VIVEKANANDA RATHA IN TAMIL NADU

The Vivekananda Ratha 2013 -14 in the Nilgiris District, as a part of the 150th Celebrations of Swami Vivekananda Birthday, concluded on 27-05-2013, after a successful journey of 41-Days covering most of the Villages in the District,on Sunday the 26th May 2013.

A befitting farewell was given at the historic Saint Thomas Church here where the Mortal remains of the Faithful J.J. Goodwin are interned inside the Church premises.

Vivekananda Ratha near Mariamman Temple, Ooty

Vivekananda Ratha Procession in Ooty 

Gathering at Samadhi of J.J.Goodwin (Vivekananda's English Disciple)

Performing Puja to Swami Vivekananda

STORY: YOU ARE A LION

There is a story about a lioness, who was big with young, going about in search of prey; and seeing a flock of sheep, she jumped upon them. She died in the effort; and a little baby lion was born, motherless. It was taken care of by the sheep and the sheep brought it up, and it grew up with them, ate grass, and bleated like the sheep. And although in time it became a big, full - grown lion, it thought it was a sheep. One day another lion came in search of prey and was astonished to find that in the midst of this flock of sheep was a lion, fleeing like the sheep at the approach of danger. He tried to get near the sheep - lion, to tell it that it was not a sheep but a lion; but the poor animal fled at his approach. However, he watched his opportunity and one day found the sheep - lion sleeping. He approached it and said, "You are a lion." "I am a sheep," cried the other lion and could not believe the contrary but bleated. The lion dragged him towards a lake and said, "Look here, here is my reflection and yours." Then came the comparison. It looked at the lion and then at its own reflection, and in a moment came the idea that it was a lion. The lion roared, the bleating was gone.

You are lions, you are souls, pure, infinite, and perfect. The might of the universe is within you. "Why weepest thou, my friend? There is neither birth nor death for thee. Why weepest thou? There is no disease nor misery for thee, but thou art like the infinite sky; clouds of various colours come over it, play for a moment, then vanish. But the sky is ever the same eternal blue.

SOURCE: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda; 

                  Volume-2: The Real Nature of Man; P-86 

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION FOUNDATION DAY

Today 117th Foundation Day of Ramakrishna Mission is celebrated at Belur Math. Below are some snaps of the function. Revered President Maharaj chaired the meeting and gave benediction.

Welcome Address(click here) was given by Swami Suhitanandaji Maharaj, the General Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math. 

Foundation Day Decoration

Invocation by Brahmacharins

Welcome Address by Swami Suhitanandaji, the General Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission

Keynote Address by Swami Bhajananandaji, Asst. Secretary, RK Mission, Belur Math

Speech by Swami Suviranandaji, Asst. Secretary, RK Mission, Belur Math

Benediction by Swami Atmasthanandaji, President, Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math 

Audience

A section of the Audience

A section of the Audience

A section of the Audience

A section of the Audience

 Video Presentation on Swamiji150th Birth Anniversary Celebration Project Report

VIVEKANANDA RATHA YATRAS

A total of 10 Ratha Yatras were launched to cover the following States and Territories: 1.Andhra Pradesh, 2.Bihar, 3.Chandigarh, 4.Chattishgarh, 5.Haryana, 6.Himachal Pradesh, 7.Jharkhand, 8.Karnataka, 9.Madhya Pradesh, 10.Maharastra, 11.Pondicherry, 12.Punjab, 13.Tamil Nadu, 14.Uttarakhand, 15.Uttar Pradesh and 16.West Bengal. 

GIVEN BELOW LINKS FOR RATHA YATRAS THAT ARE  ORGANISED BY RAMAKRISHNA MISSION CENTRES WITH THE MEMBER ASHRAMAS OF THE RAMAKRISNA-VIVEKANANDA BHAVA PRACHAR PARISHADS AT DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA ON THE OCCASION OF 150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA:

1. Andhra Pradesh Ratha Yatra by Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad: Click the Link here

2. Maharashtra Ratha Yatra by Ramakrishna Math, Pune): Click the link here & Mumbai Ramakrishna Mission : Click the Link here 

3. Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry Ratha Yatra by Coimbatore Ramakrishna Mission: Click the Link here

5. West Bengal Ratha Yatra by Ramakrishna Math (Yogodyan), Kolkata-54: Click the Link here 

6. Karnataka Ratha Yatra by Ramakrishna Math & Mission Centres in Karnataka: Click the Link here 

A Chariot of Swami Vivekananda was flagged off at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Morabadi, Ranchi by Sri Prakash Tatia, Hon. Chief Justice of Jharkhant High Court on 25th April at 9.am.

The Chariot will move through 6 States viz. Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh.

Vivekananda Ratha, Hyderabad  Ramakrishna Math 

Vivekananda Ratha, Mumbai RK Mission 

Vivekananda Ratha, Coimbatore Ramakrishna Mission 

                                                   
                                       

NEW YEAR GREETINGS

HAPPY NEW YEAR.  MAY SWAMI VIVEKANANDA BLESS YOU

Today Swami Vivekananda's Image at Belur Math 

"They alone live who live for others."-Swami Vivekananda

VIVEKANANDA WRITES AND INSPIRES US

LETTER NO.:37

Vivekananda writes

Dear……………..,*

I will give you one advice however. All combined efforts in India sink under the weight of one iniquity — we have not yet developed strict business principles. Business is business, in the highest sense, and no friendship — or as the Hindu proverb says "eye-shame" — should be there. One should keep the clearest account of everything in one's charge — and never, never apply the funds intended for one thing to any other use whatsoever — even if one starves the next moment. This is business integrity. Next, energy unfailing. Whatever you do let that be your worship for the time.

We must reach the masses. The Madrasis are good, energetic, and all that, but the land of Shankarâchârya has lost the spirit of renunciation, it seems.

My children must plunge into the breach, must renounce the world — then the firm foundation will be laid.

Go on bravely. "With the horse will come the reins". Work unto death — I am with you, and when I am gone, my spirit will work with you. This life comes and goes — wealth, fame, enjoyments are only of a few days. It is better, far better to die on the field of duty, preaching the truth, than to die like a worldly worm. Advance!

Yours with all love and blessings,

VIVEKANANDA

*[You may treat these letters as if addressed to you]

Source: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda [Volume-V; Epistles - First Series; Letter no.: LXVI]

VIVEKANANDA RATHA YATRA IN TAMIL NADU

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA RATHA YATRA (2013-14) INAUGURATION: SEE DETAILS BELOW

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA RATHA