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

April, May, June, 2017

Om Namo Narayanaya

Badarikashrama Diary

In spite of the inclement weather for much of the late winter

months , our functions drew hundreds of devotees and friends. Sri

Akanda Ramayana of Gowswami Tulsidas welcomed in the New Year of

2017 from the 31st of December, 2016,Saturday, ending on Sunday,

January 1st, 2017. Prasad was provided by Pramila and Raguvir Gupta

and family and Sheila and Anil Talnikar and family. After the monthly

Sri Satyanarayana Swami Puja ,Kirtan and Katha was held,the following

Saturday, Makara Sankranti was observed with Sri Rudrabhisheka. Mid

- month on the 15th, we organized Swami Vivekananda Jayanti . The

educational panels on Vivekananda’s life and message were on display

in the mandir. Divya Ramesh and students provided a fitting number

of bhajans many on Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. The 30

plus students were accompanied by flute, Sumanth Ganapathi, violin,

Aparna Ganapathi, and mridangam by Avinash Anand. Srimat Swami

Vedanandaji Maharaj, senior sanyasa, from the Vedanta Society of San

Francisco, showed us how the appearance of Swami Vivekananda gave

hope for the 21st century with his message of “humanism”. This

“humanism” gives us the assurance of something beyond our physical

and mental reality and access to our inner realities that are accessible

to all of us. Douglas Flegal and his wife, Chandra Dey, talked about

their visit to the Madihalli ashrama, its peacefulness, and the im-

portant service being provided to the 700 plus students there from the

surrounding ashrama communities in the ashrama’s school. The sub-

sequent Sunday was the monthly Sri Bhagavad Gita talk by Suman and

Sargam Shah. The Shah’s illustrated philosophy from the Bhagavad

Gita with relevant bhajans. The final Sunday in January was the popu-

lar Sri Hari Dasa Day Celebration. It included top schools of Carnatic

Music. Students of Shakuntala Murthi, students of Jayashree Varadara-

jan, Divya Ramesh and students, Rochan and Amberni Yakkundi with

Kunal on tabla, Susheela Narasimhan and students , and Padmaja

Kishore and students, enthralled everyone with engrossing pieces by

many of the great masters from the HariDasa Tradition .

Na Me Bhakta Pranashyati My Devotee Never Perishes

Sandesha

Srimat Swami Vedanandaji, Vivekananda Jayanti

Saturday, May 20th, 2017 ,10:30

Prayers , Ganesh Puja & Interfaith,

Music

Panel : Growing up in America as a

Hindu,Sikh,Muslim,Jew

Panel: Embracing the Boundaries : those who have

embraced another religious tradition or incorporated

other traditions in their practices.

& Unity Mandala : a group art project

Sunday, May 21st , 2017 10:30 am

Samuhika 108 Sri Satyanarayana Swami Puja

This puja performed for all participants’

health,peace, happiness and spiritual and material

welfare was created by our ancient sages to help

people cultivate devotion and faith in the midst of

their everyday lives.

Join with us to celebrate Badarikashrama’s 33

years of service to the community.

More details forthcoming.

Buddha brought the Vedanta to light, gave it to the peo-ple, and saved India. A thousand years after his death … Shankaracharya arose and once more revived the Vedanta philosophy. He made it a rationalistic philosophy. In the Upanishads the arguments are often very obscure. By Buddha the moral side of the philosophy was laid stress upon, and by Shankaracharya, the intellectual side. He worked out, rationalised, and placed before men the won-derful coherent system of Advaita. …

In Buddha we had the great, universal heart and univer-sal patience, making religion practical and bringing it to everyone’s door. In Shankaracharya, we saw tremendous intellectual power, throwing the scorching light of reason upon everything. We want today that bright sun of intel-lectuality joined with the heart of Buddha, the wonder-ful infinite heart of love and mercy. This union will give us the highest philosophy. Science and religion will meet and shake hands. Poetry and philosophy will become friends. This will be the religion of the future, and if we can work it out, we may be sure that it will be for all times and peoples. … from the Complete Works of Swa-

mi Vivekananda

We continued on with our worship of the Lord Siva with Sadhana Day on Sunday starting with 3 hours chanting of Mrityunjaya Man-tra Japa followed by Mrityunjaya Homa. Everyone was filled with the blessings of Siva. We were also happy to host two young wom-en from Bishop O'Dowd High school who are studying Hinduism in their World Religion Class. Danielle and Irene are perfect examples of young people who will mold our future in a more positive and inclusive way. Over 150 people joined in the monthly Sri Satyana-rayana Swami Puja to celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Ramesh and Meenakshi Datta. The lively devotees were part of the large extended family of the Datta's, their children, their children's children, other parents, and many friends. It was a loving time for all. On behalf of Swami Omkaranandaji and the ash-rama,Mangalananda presented them with shawls and malas to bless their long and fruitful union. All enjoyed delicious mahapra-sad following the puja. Students of Northern Light School, Oak-land, had a field trip to the ashrama with their teacher Josiah Mejetich and parents. March continued with several important functions . Holi, the festi-val of colours, falling on Sunday, poornima, was marked by Sri Satyanarayana Swami Puja with kirtan by Suman and Sargam Shah,followed by Holi bhajans ,"Holi Gita",by Ram Saxena and group and the spreading of colours. Natural colours were provided by the ashrama. Mahaprasad was provided by Asha Tyagi and family. The well known Bharatanatyam Dancer, Shubha Dhananja-ya , her husband and daughters ,visited the ashrama on their tour of America. The main function in March was Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti Celebration on Sunday the 19th. It began with bhajans from students of Sri Lalitha Gana Vidyalaya directed by Latha Sri-ram. Srimat Swami Prasannatmanandaji Maharaj,swami in charge, of the Vedanta Society,Berkeley, talked brilliantly on “Sri Rama-krishna’s Message to the World”.

February began with the monthly Sri Sundarakanda Ramayana

of Gowswami Tulsidas led by Ram Saxena and a group of dedi-

cated singers. On Sunday the 5th, , Nataraja School of Dance

director, Sima Chakravorty organized a Saraswathi Puja espe-

cially for the students, who eagerly arrived with their plates of

fruit, ghungru, flowers and school books . After the Saraswathi

Puja students from the California Nupur Academy performed

Kathak Dance in the Luknow Gharana. Clad in spectacular cos-

tumes four young women delighted all with their excellent foot

work, spins, and expressive gestures. After the puja all shared

in the always delectable Bengali dishes. The end of February

saw two prominent programs. MahaSivaratari Celebration was

a joyous, lively function worthy of the Lord Siva who seemed to

be no stranger to explosive energy from those around Him. It

began with Sri Rudrabhisheka by our Swami Vishnumayanandaji

Maharaj. This was followed by rousing kirtan by Ram Saxena on

harmonium and vocals and Pradosh Sarkar on tabla. Anvita Vyas

in a smashing costume, did a short Kathak piece on Siva with

her brother dressed as Siva himself. After puja and aarati all had

mahaprasad sponsored by Mukesh and Anita Bajaj. Over 300

people attended the function with many people arriving

throughout the day. Suman and Sargam Shah continued on with

their always present devotional kirtan with those who waited till

midnight joining in with fervor and bhava.

Saraswathi Puja

Sri Satyanarayana Swami Puja

Northern Light School visiting ashrama.

Sivaratri Celebration,Ram Saxena & Pradosh Sarkar

From January 23rd through the 27th, Badarikashrama,Madihalli,

Turuvekere Tq., Tumkuru District, in collaboration with Ramakrishna

Math, Halasuru , Bangalore, led a series of talks to high school stu-

dents in the rural villages of Turuverke Tq., promoting Swami Viveka-

nanda’s teachings of ideal student-hood, moral development and

national spirit. Swami Omakranandaji, Swami Bhavaroopanandaji,

Swami Shivakripanandaji went to six schools. On January 26th, Bada-

rikashrama Vidyashala celebrated the 68th Republic Day. Swami

Tyagishwaranandaji, Ramakrishna Ashrama, Halasuru, Bangalore, and

professor and scientist Vishwanth, from Bangalore, were the special

guest speakers. Each one gave a wonderful message on Indian’s his-

tory of struggle for freedom and how Swami Vivekananda was a

source of inspiration for the nation.On the 27th, Swami Tyagish-

warananda and Professor. Vishwanath spoke on Swami Vivekananda

at Digvijaya Prodashale, Avadanhalli, with an afternoon session at

Dandishura College.On January 28th & 29th, Badarikashrama, Madihal-

li, celebrated Sri Swami Vivekananda Jayanti in collaboration with

‘Yuvajana Jagruti Samavesha (Youth Day). One hundred students

from Sheshadripuram High School, Bangalore and seven hundred

from local high schools in Turuverkere Tq., attended the first day of

the function. After the inauguration, Swami Tattwarupanandaji gave

an inaugural speech. Swami Omkarananadaji gave blessings. Dr.

Ashok, Sheshadripuram College and Dr. WP Krishna ,Honorary Secre-

tary of Shedhadripuram Trust addressed the students on the im-

portance of values and how to live a moral day to day life. The sec-

ond session started at 2:00 pm with Dr. Sameer Simha, one of the

leading educationist from Bangalore, along with his student HN Mu-

rilidhar, retired professor. Students attended the evening prayer

from 6-7pm then had their dinner. From 8:00 to 10:00 pm, Nandana

Kalavidar, a Bangalore drama group, gave a wonderful performance,

‘Bole Shankar’. On the 29th over 600 students gathered in the Mandir

to attend the morning meditation and prayers. Swami Ragaveshanan-

daji, president of Ramakrishna Ashrama, Ooty, spoke on Vivekanan-

da’s contribution to the nation. Prof. GB Shivaraj, Secretary of Gandhi

Smaraka Nidhi, Bangalore, compared the teaching of Swami

Vivekananda and Gandhi, emphasizing how the youth can bene-

fit by reading, listening and watching the world to grow and

develop their personality. Prizes were distributed to the stu-

dents for their participation in the Vivekananda essay writing

contest. Four hundred students in all participated in the essay

contest. Swami Tattwarupanandaji Maharaj and Swami Omka-

ranandaji Maharaj gave their blessings.

On March 5th, 2017 Badarikashrama celebrated Sri Ramakrish-

na Jayanti. It commenced at 9am with recitation of Vedic Man-

tras and Sri Ramakrishna Puja & homa conducted by Srimat

Swami Sivakrupanandaji Maharaj. Srimat Swami Tyagish-

waranandaji and Swami Omkaranandaji joined the homa. Sri HV

Vishwanath and his group sang melodious bhajans on Sri Rama-

krishna, Vivekananda and Sarada Devi. The 7th and 8th grade

children of Badarikashrama Vidyashala recited the 15th chapter

of the Bhagavad Gita with melodious sound and clear pronunci-

ation. It began with Srimat Swami Tygishwarananadaji Maharaj,

Ramakrishna Math Halasuru, Bangalore."By practicing truth,

sanctity, unselfishness one can become God Himself," said Swa-

miji. Srimat Swami Bhodaswarupanandaji Maharaj, President of

Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Ponnampet, spoke about Sri Rama-

krishna's childhood and his exemplary life with inspiring stories.

Srimat Swami Muktipadanandaji Maharaj, Ramakrishna Ash-

rama Halasuru, spoke on the simple and captivating teachings

that Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa illustrated to his devotees.

Finally Srimat Swami Omkaranandajaji, President of Badarikash-

rama concluded by saying that those who visit Badarikashrama

benefiitted through Murthi Darpana "Vision of the Dieties,

"Sadhu Darpana "Vision of Holy Persons" & Vichara Darpana

"Vision of Knowledge. Swamiji gave a vote of thanks .

News from Badarikashrama Madihalli

Vivekananda Jayanti, guests,teachers, Maharajas

Ramakrishna Jayanti

BALASAMSKARA KENDRA

Classes for children are held every Sunday at 10:30 am. Bay Area parents who want to actively participate in the cultural and spiritual education of their children conceived of the school. The curriculum includes Hindi classes, San-skrit Mantras, and explanations of puja, rituals, symbolism of Gods and Goddesses and Indian festivals. Story telling familiarizes our children with our ancient culture and ep-ics. 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 Ash-ram staff for more information or Anita Bajaj at 510-553-1123. All wellcome. 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, providing 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 thrice daily at 7am, 12 noon and 6.30pm

Every Monday 6:30 pm: Sri Siva Puja & Aarti Every Tuesday 6:30 pm: Sri Durga Puja & Aarti Every Full Moon Day Sri Satyanarayana Puja & Katha,

7:30 pm

BADARIKASHRAMA

15602 Maubert Avenue

San Leandro, CA 94578

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

San Leandro, CA

Permit # 61

DATED MATERIAL RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

April 2017

Sat. . 1st 2:30 pm Sri Sundarakanda Ramayana of Gowswami Tulsidas

Sun. 2nd 10:30 am 6:00 pm

Sri Durga Homa (Chaitra Navaratri) Mataki Chowki with Sri Ma Durga Bhajan Mandali

Wed. 5th 7:00 pm Sri Ramanavami Puja , Kirtan by Suman & Sargam Shah

Sat. 8th Sun. 9th

9 am–6 pm 9 am– 6pm

Sri Ramanavami Music Festival with Bay Area Carnatic Music Schools

Sat. 15th 9 am –6pm Hanuman Jayanti Celebration (Hanuman Chalisa Chanting)

Sun. 16th 11:00 am Sri Satyanarayana Puja & Kirtan

Sun. 23rd 11:00 am Sri Bhagavad Gita Talk & kirtan, Suman & Sargam Shah

Sun. 30th 10:30 am Sri Shankara & Sri Ramanuja Jayanti, Music & Talk

May 2017

Sat. 6th 2:30 pm Sri Sundarakanda Ramayana of Goswami Tulsidas

Sun. 7th 10:30 am Buddha Jayanti Celebration, bhajans & talk

Sun. 14th 9:00 am Gayatri Sadhana Day (Japa & Homa)

Sat. 20th Sun. 21st

10:30 am 10:30 am

33rd Anniversary Celebration***Cultural Program Samuhika 108 Sri Satyanarayana Swami Puja &Katha

Sun. 28th 11:00 am Sri Ramanama Sankirtan & Meditation

June 2017

Sat. 3rd 2:30 pm Sri Sundarakanda Ramayana of Goswami Tulsidas

Sun. 4th 11 am Sri Satyanarayana Swami Puja & kirtan

Sun. 11th 11:00 am Sri Bhagavad Gita talk & kirtan, Suman & Sargam Shah

Sun. 18th 11:00 am Sri Ramanama Sankirtan & Meditation

Sun. 25th 2:00 pm Mira Bai Music Festival

July 2017

Sat. 1st Sun. 2nd

9:30 am 1:00 pm

Sri Akhanda Ramayana of Gowswami Tulsidas

Tues. 4th 10:30 am Sri Durga Homa & Music, Independence Day

Sun. 9th 10:30 am Gurupurnima, Sri Guru Puja, Sri Satyanarayana Puja