Jaya Guru Datta

The 7th Global Gita Conference was held in Haridwar Ashrama on the 24th and 25th October 2009.
Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived in Haridwar from Jaipur (via Delhi & Dehradun) on the 23rd October. Pujya Bala Swamiji had arrived from Mysore on the 22nd. In the evening of 23rd, Ganga Puja and Sahasra Linga Shiva Puja was performed.
On 24th morning Sri Swamiji was welcomed to the conference by the Trustees of Gita Foundation International Trust led by Dr. P.V. Nath from New Castle, England. Sri Swamiji proceeded to the the bathing Ghat abutting Haridwar Ashrama where after brief Ganga Puja, en masse chanting of “Gita Saara” Shlokas were sung. Sri Swamiji had composed this during the 2nd Global Gita Conference in Mysore Ashrama in 2004. This composition has 18 Shlokas, each conveying the essence of one chapter of Bhagavadgita. After the en masse chanting, the program shifted to “Kalyanananda Rang Sthal”, a stage built in the memory of Bhadra Kali Peetham’s founder, Swami Kalyanananda Teertha. In the first session Pujya Bala Swamiji gave a short English discourse on the essence of the 7th chapter of Gita – the Ganga Vijnana Yoga. Pujya Bala Swamiji's slow and perfect oration drew much applause. In his scholarly speech, Bala Swamiji said that the 18 chapters of Gita can be broadly classified in to three groups of 6 chapter each. The first six chapters discuss the Karma theory, the 7th to 12th chapters – the Jnana theory and and the 13th to 18th chapters – the Moksha theory. He said the Karma theory laid foundation to the next chapter of Jnana.

At 11 AM, inauguration of the conference took place. On the stage were present – Pujya Sri Swamiji, Pujya Bala Swamiji, Pujya Swami Ramdev, Sri. T. N. Chaturvedi, Patron of the GFIT Trust and former Governor of Karnataka and Dr. Nath. After lighting the lamp in front of a new Krishna idol, Sri Swamiji said that he had chosen this idol in Pushkar after visiting Brahma temple 2 days ago. Sri Swamiji stressed the need to carry the lessons learnt in the two day conference and the need to assimilate the lessons in daily life. Swami Ramdev applauded the efforts of the Trust and Sri Swamiji to hold annual conference dedicated to each chapter of Gita.

In the afternoon, more than 100 Sadhus were given Sadhu Bhandar (Annadana). The afternoon session saw a Nimbarakacharya traditionalist, Pujya Swami Gopal Sharan ji and a representative of Swami of Muniji of Rishikesh deliberate on Gita.

In the evening, Smt. Shyamala Bhave, a veteran Hindustani vocalist offered a short concert. Later, blind dancers from “Articulate” an institute that teaches Blind persons, performed Bharata Natya dance exquisitely. Their specially commissioned dance on the concept of Bhagavad Gita drew great applause.

On 25th Sunday, Pujya Swami Satyamitranandaji of Bharat Mata Mandir spoke for half hour on the importance of Gita. Thereafter Pujya Bala Swamiji spoke in chaste Hindi for half hour again on the 7th chapter of Gita. At 2 PM, Gangadhar a young boy from Vijayawada was tested his Gita Shloka memory by Bala Swamiji, Dr. Nath, Sri. Rama Murthy and Sri. Kumara Swamy. The Boy confidently faced all the queries and impressed the questioners and the audience. The last speech of the conference was that of Sri .K. G. Raghavan. In his incisive lecture for half hour, he spoke on the questions leading to 7th chapter, the questions in the chapter and the answers given by Lord Krishna to those questions.
With that the Conference concluded.

In the evening. Sri Swamiji sang a new Arati song on river Ganga. It is composed in Telugu language and closely follows the style of the popular “Jai Jagadeesha Hare” song. It was a ethereal atmosphere. On the banks of ganga, the quiet movement of the river, hundreds of devotees sitting on the steps of the bathing ghat, Sri Swamiji singing Bhajans, devotees leaving hundreds of lamps in the river and setting them afloat – all increased the special feeling.
In the morning, Sri Swamiji had performed Ganga Puja, Abhisheka to Shiva Linga, Ganapathy Homa, Sri Chakra Puja. After Puja, Sri Swamiji unveiled a bust size marble statue of Swami Kalyanananda Teertha in the hall in front of Bhadra Kali Temple. Sri Swamiji announced that the statue of the Swami would be looking at Mother Goddess.

On Monday 26th ,Sri Swamiji visited Rishikesh Ashrama. Sri Swamiji looked at the small shrine being constructed for Ganapathy near the Datta Shrine. Sri Swamiji said that a small statue of Hanuman also should be installed in the Ganapathy Shrine. Sri Swamiji lauded the efforts of Nuziveedu Devotees who host monthly Annadana in Rishikesh Ashrama. Sri Swamiji said the "Annadana Programs held monthly in Haridwar and Rishikesh Ashrama is very unique as food was served to Sadhus and pilgrims". This provides the best opportunity for a great Seva - said Sri Swamiji. Those who wish to donate for this monthly Annadana Program in Rishikesh or Haridwar are requested to send donations to "Annadana Trust" payable at Mysore and post it to Manager, SGS Ashrama, Datta Nagar, Mysore 570025. Please include the donation particulars.

Later, Pujya Bala Swamiji held a meeting about the upcoming "Silver Jubilee Celebrations of SGS Veda Patha Shala" at Mysore Ashrama to be celebrated in May 2009. Several unique and enriching programs are planned in the week long celebrations. Look out for more details.

Afternoon, Pujya Bala Swamiji visited "Paramarth Niketan" - the Ashrama of Pujya Chidanand Saraswati in Rishikesh. Called as "Muniji", the Swamiji is famous for the Ganga Arati that he conducts everyday to Ganga river. Bala Swamiji was affectionately received by Muniji and both the saints had a long heart to heart talk. Muniji took Bala Swamiji around Paramarth Niketan and suggested a Healing Music concert of Sri Swamiji in Paramarth Niketan on the banks of Ganga River.

26th October being the second "Karteeka Somavara", it was a wonderful evening in Haridwar Ashrama. Pujya Bala Swamiji conducted detailed Abhisheka to "Sahasra Shiva Linga" installed on the banks of river Ganga. Sri Swamiji later performed Arati and again sang the newly composed Telugu Bhajan "Ganga Arati" in Nata Bhairavi Raga.

With this program, the Haridwar visit drew to a close.

Sri Guru Datta

Pujya Sri Swamiji performs Puja to Ganga river and offers Arghya on 24th Oct morning

Sri Swamiji performed Puja to Sahasra Linga. Here we see Sri Swamiji looking at Ganga river after Arati.

The water form the Holy Ganga river sprinkled on devotees

Inauguration of the 7th Global Gita Conference. Pujya Sri Swamiji, Pujya Bala Swamiji, Pujya Swami Ramdev, Sri. T. N. Chaturvedi, Patron of the GFIT Trust

Dr. Gupta, Trustee of Gita Foundation International Trust welcomed the dignitaries and participants

Pujya Sri Swamiji speaks during the inauguration

Devotees and participants of the conference

Sant Gopal Sharan Das of Golok Dham, Vrindavan, spoke. Dr. P.V. Nath is seen sitting beside.

Over 100 Sadhus were served with Sadhu Bhandar on 24th Afternoon

Vishwarupa Darshana by visually challenged dancers from Bangalore. Their presentation was exquisite

October 25th 2009 - Master Gangadhar chanted Shlokas from Gita and explained its meaning in Telugu, Hindi, English and Sanskrit drawing admiration from Sri Swamiji and Swami Sathyamitranand of Bharat Mata Mandir, Haridwar

Pujya Asangananda Swamiji, Maha Mandaleshwar of Parmarth Niketan Ashrama spoke on 25th

Marble statue of Swami Kalyanananda, Founder of Bhadrakali Peetham was installed by Sri Swamiji.
He donated the Ashrama to Datta Peetham.

Gita Ashthavadana by Master Gangadhar. Pujya Bala Swamiji, Dr. Nath, Sri. Rama Murthy of USA and
Vid. Kumaraswamy of Vrindavan asked random Shlokas from Gita asking the young boy to complete.
He admirably completed every Shloka.

Dr. Nath and Mrs. Satyavati Nath present "Loka Kalyana" award to Pujya Sri Bala Swamiji

Sri. K. G. Raghavan, senior Advocate - spoke on the advocacy skills of Lord Sri Krishna as reflected in Bhagavad Geeta

Pujya bala Swamiji performed Shashthi Snaana in Ganga on 24th evening

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