Monthly Highlights – August 26
Greetings Everyone!!!
Have Faith — Rest Is Assured!
This is perhaps one of the easiest things to say,but one of the hardest things to truly live by.
Anything that we ask for generally comes from outside of us,but faith is the one thing that must truly arise from within.In that sense,faith is perhaps the only thing that is truly ours.To have complete faith in God,we must gradually overcome the feeling of “Me” and “Myself” and learn to surrender to the Supreme Being.
For those who begin their Dharmic journey with the belief that they are merely instruments in the hands of the Supreme Self,everything may initially seem smooth,inspiring and promising.
But as we progress on the path of Dharma,we inevitably encounter obstacles—situations that demand greater selflessness,patience and surrender. It is during these moments that our faith is truly tested.
As Sanatanis,we always turn to our great scriptures for guidance and seek to understand our experiences through the wisdom of our Itihasas and Puranas.This very situation can be beautifully compared to Lord Hanuman’s journey in search of Sita Ma.
At the beginning of his journey across the ocean,Lord Hanuman says that he will go to Lanka and return just like an arrow released from the bow of Lord Rama.His journey initially appears auspicious,as he is welcomed by the golden mountain Mainaka,who rises from the ocean to offer him rest and hospitality.
But soon,the nature of his journey changes.He is tested by Nagamata Surasa and later by Simhika.Each obstacle demands something different from him—strength, intelligence, humility, and unwavering focus on his purpose.Yet Hanuman does not allow these challenges to turn him away from his mission.
Even after reaching Lanka,his search for Sita Ma is filled with challenges.He searches extensively and,at one point,reaches the verge of despair,wondering whether he has failed in his mission.Yet he does not give up.He turns inward and reflects upon what he may have missed.At that very moment, surrendering himself to Lord Rama and offering his prayer,
“Namostu Ramaya sa Lakshmanaya…”
he is immediately led to the Ashoka Vanam,where he receives the blessed Darshan of Sita Ma.
This episode beautifully reminds us that when our efforts seem to reach their limits, surrender does not mean abandoning the effort. Rather,surrender gives us the clarity and strength to continue it.
Similarly,individuals and organisations that choose to walk the path of Dharma and dedicate themselves to the service of the Supreme Self must remember that faith is the ultimate key that opens the door to the Universal Self—the Parabrahman.
With our sincere prayers to Mother Kameswari to bless us with the strength to develop this unwavering faith in Her and continue our journey, we present our August Newsletter.
1.Shravana Purnima Upakarma Celebrated with a Grand dharmic gathering @ Sri Kameswari Veda – Shastra Pathashala – 28-08-26
It was a grand celebration of Upakarma and Rakhi on Shravana Purnima,held at our Gurukulam premises.
As part of the event, our Acharyas, Dr.J.Suryanarayana garu and Dr.J.Srinivas garu, addressed the vatus and the gathering on the significance of Upakarma,its traditional procedure and its inherent connection with our Sanatana educational system.
As Veda Adhyayanam traditionally commences from this day,our Vedam guruvugaru guided the students on the significance of this age-old ritual,explained what is expected of them as they undertake their Vedic studies and formally commenced the Adhyayanam.
The wholehearted participation and cooperation of the entire gathering made the occasion truly memorable.
Here is our video from the event,covering the following aspects and much more.
🌺People often say that Upakarma should be performed on the day of Shravana Purnima. But is it necessary for everyone to perform this Upakarma?
🪷How did our ancestors perform Upakarma, and how is it being performed by people today?
📚Is there any connection between Upakarma and our education or learning?
🤔How should Upakarma be performed according to the Shastras? Are people still performing Upakarma in accordance with the prescribed scriptural procedures?
🌹If you too have such questions, you can find answers to them through the Upakarma programme conducted on Shravana Purnima at Sri Kameswari Veda-Shastra Pathashala. ✨✨✨
Not only that, you can also learn how we can begin bringing back the glory of our traditional way of life into our present-day lives. 🙏🙏🙏
2. Dr.J.Suryanarayana garu Shared Valuable Insights on Learning Framework with students at Sanskrit University
Right from the day we start going to school or any educational institution, we are introduced to many new things that ought to be learnt for our survival.
As we all know, there is no age limit to learning because it is a continuous process and should remain a continuous process for our evolution from the human to the Supreme Self.
So, we try to grasp every piece of knowledge that interests us and incorporate it into our lives, be it low-level knowledge that is limited to the material world or high-level knowledge that transcends everything.
But sometimes, all our efforts to understand knowledge and transform it into wisdom become difficult and frustrating. We feel that we are missing out on something and that our knowledge is incomplete.
This is because we cannot simply start learning anything as and when we come across it. There is a learning path for everything. It forms the core knowledge that needs to be acquired before learning anything further.
If one can comprehend and master the art of learning, then that learning transforms into wisdom.
These days, this art of learning becomes even more significant in the context of our Indian Knowledge Systems. The reason is that if one tries to learn these only at a peripheral level, not only does the knowledge turn out to be futile, but it also creates more confusion than bringing clarity.
So, anyone who is willing to tread the path of learning Indian Knowledge Systems – first needs to clearly understand how to learn from a Shastric perspective.
It is indeed an excellent opportunity for our Acharya, Dr.J.Suryanarayana garu, to address the students at Sanskrit University on the topic of Learning Methodology, which includes Shaabdabodha Prakriya and Akanksha Paddhati, which form the base for learning Sanskrit-related studies.
We thank the Sanskrit Academy for inviting us to share our perspective on this important aspect.
3. Independence Day Celebrations by Sri Kameswari Veda-Shastra Pathashala along with the Community Members
Our Sri Kameswari Veda-Shastra Pathashala teamed up with the community members to celebrate the 80th Independence Day by hoisting our National Flag at the community play area.
It was an energetic and joyful event,with our students excited to be a part of the celebrations. The occasion also reminded us of our commitment to working towards freedom in our thought process and bringing back the glory of our Nation as a pioneer of knowledge.
4.Sri BalaTripuraSundari Devi Charitra — A Devotional Episode Series – Episode – 4 (Telugu)
Jagadamba Lalitā Devi always protects those who come to her with distress and surrender.The sacred story of how she appeared and saved the world was given by Brahmasri Tadepalli Raghava Narayana Sastry garu (Chandolu Sastry garu) through his book Sri BalaTripuraSundari Devi Charitra. We are blessed to bring this sacred devotional story through series of episodes.
In our 4th episode of this devotional series, we explore:
What did Bala Tripura Sundari Devi do after Her manifestation?
What did Lord Shiva do in the slaying of Bhandasura?
It was Lalita Devi who vanquished Bhandasura, so how did She manifest?
Did She go to war immediately after Her manifestation?
Through this episode, you will discover not only the answers to all these questions, but also the Tattva—the deeper philosophical truth—hidden within them.
You may also like
Monthly Highlights – July 26
Monthly Highlights – June 26
