We reproduce an excerpt of the reading done on 8 December, entitled "Glory of the Divine Name" by Sri Swami Sivananda: "Even a little recitation of a Mantra with faith, feeling and concentration on its meaning with one-pointed mind, will destroy all the impurities of the mind. You must chant the Mantra regularly and at all times during the day. It will effectively destroy all your sins and defects and confer on you everlasting bliss, peace, prosperity and immortality. There is not the least doubt about this. Practise it and experience the miraculous results".
In an audio message, Pujya Swamiji exhorted all those who participate in the Printing Press Sadhana to have the correct attitude if one wishes to benefit. If we have the attitude of "Work is Worship", the spiritual progress will come. Pujya Swami outlined the discipline necessary in the press. "We must try and develop our mental muscles. People don't want to do something hard, but they want the higher experiences. If you want higher experiences, then you must do big Sadhana."
The programme on 10 December commenced at 6am when devotees assembled at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills to pay homage to the Divine Master and Pujya Swamiji and to participate in the morning Sadhana comprising Ganga Arati, Invocation, chanting, visit to Sahaja Kutir, to Pujya Swamiji's sacred room and to Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Centre. At 4pm, the Printing Press component of Divine Decade EXPO project was officially opened. On display were the printing machines and other related equipment that were used by Pujya Swamiji for the printing of the Society's spiritual literature since 1949. Devotees would know that Pujya Swamiji spent the major part of his life engaged in this Sadhana of printing books, magazine and pamphlets. In opening the Centre, Sri Rama Dhoorgalu, a senior devotee who commenced work in the Printing Press in 1973 said, "What you are going to see behind these doors is how Swamiji first started his press. When the press was started in those days, it did not contain equipment like what we have today. Today, we are actually spoilt, spoilt in terms of modern technology. When you go inside you will see how Swamiji had to struggle, when you look at the equipment that will speak for itself. Swamiji worked on the Monotype Keyboard where he did the typing, get the paper out onto a roll, put it into a casting machine and then make a proof. It took hours just to cast one page. Although Swamiji is not with us anymore, you will feel his presence once you go inside."
In the reading entitled "Awake, Arise and Know Thyself" by Sri Swami Sivananda we heard that: "Those who wish to be bound to this earth and subject themselves to birth and death, to likes and dislikes, pleasure and pain, choose the path of Preyas (that which is pleasant). But all objects are transitory, and one cannot expect a permanent and perfect result from an impermanent and imperfect source. Hence the objects of the world cannot give you real, lasting peace and happiness".
In the audio message Pujya Swamiji said: "A great deal of effort is necessary. The Ashram must be kept clean everywhere. The toilet must be kept so clean that you should be able to perform a surgical operation there. Every part of the Ashram is a shrine, not only the place where you place flowers and worship. You have to understand why we have to keep this place clean. If you keep the outside clean, then you will start to keep the inside clean. It is part of Yoga practice."
We are grateful to our devotees from our Chatsworth branch for selecting Bhajans that were composed/introduced by Pujya Swamiji and for dedicating them so melodiously at the Satsang.
We express our deep gratitude to our Divine Master for initiating Pujya Swamiji into the Holy Order of Sannyas and for instructing him to undertake his spiritual journey in this country. We thank the EXPO team who made many sacrifices to get the press museum in readiness for this auspicious day. They worked with a sense of quiet dignity. Our sincere thanks to all those who made this auspicious event a success.
