Special sadhana In memory of Paramahamsaji, Swamiji Niranjanananda instructed that all centers conduct the following programs at their place, daily, with culmination on the 22nd of December:
1. An akhand jyoti is to be lit near Paramahamsaji's picture, which must be properly decorated and garlanded with flowers, etc. The jyoti as well as some incense is to remain continuously lit till the evening of 22nd.
2. Daily Chanting:
-Mahamrityunjaya mantra x 108
-Hanuman chalisa
-Selection of Bhajans & Kirtans
3. Meditation & prayers session, that may follow the chanting
4. Bhagavad Gita. If possible it can be chanted as a separate session, otherwise it may be played on a cd, where swamis & devotees may come for meditation while the gita chant is played.
Free m emorial events at Atma Center held twice daily. There was a guided Chanting program daily including bhajans, storytelling, and more. During the Bhagavad Gita program, participants were free to come in to listen to chanting or engage in silent meditation and reflection. Some of these sessions were broadcast over the internet via www.livestream.com/northamericangurukul to allow those who are not able to come to the Atma Center to participate. These sessions were recorded and most are still available for viewing on-demand at that site. Sufficient recordings were made that the site now runs pre-recorded content 24 hours a day, with plans to add more live content in the New Year.
iation.
The program schedule was
Thu Dec. 10 Chanting, Kirtan and Meditation 4:45-6 pm
Fri Dec. 11 Chanting, Kirtan and Meditation 8:30-10:30 am
Bhagavad Gita chanting, time for silent reflection 3:30-6 pm
Sat Dec. 12 Bhagavad Gita chanting, time for silent reflection 1-3:30 pm *BROADCAST LIVE*
Chanting, Kirtan and Meditation 4:30-6:30 pm *BROADCAST LIVE*
Sun Dec. 13 - Fri Dec. 18
Chanting, Kirtan and Meditation 6:30-8 am
Bhagavad Gita chanting, time for silent reflection 3-5:30 pm *BROADCAST LIVE Dec. 15*
Sat Dec. 19 Bhagavad Gita chanting, time for silent reflection 1-3:30 pm
Chanting, Kirtan and Meditation 4:30-6:30 pm *BROADCAST LIVE*
Sun Dec. 20 & Mon Dec. 21
Chanting, Kirtan and Meditation 6:30-8 am
Bhagavad Gita chanting, time for silent reflection 3-5:30 pm
Tue Dec. 22 Chanting, Kirtan and Meditation 6:30-8 am
Bhagavad Gita chanting, time for silent reflection 3-5:30 pm
Final program 6:30-8 pm *BROADCAST LIVE*
The mantras for the programs are available here so you can follow along with the recorded broadcasts. Please forgive any errors in this handout. You don't need to have perfect tone or rhythm to chant along - so if the spirit moves you, join in!
Continuous 24-hour content and on-demand recordings of previous broadcasts are now at www.livestream.com/northamericangurukul !
Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati attained Mahasamadhi in India at midnight on December 5. We have been told he called Swami Satsangi (one of his chief disciples, who has been with him for decades and is the pithadhiswari of Rikhiapeeth) at 11:30 PM and told her that it was time to go. He was sitting in padmasana (lotus pose) doing japa (mantra chanting) and left his body at midnight with a smile on his face.
A direct disciple of Swami Sivananda Saraswati, Paramahamsaji authored numerous books on yoga, including Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha and Yoga Nidra. His focus in his later years was on serving his neighbors and conducting yajnas which were attended by thousands of visitors from all corners of the world. Paramahamsa Satyananda emphasized that we must develop all aspects of our being - head, heart, and hands - and maintained that kirtan is the yoga practice for the 21st century.
Numerous Atma Center and Yogic Studies/Teacher Training students have seen Paramahamsa Satyananda and listened to him speak in India. We are including a few pictures below.
Paramahamsaji during the 2009 Sita Kalyanam
Paramahamsaji and his successor, Paramahamsa Niranjanananda, during the 2007 Sat Chandi Maha Yajna
Rikhia during the 2007 Sat Chandi Maha Yajna. Paramahamsaji is in the center; Swami Satsangi is on the right, and Paramahamsa Niranjanananda is in the front left.
Paramahamsaji greets the US group at the 2006 Maha Yajna.
Paramahamsa Satyananda at the Sat Chandi Maha Yajna, December 31, 2002.
Paramahamsa Satyananda maintained a child-like energy and ethusiasm throughout his life.
This early photo of Paramahamsa Satyananda was given to us by Carol Ann Hensley.