Monthly eMagazine of the International Vedanta Mission

Vedanta Sandesh
Year - 23 Issue 2
Aug 2017

Janmashtami Greeetings
 Cover Page

This month our cover page is dedicated to Sri Krishna

Janmashtami, which falls this year on the 14th/15th Aug.
Janmashtami (Vaishnav) falls on the Ashtami tithi in the Krishna
Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada. This year it is said to be the 5244th
Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna.
Birth of the unborn itself is a very thought-provoking word.
Obviously the implication of the word birth cannot mean, that
something non-existent came into existence, it implies that something
which was already existing but was in an unmanifest state manifested
in a realm which is perceptible to our sense organs. He was earlier in a
state which was not in the domain of our sense-organs. Manifestation
of the infinite as a finite has so many messages & lessons for us. One, it
implies that the meaning of infinitude is not as we appreciate it to be.
We see a unique & beautiful form and conclude that coming & going
of the form, as well as limitations of that form in time & space, alone
is finitude. However, the lesson is that infinitude is not discerned by
taking the form alone as the real divinity, but motivates us to turn our
attention to 'that' which which was earlier unmanifest and has because
of his amazing powers can manifest. That obviously negates all our
notions of the form alone to be the reality. No wonder Lord Krishna
says in the Gita that both my Birth & also various Karmas are worthy
of great meditation. One who knows the secret of these both shall also
V edanta Sandes h

be free from transmigration. Jai Sri Krishna.

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 CONTENTS Vedanta Sandesh
August 2017

1. Shloka 5

2. Message of P. Guruji 7-8

3. Tattva Bodha 9-14

4. Letter 15-16

5. Gita Reflections 17-21

6. We Must 22-28

7. Jivanmukta 29-30

8. Story Section 31-34

9. Mission / Ashram News 35-48

10. Forthcoming Progs 49

V edanta Sandes h

11. Links 50

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 Monthly eMagazine of the International Vedanta Mission
Aug 2017 : Year 23 / Issue 2

Published by
International Vedanta Mission
Vedanta Ashram, E/2948, Sudama Nagar,
Indore-452009 (M.P.) India
http://www.vmission.org.in / vmission@gmail.com

Editor:

Swamini
Samatananda
Saraswati
V edanta Sandes h

4
 ukuksikf/ko'kknso
tkfro.kkZJekn;%A
vkReU;kjksfirkLrks;s
jlo.kkZfn&Hksnor~AA
Just as flavour, colour etc. are superimposed on wa-
ter, even when it has nothing to do with it; so also condi-
tionings such as caste, colour and position are just super-
imposed upon the Atman.

Atma Bodha - 11
V edanta Sandes h

6
 Message
from
Poojya Guruji

India at Crossroads
India is at the crossroads of making history. Politically, a situation has been
created, after thousands of years, when the Chief Executive - the PM, the Con-
stitutional Head - the President, and also the Chairpersons of both the Houses
of Parliament are those who draw inspiration from the cultural & spiritual lore &
ethos of the country. They are people for whom the nation comes first. This is
a historical development, and result of the following of the true principles of the
Hinduism, which is magnanimity and well-being of all.

Earlier also there were ethically both good and bad people ruling the coun-
try and its various parts at different points of time, but rarely they drew inspiration
from the magnanimous philosophy of the Upanishads. Not that this spiritual tradi-
tion and its followers died, but they were certainly not there in the ruling lot, and
thus translation of these magnanimous values never got a chance to manifest at
the macro level by the ruling elite. When the true magnanimity as per the Vedic
lore is not there, obviously in its place those values which are motivated by frag-
mentary & sectarian concerns rule the roost. Many times such rulers also tried to
do good in their own ways, but obviously the difference is visible for the world &
the posterity to see. Good intentions alone are not enough, what is more impor-
tant is the right & valid philosophy of life, wherein, the finite or more specifically
V edanta Sandes h

the individuality, is seen as an expression of the the infinite. Broadly speaking all

7
 the philosophies can be divided into two categories, one, where the individual is
a separate entity from the world, its people and also its creator, and two, the indi-
vidual is an expression of the infinite. The latter is the philosophy of non-duality as
revealed in the Vedanta. Not only ones own individuality, but also the individuality
of everyone - humans or other beings. When it is just one which is expressing
as many, then obviously there is love for all. The prayers for the well-being of all
is not a matter of convenience, but is an expression of deeper vision & fact. It is
this philosophy which makes the real difference. The thoughts & actions of all the
people who can appreciate this subtle vision & fact, emanate from a state of love
& fulfillment, and not their for ego-fulfillment and other sectarian considerations.
The consequence of such fragmentary philosophy is basically for either the fulfill-
ment of the individuals, or assure the security & continuity of their own people.
Such a perception divides the society & the world and a divided society can nev-
er exude the best of fragrance. Vedic philosophy stands apart by revealing that
every manifestation is my manifestation. True magnanimity is the consequence
of such a philosophy.

All the woes of the world are result of petty perceptions of its rulers. Wheth-
er it were the earlier wars & world wars, or present day conflicts behind all such
frictions is the existence of fragmentary perceptions. Philosophy thus is not a past
time of few intellectuals, but right philosophy is something which directly affects
our day to day life and also this planet on the whole. It is also a fact that every
faithful believer is not aware of the philosophical dimension of their tradition, sim-
ply because the vision of the world & all its individuals is something very subtle,
and only rare few truly appreciate its significance. However, we hope for the best,
and the present dispensation make the best of this opportunity and not only work
for the well-being of all our countrymen but exude its fragrance at the world stage
too. Everyone desperately needs to taste the elixir of the philosophy of non-duali-
ty. If this opportunity is lost then it will indeed be a great loss, and we do not know
when we shall get this opportunity again.
V edanta Sandes h

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 TATTVA
BODHA

Evolution from the Sattva Guna

Swamini Samatananda
 Tattva Bodha
I n the previous section we studied about
the evolution of the Five elements from the subtle to the gross.
These five elements form the material cause of the creation. It
was also revealed that the five elements also constitute the three
Gunas namely the Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
The Acharya now goes on to reveal that from these five
subtle elements are formed the five sense organs of knowledge.
These five sense organs are part of the Subtle body. It is impor-
tant to understand that the five sense organs of knowledge are
not the physical parts that we see as our eyes, ears etc, What
we can percieve physically are like the house of the organs of
knowledge. The actual sense organ is the subtle pottential or
faculty with whose blessing we are actually able to see and hear.
The sense organs are born of the five elements and as we now
know that each element is constituted with the three gunas.
In that case we now need to see which sense organ of
knowledge is born of which element and which guna.
Shankaracharyaji says that out of the Sattvik aspect of
each element each gyanendriya is born.
Among these five great elements, out of the
sattvic aspect of space, the organ of hearing-the
Ear is evolved. The space produces the ears
and not any other sense organ because sound
V edanta Sandes h

10
 Tattva Bodha
is the unique property of space and it is only the faculty of the
ears which recognizes sound. Hence the ear is evolved of the
element of Space. In that case which ever element is born of
which ever element the sense organ percieves the special prop-
erty of that particular element as their very existence depends
upon the existence of these elements.

,rs"kka iaprokuka e/;s vkdkkL; lkfod vakkr~

Jks=sfUnz;a lEHkwre~A
From among these five great elements, out of the Satvic
aspect of Akasa, is evolved the ear, the organs of hearing.

ok;ks% lkfodkakkofxfUnz;a lEHkwre~A

From the Satvic aspect of Vayu (air), is evolved the Skin,
the organ of touch.

vXus% lkfodkakkPp{kqfjfUnz;a lEHkwre~A

From the Satvic aspect of Fire, is formed the Eye.

tyL; lkfodkakknzlussfUnz;a lEHkwre~A

From the Sattvic aspect of Water, is formed the tongue, the
organ of taste.

i`fFkO;ka lkfodkakkr~ ?kzk.ksfUnz;a lEHkwre~A

From the Sattvic aspect of Earth, is formed the organ of
smell.
V edanta Sandes h

11
 Tattva Bodha
Likewise from the Sattvik aspect of air the organ of
Touch is evolved. This sense organ recognises the property of
Vayu which is Touch and which is also the special additional
property of Vayu.

From the Sattvik aspect of Fire is evolved the organ of
sight the Eyes. We can see that Agni now has three proper-
ties-Sound, Touch and Form. Of which Sound and Touch are
the properties of Aakash and Vayu and so the special property
of Agni is form and colour. This property is percieved by the
Eyes.

From the Sattvik aspect of Water the sense organ of
taste is born. It is the Tongue. It recognizes taste.

From the Sattvik aspect of earth is born the faculty of
smell, the Nose. The Nose recognizes gandha i.e. smell.

Thus the organs of the sense of knowledge are evolved

out of the Sattvik aspect of the individual five elements.
Knowledge is an effect of Sattva Guna and as these organs
are made up of the Sattvik aspect they are the sense organs of
knowledge.
V edanta Sandes h

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 Mail from
Poojya Guruji
The Next Step
Hari om !

I am happy to know that you have been regularly doing your daily
prayers, including the prescribed japa and meditation, and now you wish
to know that what is the next step for your spiritual unfoldment.

The very fact that you have been regularly & religiously doing your
prescribed sadhanas obviously shows that you are not only enjoying
it, but also find it inspiring and invigorating. Devotion unto God is all
about bringing about such a mind. The ritual part or the physical part
of any prayer (like sitting in a particular place & time in a particular
way, chanting, puja, offering flowers, incense, aarti etc) is just a help
or facilitator to discover a lovely positive mind. This alone matters and
in fact is the real goal. You need to discover a mind, which is peaceful
& feeling blessed. Once you have discovered such a mind, and can be in
such a state even for a short time, then the next logical step is to try
to retain that beautiful mind at other times & places. From controlled &
favorable conditions, to uncontrolled and even unfavorable conditions.

So the next step, is to incorporate your love for God at all other times
of the day. You may not be doing prayers is the earlier sense of the
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term, but nevertheless you are in a prayerful mood all the time. The

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 best & easiest way to do this is to change your identity. Take yourself
as an instrument, a messenger of God. Change your very perception and
also identity - from an isolated, limited & fragile individual to a person
who is a representative of an extremely powerful, intelligent divinity.
It is this benevolent God, who has created you and me, and also the
stage of our lives and then at an opportune time & place, he has sent us
here. So we are indeed HIS messengers, you can even take yourself as
a child of God, regarding whom we say prayers like - you are my father,
mother, friend etc. So why not change your very identity so that in
your heart of hearts you are ever connected to God, so intimately. It
is this perception which changes our identity.

So changing of the identity from an unconnected, isolated & limited in-

dividual to an ever connected one with the ultimate power & source, is
the next step in your spiritual sadhana. This step is of very far reach-
ing consequence, it is devotion of a very high order, because it is reve-
ling in devotion unto God at all times. Convert your daily prayers session
into a kind of charging session, and thereafter remain connected with
God. Try, and let me know your experiences.

Love & om,

Swami Atmananda
V edanta Sandes h

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 Gita Reflections

e;k rrfene~ loZe~

txnO;DrewfrukA
eRLFkkfu loZ Hkwrkfu
u pkga rs"kOofLFkr%AA
V edanta Sandes h

(Gita 9/4)
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15
 Mayaa Tatamidam Sarvam
(e;k rrfene~~ loZe)~

Swamini Samatananda

I pervade this entire creation in my unmanifest

form. Everything that exists, depends upon me,
but I am not dependent on anything whatsoever.
V edanta Sandes h

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 Gita Reflections
I n the 9th Chapter of the Gita Bhagwan Sri
Krishna says - Maya tatam idam sarvam jagat avyakt moortina -
meaning, I pervade this entire creation in my unmanifest state.
Avyakt Murtina is a realm of existence which is not available for
objectification by our sense organs. That which is beyond objecti-
fication means that we require our Gyana-Chakshu for its appre-
ciation.

As the subtlety on an object increases so also does its perva-

siveness. Being subtlest God is all pervasive. When the Lord says
by Me the entire creation is pervaded it points to the Nirakara
Ishwara. Ishwara, who is of the nature of Sat Chit Ananda, and
also weilds his creative shakti of Maya. Maya Upahit Chaitanya.
He is the very cause of creation, he existed even before time &
space, and thus is not limited by them. Seeing God as the founda-
tion, the author and creator of everything that exists, is the mes-
sage revealed in this very lovely sloka from Gita Chapter Nine.
Bhagwan says that I am not seperate from the creation, dont take
me as the one who is seated in heaven watching you. The planets,
the stars, the waters, the animals, the birds & all mankind, all
are borne out of me, and thus are pervaded by Me alone. I alone
am the unmanifest which is the substratum of all manifestations.
This sloka reveals an amazing truth of the world. The message
herein brings about a paradigm shift in ones life. One wonders
where from all the creation began, how is it sustained and where
does it all go. This is the most amazing and wonderous truth of
the world which all human beings must aim to know and interesting-
ly only a human being is potent enough to even know it.
Appreciating the unmanifest form of Bhagwan, we also
need to see how this appreciation can be brought about. The jour-
V edanta Sandes h

ney begins with faithful devotion towards God by having an Ishta

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17
 Gita Reflections
Devata - a personalised God. A personal relationship with God is
the best means to invoke and deepen the bond of love with God,
bring about fearlessness and a stress free mind. An amateur per-
son comes to worship many Gods out of fear. The fact is that each
person is inspired by a Devata, be it Hanumanji or Sri Krishna, in
his own personal way. Who ever is our idol of inspiration what is
important here is to channelise ones devotion towards one form
of God and seeing him as the Supreme Being. All the powers in
the world, & inspiration are in one Ishta Devata of mine. Having
this nature of a relationship one lives in the world as a repre-
sentative of God making every action as a service unto him and
seeing all manifestations as his divine glories. Once we develop
love and surrender at the feet of ones Ishta Devata and can see
him intensely in one particular form then one is guided to see the
same God in a more expansive way. We come to appreciate that
he alone is pervading the entire creation and so everythingis an
embodiment of God.

This attitude of seeing God universally prepares us to see

God beyond the names and forms. This is diving into the Unman-
ifest-the Nirakar Ishwara. The objective of worshiping a particu-
lar form was to invoke devotion. However, one has to grow above
that too. The limitation of seeing God in one form is that it will
limit my vision of seeing God everywhere and moreover we will
also limit god. God is more than one form and also beyond it.
For a devotee god is always loved but now he is curious to know
what God was before his manifestation, during manifestation and
thereafter as well. He is the unmanifest from where all is mani-
fested and then goes back into it. Just as a wave is born of the
water,is sustained by it and then glides into it. Wave is a form
and the basic substratum is the water. Likewise the Unmanifest is
the seed from which all manifests and then goes back into it. God
V edanta Sandes h

is basically unmanifest this is the message given here. He is all

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 Gita Reflections
pervading because the unmanifest is limitless. If a person is only
focused on the manifest then he will be bound by birth and death.
Bhagwan says enjoy the beauty of my manifestation, but know
that this is my Maya Shakti. And Maya is an illusory power. Know
that which is the substratum from where we have come and will
go back into. I am every where this is a fact. The manifest is seen
with the eyes and the Unmanifest is seen with the intellect. We ex-
perience the trailer of going into the Unmanifest in our deep sleep
where all our faculties glide into the unmanifest and hence there
are no worries or pain. But one must understand that this is not a
state of knowledge. In deep sleep we go into the Unmanifest out
of fatigue where as a Wise Man discovers this state by knowledge
of Jiva and Ishwara.

The Manifested has its own beauty and significance from

where our journey begins. All our physical and mental require-
ments and even spiritual sadhanas are fulfilled here. This state of
the Unmanifest and beyond is my real nature which is Sat Chit and
Ananda-Existence, Awareness and Bliss. We must learn to appre-
ciate this nature of the Self and aim to awaken into it.
V edanta Sandes h

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19
 WE MUST

15

Break your shell, open your wings and fly

 - 15 -
We Must
Listen to Learn

P.P. Gurudev
Swami Chinmayanandaji
V edanta Sandes h

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 We Must
L istenmoreandlearnmore,mustbetheconstantslo-
gan of a mind that is on the great march to worlds of expand-
ing ideas, thoughts and actions. An evolute makes use of all his
opportunities, shuns no experience, listens to everything, within
and without, digests them, to make them all his own personal
knowledge. To listen is not merely to hear. We in life hear, but
very rarely do we know how to listen. Hearing is the function of
the ear, and whether we like it or not sounds from the outer world
will always be reaching our ears, and the ears cannot but hear
them all. The clamour of noise and speech around us is heard
by us; but how often do we listen? It must be the experience of
many to have once exclaimed: Oho! Yes, I think I have heard this
said, but I have never given it a thought so far. To listen is to hear
with an intellectual alertness and attention of awareness. When
we immediately digest what we hear, and through reflection as-
similate it into our memory and make the new information, facts
or ideals the essential part of the very thought pattern in us,
then the process becomes listening. We may hear a truth a mil-
lion times it just gushes towards us, washes down over us, leaving
us just where we were. When we listen to a truth even for just
once, we are no more the same we expand, we grow, we deepen
why? Surely because we get totally transformed. Thus our mind
must be in a quiet alertness to be fully receptive, that it may first
comprehend, then finally come to appropriate the subtle thoughts
of great Sages and the deeper messages in their actions. Mind
V edanta Sandes h

held in such a receptive attitude of extreme attentiveness can

even generate by itself new ideas, or it can come to receive fresh

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 We Must
streams of original thoughts. We often do. Even while our hands
are engaged in work, if the field of our activity is a satisfying at-
mosphere of joy for us, very often we are entertained by the cool
visitation of dynamic and original ideas. But we fail to listen to
them so they escape our notice. They disappear, leaving no foot-
prints on the floor of our memory. The art of listening makes an
individual creative, dynamic and full of potential success. This
art gives us the chance to learn most from our environment of
people and happenings. Frequently in the world we meet people
who are anxious to speak; very rarely do we find an intelligent
one to listen. Listen and learn; it is the secret of expanding our
knowledge and deepening our understanding. Learn to listen and
grow into new dimensions of thought, feeling and action, then
expand into the joyous realms of spiritual experiences. We Must.

This self-growth is one of the paramount responsibilities

of every one of us. We must constantly strive to grow and find
therein we have won fresh abilities to better serve the world. We
must grow in power gathered through prayer; in tenderness cul-
tivated through devotion; in a well-equipped understanding gar-
nered through study, and in a spirit of total dedication achieved
through spiritual insight. . . . We Must.

The Lord, the Supreme, dwells in the heart of all and His
Glory peeps out through our equipments. When we tune up and
thus purify our equipment, the Divine shines out with a greater
dash, and we call these rays of His Glory, shooting out through
us, as our abilities and efficiencies. Therefore, to cultivate better
V edanta Sandes h

talents, to fully employ our sharpened faculties and to make use

23
 We Must
of all our opportunities to serve others is to seek and serve Him.
Can there be any greater mode of worship, any sterner tapas,
any larger yagna? The powers that we find in our selves today
are a free gift from Him, and there can be in us no other mode of
expressing our gratitude to the Lord than in developing them as
best as we can. To wipe at least a tear-drop from those around
us is to be melted in loving surrender at His Feet. Be assured
but be cautious that such confidence never becomes the goal that
reward and recognition, gratitude and respect of the society and
of the future generations await us. Let us take a pledge today to
live a larger and fuller life of greater usefulness and service to all
others in the world. Let us dedicate our present talents, whatever
they be, in the loving service of the community in which we live.
Watch how these talents grow from sincere and honest employ-
ment, how the field of work starts stretching wider all around
when we plunge into our dedicated labour from a heart thrilled
with pure love and tender kindness. The noblest service we can
do is that which we render unselfishly, quickly, silently, without
any expectation of gratitude or reward. We need not wait for any
special occasion to serve the world. Let us do whatever we can, as
a sincere adoration of the Lord, in the service of the living crea-
tures who are less fortunate than we. It may be sending a kindly
letter to a friend, sending some flowers to an unhappy pal, a smile
of encouragement to one who has had a great disappointment
recently. Let us visit the sick, serve the unfortunate children, con-
gratulate the successful, sympathise with the down and out visit
an orphanage, drop into a rest home, smile with some ailing old
couple, bless a newly-wed couple, condole a bereavement or join
V edanta Sandes h

the celebration of a new-born baby anything, but let us do it right

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 We Must
away, let us pour out from us these conscious acts of kindness,
charity and goodness. Now is the time let us start here, today!
Now. We Must.

I often get letters, strangely enough, asking for sugges-

tions how the writer can make himself or herself useful. Such
a question itself shows that they have no love for the mankind;
they are not feeling the inner call to serve. They perhaps are plan-
ning to do something because they are bored with their own un-
productive idleness, their own uncreative exertions. If there be
true love for the living creatures, we would get so many ideas
that our only regret would be that each of us has only one pair of
hands to do all that we want to do. No mother asks anyone what
exactly she can do to serve her child!! Cultivate, we must, our love
for the creatures, and we must live the ecstasy of inspired service
of man: manava seva alone is the greatest madhava seva (serving
man is the highest service to God) . . This we must.

When we are serving the society, let it be well remembered

that we can do nothing to the world as a result of our service.
The work we are doing is all only our offerings unto the Lord.

The spirit of service must spring from our Love, and so

during the seva, our heart expands and we learn to watch the
gurgling flood of love swelling in its onward gush from us. With
this deepened and widened sense of charity, mercy, kindness and
goodwill to all, our heart opens out, and a seeker who contem-
plates from such a heart bursting with love alone can climb into
V edanta Sandes h

the heights within him. Love of creatures (Bhoota Daya) releas-

25
 We Must
es us from all our psychological encumbrances and intellectu-
al encrustation. When once the equipments are thus redeemed
from their inherent limitations, the seeker discovers in himself a
new vehicle with a special faculty the faculty of contemplation.
In such an individual, the thoughts steadily can march into the
meditations upon the nature of the Self, and he can come to ap-
prehend the Divine Essence behind the entire universe. To us,
the seekers of the Self, this seva of society, in the right attitude
of Karma-Yoga, is a means to purify ourselves and make us fit for
the meditative flight.

We Must listen to learn.

We Must serve with Love to grow.
We Must meditate to realise.
We Must.
V edanta Sandes h

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Jivanmukta
Wandering In
Himalayas

59

Amarnath Yatra

Excerpts from the Travel Memoirs of

Param Poojya
Swami Tapovanji Maharaj
 Jivanmukta
W e started for the cave from Panchta-
rangini at 10 a.m., after our meal. following the narrow, heavily
trafficked route, we moved slowly towards the cave, arriving by 1
p.m. After taking a dip in the extremely cold stream Amarganga,
which washes the foot of the cave and is ice clogged for some of its
course, we entered the Holy cave.

The whole place was reverberating with the cries of Am-

arnath baba ki jai and our hearts were filled with wonder and de-
votion. Forgetting everthing else in the frenzy of devotion, people
were pressing forward to the presence of the Diety. The cave is 150
feet high and as many feet long and broad. It is situated 13000 feet
above sea level. on the side of a rock 18000 feet high. Within the
cave, in four or five places, are ice formations resembling the fig-
ures of Gods. The biggest of those figures is regarded as the idol
of Mahadev (Amarnath). Among other idols that I remember are
those of Parvati and Ganesha.

Some believe that these figures are formed by the freezing

of the water trickling down through the cracks and crevices in the
rock during winter. Basing their surmises on external observation,
they say that between May and July these ice formations appear bigger,
and from Sept to Nov they disappear completely. But people of faith do
not accept this materialistic, atheistic view. Relying on ancient tradition,
they hold that the idols of Amarnath are not the result of water freezing
afresh every year; that there are no cracks in the rock; that the idols are
ice formation independent of seasonal changes; that like the moon, they
wane in the fortnight after the full moon and wax in the fortnight after
the New Moon, reaching their full size on Full Moon day.
V edanta Sandes h

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28
 V edanta Sandes h

29
Section
STORY

29
 Squirrels Ram-Sewa

H ere is a story from the Ramaya-

na. Lord Rama and his army of monkeys were preparing for
war with Ravana. Rama asked his army to build the bridge
over the sea. Work began at once on a stone bridge. The mon-
keys pulled out rocks and heavy stones from the mountains,
and carried them to the sea. They cut them into shape and
began to build the bridge. All this was very difficult work and
it took a long time. Thousands of monkeys worked night and
day. Rama felt happy. How hard they work! Their love for me
makes them work like this, thought Rama.

One day, Rama saw a small brown squirrel. He was go-

ing up and down the seashore with little pebbles in his mouth.
The little squirrel could carry only little pebbles at a time in
his small mouth. He carried the pebbles from the seashore
and dropped them into the sea. A great monkey was carry-
ing a large heavy stone on his back and the squirrel came in
his way. The monkey jumped back. Here, you little thing,
shouted the monkey in a voice like thunder, youre in my
way, I stepped back and youre alive now. But I nearly fell.
And what are you doing here?

The little squirrel looked up at the great monkey. Im sorry

you nearly fell, Brother Monkey, he said in his small voice,
but please always look where you are going. Im helping Rama
V edanta Sandes h

30
30
 Squirrels Ram-Sewa
build the bridge. And I want to work hard for him. You,
what? shouted the monkey and laughed aloud. Did you hear
that! he said to the other monkeys. The squirrel is building
a bridge with his pebbles. Oh dear! Oh dear! Ive never heard a
funnier story. The other monkeys laughed too. The squirrel
did not think this funny at all. He said, Look, I cant carry
mountains or rocks. God gave me only a little strength. I can
only carry pebbles. My heart cries out for Rama and Ill do all
I can for him. The monkeys said, Dont be foolish. Do you
think you can help Rama? Do you think we can build a bridge
with pebbles? He has a big army to help him. Go home and
dont get in our way. But I want to help, too, said the squir-
rel and would not go. He carried the pebbles again from the
shore to the sea. The monkeys were angry and one of them
picked up the squirrel by his tail and threw him far away. The
squirrel, crying out the name of Rama, fell into his hands.
Then Rama held the squirrel close to him.

He said to the monkeys, Do not make fun of the weak

and the small. Your strength or what you do is not important.
What matter is your love. This little squirrel has love in his
heart. O Vanaras, you are brave and strong, and are doing
a wonderful job bringing all these huge boulders and stones
from far and dropping them in the ocean. But did you notice
that it is the tiny pebbles and stones brought by this small
squirrel and some of the other smaller creatures which are
filling the small gaps left between the huge stones? Further,
do you not realize that the tiny grains of sand brought by
this squirrel are the ones which bind the whole structure and
V edanta Sandes h

31
31
 Squirrels Ram-Sewa
make it strong? Yet you scold this small creature and fling
him away in anger! Hearing this, the Vanaras were ashamed,
and bowed down their heads. Rama continued, Always re-
member, however small, every task is equally important. A
project can never be completed by the main people alone.
They need the support of all, and however small, an effort
should always be appreciated!

Rama then turned to the squirrel and said softly, My

dear squirrel, I am sorry for the hurt caused to you by my
army, and thank you for the help you have rendered to me.
Please go and continue your work happily. Saying this, he
gently stroked the back of the squirrel with his fingers, and
three lines appeared where the Lords fingers had touched it.
Rama held the squirrel closer to him and said. Little one,
your love touches my heart. He said these words and passed
his fingers gently over the little squirrels back. And when
he put him down there were three white stripes on his back.
These were the marks of Lord Ramas fingers.

No task and service to Sri Rama, however small, is un-

important! Every task should be looked upon as service to the
Lord, and his blessings will always be with us.
V edanta Sandes h

32
32
 Mission & Ashram News

Bringing Love & Light

in the lives of all with the
Knowledge of Self
V edanta Sandes h

33
 Mission News
Gita Gyana Yagna, Bharuch

by Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji

Sub: Gita Chap-2 / Drg-Dryshya Vivek

V edanta Sandes h

24th - 30th July 2017

34
 Mission News
Guru Poornima Celebrations

at Vedanta Ashram, Indore

V edanta Sandes h

Pooja by Ozas of Ahmedabad

35
 Mission News
Guru Poornima Celebrations

Also called as Vyasa Poornima

Bhandara in memory of Smt Ritu Datta

V edanta Sandes h

by Sh Avinash Datta, Mumbai

36
 Mission News
Guru Poornima Bhajans
V edanta Sandes h

37
 Mission News
Satsang in P.Gurujis Room

Special Vedanta-Saar Session

Visitors from Ahmedabad also join

V edanta Sandes h

The Evening Mandir Aarti

38
 Mission News
Visit to Janapao Teerth

45 Kms drive from Indore

Birth Place of Bhagwan Parashuramji

V edanta Sandes h

2nd July 2017

39
 Mission News
Visit to Sthaneshwar Mandir, Bharuch

Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji

Sh & Smt Manoj Kulchandani

V edanta Sandes h

25th July 2017

40
 Mission News
Visit to Rekha / Pradeep Sharma

Anagh welcomes Poojya Guruji

Rekha welcoming P. Sw. Amitanandaji

V edanta Sandes h

Angad & Pradeep welcome other Mahatmas

41
 Mission News
Blessings to Dr Subhash Garg

Retirement Party by Dr Subhash Garg

Was Pricipal of Govt Dental College, Indore

V edanta Sandes h

At Bhandari Farm - 30th July 2017

42
 General News
Vruksharopana - Tree Plantation

Saibaba Nagar Udyan, Indore

Plantation Drive by - Nagar Nigam, Indore

V edanta Sandes h

2nd July 2017

43
 Ashram News
Hanuman Chalisa Satsang - July 2017

by Poojya Guruji Swami Atmanandaji

Pravachan on the 21st Chaupayi

V edanta Sandes h

30th July 2017

44
 Ashram News
Shiv-Puja by Sakshi Chaitanya

Invoking Blessings on her Birthday

On 17th July, also the 2nd Savan Somvar

V edanta Sandes h

Taking Blessings of Poojya Guruji / Swaminiji

45
 Ashram News
Shiv Puja by Kirtiraj Kapoor

Birthday
Blessings
V edanta Sandes h

Under the Guidance of Sw. Amitanandaji

46
 Ashram News
Shiv-Puja by Suman Dikshit

Savan Somvar
24th July 2017

Abhisheka
V edanta Sandes h

Taking Blessings of Poojya Guruji

47
 Ashram News
Blessings to Manju Garg

On her Birthday

The devoted couple took Aashirwad from all

V edanta Sandes h

5th July 2017

48
 Ashram News
Savan Shringar / Jhanki

1st Somvar : Bhagwan Gangeswar as Amarnath

2nd Somvar : As Jagadeeshwara

V edanta Sandes h

3rd Somvar : Ganga-Avatarana

49
 Ashram News
Fourth Savan Somvar Jhanki

Pillar of Fire Jhanki (Anal Sthambha)

V edanta Sandes h

31st July 2017 50

 Forthcoming Programs
10th-15th Aug 2017

VEDANTA CAMP@ Ashram

Laghu Vakya Vritti / Gita-7 / Dhyana

Poojya Guruji and all Ashram Mahatmas

20th-30th Aug 2017

SHORT VEDANTA COURSE @ Ashram

Drg-Dryshya Viveka - in English

By : Poojya Guruji Swami Atmanandaji

18th-22nd Aug 2017

GITA GYANA YAGNA@ Amdavad

Gita Chap-3 / Shiv-Mahimna based Dhyana

Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji

18-th-22nd Sep 2017

GITA GYANA YAGNA@ Lucknow

V edanta Sandes h

Gita Chap-14 / Kena Upanishad - 1

Poojya Swamini Amitanandaji

51
 Visit us online :
International Vedanta Mission

Check out earlier issues of :

Vedanta Sandesh

Visit the IVM Blog at :

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Published by:
International Vedanta Mission

Editor:
Swamini Samatananda Saraswati