VALEDICTORY OF ANAIKATTI 2014-17 COURSE

The long term course which begun at AVG, Anaikatti on May 1, 2014 ended on September 28, 2017. Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati inaugurated the course and gave his blessings for the course and the students. Pujya Swamiji unfolded the vision of the Gita, Kathopanisad (mulam), many vedanta-vakyas and general topics in his inimitable way. Swami Sadatmananda, the Chief Acharya taught the prasthana-traya granthas assisted by Swami Shankarananda who taught the prakarana granthas and various other works. Swami Shankarananda and Brni. Medha Michika taught Sanskrit. Swamini Vedarthananda and Swamini Saradananda taught chanting.

The valedictory function was held on September 28, 2017 with Swami Viditatmananda as the Chief Guest. Swami Viditatmananda was welcomed with purna kumbha. Brni. N. Arthi was the master of ceremony. On behalf of all the students, Smt. Prema Sharma, Sri. S. Jayakumar and Sri A. Venkatesh spoke and expressed their thanks to the Acharyas for the profound teaching received and to the management for the comfortable environment.

Swami Shankarananda thanked Pujya Swamiji for his grace all through the course. He spoke about how Pujya Swamiji in his earlier valedictory talks had spoken that the students may stay with the teaching by sharing the same with others. Recalling Pujya Swamiji’s words, he told the students not to make self-judgment of one’s own understanding of Vedanta on the basis of one’s emotions and feelings. I am Brahman, in spite of all emotions and feelings.

Swami Sadatmananda thanked Pujya Swamiji with whose guidance and blessings the fifth long term course at AVG, Anaikatti was completed. As advised in Taittiriya Upanisad the students should continue their own study and teaching throughout their life. One should not judge one-self on the basis of the number of students and number of classes one teaches.  One should appreciate that all that is here is Isvara. One should do nididhyasana to remove viparita-bhavana. When there are problems, think about the solution. Think about great people and their qualities. Their life will be an inspiration.

Swami Viditatmananda gave the valedictory address. He said that he was happy with the clarity and communication skills of the two Acharyas. Pujya Swamiji apart from his Vedanta teaching had an understanding of the human mind. Samskaras create a distance between what I am and what I am not. It saps energy, enthusiasm and creates inferiority complex. Put Vedanta to practice. The goal is self growth, purity of the mind and sannyasa. From vividisha sannyasi,  one should become vidvat sannyasi without self-judgment. Live the knowledge of Brahman. Ambition is hidden in the mind and it uses various situations to fulfill its agenda. Action is to be done with a sense of gratitude as an offering to Isvara.

The role of a teacher is a demanding one. Students will discover shraddha in you and will look upon you with reverence. A Sadhu has no private life. Gita 16th Chapter tells what are the tendencies one should avoid. In Taittiriya Upanisad, the teacher tells the students to imbibe only his blemishless actions. Be respectful to other teachers and all people. A person is what his shraddha is. Be sensitive to people. Be compassionate and accept their belief system. Teach people what they need to know and not what you want. Being humble and having gratitude are important attitudes to be practiced.   Svadhyaya and pravacana are to be done. Moksa is the culmination of self growth. Maintain your boundaries. Consume minimum. Contribute maximum. Make Pujya Swamiji proud.

Report by N. Avinashilingam