SAMARTHA BHARATA PARVA 2024

The 162 Birthday of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated at Ananda Dham, Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation 27th January from 10 am. The occasion provided the rare opportunity of delving deep into the question of Swami Vivekananda and present day Kerala. Dr. V. Rajeev, Dean and Professor (Malayalam) at the Central University of Kerala, Kasargod who elaborated the important aspects of Swami Vivekananda's sojourn in Kerala in 1892. Along with the freedom from the shackles of casteism and such other social levels, Kerala has also to develop spirituality, to recapture her name as Gods own country

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 Earlier expressing on the importance of more and more school students participating in the competitions conducted by organizations like Kendra Ma. Lakshmi Didi recalled Swami Vivekananda's contributions condensing them into 2 words. Freedom and establishment of Dharma. Establishment of  Sri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya when Sri Rama personification Dharma is to be unhappy should add more strength, vigour and vision  to Swami Vivekananda's call to upgrade our spiritual inclinations. The students who participated in the completions were given prizes. Sri Sudhakar welcomed the gathering and Sri P Joshiji proposed the vote of thanks.  Man. Lakshmi Didi honoured Smt Padmaja Suresh who has just now completed her M.Sc. in Yoga at the S. Vyasa, Bangalore.

               To add  to the charm of the occasion there was the little Swami Vivekananda in Chicago dress, presented by the little Sishuvihar child Master Mitran. He also distributed the prizes to the winning students along with the Chief Guest.

SRI DEVI BHAGAVATA PARAYANA YAGNA.SAMAPAN

 

The house to house Devi Bhagavata Parayana yagna was brought to fitting "finale" on 21st February at Ananda Dham in the Holy presence of Revered Sanyasin Samhitanandaji of Chinmaya Mission, Thrissur. A few of the members from the families where Parayana was conducted were present on the occasion. The Programme started at 10 am with the reading by all who were present from the Devi Mahatmya of chapters 5 to 11. In the august presence of Revered Swamiji all the members took part in the Sri Lalita Ashtothra chanting followed by participants. Rev Swamini then spoke about the importance of such Satsanghs in purifying not only our minds but also the entire surroundings. All living things around would be drenched in the Divine vibrations of such chantings, she pointed out. Then followed the Arati and all the devotees has Amritha bhojan along with Rev Swamini. The third round of parayana yagna would start after the Bhagavata Saptaha Yagna at Ananda Dham from 15th February to 24th. 

VISHWA BHANU (MALAYALAM MONTHLLY)

FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE

ONLINE SWADHYAYA ON HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

 An online Swadhyaya class in Malayalam on Hatha yoga Pradipika by Acharya Kaithapram Vasudevan Namboothiri -Chairman of Patanjali Yoga research training centre, Ernakulum. 25  participants attended the class. MA.Lakshmi Didi welcomed the Acharya and Sri Sudhakarji introduced Acharya to the participants.

The wide knowledge of Acharya kept the participants spell bound.The Acharya began with the introduction of Hathayoga starting with 'Ha'-Hakara kirthita Suryaha and 'Tha' - Thakara chandra ucchate, again 'Ha' is prakriti and 'tha' is purusha  or 'Ha' is Ida and 'tha ' refers to  Pingala nadis  is Hathayoga.. Authored by Yogi Swatmarama who was the disciple of Gorakshanath. 

Patiently explaining each and every sloka from Sanskrit to Malayalam during the month of December. From the 1st versr of prarthana sloka to 16 th verse deals with the disciplines required to become a Hatha yogiFrom the 17th and 18th verse deals with the introduction to asana and 19th  to the 30th verse which deals with asanas namely swastikasana, Gomukhasana,Veerasana,Koormasana, Kukkutasana,Uttanakoormasana,Dhanurasana, Matsyendrasana, Pascimattanasanaand Mayurasana and the method of performing with benefits of . some of the asanas.

SAMARTHA BHARATA PARVA AND VIVEKANANDA JAYANTI CELEBRATION

    Samartha Bharat Parva started with state level online Gita chanting competitions for students from Classes I to VI. The 12th chapter of Bhagavad Gita was chosen for the competition. 80 students from 12 schools from all over Kerala participated. The concluding function was on Gita Jayanthi day on the 25th December with an hour long online programme.

Online Bhajan Sandhya was conducted on 30th December. 29 families took part. Mainly the youth of Kodungallur, who are either the relatives or those who are in samparka with the regular yoga varga karyakartas, participated in the hour long online Bhajan Sandhya held from 6.30 pm to 7.30pm. Matru puja was conducted on 3rd of January. 6 senior children actually performed the puja at Anandadham. The rest of the children mainly tiny tots of Sishuvihar and Samskarvarga children performed it online through Zoom meet. 14 families were present.

Online state level Solo patriotic songs was also conducted in  two categories.70 students from 10 schools  all over Kerala  registered and 46 of them participated. Each participant had to send the video of their song based on which the judges gave their remarks. 4 local yoga practitioners from Kodungallur and nearby areas, accompanied by the fulltime workers of VKVVF attended the Yoga Sastra Sangamam to enrich themselves in the yoga way of life. 

Swamiji Jayanti

The Yoga Varga members of the morning batch were addressed by Ma. Lakshmi Didi who explained to them mentioning about the life and message of Swami Vivekananda about the need of the hour. Along with one's own mental, physical and spiritual health, one has to be aware about  the health of the society too. Then only one can call oneself as 'men with capital 'M'.  An online one and a half hour programme was arranged from 11 a.m. to 12.30. 50 people, including students who participated in the patriotic song competitions, along with and their family members, other local karyakartas and well-wishers were present.

        The programme started with invocation by local karyakartas Smt Anumol and Kum Lakshmi. Kum Drishya our Samskarvarga sikshak and her two little sisters sang a melodious song on Swami Vivekananda. Sri Sudhakarji welcomed all who were attending the programme, introduced Ma. Lakshmi Didi. The winners of the patriotic song competitions beautifully presented their songs. Ma. Didi in simple but powerful words introduced Swamiji and His message, his expectations from the students and youth of India. Smt Mridula Manoharan a very close well-wisher gave away the vote of thanks after the announcement of the prize winners. The first prize winner of category I (class V to VII) was Kum Purnima K Manoj of Bhavan's Vidya Mandir Elamkkara. Prize winners would receive their prizes through post and E- certificates would be sent to all the students who participated. Programme ended with shanti mantra.

A SANKALPA FULFILLED

 

During the Shatabhisheka celebration of Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi, out of the donations which were received, the committee had decided to build two houses for two really deserving ladies. One of them who was Smt Padmini from Edavilangu had a plot of ground, and  on 10th July, Saturday, work started for the demolition of the dilapidated structure and foundation was laid by Ma. Didi to start building anew. The house was complete in the last week of December. But for the selfless work by the  Seva Bharati workers who didnot charge anything for constructing the beautiful house     in a short period of 5 months.

'Grihapravesham ceremony' of  Smt Padmini's was done on 5th January 2021 on the auspicious occasion of the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi's 168th birth tithi. Along with the committe members namely Sri Anilji, Sri P.N Joshiji and Sri Premnathji , Ma.Lakshmi Didi, Sri Sudhakarji and Sri Raghuji of Vedic Vision foundation, others were Sri Padmanabhanji-Jilla Sangha chalak of RSS , Dr Muralidharanji -Director of All India Hindi Prachar Sabha , Sri Sashinderanji -Grama Seva Pramukh of Kodungallur under R.S.S and ward Panchayat member Smt Ashaji who were also present to grace the occasion.Ma Didi handed over the keys of the house to Smt Padmini amma. It was an emotional moment for both the receiver and the giver. Ma. Didi thanked all especially the Seva Bharati workers for their selfless service!

Vishwabhanu Oct'20 - Nov'20

Vishwabhanu Oct'20 - Nov'20

MATRU PUJA

 Every year,on the occasion of  Holy Mother Sri Saradadevi's birthday, 'Matrupuja' is organised by Sandeepani Sishuvihar for the tiny tots as well as the samskar varga children, in the Campus of VKVVF Anandadham. 

This year 3rd of January morning 11a.m, was marked for the function. 6 children performed it offline at Anandadham ,whereas the rest 14 of them performed the puja online . Ma. Lakshmi Didi  conducted the puja. Overall anchoring was by Smt Mridula Chechi. Kumari Drishya one of the samskarvarga sikshaks and her cousin Sri Ram sang beautiful songs on Sri Ma and Devi before and after the puja. Sri Ram involved his parents and grandmother too in his kirtan on Devi. Though virtual, the whole programme was very encouragimg.

BHAJAN SANDHYA

 

30th December, was Purnima  and Thiruvathira ( birthday of Lord Shiva)day. As a regular activity, on every purnima day an online  bhajan Sandhya is conducted alternately by Thiruvananthapuram branch and VK Vedic Vision Foundation project centres. 

On 30th December it was the turn of VKVVF . 29 families watched  the programme online. 

The schedule was as follows: Overall anchoring was by Smt Mridula chechi.

Blessings by                    Ma. Lakshmi Didi

 Stavan                            Su.Sutapa Didi

 Guru Sloka                     Smt Sajitha

 Guru Bhajan                  Kum. Kokila

 Shiva ...                          Kum Athira

 Devi ...                           Smt Remya

 Rama ...                        Kum.Malavika

 Krishna...                     Sri Vaishnav

 Ayyappa                       Su. Priya Didi & Grp. 

Nirvanashatakam           Su. Kalyani Didi

Meditation                     Su. Radha Didi

 Kendra Prarthana         Smt Suja

Arogyam -December

On 13th December, Sunday, 'AROGYAM',an online  , one hour yogasana programme , to be conducted for three consecutive months on Sunday evenings,was innaugurated .A new effort to make Kodungallur 'COVID' free or to help out the local people from the fear of the pandemic. Programme started at 4p.m.  Ma. Lakshmi Didi inaugurated. 86 people attended out of a total of 250 people approached . One to one Samparka by each of our Yoga Varga members through notice distribution and personal consultation was made .              Simple breathing exercises                                                                              which would increase lung capacity and also the immune power, were introduced  by Sri Sudhakarji who conducted the    programme. This step taken by VK   Vedic Vision Foundation was highly appreciated by   those who attended.

        Second class was on 20th December, Sunday at the same time in the  evening. Nearly 50 families were  present for the second days class.

  On the 27th December the 3rd weekly online class was conducted . Introduction to sitting special breathing exercises and pranayama were taught during the session. Practice was always followed by question answer session.

GITA JAYANTI 27.12.2020

 This years Gita Jayanti Celebration at VKVVF Kodungallur  was conducted online on Sunday,27th December . 

Previous to the that a State level  online Gita Chanting competition for students from classes I to VI was held.Students from 12 different school from all over Kerala participated . The 12th chapter was chosen for the chanting competition.More than 100 students registered. 80 students sent their video links. 

Programme started with invocation by Master Ananthakrishnan of class III from Sri Sai Vidya Bhavan  Kodungallur, and our ex- Sishuvihar student who chanted the Dhyana sloka of Bhagavad Gita

Sri Sashi Master, whole timer karyakarta and Saha Sikshana pramukh  of Sanskrit Bharati's branch Sankrit Pratisthan at Kodungallur, was the Chief Guest.In his address to the students who participated in the online programme, Master explained to them through small examples as to how Gita encourages one to face the difficilties in life.

In her benedictory address Ma. Lakshmi Didi who was also graced  the occasion, said that Bhagavad Gita teaches the lessons of cooperation and self development.

52 students with their family members participated in the programme. The prizes were announced at the end of the programme. Kum. Akshara  S of Cl II of Amrita Vidyalayam, Manantavady-Wayanad secured the first position in catgory I(Cl I to Cl II). Kum.Diya Sumesh of Class IV of Amrita Vidyalayam , Edapally,Kochi secured first position in the second category ( Cl III to V)  and Kum. Rithupoorna Shenoi of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavn -Kodungallur and Kum. Meenakshi S.Varma of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Girinagar, Ernakulam together secured the first position in category III (Cl VI). 

A special prize was announced for Kum Rituvarna a budding lawyer who was the lone participant in the adult group who were to chant any 5 slokas of the Gita and explain the meaning. 

 The vote of thanks was given by Sushree Bindu teacher and programme ended with shanti mantra.

All the 80 participants will be receiving E-certificates and the prizes will be directly sent to the nearby schools  and to the others who are far off  by speedpost.

'SECRET OF WORK-SWAMIJI'S CONTRIBUTION TO INDIA' BY PRIYA VAIDYAN 26.12.2020

 

Dr Priya Vaidyan , a professor in Philosophy in Mumbai University and dedicated to Swami Vivekananda was the speaker for the weekly swadhyaya on meditation on Swamiji. She expressed that in her attempts to explore some dimensions of Swami Vivekananda's thoughts of Karma Yoga, she started  with 5 questions along with answers too -  new dimensions with special relevance to modern age. 

1.what does helping others imply? 

Swamiji has tried to analyse this by focusing on all aspects of helping other including spiritual.Physical help is good but doesnot give , most imp is spiritual help .empowering through spiritual focus is to elavate them..  what is it to be spiritual?

One has to be spiritually empowered to help others .For doing that one has to find time to travel within that is awareness.One has to keep a log book to keep track of what happens when one travels within.Then one can develop clarity and becomes conflictless. In this world of technology one has to empower oneself , evolve oneself to empower others.

2. How to work but not be attached to work?

The answer  to the quest was that one should keep working  and the reward will be enriching.To forget what or who we are for some moments would help us to be unattached to work.Whenever one does that it reaches one towards excellence.

3. How can we work like a master  and not as a slave.

The answer to she found was that we should work with lot of love without expectation for the given work, giving one's beat, like a master is to be a giver, sharing of good thoughts and developing gratitude for others who have contributed towards our elevation.This will make one happy and energetic without worry and anxiety.

If one is to be a master what one can give? It is giving some sharing good thoughts, giving some body hopes, a new perspective towards life. Many people have contributed for our growth hence if any body approached one , one should be grateful to God .

4.Can we help anyone without asking questions?

One has to prepare oneself for this fact. So one has to strive towards selflessness. One should not expect gratitude for helping others and be thankful to the people who have .The speaker also shared experiences from her life.

5.what is the requirement of spreading Swami Vivekananda's thoughts?

It is because Swamiji tried to give a direction to all of us for developing a prosperous India.The speaker has carried on many experiments in all places of life in taking Swamiji's thoughts everywhere

WEEKLY SWADHYAYA BY SWAMI VEERABHADRANANDAJI IN DECEMBER

In the month of December only two classes were conducted by Swami Veerabhadranandaji. The two classes were on the subject 

Character of a man reflects the character of the Nation.Swami Vivekananda was one such a person.

The topic of the two classes was 'Swamiji's response to Woman'

He referred to Swamiji's armour being the gift from his Guru Sri Ramakrishna to see the mother in every women.

Another cause of Swamiji's attitude towards women is how his mother Bhuvaneshwari Devi had trained Swamji as to how to treat the women.

 One has to raise oneself up to the spiritual , aesthetic , ethical, moral aspect of one's personality  which can have higher and sublime By yields in one's life just like Swami Vivekananda, and which is the typical characteristic of  Indian culture .  

In the second session Swamiji made it clear how Isha bhakti and Desha bhakti or bifurcation of God and motherland was made one single unified force  by the concept  of Bhakti taught by Swami Vivekananda. When this two bhaktis get unified as was syncronised by Swamiji it turned into a patriotic urge , a practical Bhakti. Hence our motherland becomes God and her citizens the manifestations and naturally the theory of oneness with all automatically develops in one. This  idea of Swamiji was  taken up by all the freedom fighters. Even women of India had tremendous contribution to our National development. Swami Veerabhadranandaji  mentioned many incidents of most unusual sacrificing mothers of India  eg. that of Tamilnadu of Changorkan ( red eyed) Chola King  whose mother consciously  embraced death  to beget a son who would glorify the mother's name and  heredity. Swami Vivekananda's mother too performed penance before his birth. Thus Swamiji wanted that  every women be  approached as 'Tarini' or 'Yogini' or looking upon women with reverence rather than looking at her as a comodity or 'Mohini'.