Universal Brotherhood Day

Vivekananda Kendra Nashik branch had organized a lecture on Universal Brotherhood Day and Future of India by Dr Suruchi Pande on 4th October 2015.

Dr. Suruchitai Pande delivering the lecture 

Dr Suruchitai emphasized that it is not just tolerance about other people and faiths but tolerance is natural course when there is love. She quoted references from Ramayana, Atharvaveda and Rigveda and shared the Indian philosophy that love is not just for people but also for the plants, animals and our planet at large. 

"It is important to have confidence in oneself to love others and thus physical and mental strength has been given most importance in our scriptures" she added "Ultimately all the strength, love and tolerance should be devoted to national service and then only we can practically bring the concept of Universal Brotherhood in our life."

Two books namely "Samanya Mansache Asamanya Sanghatan" and "Darshan Dehyaasaktiche" by Shri. Arun Karmarkar were inaugurated by Dr Suruchitai.

 Dr Suruchitai inaugurating the books.

Note: Swami Vivekananda in his lectures at Chicago starting from 11 September 1893 gave a call for Universal Brotherhood. Hence every year 11th September is celebrated as Universal Brotherhood Day.

KumbhMela Activities from Nashik Kendra

Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred river. It is considered to be the largest peaceful gathering in the world millions of pilgrims come. This year the Kumbh Mela is in Nashik at the holy banks of river Godavari.

The Kumbha Mela is one of the biggest conferences in the world for spreading knowledge and Vivekananda Kendra Nashik is gearing up to spread the message of Thakur Ramkrishna Parmahansa and Swami Vivekananda by Sahitya Seva (service of making the literature available to the pilgrims).

To facilitate the availability of books on the Vedas, Vedanta, Thakurji and Swamijis teachings, Nashik branch has planned for 15 book stalls across Nashik. 

Inauguration of a book stall

Main book depot was inaugurated on 17th July in Panchavati area and other five stalls have been started in Indrakund (Panchavati), Poornima Bus Stop (Dwarka), Charwakchowk (Indiranagar). Mahamarg Bus Stand (Bombay Naka), Makhmalabad Naka, Kala Ram Mandir (Panchvati) and Bhadrakali.

 Book Stall at Bhadrakali

Books from Vivekanda Kendra Publications (Hindi, Marathi, English, Gujarathi), Ramkrishna Mission Publications (Hindi, Marathi, English) and Adwait Ashram Publications will be available at the stalls.

Volunteers from across India have come to Nashik for Sahitya Seva. Vivekananda Kendra Nashik appeals to Nashikities to contribute 3 days for the cause of spreading knowledge. For details on book stall and volunteering contact Vivekananda Kendra Nashik - (0253) 26210710 or 2510513.

Guru Purnima Celebration at VK Nashik

 Guru Purnima is celebrated across India and it is one of the five main utsavs (festivals) of Vivekananda Kendra. Observed on Ashad Poornima (Full Moon day) to inculcate respect & pride towards our forefathers; remembrance of our Guru - Ishwara - to prepare ourselves as an instrument in his hands to do his work with attitude of Sadhana.To acquaint with our Guru Tradition and to know about Guru Omkar To reconnect with Ishwara and to remind ourselves and to remind that we are his work.

At Nashik Kendra, GuruPurnima was celebrated by worshipping Omkar, the gurus - Thakur Ramkrishna, Sharda Ma and Swami Vivekananda.

Worshiping the Gurus

Followed by Bhajans from the Padavali by the karyakartas evoked spiritual atmosphere.

Bhajan Sandhya

The program was concluded by message from Smt.B Nivedita, Vice President of Vivekananda Kendra on "Relevance and importance of Gurupurnima in present world" It was conveyed to the audience by Shri. Pramod Wagh.

 Nivedita didi's message being delivered by Shri. Pramod Wagh

For more information on Vivekananda Kendra Nashik branch contact - (0253) 2510513 or 2621710.

International Yoga Day Celebration

Vivekananda Kendra Nashik had organized Yoga sessions for the students of Rabindranath Tagore Vidyalay and Kerela Ladies Forum Nashik on 21st June. Around 150 students came together and 45 ladies performed Yogasanas on the International Yoga Day.

Students performing Yogaasanas.

Kum. Prajakta Khedlekar, Smt Madhavi Sant and Sau. Shubhangi Joshi conducted 7 days workshop in order to spread awareness and teach the students techniques of Yoga. Shri. Madhukar Deshpande presided the function.

Students performing Bhujangasan 

 School principal and volunteers of Vivekananda Kendra Nashik

 Students performing yogasanas.

 Participants performing Yoga  

Vivekananda Kendra Nashik organizes regular Yoga classes for details contact : 0253 2621710

Activities of Vivekananda Kendra Nashik

 Vivekananda Kendra Nashik, works on the philosophy of "Man Making and Nation Building". The Nashik Kendra undertakes Yoga Varg, Swadhyay Varg (Study and discussion sessions) and Sanskar Varg (character development for school students) in various locations. The schedule for these activities is as follows:

1. Yoga Varg

Location                                Schedule                           

Indiranagar                            Everyday  4:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Ramwadi, Panchawati           Everyday 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

2. Swadhyay Varg and Bhajan Sandhya

Location                                Schedule                           

Shramiknagar (Satpur)          Saturday  5:30 p.m. to6:30 p.m. 

Ramwadi, Panchawati           Tuesday  6:30p.m. to 7:30p.m.

3. Sanskar Varg

Location                                Schedule                           

Kamathwade                          Sunday 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

(near Mauli Lawns)          

Ramwadi, Panchawati           Sunday  4:00p.m. to 5:00p.m.

Manikshaw Nagar                 Sunday   4:00p.m. to 5:00p.m

Swami Samarth Nagar          Sunday   4:00p.m. to 5:00p.m

Modern High School             Monday 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday 10:15 a.m. to 11:1 5a.m.

(Old CIDCO)

Happy Home Society            Wednesday 6:30 p.m. to 7: 30 p.m.

For details contact Vivekananda Kendra, Kausalya Nagar opp Water Tank, Ramwadi Panchavati Nashik.

Phone: (0253) 2510513 or 2 621710 or 9423637002.

From Successful To Meaningful Life

12th January, birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is celebrated as Yuva Din or Youth Day.  A program to mark this day was organized by Vivekananda Kendra, Nashik Branch  on 18th January 2015 and Shri. Vishwas Lapalkar (Maharashtra and Goa state coordinator of Vivekananda Kendra Kanya Kumari) delivered a lecture on topic " From Successful to Meaningful life".  Highlights from the talk.

 Shri Lapalkar addressing the audience

A] Who is a Youth?
Many times we refer individuals between 18 to 40 years of age group as youth. However youth is the one who does not beg, does not crib or worry but the one who works with enthusiasm, zeal and devotion.

B] The 5 - 4 - 3-  2 - 1 Rule:
What is success? Most of the time we define it by 5 4 3 2 1 rule. Vishwasji explained today's youth defines success by this rule meaning, 5 digit salary, 4 wheeler, 3BHK house, 2 children and 1 wife( at least in present Indian context). If we have a similar dream then we can be successful in achieving it but our life will not be meaningful neither fulfilled.

The audience

C] Four Stages of Man:
The prime objective of man is to ascend from being an ANIMAL MAN (selfish who lives and cares for himelf / herself) to MAN MAN (who lives and cares for family and society) to SUPER MAN (who lives and cares for the nation) and finally DIVINE MAN who lives and cares for every living being (including plants, animals, insects etc.) on earth.

D] The Five Yajnas 
 Right from  the time  we  are born  , we  are taken care of by nature, our parents  and  by society. Scriptures tell  us  that  it  is  time  to  give  back  to  all  when  we are  mature  enough to  understand the  value  of  paying  back  . The  pancha  maha  yajnas  are  a  daily  ritual  performed  to  repay  our debt  to   nature,  all  living  creatures,  to  fellow  human  beings, to  our  fore fathers   and  the  great rishis. A man in his effort for self development as mentioned above has to perform 5 Yajnas namely 1. DEV YAJNA ( For the deities who give us energy eg: sun, wind,rain etc ) 2. PITRU YAJNA (For the forefathers because of whom we are here )3. BHOOT YAJNA (For all living creatures who help us live and support our life eg: honeybees, birds, animals, plants etc) 4. MANAV YAJNA (For people or society) 5. RISHI YAJNA(To the great Rishis or sages who have given us this rich heritage and science of living)

E] Serving The Two Mothers 
It is essential to serve our mother who gives us birth but it is more important to serve the mother who has provided us with nourishment and opportunities to grow - mother India!

Books from Vivekananda Kendra

http://www.vivekanandakendra.org/