Chantings & Discourses
Bhagwan Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti celebrated at our Centre, with a satsangh where Guruji spoke about the great work done by Bhagwan in His short life span.
He is a divine manifestation, an incarnation who appeared for a purpose. He knew at a young age, to seek Guru and chose to live a life of a Sanyasi. He united different schools of thought prevalent in those days, He conquered them all with debates. Thanks to Him, our culture survived even after many onslaughts by invaders.
On this auspicious occasion, Guruji urged all to seek to know the truth, to be with the Truth and to dedicate ourselves to be in sync with the divine will, which will end all sorrows and suffering.
Jaya Jaya Shankara, Hara Hara Shankara.
Guru Purnima, the most awaited day was celebrated on 21st July, this year.
The day when we pay our respects to the entire Guru parampara and our revered Guru, Swamini Shree Vasudha.
The welcome of our beloved Guruma Swamini Vasudhaji with poorna kumbha chant gave a wonderful start for the Guru Purnima celebrations.
Vyasa puja done with a lighted lamp and flowers filled our hearts with divinity.
The melodious bhajans by the MMT students followed by the flowing Guru stotrams and chanting of Vishnu sahasranama threw all devotees into a trance.
This was followed by abhisekh, alankar and 108 namavilli of Lord Dattatreya Guru along with detailed explanation and significance of His form and accompaniments.
The prasad lunch at the Fruitwale hall was made more fruitful by the delightful “asheervachan” –
ashirwad ,through pravachan by Gurumaji in Hindi that grilled the need for each one of the attendees,to begin the search for the Lord within us on this auspicious day.
Please contact on the numbers mentioned above for registration and details.
With the blessings of Periyava and Guruji’s grace, a spiritual retreat was organised at Shri Kshetra Shakatapuram between 23rd June to 29th June.
23 participants took benefit of this opportunity.
It was a profoundly enriching experience.
The serene and divine atmosphere at Shri Matt Ashram, combined with Guruji’s teachings on the 12th Chapter of the Bhagvat Gita, provided deep insights into spiritual practices and values.
Guruji’s explanation on whether to worship the formless or the manifested aspects of the divine, illustrated through stories of Meerabai, Sant Kabira, Lokmanya Tilak have been enlightening.
The emphasis was given on consistent Sadhna as a path to acquiring the ultimate and need to cultivate the values to connect to one’s inner self. The meditation sessions conducted by Guruji will definitely help us in this process.
Exploring texts like Kashipanchakam by Adi Shankara, which equates Kashi and Manikarnika ghat to one’s inner self, encouraged introspection and deeper understanding.
The explanation on verses from Tulsidas ‘s Hanuman chalisa added the bhakti ras.
The discussion and debate between Sagun and Nirguna worship provided seekers with a broader prospective and respect for different spiritual practices.
The devotional songs, bhajans, chanting by the river side further immersed everyone in the essence of devotion.
All the seekers were delighted to hear from Guruji that this spiritual retreat will be a annual event and they assured their participation for the next year.
The Guru Puja on June 16th was performed to Lord Dattatreya, with immense devotion. The atmosphere was filled with divine energy as everyone present chanted various stotrams during the abhishekam and other rituals.
The primary purpose of any puja is to deepen our faith in the divine by fostering a direct and personal connection. Each ritual, from offering flowers and lighting lamps to chanting mantras and prayers, serves as a tangible expression of reverence and devotion. Connecting with the Divine brings profound peace, clarity, and inner fulfillment, which in turn strengthens our faith.
During puja, various objects are carefully selected for their symbolic meanings, enriching the spiritual essence of the rituals. To name a few, the Purna Kumbha (Kalash) — a pot filled with water and topped with mango leaves and a coconut — holds deep symbolism. The pot represents Mother Earth, the water symbolizes the primordial waters from which all creation emerged, the leaves signify creation, and the coconut symbolizes the God-head. Breaking a coconut during rituals signifies breaking the ego and offering oneself to the divine.
Swamini Shree Vasudhaji, in the Asheervachan emphasized that the all-pervading Lord is within us. Since we are unable experience this, an external Guru or Ishwara is required to project this. Acharya also explained how Faith (Shraddha ) is the only bridge that will lead us to the Lord, who is our ultimate goal. Every challenge that we come across in our life, is a way of meeting the Lord. May we all develop this “Shraddha ‘ and reach the Ultimate goal.
HAPPENINGS
A joyful evening was organised by MMT on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti on 14th April.
The event started with the introduction by Nisha followed by the different performances.
The children got an opportunity to showcase their speaking, singing, drawing and dancing skills. Rahul Nagar residents and the VVF volunteers enjoyed, cheered and encouraged the children. The drawings of the children were displayed in the MMT premises.
They were liked and appreciated by all.
Residents of Rahul Nagar were much overwhelmed by the talent displayed by thier children.
Children had a look of joy and ecstasy on thier faces, at the end of the program.😊
Pranams to Guruji for guiding us in planning the whole event and giving us this opportunity.
With the blessings of Guruji,
Viva Vedanta Foundation in collaboration with the NMMC blood bank, conducted a successful blood donation camp on the 18th of May 2024.
As a practise for the last 7 years, the Foundation organises the blood donation drives at times during the year when there is a shortage of blood in the blood banks.
Summer vacations is one such time, when people visit families in their home town leaving the blood banks with an acute shortage of blood. The authorities at these banks are always grateful for this timely help provided by the Foundation.
In response to our appeal, many donors came forward to donate blood. Those who could not make it on that day, have assured to donate at the blood bank in the coming week.
We would like to thank all the donors and well-wishers for their support.
Pranaams to Guruji for her constant blessings and guidance.
A strong and healthy physical body makes way for a healthy mind. A healthy mind is able to apply itself in fruitful ways and helps to create a healthy and peaceful society. Playing Sports/ games lead to a healthy body and provide recreation and entertainment to all. VVF’s initiative is to foster camaraderie and integration within the community and the neighborhood we live in. Sports and physical activities serve this purpose along with strengthening the bonds of mutual respect and accountability. Under Guruji’s instance, a cricket match was played in Rahul Nagar. The children and men folk from Rahul Nagar participated with enthusiasm. The two teams led by Shambhu and Krishna Sai were cheered by the residents of Rahul Nagar who gathered to watch the match. In the end, the scores and victory and defeat didn’t matter at all as it was enjoyed by one and all.
The health camp conducted on 7th april’24 by Maai Swasti seva team was a follow up check up for the children of Shiravne under the Bal Swasthya Kalyan initiative.
According to doctors,there is a major change in the children due to vitamin and mineral supplements given in both the camps. The pallor is reduced and white patches on the skin is also reduced. Annadaan on a daily basis under our Bal Swasthya Kalyan initiative has played a important role in this positive change.Children are more confident. They came voluntarily for the check up. They were ready for blood tests also.
Doctors advised blood tests for anemic children and offered counseling to parents for any ongoing concerns. Protein powder was distributed to all children.
VVF strives to continue this ongoing initiative under Bal Swasthya Kalyan with the support of all our well wishers.
