Chapter 6 Lesson 8

I just read a delightful small booklet called: Sri Krishna as Bhagvad Geeta by Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati from Central Chinmaya Mission.
Let me share some excerpts with you:
The Scriptures are like the body of God. He is revealed by delving into their depths.
Imagine for a moment the wonderful form of Lord Krishna and then witness the entire Bhagvad Geeta unfold chapter by chapter as the very body of Lord Krishna.

Chapter 1: The Lord speaks only one sentence in the first Chapter: “Look dear Partha at the assembled Kauravas” With that He announces His presence in our lives.
Chapter 1 is like the dust on the Lord’s feet. It is the very foundation of the Bhagvad Geeta.

Chapter 2: This chapter is a direct introduction to the Aatman and the Lord describes the state of an Enlightened person. We do not have to become Brahman, we are Brahman. We must drop what we are not in order to become what we are.
Chapter 2 is like the Lord’s pada, His feet on which He stands. It represents our goal.

Chapter 3: The 3rd Chapter deals with ‘Karma Yoga’ Actions should be performed with an attitude of dedication, detachment, service and surrender. Karna Yoga is not some special action. It is every action done specially.
Chapter 3 is the ankles of the Lord. Movement of the feet begins with ankles. Wearing anklets, He dances and jumps and beautifully bends His ankles. They symbolize movement. It is the beginning of our sadhana. We commence walking the path towards our Goal.

To be continued


If you would like to read what I have written so far, Click:

http://www.dalsabzi.com/wisdom_script/bhagvad_gita.htm

Navratras start on the 28th of September. Read about it, click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/navratra.htm
It is considered auspicious to read the Ramayana during Navratras. I have written a short version which would be very easy to complete during these days. Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/symbolisms_ramayana/intro.htm

Navratras start on the 28th of September. Read about it, click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/navratra.htm
It is considered auspicious to read the Ramayana during Navratras. I have written a short version which would be very easy to complete during these days. Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/symbolisms_ramayana/intro.htm

Navratras start on the 28th of September. Read about it, click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/navratra.htm
It is considered auspicious to read the Ramayana during Navratras. I have written a short version which would be very easy to complete during these days. Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/symbolisms_ramayana/intro.htm

I believe that everyone has got a special gift from God. If one uses it correctly you are in your 'sweet spot' ie You are playing the part in Life which you were meant to play. How does one know if one is in ones 'sweet spot'?
Vinita Dawra Nangia writes: "If you get a general feeling of well being and happiness most of the time when you think of your day, you have found your purpose and are leading a worth while life..."

I have lived in Mumbai for a great part of my life and I pride myself on always taking an interest in its History.
But strangely I have never done the darshan of Lalbaug cha Raja. I had always felt that its fame was due to the fact that it is 'a very big Ganesh'
This time I was asked if I would accompany a friend to Lalbaug cha Raja. I read that invitation as a bulaava (call) So I did go. I am told that whatever you ask the Raja, He grants. Read on:

Lalbaug cha Raja history
The Mandal, formerly known as 'Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Lalbaug' was founded in the year 1928,because of a vow (Navas) for construction of the present Lalbaug Market at its existing place. The market place at Peru Chawl was shut down in 1932. Hence, the fishermen and vendors who used to sit in the open place vowed to Ganesha for permanent place for their market. With the consistent efforts and support of the then local Councillor-Late Shri. Kuwarji Jethabhai Shah, Dr. V. B. Korgaonkar, Shri. Nakhawa Kokam Mama, Bhausaheb Shinde, Dr. U. A. Rao and the local residents, the landlord Rajabai Tayyabali agreed to give a plot for construction of a market. As fulfillment of their wish, the fisherman and the traders established the Ganesh Idol on 12 September 1934. The idol was dressed in the customary fashion of fisherman. Since that day onwards, this Lord Ganesh has become popular as it fulfills the wishes of devotees. The Mandal was formed in the era when the freedom struggle was at its peak.
Due to the communal riots in 1946, orders were issued to change the route of this Ganesh Immersion Procession. But, the then office-bearers of the Mandal refused to change the route and, after 21 days, the procession was taken by the same route under the supervision of then Volunteers Pandurang alias Babu Sayle, M. S. Pawar and Dattaram Joshi. After independence, the agenda of the Mandal was modified and accordingly the Mandal decided to contribute in uplift of the Country. The Mandal donated its balance amount to the Kasturba Fund, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Fund in 1947 and to Bihar Flood Relief Fund in 1959. The social issues were also highlighted in the plots during Ganesh Festival.

After 1958, the number of devotees of Lalbaugcha Raja increased substantially. During this get together, eminent personalities of different fields, office bearers of various mandals and well-wishers are invited...

Visarjan Tarafa: Traditionally the Ganesh idols are immersed in water during its Visarjan. Hence in order to immerse the idol of Lalbaugcha Raja, Mandal always takes proper precautions so that the visarjan takes place in a manner the Raja deserves. Accordingly, after consulting some experts and experienced persons, Mandal has purchased a Tarafa (Iron Raft), which makes it possible to dissolve the idol of Lalbaugcha Raja in deep sea water, conveniently. The Tarafa is prepared by M/s. A.V. Engineering.In the year 2010-11 the tarafas were imported from australia
[edit]Present day

In the year 2009, the Mandal expected around 10 million people to visit This 'Great Raja'.

The Group 21 of which I am a happy member has been meeting for the last 35 years or more, every 2nd thursday of the month. This time Ms Indu G.Vee and I co-hosted the session. We invited Dr Mona Patel to enlighten us on the current political scenario.

Dr.Mona Patel Shah is an eye surgeon.
Being involved with the poor and underprivileged section of society in the municipal hospital she has been inspired to reach out to help and support them by engaging in both political as well as apolitical agitations.
She is presently engaged with the India against corruption movement headed by Anna Hazare which involves all indians alike.
She has great dreams for our country which she believes can be realized only by the willing participation of all Indians, their contribution in strengthening our democracy.
Her belief is ...development of a country lies in the ability of it's citizens. All glory comes from daring to begin. The future is for those who have the soul of a hero!

Her so very simple request: One must vote. It is very very important and we owe it to our country. If possible meet on Sunday mornings at 8.30am at Priya Darshini Park for Dward meetings

Mona believes:
Each day is a new beginning.....the pendulum has been swinging from one extreme of hope to the other extreme of disappointment with regards this crusade against corruption between the govt and the govts people.....ironical isn't it? Who are we opposing?
In the midst of this confusion, the only thing that we can do is to keep our faith and resolve firm in seeking a India, free of corruption.
Towards this we will need to show our strength and support in large numbers.

It is our good fortune to have a leader like Anna from whom we can learn how deshbhakti can be done.
All of us are engaged in some form or the other of deshbhakti in a small or a big way.
The time has come now for us to UNITE !! And to magnify the scope of work that we can do together.
A platform where citizens can take charge is available to us in feb 2012 in the form of BMC elections.
I think we should work very hard towards this so that at least our local issues problems can see some solutions.
Our 1st step is to inform people of the coming elections....request them not to take a holiday on that day....be a good citizen and VOTE
We must also stand a citizens candidate like juju has done successfully like Adolf Dsouza
Our rough strategy could be to have 20-30 members forming a core group from different buildings.
Each member must affiliate another 4 members from neighboring buildings.
In this way we will have a corpus of 80-120 volunteers (20 -30 groups)
Each volunteer must rope in 100 voters from in and around his building
This will get us a mass of 8000-12000 voters
In ward 214 , Pramod Mandrekars won with 7000 votes .this ward is from Kamla Nehru park to Raj Bhavan and has around 40000 registered voters
In ward 213, yogita juikar won with 3113 votes. This ward has around 23000 registered voters and extends from PDP to gamdevi.
In my opinion this is doable if we come together and seriously want the change!
The BIG question is DO WE????
Please respond with a yes or no this message to set the ball rolling for indias richest , most educated and capable in every way ,constituencies local body election
We Will get the government we deserve
let us get together and make ourselves more DESERVING!!
The future lies in our hands.

Help line for citizens...100 and 103
Bmc anti encroachmentb...1916

With high expectations
Mona
drmona_shah@hotmail.com

Monday Group (Singing Sakhees and Bhagvad Geeta) went for a picnic to Indira Thacker's farm in Karjat. It was a funfilled day with a gracious host and great friends. We hired a bus for 15 people and set out in the morning.We celebrated Radhashtami (The birthday of Radha Rani) We spoke about her love and divine life, sang bhajans, cracked jokes, danced and added a few kilos...Not only with food but with joy...We are rich when we have good friends. We save on Doctor's fees.