste time fretting and fuming over

the amount of work, it's timings, kind of work etc butperforms all activities deliberately and consciouslyhas a right approach in various activities. Asense of proportion here means that nothing iseither overdone with a sense of obsessionnor is it evaded due to personal whims andfancies. All activities are done in a consciousdeliberate manner reflecting right things doneat the right time. A workaholic or a personobsessed with work does not gain much spiritually. Intoday's life materialistic gains are the order of the day andhence everyone seems to be running in a mad race to acquire more & more of thematerial world. Little realizing that at the end of the day it's not going to lead usanywhere near fulfillment. Therefore what a student of Gita aims for is not anykind of obsession with work but a deliberate, conscious effort that brings aboutcreativity, alertness, perfection, dynamism, selflessness, and yet having a humilityto make it an offering to God.

A person pursuing a balanced lifestyle at these levels alone is fit formeditation and he alone awakens to the state of knowledge which Sri Krishnacalls as the destroyer of all sorrows.

- 11 -

Vedanta Sandesh

My child isn't my easel to paint,Nor my diamond to polish!My child isn't my trophy to flaunt,Nor my dummy to taunt!My child isn't my badge or my honour,Nor my respect that he/she must protect!My child isn't an idea or a fantasy,Nor my reflection or legacy!My child isn't my puppet or my project,Nor my pawn or my cadet!My child is here to fumble & stumbleTo get in & out of trouble!My child is here to try,To fall & to cry!My child is here to unravel the mysteries,To educate oneself & rewrite histories!My child is here to make his own choices,To exercise his freewill & experience the consequences!As a Parent,My task is to make my child able & capable,To keep aside my ego & be by his side!My task is to guide & educate,To let be & not frustrate!My task is allow him to ponder, And see my child grow into a Wonder!

My Child

Wanderingin Himalayas

Badrinath

Excerpts from

the

Travel Memoirs

of

Param Poojya

Swami

Tapovanji

Maharaj

36

The temple of Badrinath owes its very existence to Kerela. Its priesthoodand modes of worship are other ties which bind it fast to Malabar. One may evensay that Badri Narayana, is the tutelary deity of Kerela, as much asGuruvayoorappan Himself. Yet, only a small number of Malayalees visit badrinathfrom year to year, and the reason is clear. From Malabar to the Himalayas is along distance. despite all the modern conveniences of travel, it is not yet easy toreach the northernmost part of India from the southernmost. The few whoaccomplish the long journey gain, not only merit and purity of mind which willsave them hereafter, but also much valuable training and a sense of discipline.A visit of these northern regions helps to clear aesthetic doubts and tendenciesthat at times assail even the faithful.

The grand, beautiful, peaceful Himalayas which remain motionless indeep meditation help to purify any sinful mind and elevate it to a higher plane.The Himalayan region is a land of Gyana (tru knowledge), the South is the landof karma (action). In the North there is a greater sense of equality and fraternitybecause of the tradition inherited from the Rishis who had realized for themselvesthat there is nothing other than Brahman.

A thoughtful pilgrim from Malabar, on his way to Badri, gets splendidopportunities of learning much about the cities of India, about the differences inreligeon, customs, manners, races and languages even among the Hindusthemselves. In the midst of all this diversity, one is struck by a sense of Aryanunity. For example, the names of Shiva and Rama are loved and honouredeverywhere. In the early morning everyone bows to the sun. Sannyasins,brahmins and guests are honoured at all places from kanyakumari (CapeCamorin) to Badrinath, even though the language of welcome may be different,the food served different, the manners practised various. It is a matter of prideand satisfaction for the hindus that in spite of the revolutions and counterrevolutions of ages, the eternal priciples of their culture survived. Anotheradvantage of such pilgrimages is that they give the pilgrims the opportunities ofvisiting several Holy places from Rameshwaram to Badrinath, of meeting manyHoly men and learning from them the subtle secrets of the spirit.

- 13 -

Punya continued: These false notions of father, mother, friend, relative,etc., are swept aside by wisdom as dust is swept away by wind. These relativesare not based on truth, they are but words! If one is thought of as a friend, he is afriend; if he is thought of as the other, he is the other! When all this is seen as theone omnipresent being, where is the distinction between the friend and the other?Brother, enquire within yourself - this body is inert and it is composed of blood,flesh, bones, etc; who is the "I" in it? If you thus enquire into the truth, you willrealize that there is nothing which is you nor anything which is "I": what is calledPunya or Pavana is but a false notion.

However, if you still think "I am", then in the incarnations past you have hadvery many relatives. Why do you not grieve for their death? You had many swanrelatives when you were a swan, many tree relatives when you were a tree, manylion-relatives when you were a lion, many fish-relatives when you were a fish.Why do you not weep for them? You were a prince, you were a donkey, you werea peepul tree and then a banyan tree. You were a brahmana, you were a fly andalso a mosquito, you were an ant. You were a scorpion for half a year, you were abee, and now you are my brother. In these many other embodiments you havetaken birth again and again countless times. In all these embodiments there werecountless relatives. Whom shall I mourn? Considering this, I do not grieve.

All along this path of life relatives are strewn like dry leaves on a forestpath. What can be the proper cause for grief or joy in this world, brother? Let ustherefore abandon all these ignorant notions and remain at peace. Abandon thenotion of the world which arises in your mind as the "I". And be still, neither goingup nor falling down! You have no unhappiness, no birth, no father, no mother: youare the self and naught else. The sages perceive the middle path, they see whatis at the moment, they are at peace, they are established in witness consciousness;they shine like a lamp in darkness, in whose light events happen without the lampbeing involved.

Thus instructed by his brother, Pavana was awakened. Both of themremained as enlightened beings, endowed with wisdom and direct realization. In

Vedanta Sandesh

Adhyatmic

Teachings

of

Guru

Vasishtha

to

Sri Ramji

by

SwaminiVidyananda

30

- 7 -

course of time they abandoned their embodiment and attained final liberation, asa lamp without fuel.

And the wise Vasishtha adds:There is nothing of value in the three worlds, nothing that one may wish to

have which cannot be had by the mind free from likes and dislikes. They who arecured of the fever of attachmentsdo not subject themselves tothe successive rise and fall

inherent in e m b o d i e dexistence. The mind attainsfulfilment only by u t t e rdispassion, not by filling it withdesires and hopes. Tothose who are devoid of anyattachment and craving, thethree worlds are as wide as thefootprint of a calf and the wholeworld-cycle is but a moment. Thecoolness of the ice-pack on thetop of the Himalayas isnothing compared to the coolnessof the mind of the sage free from craving. The light of the full moon is not as brightnor is the ocean as full nor the face of the goddess of prosperity as radiant as themind free from cravings.

Vya

vahar

a &

Par

amar

tha

Best Wishes to all our Readersit is the anniversary time for Vedanta Sandesh. The first e-maga-zine was published on the Guru Poornima day in the year 1995.

It has been a great journey, sharing the message & vision ofVedanta through this new medium. We also keep sharing thevarious activities of Vedanta Mission and Vedanta Ashram.

Do keep sharing the good & inspiring prasad of Rishis with allyour family members & friends. May the good things spread - to

one & all

Vedanta Sandesh

Action may not always bring happiness; but there is nohappiness without action.

Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beautyoutvalues all the utilities of the world.

The aim of education is the knowledge not of facts butof values.

The most beautiful thing in the world is, ofcourse, theworld itself.

Nature is a Gym. Membership is free.

Silence is a place of great power and healing.

Failure is not the opposite of success, it is a part of suc-cess.

Faith makes all things possible...love makes all thingseasy.

Quotes

Once up

on

a time

...

StorySection

Ramayana & Mahabharata dont overlap for just once. Therewas an incident when Krishna saved Arjunas life at the Rama Setu inpresence of Hanumana.

Krishna once told Arjuna that Rama was the greatest warriorever even better than him. When visiting Rameshwaram, seeingthe Nala Setu, a doubt arose in Arjunas mind. He wondered whyRama, who was supposedly the greatest warrior, needed the VanaraSena to create the Setu, when he could have just created a bridgewith arrows using his powers.

Hanuman found Arjuna engaged in such doubts and went up tohim, disguised as an aged Vanara. He explained to Arjuna that thebridge of arrows would not be able to withstand the weight of theVanars. Challenging Hanuman, Arjuna said that he would create sucha bridge and if the Vanara could walk on it, he would win. Otherwise,he would burn in the bridge of arrows. After building the bridge withhis powers, he asked the Vanara to walk on it. Hanuman uttered thename of Rama, and merely kept his tail on the bridge. The bridgecollapsed.

Keeping his word, Arjuna burnt the bridge and turned to walk init. That very moment, Krishna appeared in the form of a saint andasked them to perform the task again, with him as a witness. But thistime, the bridge did not crumble. When they turned around, they sawthat the saint was supporting the foundation of the bridge with hisshoulders bleeding. In the saint, Hanuman saw Rama and Arjunasaw Krishna. Krishna hugged Hanuman and thanked him for what allthat he had done for him.

- 17 -

A Story from Mahabharata

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Vedanta Sandesh

Hjub!Hzbob!Zbhob-!Mvdlopx;A week long Gita Gyana Yagna by Poojya Swamini Samatanandaji was organized

at Sankatmochan Hanuman Mandir Satsang Hall, opp Lucknow University, Lucknow from8th to 14th June 2015. As usual there were two discourses. The subject matters of themorning & evening discourses were: Gita Chapter 6 and Atma-Bodha-2.

One of the days there was the meeting of Vedanta Mission, Lucknow members, andPoojya Swaminiji reorganized the Vedanta Mission Committee there. She went to meet olddevotees of VM-Lko who now cannot come to the discourses because of old-age & ill-health. They were very blessed & elated at the gesture.

The hosts organized a Vriksha-Roopan during one of the days, because monsoonsis just round the corner. Various members of the colony participated and were blessed byhaving a tree by Poojya Swaminiji in their garden.

Zphb!Ebz!Dfmfcsbujpot!bu!Btisbn!;On 21st June 2015 was the first UN sponsored International Yoga Day. An initiative

of the Indian PM Narendra Modi, it was happily co-sponsored by 177 countries of the world- a record in itself, and more than 200 million people did Yogasanas on the IYD all over theworld. New Delhi got its name written in the Guinees Book of World Records for organizinga program with the largest number of participants doing Yoga, and two for the largestnumber of foreign participants in one program. Vedanta Ashram, Indore, also joined handsand a group of devotees gathered in the Sankaracharya Sabhagruh and did Yoga underthe guidance of two Yogacharyas - Sh Jagdeesh & Smt Suneeta Joshi. All the AshramMahatmas joined too, including Poojya Guruji.

The Joshi duo was later honored by offering a shawl & Ashram published books &Dakshina. He also presented his publications to Poojya Guruji.

Ibovnbo!Dibmjtb!Tbutboh!.!Kvof!3126;On 28th June was the last Sunday of the month, and as such it was the day for the

monthly Hanuman Chalisa Satsang. As usual it was full house, and first there were lovelyspirited bhajans, chanting of Hanuman Chalisa and then the pravachan. Poojya Gurujistarted his pravachan on the 4th & 5th chaupayi - Kanchan baran biraj subesa ..... .

He told that for Upasana one needs to visualize the form of ones Ishta devata veryclearly. In fact the form which we clearly visualize and revere is the form in which God givesdarshan to his devotees. He also told that the real color & complexion of Hanumanji is onthe golden side. The devotees may love to color him in Sindoor because of the associatedstory, but one needs to visualize Hanumanji in his original color too.

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Vedanta Sandesh

Btisbn0Njttjpo!Bdujwjujft!.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.!jo!Q

Hjub!Hzbob!Zbhob-!MvdlopxVenue: Sankatmochan Hanuman Mandir (Hanuman Setu), Lucknow

Subjests: Gita Chapter 6 & Atma Bodha-2 / Dates: 8th to 14th June 2015

Wsjltib.Sppqbo!bu!MvdlopxVenue: SBI Colony, Sitapur Road, Lucknow

Planting of Trees by Poojya Swaminiji - just before the advent of Monsoon

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Zphb!Ebz!bu!BtisbnVenue: Sankaracharya Sabhagruh, Vedanta Ashram, Indore

Yoga Demo by Sh & Smt Yogacharya Jagdeesh Joshi on Int Yoga Day on 21st June 2015

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By Poojya Guruji Sri Swami Atmanandaji - on 28th June 2015

Vedanta Sandesh

There was a man, who had worked all his life, had saved all of his money, &was a real miser when it came to his money.

Just before he died, he said to his wife,"When I die, I want you to take all mymoney and put it in the casket with me. I want to take my money to the afterlifewith me."

And so he got his wife to promise him, with all of her heart, that when he died,she would put all of the money into the casket with him.

Well, he died.

He was stretched out in the casket, his wife was sitting there dressed inblack, and her friend was sitting next to her. When they finished the ceremony,and just before the undertakers got ready to close the casket, the wife said,"Wait, just a moment!"

She had a small metal box with her; she came over with the box and put it in thecasket. Then the undertakers locked the casket down and they rolled it away.So her friend said, "Girl, I know you were not foolish enough to put all thatmoney in there with your husband" The loyal wife replied, "Listen, Im a Chris-tian; I cannot go back on my word. I promised him that I was going to put thatmoney into the casket with him."

"You mean to tell me you put that money in the casket with him!?!?!?"

"I sure did," said the wife. "I got it all together, put it into my account, and wrotehim a Cheque. If he can cash it, then he can spend it."

The Smart Obedient Wife

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Guru Poornima Camp, Indore :A four days Guru Poornima Camp will be organized at Vedanta Ashram, Indore

from 27th to 30th July. For four days Poojya Guruji will talk on just one mantra - ParikshyaLokan (of Mundaka Upa) . Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct classes on GuruPaduka Stotram.

Guru Poornima Celebrations, Indore :This year Guru Pornima, the spiritual teachers day will be on 31st July. There will

be special puja of our Guru Parampara by Poojya Guruji, and then some devotee will doPada Pooja of Poojya Guruji, followed by Bhandara for all. All are welcome to join.

Janmashtami Camp, Indore :A five days Janmashtami Camp will be organized at Vedanta Ashram, Indore from

31st Aug to 4th Sept Sept. For five days Poojya Guruji will talk on Natakdeep Prakarana ofPanchadasi. Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji will conduct classes on Avatara RahasyaShlokas of Bhagwad Gita - Chap-4. Sri Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on the 5thSept - by all ashramites & campers.

Hanuman Chalisa Satsang - July15, Indore :The last Sunday in July falls on the 26th. This HC Satsang will be organized in

between the ongoing Guru Poornima Camp in the Sankaracharya Sabhagruh on thesecond floor of the Ashram.

Gita Gyana Yagna, Lucknow :A week-long Gita Gyana Yagna by P. Swamini Amitanandaji will be organized at

Harimom Mandir, Lal Bag, Lucknow from 4th to 10th Oct. Subs: Gita-8 /KaivalyaUpanishad.

International Vedanta Missionhttp://www.vmission.org.in/

Vedanta Mission Blog:http://blog.vmission.org.in/

Indian Cultural Foundationhttp://icf.vmission.org.in/

Earlier Vedanta Sandesh issueshttp://bit.ly/1oGD4TK

Om Tat Sat