Apr 2017 May 2017

Volume 6 Issue 1
A Bi-monthly bulletin of Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation

In this Issue

Editorial
Atma Vikas Shibir I

KPS

PDC Edavilangu

PDC Kovilakath

SKIE camp & Swantanam

Atma Vikas Shibir II-Anandadham

Kendra Parichay Shibir

Science & Maths workshop conducted at
VKV Kallubalu
Regular Activities

News from Thiruvananthapuram centre

Ordinary Nay Extraordinary

 Volume 6 Issue 1 -2- Apr 2017 - May 2017

EDITORIAL

A Treasure Chest of Practical Wisdom

We must all possess a Treasure Chest from which we can, whenever we need, draw in-
spiration and practical guidance. Swami Vivekanandas famous observation Each soul is
potentially divine, the goal in life is to manifest this divinity.. form such a treasure
chest of practical wisdom. Whenever we have to talk or write about a spiritual topic and
whenever mind goes into convulsions we can immediately turn to those words and medi-
tate upon them. Like sun appearing above dark clouds will appear a new understanding
in our minds horizon.
Let me share one of my most recent experience. I was asked to talk about Shakti
swaroopini Sri Sarada Devi. Mind immediately thought of her strength of character,
practical wisdom, her message to humanity and so on. And of course as the divine con-
sort of an avatar, she was undoubtedly an embodiment of Shakti. But these are all theo-
retical projections oft repeated. There must be a much more powerful and practical
source of Shakti in her which won the admiration of even Swami Vivekananda. What
could that self-generating source of power? In search of that I opened my treasure chest.
The whole universe is filled with energy, potential and kinetic. Where lies more power
is the question. Which provides more Shakti to human life. Is that potential connected to
the potential divinity?
Whenever we come across a machine or even a toy, or a human personality our
mind starts wondering what is the secret of power behind that phenomenon. Sri Sarada
Devi was a very simple village girl whose life got catapulted into the orbit of an avatar, as
his consort. What an unbelievable elevation! And the amazing fact is that she managed it
amazingly to the amazement of one and all who came in contact with her. What was
that power that empowered her personality bestowing on it the Shakti bordering on di-
vinity?
Wonderful indeed is her life story. First and foremost Sri Ramakrishna convinced her
of her potential divinity and how to manifest it by controlling her nature external and
internal. He did it not through high sounding difficult expressions but through endearing
suggestions and guidance. She was to imitate her mother in law Chandramani Devi in all
her worldly behaviour and transactions. What Chandramani Devi must have been, needs
no repetition, as Bhagawan chose her to be his mother. She is at par with Aditi, Kousal-
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -3- Apr 2017 - May 2017

ya, Devaki and others who were blessed to be the mothers of divine personalities in our
puranas. She was epitome of goodness and utter simplicity in thought, words, and
deeds. Imbibing the extraordinary motherly qualities of love, sacrifice, service, and univer-
sal tolerance were her first lessons in acquiring Shakti.
This was the first cleansing and purification that Master achieved. The next was the in-
tricate internal cleansing of absolute purification and that was by establishing her in the
pristine purity of human soul through the rarest of rare Shoudasi Puja. This internal
and external controlling of nature made her purer than the pure and every vibration in
her thought, word and deed, devoid of any kind of worldly or selfish motivations endowed
her with highly potential divine power.
Her actions devoid of I, my and mine bore the imprint of Karma Yoga and Yagna, her
emotions sans attachment became purest form of love or bhakti and her universal experi-
ence of motherhood led to the expansion of her Self Knowledge, raising her to universal
teacher hood.
There was an iota of impurity in her, no leakage or scattering of spiritual energy so
that every action reflected karma yoga, every emotion became an expression of bhakti yo-
ga and every interaction emphasised Universal Oneness. Life itself was a wonderful
demonstration of Astanga yoga being an embodiment of samyama (controlled energy).
Thus did she become one with Shakti, no wonder Swami Abhedananda pays homage to
her through these wonderful words pavitram charitam yasya .
Yes, that was the Shakti behind her. The power of absolute purity gained through con-
trol of nature external and internal. Imitating her even in a small measure would be a
great source of self-empowerment for every man and women.
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -4- Apr 2017 - May 2017
ATMA VIKAS Shibir I
Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation conducts non-residential Summer Camps- Atma-Vikas
Shibir for children of all ages during the month of April and
May.
The first camp from 1st April to 7th April, was for the chil-
dren from classes VII to X. 42 children were enrolled. Children
were divided into five groups viz Akash, Vayu, Agni, Jal and
Prithvi, the pancha mahabhuta.
Mananeeya Lakshmi Didi was present for the formal inaugu-
ration of the camp. Apart from the daily routine of Vedic
chants, patriotic songs and a lecture on values or lives of great
personalities and yoga in the morning hours and creativity,
games and group discussion in the afternoon sessions, this
time we had 'Maths is fun' also, for example, each child had to
create his or her own figure out of the 7 geometrical shapes of
the tangrams. After this, each group had to compose a story
using the figures. Each group came out with beautiful stories!
There was a written test for the participants based on the lec-
tures they heard. Master Gokul Krishna of Class VIII got the
highest points.
The resource persons were Ma.Didi, Sri Sudhakarji, Su Suta-
pa, Smt Sakeena, Smt Jayashree, and Sri Dharmanji and for the
creativity session Kum Lakshmi Ponoth, leader of Jal group
taught flower making using straw and chart papers, Smt Prabha
taught flower making using nylon and organdi cloth pieces.
On the 7th evening after a parents' meeting for half an hour,
the concluding function was organized by the children them-
selves. Major General Vivekanandan, a close well-wisher was the
Chief Guest of the Shibir.
Volume 6 Issue 1 -5- Apr 2017 - May 2017
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -6- Apr 2017 - May 2017
KPS
A non-residential, three days Karyakarta Prashikshan Shibir was conducted from 11th April to 13th
April. 23 Karyakartas were present out of whom 11 of them were from Yoga Varga group, 7 from Sam-
skarvarga, 4 were well-wishers - from Kodungallur, and 1 from Thiruvananthapuram V.K. branch centre.

From 11th evening to 13th afternoon, participants were exposed to various facets of Vivekananda
Kendra's Karya Padhati to spread Swamiji's message to the nook and corners of India and world. Lec-
tures, group discussion, yogabhyas, games, and songs formed part of the Shibir. Organizing team was of
six Karyakartas.

PDC EDAVILANGU
A three days non residential Atma-Vikas Shibir was conducted by V.K.Vedic Vision Foundation for the
Samskarvarga children of Shrutam village of Edavilangu. 65 children attended. 30-36 children were
from classes III to VI, 10 from class VII and 20 from VIII th to Degree level. The Shibir was conducted in
the Shrutam Grama Seva Samiti Hall. Sri Sudhakarji delivered the inaugural address.
Apart from chants, songs, lectures, storytelling. Commands, and games, maximum time was kept for
making science and maths models from trash articles. A total of 27 working Science and Maths models
were made by children according to their capacities. There were 10 karyakartas from Kendra, assisted by
15 mothers belonging to the Seva Samiti, who guided the children in the making of science and Maths
working models. Children were divided into 3 groups after the names of great Indian scientists viz CV
Raman- for the youngest group( classes III to VI), JC Bose- for the children of classes VII and Ramanu-
jan- for children of class VIII to Degree level. Maximum experimental science models were done by the
third group. Overall guidance was from Sushree Lalitha Didi, life worker in charge of Vivekananda Kendra
branch center at Thiruvananthapuram.
On the third day, a display of all the models was arranged for the parents to see. Mananeeya Lakshmi
Didi and a popular retired teacher were the Chief Guests for the concluding function. All
the karyakartas were felicitated by the members of Srutam Samiti.
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -7- Apr 2017 - May 2017

WORKSHOP FOR SAMSKARVARG CHILDREN-ARIPALA

Under the guidance of Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, 10 regular Samskar Vargas are
being conducted in the Aripalam Panchayat area every Sunday by school teachers trained by Vivekanan-
da Kendra. 104 children belonging to these 10 Samskar Vargas, participated in the two days workshop
held on 19th and 20th of April. Sushree Lalitha Didi along with Kum. Nidhika (Nivasi Karyakarta) and Ab-
hijit from Thiruvananthapuram center, Su.Sutapa and 6 other local karyakartas, with the assistance of 10
teachers of Aripalam conducted the workshop. Many Maths and Science working models were made by
the children, which they displayed on the last day for their parents to see. Other interesting models made
by karyakartas were shown and the science behind each was explained to the children by Adaraneeya
Lalitha Didi. New songs, games, and commands were also taught. The organizers of these centers Sri K K
Binu, Smt Siju teacher and many others expressed their gratitude to all the Kendra workers.
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -8- Apr 2017 - May 2017

ATMAVIKAS SHIBIR - KOVILAKATH, EDAVILANGU

This time, the Kovilakath Dharmasabha members invited Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision to conduct
a Shibir for children from class III to XI.

Accordingly, a three days non-residential Shibir from 22nd April to 24th April was organized. This
type of a Shibir was held for the first time in Kovilakath. 40 children were enrolled.
Dakshin Pranth Sanghatak, Su.Radha Didi was present for the inauguration as well as throughout the
three days Shibir.

Children were divided into five groups according to their age, viz Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi,
Sw.Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita, and Ma.Eknathji. Apart from the usual routine, one hour in the afternoon
was planned for creativity class, where the small children were taught paper crafts and older ones made
science models. 24th evening was the concluding day. Prior to the concluding programme, the parents
and Dharmasabha members' expressed their opinions about the camp. All agreed that
a Samskarvarga should start in Kovilakath so that the children of the neighbourhood would be benefited
.Ma. Lakshmi Didi was invited for the concluding programme. Didi urged the need for mothers to pass on
the right type of samskaras to the children. The mothers' team at Kovilakath was a good one. 10 -15
mothers managed the vyavastha of the entire camp. They themselves cooked and served breakfast,
lunch, and tea and created a vibrant and homely atmosphere. How true it is when we remember what
Swami Vivekananda said that the real India could be seen in villages only!
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -9- Apr 2017 - May 2017
SKIE CAMP & SWANTANAM
The second SKIE residential camp for the academic session 2016-2017, was held from 4th to 7th May
2017 at Anandadham. The children were asked to report on 4th evening by 4 pm which they did. When
the children arrived the Swantanam program for the month was just about to begin so the children
were asked to join the same. Man. Balakrishnan Ji, Vice President of Vivekananda Kendra addressed this
session of Swantanam and the children were taken through a small talk on the Vivekananda Kendras
Bharata Parikrama. Man. Balakrishnanji also recalled about his journey in life of serving in the challeng-
ing environment of IAF (Indian Air force) and then responding to Mananeeya Eknathjis call and joining
the Kendra as a Jeevanvrati.
Volume 6 Issue 1 -10- Apr 2017 - May 2017
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -11- Apr 2017 - May 2017

ATMA VIKAS SHIBIR II-ANANDADHAM

The five-day non- residential Shibir for the small children, started from 29th April
and continued until 3rd May.56 participants from the age group of 6 years to 13
years were enrolled. Children were divided into three groups after three rivers of
Kerala - Periyar (classes UKG to III), Pamba (classes IV and V) and Nila ( classes VI
and VII).Seven kayakartas formed the organizing team The youngest amongst the
groups Kum.Avyaya lit the lamp and inaugurated the Shibir. Vedic chants, Hindi and
Sanskrit group songs taught by the members of the organizing team, stories and
action songs by Sri Murali Master, creativity and making of science and Mathemat-
ics models by the young resource team of karyakartas of Anandadham, formed part
of their camp schedule. Apart from that, Krida Yoga, Surya Namaskar, and Asanas, enacting in skits and
understanding the science behind some very in-
teresting science models of their level explained
by the youngsters of the resource team made the
Shibir a very interesting experience.
It was a blessing to have Ma. Balakrishnanji, All
India Vice President of Vivekananda Kendra, as
Chief Guest for the concluding programme.
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -12- Apr 2017 - May 2017

KENDRA PARICHAY SHIBIR

The ladies Yoga Varga team of 11 members participated in a 2 day Kendra Parichaya Shibir from 12th
May to 14th May at the headquarters of Vivekananda Kendra at
Kanyakumari. The uniqueness of the team was that all the members
were simple housewives. The others included one from the Samskar
Varga team and the 3 others who were the children of the partici-
pants, so a total of 15 members took part. Su Sutapa accompanied
them.
For the first time, they were exposed to such an environment and
some were even traveling for the first time. For all, it was their first visit
to Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari. Fortunately, Yoga Shiksha Shibir
was being conducted during that time in the campus, hence it was an
opportunity for them to interact with the YSS group and attend
along with them the morning prayers, bhojan and evening bhajan.
Dakshin Pranth Sanghatak Su.Radha Didi was with the group giving
them all the required support.
On the first day, it was only Ramayana Darshanam and then rest.
On the second day, they followed the daily schedule of the YSS partic-
ipants up to breakfast. A one-hour morning session was by the Office
Secretary Sri Raghuji. He spoke on Vivekananda Rock Memorial and
Vivekananda Kendra. After a short tea break, they were taken for the
campus visit. They visited Gramodaya Park where Sri Ramakrishnanji,
office -in -charge, briefed them about the multiferous activities of
NARDEP, a quick visit to ARISE AWAKE exhibition and then back to
PRASAD, for bhojan. After noon, they were taken to the Rock Memori-
al. After return from Rock and in the night assembly they put up a
beautiful yoga demonstration with music. The YSS participants, other
members of Kendra, were all present to witness and was appreciated
by one and all.
On the third day, after attending morning prayer, they were taken to
the beach to enjoy the sunrise. After breakfast, there were two sessions,
one by Su. Radha Didi on 'the need to associate with an organization
for self-unfoldment' and the second session by Ma. Balakrishnanji. The
value of yagna as part of life was the topic on which he stressed. An in-
troduction with Ma. Nivedita Didi and Ma.Bhanuji and lastly a conclud-
ing session was kept, by Su. Radha Didi, where each of them expressed
their opinions about the camp. In the evening they were taken to Gan-
gotri and Wandering Monk exhibitions and finally to Bhagavathi
Amma's temple to watch the 1008 Deepa Puja conducted by the work-
ers of RDP.Five of them took part in the Deepa Puja too.
On 15th May, when they boarded the train for their return journey, all
of them had no words to describe this unique Shibir except for uttering
that these were the most memorable days of their lives, thanks to the
Vivekananda Kendra members!
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -13- Apr 2017 - May 2017
SCIENCE & MATHS WORKSHOP CONDUCTED AT VKV KALLUBALU
Four Vidyarthi karyakartas Kum. Drishya, Kum. Anushree, Master Sheshadri, and Master
Kartikeyan accompanied by Su Sutapa from VKVVF Kodungallur center and guided by Adaraneeya Lalita
Didi of Thiruvananthapuram branch center were invited to conduct Science and Mathematics workshop
for the students of U.P.section of classes VI and VII and H.S.section up to class X. For the former section it
was PDC and the senior section had Science and maths workshop. Su Lalitha Didi was invited to guide all
the three activities, the third being Primary school teachers orientation camp.
The camps started from 22nd May and concluded on 26th.The PDC was conducted from 9.30a.m to 3.30
p.m. daily, Science and Maths workshop was from 10 a.m. to 12.30 noon and the teachers camp was kept
from 2 pm to 4 pm. Sushree Bindu, Sishuvihar teacher and Dharmasevika of V.K. Vedic Vision Foundation,
Kodungallur was a participant of the teachers camp.
It was an unforgettable experience for the student resource persons! The student karyakartas were given
the responsibilities of conducting games and teaching Science/Maths working models for the PDC stu-
dents during the afternoon sessions. For the senior students, they demonstrated explaining the concept
of each of the Science and Mathematics models they had brought with them and then helped the stu-
dents make their own in groups.
On the last days, both the junior and senior groups put up a beautiful exhibition. A model exhibition was
also put up by the student karyakartas. Prizes were announced for the best among the junior and senior
groups to boost them further.
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -14- Apr 2017 - May 2017

REGUL AR ACTIVITIES

Yoga Satra
Three ladies and 4 gents enrolled for yoga satra in the month of May.

Yoga Varga

Five ladies and 10 gents for the morning class and 15 ladies for the forenoon class attended regularly.

Ganapathi Homam and Sricakrapuja

Ganapathi Homam and Sri Chakra Puja were performed in the morning, Vishnu Sahasranama archana in
the evenings, on Pournami (full-moon) days which fell in the second week of April and May.

News from TVM VK Centre

Self-Management through Pranayama
Lecture cum Demo in ISRO Thiruvananthapuram
Workers from VK Thiruvananthapuram were invited to conduct a workshop on Pranayama for the sci-
entists and staff of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Thiru-
vananthapuram on 9 May 2017 in the premises of ISRO, Veli. A 2
hours session on Self-Management through Pranayama Lecture
cum Demo was attended by 250
members of ISRO. Later, 2 hours
practical session was conducted
for 24 participants based on regis-
tration seniority. Video of the en-
tire session is available in ISRO
website. PPT of the session was downloaded by 1100 members within
2 days of the workshop. VK Thiruvananthapuram has been invited to
conduct yoga session for International Yoga Day in ISRO.
Lalita M.S, Nagar Sanghatak, Kum Nidhika, Nivasi Karyakarta and Sri Narayana Kutti, Member, VK Thir-
uvananthapuram and HOD, Library, ISRO conducted the session. Kendra Thiruvananthapuram conducted
the yoga sessions. 6 wom-
en benefited from this Sa-
tra.
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -15- Apr 2017 - May 2017

ORDINARY NAY EXRAORDINARY

Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari

We may all be very ordinary persons. But there is hidden in us a fire which can produce sparks of
divinity when the situation demands. Very often when you ask a woman what she does, she shrugs her
shoulders and says, I am just a housewife. There is nothing like just a housewife. Even being just a
housewife or mother is a magnificent carrier, because the mother as the custodian of the family is also
the custodian of the societys culture and morals., because the family is the unit of the society and is
therefore the nursery for preserving its cultural values.
Being a housewife also provides plenty of opportunities for growth and expansion, provided
one is sensitive and sensible enough to catch the right moment in the right spirit. How a young ordinary
girl transformed herself into an extraordinarily service-minded doctor is the real life story that comes
through the following narration.
It was again one of those memorable days of Vivekananda Bharat parikrama 1992. We were
somewhere in Maharashtra. Most of the members were out attending different programmes. We were
alone. It was then that she began narrating her lifes story. I was very young when I got married to one
of my cousins. He was an orphan, his parents being no more. My Father educated him and made him a
doctor. Naturally there was no question of dowry, etc. Only the bare necessities were given by my father,
to help us to set up a small home at the town where my husband had his first appointment as a doctor
in the Government hospital.
Being young and spoilt as the only daughter of the house, I felt terribly unhappy at the bare
home which I had to preside over. No fridge, no proper furniture, no beautiful curtains, no Maruti
carno.nonomost of the time I was sulking. Looking back, I wonder at the patience of my husband
in those days, who went about indifferent to my sulking and attended to all the demands and entreaties
of his young wife.
One day, when my husband had already left for the hospital, a few men came in a taxi. They
carried a suitcase in and told me to keep it inside. It was meant for my husband for service rendered by
him. They went away promising to return later.
I couldnt contain my curiosity. Finding the suitcase unlocked I slowly opened it and lo!
Imagine my pleasant surprise when I found it filled with fresh currency notes! My prayers to Goddess
Lakshmi had been answered. I was sure. Here is what I badly needed to replenish my home. My mind
was racing new curtains, a fridge, maybe a car- now my neighbors would learn their lesson How they
were looking down upon me let them see now I was awakened from my reverie by the doorbell.
As soon as my husband entered the house he noticed the unusual brightness on my face. He
looked round and saw the suitcase. I informed him that his friends from the village had brought the
suitcase for the services he had rendered to them. What a wonderful gift! I have always told you that
Goddess will be pleased with us and would enter our home unasked. I started off. He caught hold of
 Volume 6 Issue 1 -16- Apr 2017 - May 2017
my hands and said, Not a word more. Take that wretched suitcase and put it out of the house. This home
is a sacred abode. Do you want to pollute it? Do you want your home to turn into a slaughter house of
human values? Do you want our children to grow up like brutes or as loving gifts from God? Do you want
your daughter to move around safely in the world or be molested and raped by the societys scum? Do
you want your son to wield a gun or a doctors scalpel? Do you want.?He was so angry and agitated.
I had never seen him like that before. I started crying and with great difficulty picked up the suitcase, put
it outside and came and stood beside him.
He continued: This is a bribe for me to write suicide in a case after post-mortem- instead of
murder. I refused to oblige and they came and left it here to tempt you. I shall have nothing of it.
You want money, luxuries, isnt it? You shall have it, but you shall earn them yourself. You are
young. I shall put you in the medical college and you shall become a doctor and earn money by being a
good doctor and rendering service to people. Never let any shadow of black money come into our home.
We shall keep our home sacred. Our children, when they grow up, shall be proud of us!
That was the turning point in my life. I entered the medical college, completed my studies. My
husbands words pulsate in every pulse beat of mine. Mine is a life of service. I go to the poor, to the
wretched who cannot afford to go to a hospital or to a doctor. The maximum fees I take from a patient is
Rs 10. It is not unusual that I go to attend a delivery case in their own house for no fee at all, paying for
my own rickshaw. I have no big house, nor a Maruti car. But I have had my reward. My husband is a
wonderful person, since that day he has never spoken one unkind word to me. My son and daughter
have grown up with all the brightness of intellect, tenderness of heart and efficiency of hands. One is
going to be an engineer and the other a doctor, my home is indeed a Haven of Bliss
This is a real life story of an ordinary housewife who took the right turn at the right time
without permitting the opportunities to slip by.
Values are highly volatile and tend to evaporate from our lives unless special efforts are made
to restrain them. Next to the individual, a family is the best container to preserve them. Custodians of this
container are undoubtedly the parents, with the mother having a decidedly superior capacity, thanks to
her biological and psychological closeness to the children.
There is no ordinary mother. All mother are extraordinary. Unfortunately many are not aware
of their extraordinariness and fail to recognise and fulfil their role in the lives of the children. Once they
recognise it, and start living their highest and most cherished values, in such homes values get
regenerated , for the most highly priced values of the individual and the family are no different from
those collectively and universally preserved by the entire mankind throughout human history.