SWADHAYA VARGA ON YOGA SUTRAS

Today we were pleased to have Sri Kaithapram Vasudevan Namboothiri Master as unexpected guest. Master was in Kodungallur attending a programme and paid a visit to Kendra to meet Ma. Lakshmi Didi. When we requested, he was very happy to be with us and take a class. Master was so unique, handling a difficult subject like Yoga sutra, he won the hearts of everyone present with his simple and lucid explanation..

In his talks he beautifully explained the meaning of Prayers and Patanjali and a tip to keep the mind at ease

A serene and peaceful mind (citta-prasadanam) is cultivated (bhavanatah) by being friendly (maitri) towards happy people (sukha), compassionate (karuna) towards those who are suffering (duhkha), delighted (mudita) with those who are virtuous (punya) and disengaged or undisturbed (upeksa) by those who are doing harm (apunya).

Since relationships are such a huge part of our daily living and also have the potential to bring so much joy, Patanjali suggests that we practice our Yoga throughout our day while we relate to others. He summarizes people’s actions into 4 different categories and tells us that we have 4 great ways to (re)act to those to cultivate more calmness, more peace, more clarity.

He also explained the Meaning of prayer of Patanjali:

Yogena cittasya

– ”who by the yoga of mind”
Yogena ”by yoga”, Chittasya ”of mind/consciousness”

Padena vacam
– ”by the grammer of sanskrit purifies speech”
Padena ”grammer”, Vacam ”speech” – also understanding ”vak-tapasya” the power of speech

Malam sarirasya’ca vaidyakena

– ”and by ayurveda (removes) impurities of the body”
Malam ”impurity”, Sharirasya ”body” (Shariyam=body), ca ”and”, vaidyakena ”by ayurveda”

Yopa karottam pravaram muninam

– ”the best sages of all he who removed that”
Yo(ha)apakarot ”he who removed”, Tam ”that”, Pravaram ”the best”, Muninam ”Sages of all”

Patanjalim pranjaliranato’smi

– ”to that Patanjali I bow with my hands in prayerPatanjalim ”to that Patanjali”, Pranjaha ”with folded hands”, Ranatos mi ”I bow” (asmi: I).

and explained the biographical account of Patanjali Rishi

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA SAMADHI DIVASAM AND YOGA TEACHERS TRAINING

This year too we decided to conduct the yoga teachers training based on YIC and YCC syllabus enabling the students to prepare themselves for the both the courses.

Accordingly the news was shared with the aspiring students. As planned all the students assembled on the auspicious day of Swamijis samadhi day. They were brief about the course content and the methodology of learning etc. After the  introduction of students and the faculty, Ma Lakshmi didi gave a brief introduction of Swamijis life and the importance why this day was chosen for the session. In all 12 students took part in the deliberations. The programme concluded with a prayer. The regular classes will be held on every Saturday and Sunday from July 20th onwards after a formal inauguration on Guru Poornima which falls on 16th July. 

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY CELEBRATION

Commemorating the International Yoga Day, weeklong celebrations were organized this year from 17th June to 23rd June. In all nearly 2000 people took part.

From 17th to 19th in the forenoons, there were Yogasana competitions for the LP, UP and High school students. 50 students from 6 different schools participated.

In the evenings Samatva Yoga Sangamam were organized at 4 places namely Methala, Elthuruthu, Karumatra and Edavilangu. A close well-wisher and longtime associate of Kendra, Sri Premnathji Coordinated all these programmes guiding all the organsers.  900 people participated in these sangamams.

Each Samatva Yoga programme started with prayer, followed by welcome speech by the Yoga Varga Coordinator and address by Chief Guest, demonstration of yoga asana based on the National protocol by the local yoga varga members of that area and a few YCC and QCI students. Each Sangamam was arranged by the local Karyakartas and yogavarga members. The publicity for the Sangamams were done through house to house samparka and notice distribution. 

 

17th June: Yogasana competition for LP school students was conducted from 7.30 am. 18 students from 3 schools participated. Three judges assessed the students.

In the evening from 5pm to 7pm Samatva Yoga Sangamam was organised at Methala in the Sree Narayana Samajam Hall. Local popular poet Sri Muralidharan Anapuzha was the Chief Guest and keynote speaker. Karyakartas who organized this programme were Sri Girishji, Sri Nandakumarji and Sri Devdasji of Methala area. 45 practitioners demonstrated yoga while 50 people were present as the audience. Sri Nandakumar conducted the yoga demonstration.

18th June: Yogasana competition for UP school students was conducted from 7.30 am.  23 students from 5 schools participated.

In the evening from 5pm to 7pm Samatva Yoga Sangamam was conducted at Elthuruthu in the Sree Vidyaprakashini Sabha Hall. Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi was the Chief Guest and keynote speaker. Prof. Kollikkathara Ravi, the President of the Samajam was also present on the dais. Karyakartas who organized this programme were Sri Joshiji and Smt Mani Sunil of Elthuruthu area. 200 people took part in the programme while 45 practitioners performed yoga together. Smt Mani conducted the yoga demonstration.

19th June: Yogasana competition for Secondary category school students was conducted from 7.30 am. 9 students from 2 schools participated.

In the evening from 5pm to 7pm Samatva Yoga Sangamam was conducted at Karumatra in the Ring Plaza Auditorium. Sri Sivan Thanthrikal was invited as the Chief Guest and keynote speaker, Sri Natarajan, the Vice-President of SNDP was also present in the dais. Karyakartas who organized this programme were Smt Seeba, Smt Reshma and Smt Preetha of Karumatra area. 100 people witnessed the programme while 31 practitioners performed together. Smt Seeba conducted the yoga demonstration.

20th June: A swadhaya varga was started for the yoga practitioners from 3pm to 4.30 pm. Every Friday from 4pm to 5.30 pm would be the timing.  Topic is Patanjali Yoga sutras. Sanskrit scholar, Sri Narayan Acharya from Thrissur inaugurated the programme. The classes will be held four times a month. The Acharya would be conducting the class twice in a month and on the other days of the month, discussion among the yoga varga members on the sutras that were taken in previous session.    

21st June: On the

International Yoga Day, Samatva Yoga Sangamam was conducted at Anandadham. 150 practioners were present for the programme at 6.30 am sharp. After Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi’s talk, they all performed Yogasana together in the Dakshina, Nivedita and Sarada Halls following the National Protocol. All of them at the end gathered at the Dakshina Hall for taking the Sankalpa. A light breakfast was served after the programme.

Apart from the above programme many of the Sthanik and poornakalin karyakartas got the opportunity to conduct a class or to address to students of various age groups. 

YOGA Awareness Programs on International Yoga Day

1) School: Anapuzha H.S.School

       No. of Students: 100

Sthanik Karyakarta: Sri Sudhakaranji spoke and conducted class too.

2) School: Amrita Vidyalayam, Kodungallur

       No of Students: 150

Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi invited to speak on the occasion as Chief Guest

3) School: Seethi Sahib SS School Azhikode

       No. of students who performed: 50

       No of students, teachers, parents as audience: 200

 In order to acquaint the students to the umpteen benefits of Yoga, The Excise department, Kodungallur branch organized a yoga awareness program on the occasion of International Yoga Day 2019 for the students of Seethi Sahib Memorial HSS, Azhikode on 21st June 2019. Smt Padmaja Suresh Babu and Smt Prajeela were invited on the occasion. 

The program started at 9:30 am with prayer. The Excise inspector inaugurated the program followed by the welcome speech by Head Mistress of the school. The students were educated 'the importance and effectiveness of yoga in daily life' by Padmaja Sureshbabu, the Yoga instructor from Vivekananda Kendra, Kodungallur. The students were later also explained on how yoga helps in maintaining not only physical and mental health but also a healthy social life. This was followed by the demonstration done by Prajila Sreekumar, Sthanik karyakarta from Vivekananda Kendra on simple Yoga Asanas which are the most beneficial for starters. The session started with Surya Namaskar followed by a series of Asanas. The selected 50 students participated in the practical session of the program. The program went on till 12.00pm and then the vote of thanks was given by the principal and she appealed to the students to include yoga in their daily routine for its wholesome and salubrious effects on the mind, body and soul.

4) College: MES Asmabi College, P Vemballur: 

       No of Students: 100

       This programme too was organised by the Central Excise Department, Kodungallur. Sri Padma Kumar, S.I of the unit. The NSS coordinator Smt Seeba welcomed the audience and introduced guest. The Principal Sri A. Mohammed inaugurated the program. Sri Padma Kumar initiated the proceedings of the day followed by a talk by Sri Sudhakarji (Prakalpa Sanghatak). Sudhakarji highlighted the role of yoga can play in the lives the college students and encouraged them to take yoga part of their lives. All children expressed desire to undergo ten day training, which Kendra promised to conduct the same.

5) School: St Peters School, Thuruthipuram 

       No of students: 150 

Sthanik Karyakarta: Smt Suja C Nair (Yoga Varga Saha Pramukh) conducted  

6) Edavilangu H.S.School, Edavilangu

       No of students: 85

       Sthanik Karyakarta: Smt Suja C Nair

7) School: Little Flower School 

       No of students: 110

       Sthanik Karyakarta: Smt Suja C Nair

8) School: JTSHSSchool. Kodungallur

       No of students: 120

       Sthanik Karyakarta: Sri Joshiji (Yoga Varga Pramukh)

 

9)    A Seminar on Shad Darshana was conducted by Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, Perinjanam, where Mananeeya Didi was the main speaker.20 eminent people attended the seminar

22nd June: In the evening from 5pm to 7pm Yoga Sangamam was conducted at Edavilangu in Sree Muruga Bhajana Mandapam in Sree Narayana Nagar, Edavilangu. Sri M.S Muralidharan, Director of the Hindi Prachar Kendra was the Chief Guest. Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi and the president of SNDP Edavilangu branch, Sri CK Pratapan   also spoke on the occasion.

 Karyakartas who organized this programme were Smt Suja C Nair, Smt Jayalakshmi and Sri Anilji of Edavilangu area. 230 people witnessed the programme while 40 practitioners performed yoga together. 

23rd June: After their usual yoga practice in the morning 30 yogavarga participants (ladies and gents) went on a bike rally to Elthuruthu village for Samparka. The villagers were invited for concluding program on the same day in the evening.

Concluding function was held at Panicker’s Hall. Acharya Sri Ambadi Ramachandran from Thrissur, was the Chief Guest. Mananeeya Didi, Major General (retd.) Dr Vivekanandan and Dr Panicker graced the occasion and delivered benedictory addresses.

Sri Sudhakarji welcomed all who were present on the occasion. The Chief Guest spoke on the spiritual benefits of yogic way of life. Ma. Lakshmi Didi too spoke on the same lines quoting from the Bhagavad Gita and Kathopanishad. As she always adds, yoga is a technique adopted by one to uplift oneself. Maj.Gen Vivekanandan and Dr Panicker expressed their opinions about the benefits of yogic way of life through their own experiences.

The prize winners of the asana competitions which were held for different categories of students, demonstrated on the stage gracefully many difficult advanced Asanas and left the audience spellbound. Prizes were awarded to the winners by the Chief Guest and Ma. Didi. The rolling Shield initiated in the name of Man. Eknathji went to HDPY Senior Secondary School. Vote of thanks was delivered by Smt Mridula Manoharan. The programme concluded with Shanti Mantra. 150 people attended.

Follow up:

1. Two Samskara Vargas at P Vemballur and Methala from the month of July.

2. Yoga satra of 15 days duration to be started at the Sabha Hall of Methala from 1^st July. Total 15 people have registered.

 3. Planning of yoga Satra at Sabha Hall of Elthuruthu involving Residents association, SNDP members and local villagers for a target total of 108 people who will be interested in learning.

4. Yoga Satra is being planned at MES Asmabi College. P.Vemballur.

Vishwabhanu April '19 - May '19

Vishwabhanu Apr 2019 - May 2019

Sanatana Dharma Parichayam

In our series of talks based on Sanatana Dharma on 16th June ( Sunday) the well known scholar, orator and sadhak and practising advocate   Sri T R Ramanathanji from Paravur, spoke about Satya and Dharma and their importance in Hinduism. He drew the attention of the listeners to the immaculate life of Sri Ramakrishna emphasising his sadhanas to realize the Ultimate Truth, how he realized from his childhood the uselessness of bread winning education and how his absolutely pure devotion to the Divine Mother , transformed  the idol, at Dakshineswar Temple into a living Truth which guided his life throughout.
He emphasised the old saying Shareeramadhyam khalu dharma sadhanam and how important it is to integrate body,mind and intellect to achieve the ultimate goal of God realization.He stressed the importance of acharas in upholding Dharma.In this connection he pointed out that Jitaasana, jitaswasa, jitendriya and jitasangha are of great relevance in achieving the goal.
India has upheld Satya and Dharma, the eternal values as the foundations of our culture and hence our country's civilization  has become as eternal as Truth. In no other country do we find such clinging to eternal values  and the result is all those civilizations have died a natural death while India still lives as a vibrant culture worthy of emulation by the whole world.40 participants attended

GITA CLASSES AT TWO PLACES

Gita Pathana classes started at two places in the month of June

1) At Methala at Girishji's house compound and
2)At Vinayakapuram temple complex
On 1st June ( Saturday),a swadhaya class on Sreemad Bhagavad Gita  started at one of the sthanik karyakarta Girishji's house. Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi was invited to start the class.40 ladies and their children attended. Seeing their eagerness to know and learn about Gita and the way of chanting the slokas, Girishji took the initiative to start a class for the housewives and old ladies.Every Saturday from 3pm to 4.30 pm will be the time of the class.Sri Sudhakarji will be their guide.

8th June (Saturday),a class on Bhagavad Gita for the ladies followed by samskarvarga for the children, began at Vinayakapuram temple complex.Initiative to invite the interested mothers and their children was taken by sthanik karyakarta of Vinayagapuram Sri Parameswaran Kutty(Udayan).
50 ladies and 25 children attended the first class inaugurated by Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi and Sri Pavithranji( welwisher ).
Samskarvarga Pramukh Sushree Bindu with Kum Anushree,Kum Bhagyashree, Kum Sona conducted Samskarvarga for the children after the class. Every Saturday from 3pm to 5pm has been fixed for the two programmes.

REOPENING OF SANDEEPANI SISHUVIHAR

This time Sandeepani Sishuvihar has 12 newcomers for the LKG section.

On 3rd June ( Monday) parents of the new comers and also the 14 UKG tiny tots, were on time for the meeting prior to the reopening of the school.

After registration, there was a small meeting where Sushree Bindu. in charge of the school, introduced the members of the Kendra family.Mananeeya Didi spoke about the uniqueness of Sishuvihar, where the tots get a homely atmosphere for their physical and mental growth. 

The rules and norms of day to day routine were read out to the parents.Once a month on every second Saturday, a parents meet was also the part of routine. 

 After the meeting the newcomers were invited to their class room by their seniors(UKGs)and each of them were welcomed with a vase with a beautiful rose flower.Each child lighted a lamp in front of the idol of Sri Krishna which they worship everyday, before their morning prayers.

The children and teachers got the opportunity to be a part of the birthday celebration of Kum.Dakshina who though, has completed UKG ,                                                                   wanted to celebrate her birthday in her school.

Certificate awarding function for the Tailoring Unit's first batch students

On 26th September, 33 ladies from the localities around Kendra, initially registered their names for the tailoring class named as “Nivedita Swasraya Parisheelana Kendram” which started with a meeting on 30th September. The first class was on 1st October. Two teachers Smt Jalaja and Smt Sajitha both of them being parents of Sandeepani Sishuvihar, and Sri Udayan as supervisor were taking care of the centre. Total 45 ladies mainly home-makers, were present from day one. The course was of 6 months duration, and free of cost. This training centre was planned for a year for the time being, with the idea of rehabilitating the ladies (housewives) who have suffered much losses due to the floods. 5 single machines, 5 double machines, 2 cover machines and one rock machine were provided in the centre for training the students.

The students were divided into 3 batches of 15 each and taught in two batches ,one in the morning from 10 am to 1.30 noon and the other from 1 pm to 3.30 pm.Every class started with prayer. Apart from learning tailoring, the students also took part in various activities of the Kendra including Samatva Yoga Sangamam.

At the end of six months a practical exam was conducted by the 2 internal teachers and Smt Prabha as an external examiner. 20 out of 30 students appeared for the exam out of which 10 came out successful.

On the 5th of June the successful students were lucky to receive the pass certificates from the hands of Ma. Bhanudasji in the concluding function kept for the students. Ma. Lakshmi Didi and Ma. Bhanudasji also presented 4 sewing machines to the most needy and deserving students from out of the 10 students.

SAMSKARVARGA PRASHIKSHAN SHIBIR

Samskarvarga prashikshan Shibir was organised at Anandadham, Kodungallur, from 22nd May to 26th May.

Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi inaugurated the Shibir. This being the prashikshan shibir, there were more of practical sessions rather than lectures. The participating children came in and around Kodungallur and couple from Thrissur. The Organizing team consisted of 12 members.

Daily routine started with prayer session taught by Kum.Sreelakshmi, followed by patriotic songs in Hindi, Sanskrit and Malayalam by Su. Kalyani Didi, Su.Sutapa Didi, Kum. Sreelakshmi and Smt Padmaja. Games and Agnyas were taught by Su. Bhuvaneswari Didi, Kum. Sreelakshmi, Kum Unnimaya and Kum. Anushree. The Art of Storytelling Classes were conducted by Sri Ashokanji, Ma. Lakshmi Didi, Sri Sudhakarji and Su. Radha Didi. Overall guidance was given by Su. Radha Didi.

The camp  concluded on 26th in which Ma. Lakshmi Didi advised the children to equip themselves and then guide the youngsters who would draw inspiration from their Varga shikshaks. All the children took the sankalpa of starting Samskarvarga in their localities as early as possible. In all 54 children and 5 parents participated all the 5 days

STHANIK KARYAKARTA PRASHIKSHAN SHIBIR

From 17th May, to 21 St May , 2019 

Sthanik KPS was organised from 17th to 21st at Kodungallur. Along with local Karyakartas, welwishers, Yoga varga and  and Sanskar Varga students attended the shibir. During the games session Sishuvihar children too participated.The daily routine started with prayers followed by Bhagavad Gita chanting. There were two lecture sessions in a day. Daily Swadhyaya Varga and bhajan session were also part of the schedule.

The camp witnessed the active participation of 30 Karyakartas of  in and around Kodungallur who were  motivated and committed.There were overall 5 members in the organising team. The five day shibir was inaugurated by Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi. In her adresse, she highlighted the unique features of Indian Culture and how one should make it part of their lives. She appraised all about the need of spreading the message of Bharat in a big way and appreciated the participants for their willingness to come and attend the shibir.

Adaraneeya Radha Didi, Dakshin Prant Sanghatak, briefed the objectives of the camp followed by the singing of Shibir Geet by Adaraneeya Kalyani Didi from V.K. Thiruvananthapuram branch. The first day made the participants to ponder over the qualities of a true worker of Kendra and the discussion among them drove home the work of Karyakartha is the journey from unreal to real and death to immortality.

The Kendra Varga sessions specially planned by Kumari Bhuvaneswari Didi from VK Nagercoil branch, on all the days provided an exposure to all about the objectives of the Kendra varga and the methodology of conduction as it is one of the main karyapadhati of Kendra.

The remaining days Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi spoke in detail about the Holy Trio throwing light upon the significance of studying their lives by a Karyakarta. since their life and message are based on the realisation of the highest truth. She requested every Karyakartha  to imbibe the spirit and ideals for which they stood for and work for the Nation.

Adaraneeya Radhadidi spoke on Kendra prarthana and VK activities and Adaraneeya Sudhakarji led the two sessions on Man. Eknathji and the Story of Rock Memorial respectively. The participants had an in-depth study of shaping a karyakarta as the backdrop of the vision of Vivekananda Kendra that was really visible in the question and answer sessions and presentations.They took a vow to take up the works by adopting  one of the kendra paddhati in the Ahuti Satra.The whole camp reverberated with the chanting of prayers, patriotic songs and bhajans at the Bhajan Sandhya.

On the concluding day, the report of the shibir was presented and Man. Lakshmi Didi gave her blessings. The Shibir concluded with Kendra Prayer.

Vishwabhanu February '19 - March '19

Vishwabhanu February '19 - March '19

GITANJALI

1^st May a Gita class has started for children from classes I to class X. Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi is handling the class. 15 children are regularly coming for the class. At the end of May, almost all the children can chant the entire first chapter of the Gita. Some of their parents and grandparents are also seen some days attending the class. Daily from 10am to 11am from Monday to Friday is the time kept for the class. From June onwards it will be converted to a Sunday class as all other days will be schooldays. Didi uses this class to acquaint the children with the major characters and their life stories 

3 DAYS WORKSHOP

                                Know India , know your culture
                         

                       WORKSHOP FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS

As many as 70 participants were present for the workshop on 'Know India, know your culture',on 11th April ( Thursday).Almost all the parents, either mother or father of the children were present.
Programme started at 9.45 am after prayer session, Prof Aravindakshan, the resource person for first day's topic- ' Indian culture'.
He spoke about the importance of prayer which can be sitting while at home,standing  while in a temple or lying down before sleeping.Our culture is highly scientific.The Yama and Niyama of ones dinacharya was also discussed. There was a question session after his talk.The programme concluded at 12.15 noon with chanting of Shanti mantra.

On 12th February, the topic of discussion was Ramayana. Prof.Shanthakumari from Sanskrit University Puranattukara,Thrissur was invited as Guest speaker. 87 people attended. How the swadhyaya on Ramayana can purify one, one's family atmosphere and the atmosphere of the surroundings where one lives, was logically explained in details by the Professor.

On the third day , the topic of lecture was Mahabharata. Acharya Sri Vinod sharmaji of Malappuram was the resource person.92 people attended. Nicknamed as 'Gnyana Hamsa' by Srimad Swami Chidananda Puri of Kozhikode, Sri Sharma elaborately explained about the text in his flawless speech. All the participants were extremely benefited by the valuable class taken by the Acharya.
During  all the  three days in the three hours workshop, participants got the opportunity to interact with the invited Guests and clear their doubts and queries a the end of each session.