Saturday, December 17, 2016

The four seasons

As a music aficionado, couldn’t by-pass the new offering “La La Land” an Oscar-contender; the film has gone beyond music, with an underlining message that life has different seasons.

We have different people that accompany us for those seasons. The summer brings happiness; the autumn brings pain; the winter brings self-reflection; and the spring brings an opportunity for learning. If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. If we did not taste adversity, then prosperity would not be so welcome.

Many regions of our sub- continent don’t get to experience such distinct seasons. Yet an awareness of how our minds get influenced by them would be useful. The Seasons don’t necessarily cycle from summer to autumn to winter to spring, and then back to summer again. They are as temporary as the rain drops that are falling on our heads, as the thunder that is raging outside, or as the wind that is stormy. None of these events last forever. They transit any-which-way depending on the emotional choices and decisions we make, on a daily basis.

We Create the Seasons!

Monday, November 28, 2016

4th Convocation - Sri Sri Gurukul

27 November 2016




Felicitation to  Sivagama Vidyanidhis - an extract:

“Convocation ceremony today would be incomplete without a special mention of the sacrifice of your parents. They dedicated you in the path of Vedic wisdom, the path of simple living and high thinking, amidst temptations of other career options. It would be befitting to remind you that Visalakshi Mandap, the symbol of AOL International Centre, is in itself a grateful tribute to our Founder’s mother.

Contrast this with other students who by and large have no knowledge of brahmacharya - self-control. Caught up in trends and fashions, undesirable food, bad company, cinema houses, all of which rob them of vitality. The Gurukul has shaped you well in the path of sadachara and moulded your character. Your true success in life depends entirely upon the formation of your character.

When you begin the new journey, remember that you are torch bearers to spread vedic wisdom in every nook and corner. 

धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः  

Our blessings to you all. "

நான்காவது பட்டமளிப்பு விழா -- ஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீ குருகுலம் --27 நவம்பர் 2016
ஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீ ரவிசங்கர்  டிரஸ்ட் அறங்காவலர் டாக்டர் .அருண் மாதவன்  அவர்களின் வாழ்த்துரை 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

       பட்டமளிப்பு விழாவின் இந்த நன்நாளில் உங்களுடைய பெற்றோர்கள் செய்த சிறந்த தியாகத்தை  பற்றி கூறாமல் விழா முழுமையடையாது .இன்று உயர்ந்த சம்பாத்தியம் அளிக்கக்கூடிய எத்தனையோ துறைகள் இருந்தும் உங்களுடைய பெற்றோர்கள் வேத ஞானம் , எளிய வாழ்க்கை முறை மற்றும் உயர்ந்த எண்ணங்கள் கொண்ட இந்த ​குருகுல ​கல்வி முறையில் உங்களை அர்ப்பணித்து இருக்கிறார்கள்.அவர்களுடைய இந்த  உயர்ந்த தியாகமும் உங்களுடைய சுய முயற்சியும் சேர்ந்து உங்களை உன்னதமான யாகத்திற்கு தகுதி உடையவர்களாக ஆக்கியிருக்கிறது .இன்று வாழும் கலை பன்னாட்டு மைய்ய​த்தின் சின்னமாகத்  திகழும் இந்த விசாலாக்ஷி மண்டபம் நமது ஸ்தாபகரின் தாயாருக்கு நன்றி கலந்த சமர்ப்பணமாகும் என்பது  மிகையாகாது.

       இன்று மற்ற பெரும்பாலான மாணவர்களுக்கு ப்ரஹ்மசர்யம் பற்றிய  ஞானம் கிடையாது. மேலும் அவர்கள் நவநாகரீகம் , தேவையற்ற உணவு, தவறான சேர்க்கை , சினிமா ஆகியவற்றில் அதிகப்படி ஈடுபடுவதால் ஷக்தி, பலமிழந்தவர்களாக இருக்கிறார்கள் .

        உங்களுடைய தலைமை ஆசிரியர் மற்றும் துணை ஆசிரியர்கள் மூலம் உங்களை வந்தடையும் பூஜ்ய ​   ​குருதே​வரின் ​ எல்லையற்ற கருணையும் ஞானமும் உங்களை நல்வழிப்பாதையில் இட்டுச்செல்கிறது​.​ உங்களது வாழ்க்கையின் உண்மையான வெற்றி என்பது உங்களுடைய நன்னடத்தையை பொறுத்தே அமையும். உலகின் மிக உயர்ந்த மனிதர்கள் எல்லோரும் உயர்வை அடைந்ததற்கான காரணம்​,​ உயர்குணமும் நன்னடத்தையும்  மட்டுமேயாகும். தன்னடக்கம், சுய கட்டுப்பாடு, கீழ்ப்படிதல், சேவை மனப்பான்மை,மற்றும் ஆத்ம ஞானத்தை அடையும் எண்ணம் ஆகியனவை இன்று நீங்கள் ஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீ குருகுலத்திலிருந்து எடுத்துச்செல்லக்கூடிய போற்றுதலுக்குரிய பொக்கிஷங்கள் ஆகும் .

         புதிய வாழ்க்கையை துவங்கும் இத்தருவாயில் நீங்கள் வேத ஞானத்தை உலகின் ஒவ்வொரு மூலையிலும் எடுத்துச்செல்லும் வழிகாட்டியாக விளங்குகிறீர்கள் என்பதை மறவாதீர்கள். அதுவே நீங்கள் செய்யக்கூடிய தர்மமாகும். 'தர்மோ ரக்ஷதி ரக்ஷிதஹ '. , ' தர்மம் தலை காக்கும் '.

 ஜெய் குருதேவ்.  
      

​அருண்ஜி ​























Monday, November 14, 2016

Serendib





Pleasant surprise:10-13 November,2016

Srilanka is fondly hailed as Serendib. The name has its roots in Sanskrit - Siṃhaladvīpa: Island -Dwelling Place of Lions. The word gained currency in English as ‘serendipity’ from the 18th Century Persian fairy tale, “The Three Princes of Serendip,” where the heroes often made discoveries by chance- as pleasant surprises!

It was indeed Serendipity that participants from across the four corners and central province of the Island turned up in large numbers at the Special Advanced Meditation program at Colombo. 

Great team work and an enriching experience for all.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Memorable visit to Emerald Island

Our visit to the Emerald island was memorable in more ways than one .The warmth of affection from young and old, was overwhelming. On this festive occasion, dedicating the following prayer to all of them as well all readers:





śubham karōti kalyāṇam, ārōgyam dhana saṁpadaḥ
śatrubuddhi vināśāya, dīpa jyōtir namōstutē!

Salutation to the LIGHT that brings auspiciousness, prosperity, good health, abundance of wealth, and the destruction of the intellect’s enemy.


Monday, October 17, 2016

Navaratri Mahima:





There is an intelligence that moves all humans toward the perfection we call God.Guru is that intelligence. 

With reverence and gratitude to him, brushing back memories to the earliest Navaratri Utsav at the International campus.Two decades later at Rishi Homa today, tributes in the form of Pa-maalai (devotional hymn) and Poo–m​a​alai (floral offering)

Thursday, September 1, 2016

What managerial style would bring the best results?

27th August 2016


 Our musical discourse today was aptly titled Pa-Malai – an evening of musical garland reflecting the Gokulashtami fervor. The assembly was largely business leaders. It presented an opportunity to briefly compare the Management styles of Sri Ram and Sri Krishna.

Sri Ram, a skilled warrior, led the not-so-skilled monkey army from the front, gave precise roles and instructions, inspired them to fight for his cause. Sri Krishna worked with best professionals, providing them strategic clarity, allowed team-members to take the lead. He declared at the outset that “I won’t fight the battle. Won’t pick up any weapon; I would only be there as Arjun’s charioteer”. He did what he said. Still, the Pandavas won the war.


Today’s Arjunas don’t want you to tell or show how things are to be done. They don’t necessarily seek more expertise but they look to someone to clear the cobwebs in their minds. Yet, if you apply Sri Ram’s style on them, you could perhaps fail as a Manager! Whereas, if your team isn’t skilled enough and rely on your expertise to sail through, Sri Ram’s style is indeed appropriate.


Monday, August 22, 2016

Dateline Kathmandu

19th August 2016


It was one of the  country's popular holidays to celebrate Gai Jatra. Looking at the cheerful faces of assemblies everywhere , one could not  but admire that the   indomitable spirit of Nepalese  has not been broken by the devastating  quakes  last year . It was heartening to interact with several youth at the satsang in the Capital drawn to spiritual path. A talented young artist  in the assembly  sprang a surprise  with a  scroll of his on- the- spot sketch. The event also  gave  us an opportunity to honour some of the pillars of the Foundation.

Celebrations bring people together and uplift the societal consciousness. Though  the origin of  Gai Jatra  is medieval, yet it brings families especially those  grief stricken  together to participate in assemblies where  jokes, satire, mockery and lampoon flow aplenty  to help de-stress!

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Advanced Meditation Programme at Bangalore Ashram

11-15 August 2016




A very large turnout at the Silence Retreat was in for a real treat at the serene VM Hall. The immediate presence of the Master and satsangs with him were the crowning moments. Most were first- timers who cherished the overall experience. The concluding day coincided with Nation’s Independence Day. Perhaps they couldn’t have asked for a better reward than getting a taste of true inner freedom!



 At the the sign off, we had the award winning team of yoga boys from the Vedic Gurukul presenting a few intricate asanas to the thunderous applause of the assembly.

Friday, August 5, 2016

Spell binding festivity:




Celebrations currently on in the rural setting Sri Villiputtur. Spread over a fortnight to mark the birth of Sri Andal, the only woman A​zhwar saint. She composed beautiful literary gems which are sung even today across the world by devotees including the Priests at the Coronation of Thai monarchy.

Though it was getting close to mid night, the large turnout sat enthralled soaking in blissful bhajans set to healing ragas.​ ​

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Thiru Aadipooram 2016

Annual Rath Utsav celebrating the birth of Sri Andal ~
Divya Satsang 1st August 2016, Sri Villiputtur Divyakshetram

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

PSG- National Yoga Enclave

21 June 2016
Maharishis of yore have left behind priceless  wisdom for our wellness. International Yoga Day  this morning  at the  PSG-National Yoga Enclave,  gave  an opportunity to pay   tribute to the exalted  Muni,  Sage Patanjali whose  Ashtanga yoga  has healed  generations  of  impurities in  Body, Mind and Speech.  





Sunday, June 12, 2016

Nurturing imagination and creativity of young minds



Was recently at the inaugural of a Primary School in a rural setting. The location was reminiscent of childhood. At some distance away were the rotating sails of windmills, quietly energising the turbines, generating electricity. Interestingly the audience too had several regulars who tap the air-force through Pranayama to energise themselves!

Here is an excerpt from the key note address. It is a  narrative on how a one-teacher rural primary school perfected a pedagogy to nurture imagination and creativity of young minds in simple ways.

The children assembled outdoor late evening with the full moon shining above. The Teacher asked, "Dear children do you see the full moon, the beautiful scene in the sky that brings smiles and cheers all round? Remember, when you smile, the whole family also smiles. How many of you would want to keep your parents happy?" The whole class lifted their hands; when the teacher went further ‘the moon is the natural satellite of planet earth’- the class surprisingly into a moon lab! 

She drew the first day of the moon, the second day, the third day and so on and said “Today is the 15th day, which is why you are seeing the full moon radiating beautiful light." The next question; "From where does the moon get its light?" There was no reply. She herself answered that the moon gets the light from the sun.

Admirable indeed was the foresight of the teacher in organizing the class on full moon as a practical teaching tool blending a human value as well as scientific temper.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Momentous event

25th May 2016

​​Be it an ant, snake or an elephant, countless Indian towns have been named after birds and animals! Each town has a legend, mostly connected to the Divine. Sri Andal from Sri Villiputtur was said to have sent the parrot to Lord Vishnu to give the message of her love (கிளி  விடு தூது) . Hymns in Meenakshi Navaratna Mala extol the parrot in the hand of Madurai Meenakshi “Meenakshim ,Madhureswareem, Sukhatharam Sri Pandya Baalaam Bhaje”

Legends reveal that parrots could simply repeat the Vedas, the presence of Lord Sukha, the Parrot Saint, manifest in them.Taitriya Upanishad exhorts students and seekers to be like a parrot. . 'Thiththi' and 'Thaththai'  are words for parrot in Sanskrit and Tamil. It is  thus  hailed as  the Parrot Upanishad!

(PIC) Symbolic arrival of Sri Andal’s Parrot at Sri Sri Gurukul witnessed by the Master and the yathis today.

Friday, April 29, 2016

The birth and journey of Ganga




A pleasing  music video from Bengaluru- based Grammy winner  Ricky Kej. It spectacularly showcase​s​ the birth and journey of ​Ganga in the backdrop of slokas written by Adi Sankara and rendered by Shankar Mahadevan​.​It was launched by our PM and French PM Hollande in Paris during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP21.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Sacred chants and music for the Soul​​

15th April 2016

The dawn of the auspicious Dhunmukhi New year and Ram Navami gave a spirited flavour to the satsang ​at Othakkal Mandapam, Coimbatore ​today. 



​T​he Chancellor of Karpagam University ​ and Principal of Veda Agama Patashala​  were the Guests of honour. Their brief narratives on the deeper significance of such celebrations combined with enchanting sacred chants by the vidyarthis had the audience spell bound. Overall the  setting was just right for meditation that  ​soon followed.



The occasion also gave us an opportunity to hear an absorbing Kalinga Narthana thillana from a young pundit. Little wonder, the charm and rhythm of this immortal song from Oothukadu Venkata Kavi, has a mystical attraction to musicians.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

World Cultural Festival

11th March 2016


Opening day of the WCF. Event was scheduled to commence 5 pm but artistes and dignitaries started arriving at the venue of the epic Cultural Olympics as early as 2 pm.


Padma Bhushan Awardee Vikku Vinayak Ram Ji from Chennai with his talented grandson. Many would remember, this humble percussionist was also bestowed the renowned Grammy award by the US music Industry.


The magnificent stage was for everyone. Amidst Vedic chants, an Islamic scholar prayed. Isn’t this harmony in the the world that we are seeking?


Most cameras were focussed on the ground level happenings oblivious to a celestial spectacle that was unfolding in the sky. A giant peacock feather image appeared symbolizing perhaps the vault of heaven, and the 'eyes' of the stars. Stellar replay of sequence beside Yamuna in Dwapar Yuga?

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Interaction with Dr. Richard Cash



Interaction with Dr. Richard Cash, a distinguished professor, humanitarian from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. He has done some pioneering work in scaling up Health programs in Low-income countries.

Dharmo rakshadi rakshida:

In 1985, along with friends in Rotary Calcutta, we were visiting the Sundarbans, the small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests WB. Our focus then, as tourists, was on spotting species of birds, spotted deers and the eponymous Royal Bengal tiger. Yet we did not fail to spot the suffering of the native dwellers who had to traverse in boats long distances, to fetch potable water every day. On our return, the idea of sinking several deep tube wells took shape. It got implemented swiftly. Whilst the beneficiaries were deeply grateful, we felt fulfilled and blessed.

On a global level, the same year, the Polio- plus initiative to tackle polio eradication was launched. Rotary has already contributed a few billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to immunize over 2.5 billion children across the globe.The Institution is 111 years old, nurtured on dharmic principles especially their 4 -Way Test.


Was invited to deliver a special address to an august assembly in the presence of the genial RI President from Evanston,IL. and RI Director.

May their tribe increase.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

A life with a motto: Earn to Give.

02-02-2016

M.S.Subbulakshmi: Centenary Tribute



A music critic once wrote “Her music has the power to soothe a savage beast, soften rocks and bend a knotted tree." The nightingale of India, her bhajans and sacred chants   resonated in Carnegie Hall and UNGA and even today from the hills of Tirupati to temples across continents.

M.S. cut her first disc at the age of 10 and maiden public concert at 11. She starred in many successful films, including the all-time Indian classic Meera. It created a wave and gave her an all India status as a musician.

Following her meeting with  Mahatma Gandhi in 1941, she performed many concerts to raise funds for the Kasturba Memorial Trust.  Her immortal bhajans Hari thumo haro and Vaishnava Janatho were Bapu’s favourites.

She led a life of detachment, without being a slave to material and terrestrial needs. A Magsaysay award winner, she donated her entire prize money to welfare schemes. In 1996, she was honoured with the nation's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

Today we were fortunate to pay our Centennial tribute to such a saintly musician. When we sang her very popular number,   Kurai ondrum illai  (I have no regrets), all of us on stage and the assembly in rapt attention felt truly blessed.