Krishna Janmashtami 2014, 18-19.8.2014

KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI 2014

Shree Peetha Nilya with Sri Swami Vishwananda

August 17-18 2014

Sri Swami is traditionally swung as devotees sing and dance 

Krishna Janmashtasmi 2013

Wisdom of Love, Mahavatar Babaji

Sri Swami Vishwananda Inaugurated as Deity of Temple in Italy

Following the inauguration of the temple in Bari Sri Swami Vishwananda gave a Satsang - answered questions from devotees from Italy and transferred interesting stories. Here are two of them:

The pride of the Pandavas was crushed by Krishna

"During the Mahabharata there was a man who wanted to watch the great war. He went up on  the hill near the battlefield of Kuruksetra where he had a good view of everything that was happening. But he was taken for a spy, so I sent him a soldier who beheaded him. Before the death the man, he prayed to Krishna: Sir, I just wanted to see your lila, it was my only desire. So I went to the hill to watch the Mahabharata.

Krishna went there, picked up the severed head, blessed it and put it on a pillar. He then returned to the war. When the war was over, all the Kauravas were killed at the hands of the Pandavas. They were full of pride for their victory over the giant army and strong enemy. Krishna brought them to the pillar where the head was still alive watching everything. Krishna asked the head:

• Did you watch the entire war.
• Sir, it was a great blessing to see all your lila .
• Please tell us what you saw?
• Afterwards, both sides were just you and the two armies swirled over your chakra Sudarszana.

It is God who makes everything that happens in our lives. Prana Shakti  is the bread of life."

Sri Swami Vishwananda also told this story: "There lived once a simple woman in a small hut. Two people watched her and her poverty. They said to her: "We can help you and keep you.' She laughed and said: "Who keeps the poor and the rich?" The same, and I know him very well. He gives me everything I need." They replied: "But you do not have even a drop of oil to pour into the lamp and light it. The woman smiled, raised her fingers upwards and light flooded the room.

In all, the question is how much we believe in God, how we submit to Him, and then He reflects in proportion to our sincerity.The Name of God should always be on our lips, and then begin to reflect Him ... God's love is the only thing that is real. This is the only reality: the love of God. Everything is predetermined - only the love of God. This is the free will of man.

The purpose of spirituality is love, that's all. 

Develop Patience

What is happening when you’re greeting the Master by bowing down to the feet? You’re showing the Crown Chakra to the Master. At the same time you are saying, 'Lord, bestow upon me Your blessing, so that I can Realise my Self.' What does the Guru do? The Guru puts his hand over your head and says 'Be patient!'" - Sri Swami Vishwananda 

Mahavatar Babaji Today

In a long ago time when the winter snows came to the Himalayas and the yogis stayed in their caves with their fires burning by yogic powers, they meditated most of their time. They spent sometimes hundreds and thousands of years in the same body seeking union with The Divine. And they helped to hold the energy of this planet at a level where there was more good than evil, so-called.

Today in your time, levels of time lay upon each other like raindrops falling into a container where all the water becomes one. The Divine has so willed that in this period of time it is the easiest time of all to attain God. Now one simply has to repeat continuously the name of The Divine, which you like, and you may attain Him, The Lord.

Mahavatar Babaji

Sri Swami Vishwananda Inagurates New Temple in Bari, Italy

Swamini Vishwalakshmianandama:

As I left Sri Swami Vishwananda's ashram two days after Guru Purnima for other places in Europe, Swami came over to the car in which I was leaving with two friends. He reached through both windows on the passenger side of the car and took one hand of myself and one of the friend in one passenger seat. I felt the connecting link between the three of us. Swami said: "There is a new ashram built in Italy. I am very happy." His eyes sparkled like diamonds and his face was full of light as his smile seemed even bigger and brighter than usual.

Sri Swami Vishwananda at New Temple in Italy

As Swami Vishwananda arrived to Bari on the 17 July 2014, he went to inaugurate the new Temple dedicated to Him. Guruji talked about the great blessing the devotees got by creating the first temple dedicated to Him. There is no others deities, only him that is venerated in this temple.

In the following Satsang Sri Swami Vishwananda answered the questions which came up:

- What is fear? Fear is due to ignorance, to things unknown. It is a lack of trust in yourself.

- Why have the people so much problems?

Because of the karma; we have to go through this karma. After the Mahabharata, Kunti went to Krishna and asked Him: "Give me everlasting problems so that I always can remember you." You have to go above the good and the bad, looking at the world like children. Hindu saint Mirabai also had  a lot of problems, but she was always in ecstasy, thinking of Krishna. Around her the people were harassing her but she could transcend all these sufferings.

- How to know if we are on the right path?

You will feel it. And also if you don´t feel it, you will be guided. The nature will bring you where you have to be and your mind will be guided.

- What is surrender? 

The one who is fully surrendered has no questions in his mind. To surrender means to be detached from everything, to have trust in every situation and to accept everything that happens. When you surrender you give up your own will. God cannot force you to love Him. This is the only thing that God cannot do.To surrender to the Divine is your act of opening. You forget about yourself and give your will to Him. There is only Him, there is one reality playing many games.

(from Experiences Blog)

Meditation Connects You With The Divine Within - SV

Guru Purnima with Sri Swami Vishwananda

Guru Purnima with Sri Swami Vishwananda

After two days with a total of four darshans, the day to honour the Guru took place yesterday. More than 1200 visitors came from many different countries (also from overseas) to show their Guru, Sri Swami Vishwananda, their appreciation and respect.

In the early morning, we celebrated Pada Puja, (Abishekam to Guruji's Padukas) performed by the Swaminis. 

Later, during the 108 Bhajan stotra mala, (singing of 108 Bhajans) Sri Swami Vishwananda came and took place on His seat with a huge Adishesha behind Him.  

We were so, so happy to see Him there. It was a very impressive picture! 

In the evening there was another puja: Abishekam done directly on Swami Vishwananda's Lotus Feet. Then, during the chanting of His 108 names, each of us could offer a lotus flower to His feet.

Of course, there was abundance of Prasad. After being blessed by Gurudev, it was distributed to all. (It's unbelievable what our kitchen team has done during these days! I'm not sure - has Bhagyshri slept at all?)

During the three days we had built a kind of "beer garden" - here there were treats like mango lassi, fries, popcorn, samosas, pizza and lots of cakes!

All in all - it was a great party! 

Note from the organisers: 
We always try to organise everything as well as possible, but with 1200 devotees, who all wanted to see their Guru, the limited space did not always allow it. We apologize for any inconvenience this might had caused to you. If you have any ideas or solutions, we are happy to implement them with your help.

[From "The Experiences" official blog of Bhakti Marga)

Guru Purnima 12.07.14 with Sri Swami Vishwananda

Guru Purnima 12.07.14 with Sri Swami Vishwananda  

at Shree Peetha Nilaya

Mahavatar's Quote Gives Devotee Beautiful Experience

Mahavatar Babaji's Quote

Divine Swamini

You published in this blog about my ATMA KRIYA initiation on 27^th (VARANASI) by Acharya Ratna Devi. Our initiation was arranged in SATWA ASHRAM, a few yards away from the famous MANIKARNIKA GHAT, more known as the BURNING GHAT, where the dead bodies are burnt 24 X 7 X 365. At times, as many as 500 bodies are burnt in a day. This Ghat accounts for 2/ of cremation in Kasi (Varanasi)

 Have given below the significance of Manikarnika Ghat

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Q1S-NxKOw)

Manikarnika Ghat is associated with the two legends. It is believed that the Lord Vishnu dug a pit using his Chakra and at the same time the Lord Shiva was watching Lord Vishnu, the earring (“Manikarnika”) had fallen into the pit created by Lord Vishnu. According to the second legend, the Goddess Parvati (consort of Lord Shiva, Goddess Annapurna) hid her earrings, and asked Lord Shiva to find them.

Manikarnika Ghat is also famous by the name of Mahasmasana (great Cremation ground) which is one of two cremation Ghats in Varanasi. Another famous ghat of cremation is Harishchandra Ghat. Manikarnika Ghat is historically associated with the Hindu God, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. It is considered that one who is cremated at this ghat will attain Moksha, the salvation and get directly merged into Lord Shiva.

According to another ancient mythology is the owner of the Manikarnika Ghat bought the King Harishchandra as a slave and sent him to work on the Manikarnika at the Harishchandra Ghat. Dead bodies of the people in the Hindu religion are cremated usually at this ghat.

It is one of the most famous, sacred and oldest ghats in the Varanasi. Manikarnika is the main burning ghat and one of the most auspicious places that a Hindu can be cremated. Bodies are brought to the ghat with the bamboo stretcher covered in red cloth which is handled by the local carriers. Manikarnika Ghat is historically associated with the Hindu God named Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

April ’14 at Banaras: It was an electrifying experience for me to watch the dead bodies carried away throughout the day. When we sat with the SATWA Ashram’s Guruji in the night we could smell the dead bodies in the air. It was nauseating to us, for the locals, it did not appear to be a concern. I wonder how the others like Ratnadevi and Ramana could have felt when I myself was not able to take it.

Since then, I have been asking Mahavatara Babaji, why he choose a place like this for my Atma Kriya initiation of all other holy places in India. In today’s Virtual Babaji-Vishwananda blog, “Mahavatara Responds to “Question of His E-card” BABAJI has answered my query through you once again! For the Master knows the needs of his disciple!

Really happy that Babaji takes such a meticulous care for me !

Mahavatar Responds to Question of His E-card

Question: Please could you be so kind to explain how we in our culture of not having cremation grounds should put into practice the last E-card of Mahavatar Babaji about meditation in cremation grounds. Maybe Babaji could tell us more about this topic.

Gisela from Tyrol, Austria asked this question after receiving the E-card.

Thank you very much and much much love

Tusti

Mahavatar Babaji’s Response to E-card question:

In present day, man walks among the “living dead” of this world. Man has lost continuous, conscious connection with The Divine. In the spiritual stories handed down in the Sacred Scriptures of India, Shiva is depicted as sitting in meditation in the Cremation Grounds of the greatness which is India.

In the E-card to which you refer, I am inspiring you all to be inspired by Shiva meditating in Cremation grounds through your own meditating in the present day cremation ground of your world among the “living dead.” Man is “dead” to his own Divinity which lives within the heart.  Meditation, such at Sri Swami Vishwananda’s Atma Kriya, has the possibility of awakening your conscious connection of The Divine within you. We have given you “the way” in Atma Kriya, but you must do your part through practicing the techniques and meditation within Atma Kriya. In this way, you may be “born again,” as Christ said, into God-Self Realization and into liberation of the Forever Living Spirit of the Oneness of Creation.

I send you grace and blessings,

Mahavatar Babaji
with
Swamini Vishwalakshmianandama

Swamini Vishwalakshmianandama at Laguna Beach, California June 21-22 2014 - Satsang, Yagna

SATSANG  & YAGNA  AT  LAGUNA BEACH  CALIFORNIA, USA

21-22 JUNE  2014

Swamini Vishwalakshmianandama, Nishta, Swamini Janani

 Devotees gave gifts for Swamini Vishwalakshmianandama and
 Swamini Janani

Devotes and friends gathered for a Satsang on June 21. Planing to speak about the Guru-Disciple Relationship, there was a pleasant surprise which came in the form of the people enthusiastically asking about my relationship with Sri Swami Vishwananda and Mahavatar Babaji. So an actual structured "talk" was not necessary. At the end of the very pleasant Satsang and dinner, we were given gifts from the loving Devotees - the Swami orange.

 Yagna Fire on the Laguna Beach being lighted

 Swamini Vishwalakshmiianandama and friend at beautiful Flower Gardens

 The Yagna