Sivananda Yoga - YOGALife Fall 1995

International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Swami
Vishnudevananda


YOGALife - Fall 1995

Table of Contents

·	Swami Vishnu-devananda Speaks On Samadhi, Rebirth & World Karma

·	Memories of Swami Vishnu-devananda

·	Subramanya/Ayappa temple

·	Yoga Vacations

·	Matsyasan - The fish position

·	Advancing in Sadhana

Subramanya/Ayyappa Temple, Val Morin, Quebec, Canada

"Because without devotion, without God's grace, all of our efforts are meaningless; we cannot reach the top. No matter how much we strive, Maya will over power and push us down. Devotion is very important on the spiritual path. God's grace must be there."
- Swami Vishnu-devananda

Subramanya

- leader of the celestial host.
Valli and Devayani, his two wives, represent Kriya Shakti (Action) and Jnana Shakti (Wisdom). Subramanya bestows material and spiritual prosperity, and success in every undertaking. Lord Ayyappa

Ayyappa

- known as the Lord of Kaliyuga (the Iron Age),
Ayyappa was born from the union of Siva and Vishnu. Hence he is called Hari (Vishnu) Hara (Siva) Sudan (Son) or Dharma Sastha.

Ganesha

- remover of all obstacles.
No action can be undertaken without Ganesha's support, Grace or Blessings. He is an embodiment of Wisdom and Bliss.

Mookambika

- represents the feminine energy of Brahman (the Absolute).
She has many names, each representing a certain Bhava (feeling). As slayer of Chanda, she is called Chandika. She is called Durga (for Power). As daughter of Parvatha, Lord of Mountains, She is called Parvati. In the form of Saraswati, as consort of Brahma (the Creator), she gives Wisdom. As Lakshmi the consort of Vishnu (the Preserver), She gives Wealth.

Four important festivals have been planned at the Temple for Summer and Fall, 1995:

JUNE

PONGALA.....SUNDAY, JUNE 25th, 1995
We began celebrating the festival 4 years ago, before the temple was built. The pooja is conducted in traditional Tamil style. More than 1,000 women devotees cooked their Pongala and offered it to Goddess Mariamma. This year we had greater participation from the devotees and the possibility, of building a shrine for Mariamma.

JULY

KAAVADI.....Sunday, July 30th, 1995
In 1987, Sri Swami Vishnu-devanandaji arranged for the first KAAVADI festival in Val Morin. Since then it is held every July. A record number of more than 3,000 devotees participated, carrying the Kaavadis in procession. This year the chariot with Lord Subramanya was pulled by devotees, rather than by a motorised vehicle. Preceding the actual procession were 15 days of family poojas. Young girl blowing a conch

SEPTEMBER

VIJAYA DASAMI (NAVARATHRI) . . . . . Sept 26-October 3
Vijaya Dasami celebrates the victory of the forces of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. For nine nights, the Divine Mother is worshipped in her three aspects: Kali, prior to creation; Lakshmi, in the abundance of manifestation; and Saraswati, with dawning of knowledge. This nine nights and 10 days of worship of the Divine Mother cover all the aspects of the creation. We will be celebrating Navarathri with a magnificent worship at the temple.

OCTOBER

SKANDA SHASHTI . . . . . October 24-29
Skanda Shashti is marked by six days of fasting as a penance. At the end of the six days, the devotees celebrate with a grand feast for having successfully followed their discipline and receive favours from the Lord.

Please see the most recent calendar of events at the temple.

The temple will remain closed for the winter from November 19th untill April, 1996. It will be opened for three special occasions only: Swamiji's birthday celebrations from December 25th until January 1st, 1996; January 14th for Makara Sankranti, a special pooja for Lord Ayyappa; and on Sivarathri day in Febraury, 1996. If a large group of people would like to visit or worship during the time the temple will be closed, please arrange it with the Ashram office.

Available Poojas and Offerings

Archana, Family Archana, Abhishekam, Annaprasanam, Pongala, Vidyarambham, Ganapathi Homam, Family Poojas and Marriages. Those who cannot be present for Homas or Poojas may send a donation choosing a particular day. We will do a pooja and mail the prasadam.
Since the temple started functioning, many devotees have been coming forward with varied donations such as money and other items for the temple. Anyone interested in donating something to the temple, please contact the Ashram. If you have any ideas for improving the facilities in the temple, please feel free to suggest it to the management. Donations by cheque or money order should be drawn in favour of Sivananda Ashram. Those who require a receipt for tax exemption, please put a request along with your donation.

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Related Page:
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp, Val Morin, Quebec

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