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Panchangams for 2009-2010

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:33:04 -0000

Himalayan Academy Releases Panchangams for 2009-2010
Source: http://www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/panchangam/

KAUAI, HAWAII, August 25, 2008: Himalayan Academy Publications, an organization of Kauai's Hindu Monastery, released yesterday its traditional panchangam. It has precise dates and times calculated according to Vedic astrology adjusted for hundreds of cities worldwide.

The Vedic Calendar is a public service to the worldwide Hindu community, made possible by efforts of the monastics under the guidance of Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today. Click on the link above to download it.

(This Almanac is specially prepared for Hindus)

FITZGERALD.

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:11:24 -0000

TO E. FITZGERALD.

Old Fitz, who from your suburb grange
Where once I tarried for a while,
Glance at the wheeling Orb of change
And greet it with a kindly smile;
Whom yet I see, as there you sit
Beneath your sheltering garden tree,
And watch your doves about you flit
And plant on shoulder, hand and knee,
Or on your head their rosy feet,
As if they knew your diet spares
Whatever moved in that full sheet
Let down to Peter at his prayers;
*
But none can say
That Lenten fare makes Lenten thought,
Who reads your golden Eastern lay,
Than which I know no version done
In English more divinely well;
A planet equal to the sun;
Which cast it, that large infidel
Your Omar: and your Omar drew
Full-handed plaudits from our best
In modern letters....

Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

From:Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám and Salámán and Absál
Together With A Life Of Edward Fitzgerald And An Essay On
Persian Poetry By Ralph Waldo Emerson[Pg iv]
Author: Omar Khayyám and Ralph Waldo Emerson Jami

Translator: Edward Fitzgerald

Can You Imagine?

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:41:38 -0000

Can You Imagine?

For example, what the trees do
not only in lightening storms
or the watery dark of a summer's night
or under the white nets of winter
but now, and now, and now - whenever
we're not looking. Surely you can't imagine
they don't dance, from the root up, wishing
to travel a little, not cramped so much as wanting
a better view, or more sun, or just as avidly
more shade - surely you can't imagine they just
stand there loving every
minute of it, the birds or the emptiness, the dark rings
of the years slowly and without a sound
thickening, and nothing different unless the wind,
and then only in its own mood, comes
to visit, surely you can't imagine
patience, and happiness, like that.

~ Mary Oliver ~
with thanks to:The London Spirituality Network 2007

Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj attained Mahasamadhi

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:22:56 -0000

Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj attained Mahasamadhi on August 28, 2008

Most Worshipful and Revered Guru Bhagwan, Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj has attained Mahasamadhi and merged into the bliss absolute at the age of 94 years on Thursday, 28th August 2008 at 8:12 PM.

Disciple and Successor of H H Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and President of the world renowned Divine Life Society for the last four decades, Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj was working and serving the Divine Cause of Sri Gurudev's Mission tirelessly and spreading His Divine Life Message all over the world. He was an embodiment of humility, purity and kindness. He lived a life and ideals of a true renunciate. Service to lepers became His ideal and worship to Lord Narayana. He served them with tender love and compassion. He was inspirer of CHIPKO movement. His work for the protection of Himalaya and Ganges will be cherished for ages to come.

Revered Saint, Mother Teresa considered Him a Living Saint Francis of Assisi. For His own Guru, Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, He was an incarnation of Buddha.Whereas the entire Europe regarded Him an Uncrowned King. Sri Sri Maa Anandamayi saw in Him Lord Narayana Himself. Most Worshipful and Revered, Sri Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj of BAP'S, has seen in Him His own Guru Pujya Yogiji Maharaj's Holy Presence.

Linguist, perfectionist, full of serenity, divinity, absence of vanity, simplicity, equanimity, non-irritability, humility, integrity and nobility were His laudable virtues that earned Him reverence from the people of all four corners of the world. His service and sympathy to sick and downtrodden, poor and needy, birds and beasts were incomparable. He was oozing love from head to toe to known and unknown.

His mortal coil was brought to Rishikesh at 1:00 AM and was immersed in holy stream of Ganges before sunrise of 29th August, 2008.

In His will, He has expressed the desire not to make any monument in His name, not to be informed anyone of His passing away, not to organize even any feast and festival traditionally performed when a monk cast away the mortal coil. But in case, if devotees wish, they can feed the poor, sick and street beggars.

Though physically, Beloved & Worshipful Holy Master H H Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj may not be with us, but through His Virat Swaroop, He will be inspiring, guiding and protecting His countless devotees and disciples who are busy serving the Mankind and struggling to achieve the realization of the absolute. OM Shanti !

Swami Adhyatmananda

The following received as a seperate message:

We have received news that our beloved Sri Swami
Chidanandaji Maharaj was called back tonight,
28 August 2008, to Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji's
Eternal Abode.

What friend or beloved family member lives furthest from you?

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:38:42 -0000

Almost all our friends and relations have migrated to different countries, only a few of them livingclose by, but all of them now use the internet to contact, it is being the easiest and the cheapest.

Meditation on the Fivefold Saman as Water

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:55:27 -0000

One should meditate on the fivefold Saman in all the waters. When the clouds gather, that is the syllable Him; when it rains, that the Prastava; the rivers which flow to the east, these are the Udgitha; the rivers which flow to the west, these are the Pratihara; the ocean is Nidhana. He does not die in water and he becomes rich in water who, knowing this, meditates on the fivefold Saman in all the waters. - Chandogya Upanishad II,IV - Meditation on the Fivefold Saman as Water, 1 - 2

God theory

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:29:33 -0000

Is that true that, there is a God? How to prove the existence of the god? what is the opinion of Famous scientist Albert Einestein?

Cry to Him with a real cry.

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:23:57 -0000

People shed a whole jug of tears for wife and children. They swim in tears for money. But who weeps for God? Cry to Him with a real cry.

-Ramakrishna

enter life so fully

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:22:24 -0000

The power of such an exercise is demonstrated in the popularity of such films as It's a Wonderful Life. Something essential is drawn to the surface when we recognize that This day may be the last day of the rest of our life.

Experience each breath as though it were the last. Enter each moment, each conversation, each lovemaking, each meal, each prayer, each meditation as though there may never be another.

Just as yesterday we pretended to be dead, today we pretend we are alive. We walk the streets filled with presence. We watch the gratitude at our rapid recovery. We cut out the middleman of death, not needing to die in order to take our next incarnation, we take birth now, in the middle of the street, in the midst of a life redoubled by new birth.

We enter life so fully that even if we died it would not spoil our day.

From "A Year to Live: How to Live This Year As If It Were Your Last" by Stephen Levine:

Do something

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:33:13 -0000

People tend to get afraid to make any mistake and therefore do nothing. Very, Very BAD. If we are not doing anything, there is something wrong. Even if we are not doing anything wrong then we are not doing anything at all. Do something even if you make mistakes. You cannot learn without do anything, wrong or right. Do something.

- Kevin Behrens

Even to learn swimming you have to get into the water, you can not swim on the ground.

Lexicography Work

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:11:05 -0000

A Marathon of a Lexicography Work
Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/11/stories/2008081157192000.htm

BANGALORE, INDIA, August 11, 2008: It has been described as one of the world's biggest lexicography work, begun in 1948 and expected to be completed in another 50 years from now. The Sanskrit dictionary project undertaken by the Deccan College of Pune has already seen three generations of lexicographers at work and many more to go.

The only other comparison in the field of lexicography is the work undertaken by the Oxford English dictionary and its 20-volume dictionary of English. But the Sanskrit dictionary project is different, with ten million words from the Rig Veda to texts written until 1800 CE studied and their etymological meanings provided.

While it was originally contemplated to bring out the dictionary in 20 volumes, so far it is expected to result in the publication of 50 volumes.

Unlike conventional dictionaries which deal with word meanings as static, one-item entries, this dictionary adopts a historical approach, a special feature in the field of lexicography. The larger purpose of the project, apart from conveying to the people on how the meanings of some Sanskrit words changed with history, is to highlight the ancient Indian knowledge encompassing nearly 65 fields like science, music, geography, history, religion, astronomy and architecture
(HPI)

What, in this moment, is bringing you joy?

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:30:05 -0000

Spirituality, it is inside, outside, all around us, and it is the joy, in and around all of us, just try to feel it, you will feel it forever. Then you will need nothing. Everything will come in search of you.

Living Goddess

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:11:23 -0000

Nepal Court In Landmark "Living Goddess" Ruling
Source: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gOiyJDv9KV8-dJNJMDilOhWwye1g

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, August 20, 2008: A Nepali tradition of locking a young virgin girl in a palace and worshipping her as a "living Goddess" has been dealt a blow with the country's Supreme Court ruling she has the right to go to school. The court said there was no justification for the specially chosen pre-pubescent girl, known as the Kumari, to be subjected to a practice that dates back centuries.

The ruling comes barely three months after Nepali lawmakers abolished the country's 240-year-old Hindu monarchy, who received annual blessings from the Kumari in a ceremony designed to underpin the legitimacy of the royals. The court's verdict was prompted by a complaint from local lawyers that keeping a young girl cooped up in an ornate but decrepit palace in Kathmandu's medieval quarter was a violation of her rights.

But it was not immediately clear whether the court's decision would herald the end of the tradition, given that the Kumari's aura is to a large part dependent on her total separation from the outside world.

"This is not good news. In any case, she is a Goddess so how can court rulings apply?" asserted Rajan Maharajan, the vice president of the committee that looks after the Kumari and her palace. He also said the girl's rights were not being violated because "her teacher comes to the Kumari Palace every day, and she has three hours a day when she can meet people." "We do not keep her prisoner," he said of the current Kumari. "We will ask the Goddess if she wants to go outside more, and if she wants, she can go, but I don't think she feels comfortable leaving the palace."
(HPI)

teacher's teacher

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:49:03 -0000

" sa poorvesham api Guru : kaalenaanavachchedhath//"

for our teacher, his teacher, that teacher's teacher, all these got the wisdom, how did they get that? and get that more perfectly.Like wise we can have a chain list of teachers and the first of them got it from the eswara, and no body else.This we can easily understand. That is why we maintain that we must never forget the god.This could be told in another way too.Why we should have teo as guru and god.Let the god become the teacher to us.Then there is no problem like having devotion of god and devotion of teacher. Let the teacher be the god and fully surrender to him.Even the teacher may be not pure or best we submit our devotion towards the god who is always pure and best of the best , god will change him to be the best and guide us to the full..

say "NO" to ivory

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:55:34 -0000

Please don't ever buy Ivory. Save an elephant and make your money work for them not against them. If you travel to exotic places or even to a shopping mall near you, never buy anything that looks like ivory as it probably is. Make your voice count and say "NO" to ivory.

Karan Singh

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:50:12 -0000

Karan Singh, A Hindu With Pride
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lifestyle/Spirituality/Mind_over_Matter/I_AM_Karan_Singh/articleshow/3348041.cms

NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 10, 2008: [HPI Note: These are excerpts from an interview with Karan Singh.]

"For us in India, we conceptualize God as an all-pervasive divine and see His myriad manifestations in everything around us. I see universe as an emanation of that divine. For me, the miracle of being a human being is the possibility to access that divine in our own conscience.

"I believe that man, still in an intermediate stage between the animal and the divine, can raise himself to a higher plane of being if he makes a conscious and dedicated effort to do so and that there is no nobler endeavor than this aspiration towards divinity. I feel that each human being carries within himself a spark of divinity. Our true destiny revolves around the fanning of this spark into the flame of spiritual realization. To attain this end, rituals may play an important role. They are actually meant to make our mind concentrate on the divine and give us some concepts and ideas to mull upon. I find rituals very beautiful and interesting. I chant mantras every morning and perform aarti in a very traditional manner.

"I am not superstitious and would not wear all kinds of charms just like that. But yes, if something makes me feel more connected to God, I would surely have it with me all the time like an Om Namah Shivaya bracelet that I have been wearing since time immemorial.
(HPI)

Fundamentalism

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:24:21 -0000

Because the eye has a short shadow or
it is hard to see over heads in the crowd?

If everyone else seems smarter
but you need your own secret?

If mystery was never your friend?

If one way could satisfy
the infinite heart of the heavens?

If you liked the king on his golden throne
more than the villagers carrying baskets of lemons?

If you wanted to be sure
his guards would admit you to the party?

The boy with the broken pencil
scrapes his little knife against the lead
turning and turning it as a point
emerges from the wood again

If he would believe his life is like that
he would not follow his father into war

~ Naomi Shihab Nye ~

with thanks from: The London Spirituality Network

concept of total wellness

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:28:43 -0000

The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every thought, word, and behavior affects our greater health and well-being. And we, in turn, are affected not only emotionally but also physically and spiritually.
-Greg Anderson

thought is called meditation

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:41:27 -0000

I have learned the art of Total Thinking. For me there is only One Thought and every thought is included in it. Everyone's thought is a part of that thought. I tried to think as God would think. What would God think about his creation? Would he have loves and hatreds for some part of his creation? Loving God would mean loving the whole creation. This thought is called meditation.
- Swami Krishnananda

Lord Sri Krishna

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:34:27 -0000

Lord Sri Krishna- Divine Incarnation, Purna Avatara
On auspicious Janmashtami ( Aug 23, 2008 )

"Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the immortal manifestation of God in all His splendour, that man was ever given the fortune to behold. Man! Blessed thou art, that hast visualised with thy fleshly eyes the mighty Dignity of the Supreme Sovereign of the Universe! Thou art purified; thy birthright is to realise Him; thy fortune is a part of His Greatness! Sri Krishna may be called the "Collective Man", who represented all beings hungering and thirsting to gain the Highest Freedom and who voiced forth their deepest aspirations in the loudest possible tone. He came to release man from the thraldom of vice and correct his vision so that he could walk along the ever-illumined path to perfection. Sri Krishna is the articulation of the pure longings that are buried in the hearts of people. Sri Krishna is not merely a historical man who came and went, like others, but the Eternal Purusha who dwells even now and shall live in the everlasting future, in the core of all manifestation. It is the Symbol of the Absolute descended into relativity that we call Krishna, the ever-beloved protector of all that breathe and air."- Swami Sivananda
(Divya Jivan News)