Arise ! Awake ! Stop not, till the goal is reached.

January, February, March, 2019

Om Namo Narayanaya

Badarikashrama Diary

The month of October highlighted several important yearly

events. On Sunday the 7th, Nrityanjali, a dance fund raiser for

the ashrama was organized by Sima Charkraborty, Director of

Nataraj School of Dance. This successful event included 15

dance schools performing Odissi, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and

Manipuri, classical dance forms of India. Dinner, arranged by

Meena Datta, was included in the donation. It was the fourth

fund raiser organized by Sima. This year, it was held at the

Performing Arts Center of San Leandro High School, an elegant

venue. This dance fund raiser provides a public performance

platform for the students of the dance schools who participate.

Mid-week on Wednesday the 10th, Navaratri began with daily

recitation of Sri Chandi Paatha and then an increasing number

of devotees gathered for the daily Sri Durga Homa conducted

by Srimat Swami Vishnumayanandaji Maharaj. Evenings con-

sisted of Sri Lalitha Sahasranama and puja. Special events

included bhajans by Suman and Sargam Shah, Mataki Chowki

by Harjeet Mehndi and group, and Ras Garba on Sri Dur-

gashtami. On the final day, the 19th, Sri Durga homa was fol-

lowed by Sri Mahishasura Mardini by IIora Jha and group with

Pradosh Sarkar on table. A singular Mataki Chowki was under-

taken by Sri Ma Durga Bhajan Mandali.

Of course, October also had the regular monthly functions such

as Sri Sundarakhanda Ramayana, Sri Ramanama Sankirtana,

and Bhagavad Gita talk and kirtan. On Poornima Sri Satyana-

rayana Swami Puja is conducted as well as on the closest Sun-

day to the full moon.

Na Me Bhakta Pranashyati My Devotee Never Perishes

Sandesha

A rare sculpture of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati dating back to the 7th century was discovered at a Chalukyan temple in Satyavolu village of Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh. The red sandstone sculpture portrays Lord Siva as the therapeutic physician (Rudra Bhaishajana) - as de-scribed in the Rigveda - in which he holds a bowl in his left hand, which contains medicine from herbs to revive the ailing horse lying at his feet. “Lord Siva is portrayed as a physician, who discovered medicine for certain chronic ailments. He is the last member of the divine trinity and is considered as the destroyer of the world”, Superintending Archaeologist of the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India), Chennai, D. Kanna Babu said. He said that Siva was fairly represented in sculptural art of ancient India in many forms right from the Indus Valley civilization to the late medieval period. The ASI official, as part of the Temple Survey Project, visited the Chalukyan temple complex in Satyavolu village and discovered the sculpture at a corner inside the temple complex. “Such a highly exceptional iconographic form of Lord Siva had not been discovered so far. The sculpture belongs to early 7th century Chalukyan School of Art”, he said. Further describing the sculpture, Mr. Kanna Babu said that the vertical stone slab promi-nently illustrates Siva and Parvati. The Lord is gracefully seated on a pedestal with the left leg on the seat, the oth-er with knee bent and resting on the ground. “Two locks of hair falling over his shoulders, he wears neatly entangled hair with a protrusion over the left of his head and knotted

in a mountain dweller fashion”, he said. Goddess Parvati is in a gracious posture standing to Siva’s left, carry-ing a vessel in her right hand, while the left hand rests on her waist. “Beneath the panel is a horse stand-

ing with a lowered head. We stumbled upon this sculpture without realizing its historical importance and ultimately, caused it damage”, Mr. Kanna Babu said.

The Hindu, 6/7/2018

Ilora Jha, Pradosh Sarkar

(Right)

Devotees at Puja

(Bottom)

Vijayadashami Homa

(Bottom Right)

December, also a holiday month, was comprised of three

main events. The first weekend of the month began with Sri

Sundarakhanda Ramayana which was followed the next day

on the 2nd, with Samuhika 108 Sri Satyanarayana Swami

Puja and Katha. This biannual worship traditionally begins

with bhajans by Rita Sahai and students. This year she in-

cluded all female students who sang with a wonderful joy

that set the mood for the 108 Sri Satyanarayana Swami Pu-

ja. Vishnumayananda led the numerous devotees in a strik-

ing puja encompassing all the devotees in the worship of

Lord Satyanarayana praying for peace, health and happiness

for themselves, their families and friends and the entire uni-

verse. Mahaprasad was sponsored by Ravi Honekere and

family. The next Sunday Sri Sarada Devi Jayanti Celebration

began with bhajans by Sri Ramakrishna Sarada Devi Bhajan

Mandali. Pravrajika Anantaprana gave an insightful dis-

course on the “Contemplation of Sri Sarada Devi”. Anan-

dapranaji illustrated the complex and subtle personality of

the Divine Mother in the form of Sarada Devi. She was ac-

companied by Pravrajika Vedaprana, another senior monk of

the order. The Christmas Concert by Shubhangi Sakhalkar

accompanied by Vivek Datar on harmonium and Omkar

Bhave on tabla was more than was promised. They thrilled

the several hundred people who gathered and partook of a

sumptuous international vegetarian dinner prepared by nu-

merous devotees.

November also included the aforementioned monthly

events. These events focus on essential elements of wor-

ship fostering faith and devotion. Sri Mahalakshmi is also

a focal point of worship usually falling in the November

month. This year Deepavali fell on Wednesday the 7th,

also the Amavasya. Vishnu Maharaj performed the Maha-

lakshmi puja with many women devotees coming to pray

for the material and spiritual welfare of their families. The

celebrations continued on the following Sunday with a Ma-

halakshmi Homa. This well attended homa was followed

by a Bharatanatyam performance by students of Usha-

najali School of Dance, director, Naina Shastri. November

17th, Sri Ma Durga Bhajan Mandali gave another rousing

celebration of Mataki Chowki.

The yearly Thanksgiving Dinner and Concert attracted sev-

eral hundred people from all walks of life. It began with a

sarod and tabla concert. On sarod was Amit Gud, with

Omkar Bhave on tabla. They presented a number of clas-

sical ragas to the delight of all. Their rapport with the au-

dience was electrifying. Akash and Lakshmi came after-

wards with electronic bhakti music. They successfully wove

bhajans, stotras, and story-telling with keyboard, videos

and other electronic instruments with stories of saints and

deities of both the North and the South of India. A sump-

tuous dinner was given to all in attendance of cuisines from

India and other cuisines from around the world.

Vishnumayanandaji conducting Samuhika 108 Sri Satyanarayana Puja

Omkar Bhave and Amit Gud, Thanksgiving

Pravrajika Anantaprana

Omkar Bhave, Sima, Shubhangi Sakhalkar, Isha and Vivek Datar

Mahatma Gandhi Jayanthi celebration along with Lal Bahadur Shashtri Jayanthi took place on Oct. 2nd. The Vidyashala stu-dents and teachers honored them with group songs, speeches, fancy dress and drawing competitions. From 26th September to October 6th, Swami Omkaranandaji went on a Himalayan Pilgrimage via Delhi. On the 27th, 28th, 29th he stayed in Al-mora where Swami Vivekananda did tapasya. He visited Kasar Devi Temple, the place Swami Vivekananda had profound med-itations. From 30th Sept. to 3rd Oct., Swamiji stayed in Maya-vati where Swami Vivekananda established the Advaita Ash-rama. On the 4th and 5th he visited Shyamalatal. He returned back to Bangalore on 6th. He had a wonderful spiritual journey. Navaratri was celebrated all over India from Oct. 9th through 18th. For five days Navaratri was celebrated in Badarikashrama with puja, recitation and kirtan both in the morning (11 am to 1 pm) and evening (6:30 pm to 8:30 pm). Our school teachers joined in the daily recitation and chanting. On the final Vijaya-dashami day, a Homa and feeding took place with many devo-tees in attendance. Badarikashrama Vidyashala celebrated its

10th Anniversary in simultaneous with the 80th birthday of Srimat Swami Omkaranandaji Maharaj. The program began with prayer, inauguration and “Yakshagana” performance by 6th Std. students. In his welcome speech, Dr. Wooday P. Krish-na expressed that the Vidyashala has achieved a high standard of education and is doing a wonderful service to the rural com-munity. Dr. Sameera Simha said that he is very happy his school and our school are working together to bring out the best in our children. He then went on to say that Swamiji’s love, work and simplicity is attractive to us. The main speaker of day, Dr. Pavagad Prakash Rao, took Badarikashrama and Swamiji’s name and explained deeper meanings of these terms. He beautifully explained how Badarikashrama is a Nara Naraya-na Ashrama, just like the ones in the Himalayan valley were Veda Vyasa and all Acharya’s concentrated on Tapasya.

This ashrama has become a Tapobhumi, Yajna bhumi and Karmabhumi. He went on to say Omkara and Badarika make a beautiful combination. Those also present on the stage were Dr. Vijayakumari, Principal Vijaya Teacher College, Ben-galuru, Sri Dayananda Sagar, Prof. G.B. Shivaraj, and Dr. Kamakshi Nagendra. They honored Swamiji on reaching the milestone of 80 years of age while continuing to do so much creative work for the community. Students then gathered on the stage to receive awards for their achievements in the Annual Sports competitions. Swamiji blessed the audience and said if you are ready to give your service to others, hu-manity can grow. At 1:30 pm, a sumptuous lunch was

offered to more than 2,500 attendees. Following lunch, a joyful music performance was presented by All India Radio artists Vidwan Shakuntala Murthy and Vidwan Sukhanya Na-rayana. They were accompanied by the very talented Sri Mu-ralikrishna on Mridangam and Sri Shrinidhi Hemmige on gui-tar. From 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm students from LKG to 10th std. presented outstanding dances, dramas and fancy dress. LKG students charmed the audience with a tribute dance to honor the parents. 7th std. students presented a humorous and educational mime show performance about the negative effects of cellphone use. 8th and 9th std. students gave a memorable performance on the Mahabharat with outstand-ing choreography. We thank everyone who participated in the 10th Anniversary. Our teacher staff did a great job. On December 22nd Sri Sarada Devi Jayanti was celebrated with the students from our Vidyashala. Puja to Holy Mother was conducted by Mataji Tyagamai followed by music by Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh. Prasad was distributed to over 1,500 children and devotees. On the same day 300 students from throughout Turuvekere Taluk participated in an essay writing completion on Swami Vivekananda. Srimat Swami Omkaranandaji Maharaj performed the Poornima Sri Satya-narayana Swami Puja and Katha. It was a memorable day!

News from Badarikashrama, Madihalli

Students in Annual Day Drama

10th Anniversary; Swamiji’s 80th Birthday

Swamiji, Students, Mata Tyagamai, in procession.

Sri Muralikrishna, Vid. Shakuntala Murthy, & others Annual Day

BALASAMSKARA KENDRA

Classes for children are held every Sunday at 10:30 am. Bay Area parents who want to actively partici-pate in the cultural and spiritual education of their children conceived of the school. The curriculum includes Hindi classes, Sanskrit Mantras, and expla-nations of puja, rituals, symbolism of Gods and Goddesses and Indian festivals. Story telling famil-iarizes our children with our ancient culture and epics. Children find it a lot of fun and look forward to every session. We encourage all of you to bring your children from the ages of 5-15 to our school. Please call the Ashram staff for more information or Anita Bajaj at 510-553-1123. All welcome. Free.

Our India center is located in Madihalli about 75 miles west of Bengaluru. It is set among rolling hills, surrounded by fruit orchards and a variety of tropical vegetation. It is now a Tapobhumi, provid-ing service to humanity in the fields of education and health. Swamiji is currently living in India and invites all interested to join in short or long term work for humanitarian service. We sincerely hope you will take the opportunity to visit our Ashrama during your next visit to India.

Badarikashrama

Madihalli P.O.

Turuvekere Tq., Tumakuru Dt., Karnataka 572227 Office : 08139298911 08139298910

Mobile : 9741246418-Swami Omkarananda www.badarikashrama.org

Email: badarik1986@gmail.com

USA Center Badarik@pacbell.net 510-278-2444

Daily Schedule at San Leandro

Temple is open between the hours of 7am to

12 noon and 5pm to 8pm

Puja is conducted daily at 7am, 12 noon & 6.30pm Every Monday 6:30 pm: Sri Siva Puja & Aarti

Every Tuesday 6:30 pm: Sri Durga Puja & Aarti

BADARIKASHRAMA

15602 Maubert Avenue

San Leandro, CA 94578

Non Profit Org.

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San Leandro, CA

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Jan, 2019 Happy New Year, 2019!

Tue. 1st 10:30 am Sri Ganesha Homa, Music by Smt. Radha Srisailam

Sat. 5th to

Sun. 6th

9:30 am

1:00 pm

Sri Akhanda Ramayana - Sri Ramacharita Manasa

Group recitation of the entire Akhanda Ramayana

Sat. 12th

Sun. 13th

3:00 pm

11:00 am

Swami Vivekananda’s 157th Birth Anniversary

Celebration: Panel discussion, music, special guests

Mon. 14th 11:00 am Makara Sankranti, Sri Rudrabhisheka

Sun. 20th 11:00 am Sri Satyanarayana Swami Puja & Katha

Sun. 27th 10:00 am Sri Hari Dasa Day Celebration

Feb, 2019

Sat. 2nd 2:30 pm Sri Sundarkhanda Ramayana of Gowswami Tulsidas

Sun. 3rd 11:00 am Sri Bhagavad Gita Talk & Kirtan by Suman & Sargam Shah

Sun. 10th 10:30 am Sri Saraswathi Puja

Sun. 17th 11:00 am Sri Satyanarayana Swami Puja & Katha

Sun. 24th 11:00 am Sri Ramanama Sankirtana & Meditation

Mar, 2019

Sat. 2nd 2:30 pm Sri Sundarakhanda Ramayana of Gowswami Tulsidas

Sun. 3rd 10:30 am Sri Maha Mritunjaya (Sri Rudra) Homa

Sun. 10th 11:00 am Sri Bhagavad Gita Talk & Kirtan by Suman & Sargam Shah

Sun. 17th 11:00 am Sri Satyanarayana Swami Puja & Kirtan

Sun. 24th 11:00 am Sri Ramanama Sankirtan & Holi Celebration

Sat. 30th 6:00 pm Mata Ki Chowki by Harjit Mehndi & group

Sun. 31st 2:00 pm Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti Celebration: Talks and concerts

Apr, 2019

Sat., 6th 2:30 pm

6:00 pm

Sri Sundarakanda Ramayana of Gowswami Tulsidas

Chaitra Navaratri - Mata Ki Chowki, Harjit Mehndi

Sun. 7th 11:00 am Sri Durga Homa

Sat. 13th

Sun 14th

9:00 am

9:00 am

Sri Ramanamvami Music Festival

Carnatic Music Schools, Bay Area