Rath Jatra Festival

The first picture is Puri Jagannath Rath yatra, the next seven pictures above are from Munich where the rath yatra was conducted on the 6th of June 09, the Poornima day and it was very well organised and and well attended. The procession was started from a place called Issar in Munich and the end place is known as Karl Platz, the total distance of about 6km. We attended the yatra and were very much impressed with the way it was conducted.

Ratha-yatra, or the Festival of Chariots, is a joyous event celebrated for thousands of years in the Indian holy city of Jagannatha Puri, and more recently by Hare Krishna devotees in cities around the world. Another name for Krishna, Jagannatha refers to the ecstatic form of the Lord with large eyes and rugged features who is carried on a gigantic chariot during this festival (and worshiped in an ancient temple at the center of Jagannath Puri.)As the story goes, Lord Krishna once overheard a conversation about how His dearest devotees, the cowherd maidens of Vrindavana, were lamenting in His absence. When He heard these accounts of overwhelming love in separation, the Lord’s hair began to stand on end, His eyes opened wide and filled with tears, and His arms and legs contracted as He went into a state of spiritual ecstasy. Seeing Lord Krishna in this condition, His elder brother, Balarama (Baladeva), also began to feel ecstatic symptoms and displayed similar features. When Their sister, Subhadra, arrived at the scene, she too became consumed with ecstatic joy. Thus the sublime deity forms of Jagannatha, Subhadra, and Baladeva represent this sweet pastime.The festival of Ratha-yatra represents Lord Jagannatha’s longing to reunite with His dear devotees in Vrindavana, foremost among them, Srimati Radharani. According to tradition, the Lord gets lovesick once a year just prior to the festival. To cheer him up, His servants arrange for Him to go on a lavish procession to meet up with His devotees. Lord Jagannatha rides on a grand, three-story-high chariot, accompanied by thousands of onlookers and marching bands with scores of drummers, singers, and dancers. India’s colonial British rulers coined the term “juggernaut” from the large, heavy chariot used to celebrate this festival in the city of Jagannatha Puri. Five hundred years ago, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the combined incarnation of Radha-Krishna, encouraged all of His followers to celebrate Ratha-yatra with great enthusiasm. His biographies (such as Chaitanya Charitamrita) list many anecdotes surrounding the Ratha-yatra festival. It is said that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu got down on His hands and knees to scrub the Gundicha temple where Lord Jagannatha would stay at the end of the Ratha-yatra parade.Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, was very fond of Ratha-yatra. As a child he began celebrating Ratha-yatra when he was five years old, using a small home-made cart and pulling it around the neighborhood with his friends. Later in life, from 1967 until his passing, Srila Prabhupada joined thousands of disciples in cities around the world as they celebrated elaborate Ratha-yatra chariot festivals in the streets of London, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and on New York’s prestigious Fifth Avenue.Today, Hare Krishna devotees hold Ratha-yatra parades in many cities, usually culminating in a “Festival of India” set up in a city park, with festival tents, entertainment stages, free-feast booths, and a variety of cultural displays and exhibits. Ratha-yatra signifies the Lord’s love for His devotees. He personally comes to visit His devotees and the public who welcome Him in the streets. Befitting the sentiment of its origins, Ratha-yatras in the Hare Krishna movement also serve as reunions for devotees who come from far and wide to participate, meeting up with old friends around their common goal of serving Lord Jagannatha, Sri Krishna.

Click on the pictures to see enlarged images

THE BHAGAVAD GITA SIMPLIFIED

THE BHAGAVAD GITA SIMPLIFIED

Why do you worry without cause? Whom do you fear without reason? Who can kill you? The soul is neither born, nor does it die.Whatever happened, happened for the good; whatever is happening, ishappening for the good; whatever will happen, will also happen for thegood only. You need not have any regrets for the past. You need notworry for the future. The present is happening...What did you lose that you cry about? What did you bring with you,which you think you have lost? What did you produce, which you thinkgot destroyed? You did not bring anything - whatever you have, youreceived from here. Whatever you have given, you have given only here.Whatever you took, you took from God. Whatever you gave, you gave toHim. You came empty handed, you will leave empty handed.What is yours today, belonged to someone else yesterday, and willbelong to someone else the day after tomorrow. You are mistakenlyenjoying the thought that this is yours.. It is this false happinessthat is the cause of your sorrows."Whatever you took, you took from God. Whatever you gave, you gave toHim. You came empty handed, you will leave empty handed"Change is the law of the universe. What you think of as death, isindeed life. In one instance you can be a millionaire, and in theother instance you can be steeped in poverty. Yours and mine, big andsmall - erase these ideas from your mind. Then everything is yours andyou belong to everyone.This body is not yours, neither are you of the body. The body is madeof fire, water, air, earth and ether, and will disappear into theseelements. But the soul is permanent - so who are you?Dedicate your being to God. He is the one to be ultimately reliedupon. Those who know of His support are forever free from fear, worryand sorrow.Whatever you do, do it as a dedication to God. This will bring you thetremendous experience of joy and life-freedom forever.
GOD IS NOTHING BUT THE SUPREME SELF WITHIN YOU.Thanks for Reading and Honestly Trying to Implement the same, in your
Day to Day Life.

Adaptability, A Means To Peace

By

Sri Swami Sivananda

Adaptability is a virtue or noble quality by which one adapts or fits himself with others, whatever their nature may be. The man of adaptability accommodates himself with others, whatever their temperament may be. This is a most desirable quality for success in life. This has to be developed slowly. The vast majority of persons do not know how to adjust themselves with others. Adaptability is a peculiar knack or pluck to win the hearts of others by a little bending.

The wife does not know how to adapt herself with her husband. She displeases her husband always and makes quarrels in the house and gets a divorce. The clerk does not know how to adapt himself with his boss or superior. He quarrels with the superior and gets an immediate sack. The disciple does not know how to adapt himself with his Guru. He misbehaves, and leaves the Guru. The businessman does not know how to adapt himself with the customers and loses his customers and business. The Diwan does not know how to adapt himself with the Maharajah. He has to leave the State Service. The world runs on adaptability. He who knows this art or science of adaptability pulls on quite well in this world and is always happy under any conditions of life.

The man must be pliable if he wants to adapt himself. It does not need much wisdom or ingenuity for developing adaptability. If the clerk understands well the ways and habits and temperament of his superior and adjusts himself nicely to suit his ways, his superior becomes a slave of the clerk. You will have to use some kind, sweet words. A little lubricant to soften his heart is needed. That is all. Speak gently and sweetly. Carry out his orders to the very letter. Never retort him. "Obedience is greater than sacrifice." Remember this maxim at all times. The superior wants a little respect. Say, Hanjhi, Hanjhi. Ji huzur, very well Sir." It costs you nothing. Then your superior becomes your slave. He has for you a soft corner in his heart. You become his pet. He will do whatever you want. He will excuse your mistakes. Humility and obedience are necessary for developing adaptability. An egoistic, proud man finds it very difficult to adapt himself. He is always in trouble. He always fails in his attempts. Egoism and pride are two important obstacles in the way of developing adaptability.

When one student does not know how to adapt himself with his fellow-mate who is living in the same room, friction comes in and their friendship is broken immediately. Adaptability makes friendship last for a long time. Students fight for little things. One student says, "I gave Mr. X tea for several days. I took him to cinema on my own account for several days. I asked him to lend me the book "Boswell’s Life of Johnson" for reading. He has bluntly refused now. What sort of friend he is? I do not like him." The friendship is broken now. A simple thing upsets the mind. Adaptability is a strong catgut ligature that links people in unbroken love and friendship. A man of adaptability can pull on with anybody in any part of the world. People unconsciously love a man of adaptability. Adaptability gives immense strength and profound joy. Adaptability develops will.

A man of adaptability has to make some sacrifice. Adaptability develops the spirit of sacrifice. It kills selfishness. A man of adaptability has to share what he has with others. He has to bear insult and harsh words. A man of adaptability develops the feeling of unity or oneness of life. For Vedantic Sadhana it is of great help. He who practises adaptability has to destroy the feelings of Ghrina and contempt and the idea of superiority. He has to mix with all. He has to embrace all. Adaptability develops universal love and kills the feeling of hatred.

A man of adaptability has to put up with the unkind words and harsh treatment of his friends. He has to develop patience and endurance. These virtues develop by themselves unconsciously when he tries to adapt himself with others. A man of adaptability can live in a cool place. He can bear the heat of Benares or Africa. He develops balance of mind. He can bear extreme heat and cold. Adaptability brings eventually Atma-Jnana. He who has this noble virtue is a great man in this world. He is always happy and successful.

BODY MIND INTELLECT

Through
the Body (B), Mind (M), Intellect (I)
the Perceiver (P), Feeler (F), Thinker (T)
becomes enmeshed in the world of
Objects (O), Emotions (E) and Thoughts (T)
But when we transcend our
Vasanas (V)
we realize our true Self
OM
the Supreme Reality

Courtesy Chinmaya Mission

Mystic India In Colors

Click on the pictures above to see enlarged image
Mystic India rediscovers India, a land of many mysteries and fascinations, the one land that all desire to see. Home of the Himalayas, the tallest mountains, India is our world's largest and oldest democracy, and contains an amazing wealth of wisdom, culture and spirituality. And within this earliest civilization known to mankind, lie hidden mystical secrets. It lies hidden in India’s silent spirituality, making her a mystic land of meditation, contemplation and enlightenment.
For thousands of years, many have willingly left the comforts of their home and family and set off across this spiritual land in search of these secrets. Their aim has been to reach a deeper understanding of existence and share the meaning of life that would elevate the rest of humanity. Of all such journeys, perhaps none is greater than the true story of an 11-year old child yogi, Neelkanth, who took an extraordinary journey through the wonders of mystic India. An adventure of hardships and survival, faith and fearlessness undertaken by a child. The only one of its kind in the history of mankind.
From 1792 to 1799, Neelkanth walked alone, barefoot and barebody, 8000 miles for 7 years through the length and breadth of India. Carrying no maps, no food and no clothing, how he crossed the roaring rivers, faced ferocious animals and survived the freezing winter of the Himalayas, is still a mystery. It is a story of struggle, of kindness and of courage even when face to face with a man-eating lion.Mystic India takes you through icy peaks to the cool blue Lake Mansarovar, into the wild jungles of Sunderbans and the rainforests of Assam, through barren deserts and to the silent shores of South India. Explore and learn from the majesty and mysticism of India's art and architecture, music and dance, faces and festivals, customs and costumes which are brought to life on the giant screen.This entertaining, educating and enlightening giant screen film (15perf/70mm) rediscovers India, a land of many mysteries and fascinations. It is the world’s first large format epic on India. A period film set 200 years back in time, it retraces the incredible journey of an 11-year old child yogi, Neelkanth. In 1792 AD, he walked for 12,000 km continuously for 7 years, barefoot and barebody, through the length and breadth of India, from the Himalayas to the southern sea-shores. Based on this inspiring true-life story and journey all over India, the film explores unique elements of India, like:
Amazing and intricate art and architecture, symbolizing creativity of centuries…
Fascinating festivals, among the largest and most spectacular in the world.
Colorful customs and intriguing rites and rituals with deeper meanings for peaceful living…
India as an epitome of the world with its natural and geographical diversity containing nearly every kind of habitat on earth.
World’s oldest and largest democracy with one of the world’s most diverse peoples living together, with every shade of skin and a vast variety of cultures.
India’s contribution to the world including concepts like Non-Violence and practices like Yoga and Ayurveda for natural health…
A nation of silent spirituality, making her a mystic land of meditation and contemplation, where quest continues to understand secrets of life beyond our material world
The real light and wisdom of India, seeking to know not how to conquer the world but how to live in peace, how to live together in harmony
The essence and message of “Mystic India” that there can be Unity in Diversity, that we are a single human family, capable of living together, loving one another.
Thus, more than just a breathtaking journey, and the heroic tales of the child’s tolerance and survival, his values of faith, friendship and fearlessness, the film presents a unique journey into the mind and soul of India through the eyes of an innocent child.Over two shooting schedules in March - May 2003 and Jan-Feb 2004, the Mystic India production team traveled to more than 100 different film locations in India, at times shooting in hostile conditions at a height of 13,000 feet, re-creating the adventures of Neelkanth in the astonishing detail of large format. Capturing dazzling images and scenes on a scale never seen before in large format, this film transports the audience to some of India's most sacred and treasured destinations.The epic proportions of the film climax in the Rath Yatra (The Festival of Chariots). Colossal, 5-storey high chariots on mammoth wheels roll past 8,000 people in period dress of the 18th century from all corners of India. The experience is immense and intense.And what makes the film unique and educative are the questions it answers about India, her culture and way of life. Even the silent, meditative moods transmit the simple messages of love, service and harmony; unraveling India's greatest gift to the world, its unity in diversity.Mystic India is an epic journey into the land and soul of India.

Veil Of Maya

Sri Ramakrishna Parmahamsa

Veil of Maya

By Swami Gautamnanda Courtesy: The Hindu

It is an irony that when people get carried away by the glories of the universe, the human mind is unable to comprehend the grandeur of God. This is because we do not pause to search for the cause of all this glory. Sri Ramakrishna taught his disciples the art of looking at God’s presence in all aspects of creation which are all a manifestation of God. The Lord is present in the smallest of items even as He is the form and essence of even the biggest of beings. Just as the king who appears in disguise is not recognised, we are not able to see the Lord behind the creation. We believe the disguise to be true and likewise consider the worldly attractions as desirous and worthy of pursuit.

The veil of Maya hides God from our perception, and we do not realise that what may appear attractive is not really beneficial. Thus being submerged in the whirlpool of the worldly activities, we get buffeted by hurdles and obstacles. We identify ourselves with the world even when the association is similar to that of a thorny bush with each involvement leading to sorrow. It is only when we realise the true nature of the world do we gain equanimity and a maturity to look at sorrow and happiness with detachment. We have to be alert when dealing with worldly affairs so that we keep these at arm’s length.

The Isavasya Upanishad states that all that exists in the universe is covered by the Lord. The implication is that we have to perceive the divine presence everywhere. The consciousness is thus motivated to get fixed in God. In this state, notions of diversity cease to exist and the perception of the One God permeating all things becomes dominant.

This light of wisdom has to illumine our consciousness so that the unrealities of the world are recognised and only the longing for the real and the permanent takes root.

The one goal of life is to cultivate love for God. Those keen on the practice of Bhakti Yoga can derive inspiration from the intense love and single-minded devotion the Gopis in Brindavan showed towards Lord Krishna.

Elementary Tatvamasi

Courtesy Blog Posted By Ms.Krithi on 29th May 2007

How do you teach a six year old where to find God? Don’t bother. She will teach you instead. From where does the rain fall to How many buckets of water are there in the ocean to Why do we grow old, the curious questions of my six year old have been especially trying on my grey cells. Yet, I’ve tried hard to provide answers that convince her almost always.But last night, all ingenuity evaded me when she asked if she could marry Lord Krishna. I was stumped. “But Krishna is God baby”, I offered by way of a clever explanation to what’s impossible to explain. She didn’t give up. “As he is God, I guess I have to die and go to heaven to meet him”, she said.I corrected her that she didn’t have to do that because God is everywhere and one doesn’t have to go to heaven to find him.That seemed to make a little more sense to her. Nodding in agreement my six year old daughter declared simply “ Cool. Then I know what to do. I will look into my heart and find him.” ( elementary my dear Krithika!!!)A weighty statement of ecstatic enlightenement “Aham Brahmasmi” stated with absolute conviction.I marveled at the truth of the statement while reflecting that such innocence and knowledge is only possible in children. When we grow up, we tend to lose this realization and seek solace in religion and Godmen. We search for the truth in vain and remain tired hungry souls. We pray, we meditate, but doubt lurks in the murky depths of our soul. We need to be reminded of “Tatvamasi - The best place you can find God is within yourself”My daughter’s simple truth has opened my eyes.As for opening my heart to find God, that’s a different matter