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Navratri Anushthan of Rikhia Dham

11/1/2013

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By grace of god I was blessed to take part in ‘Navratri Anushthan’ of Rikhia Dham (tapasthali of Swami Satyananda). From the day one there was an air of festivity all-around the place.  The advent of many devotees added a real celebrative mood to the place. People had come from far and near places eg. a devotee told me that she came from Gauhati (Assam) with family that consisted of 2 small children aged 6 and 2 year old. While other devotees were from Bhagalpur, Patna and Dhanbad.  The day started with yoga class at 5 am in which we were taught Pawanmukta asna-I, the very first day and the Pranayama nodishodan. After a light breakfast, it was time for Karam yog or Seva. And Ramayan Path started at 8 am. Ramanyan Path was for 2 hours. The best and most amazing part was that Kanyas of Rikhia were doing all the path and they were given the respect of Devi. Kanyas and Batuksconducted the stage very efficiently right from English/Hindi announcements, distribution of Ramayan books and collecting them back. And I was really deeply impressed by their courteous behaviour, sense of responsibility and punctuality. Kanyas sang devotional kirtans and all Sanskrit stotras with ease and fluency. These melodious kirtans set our heart joyful and mind became absolutely tranquil. Many times I felt like standing and dancing with Kanyas and Batuks but had to restrain myself due to discipline and space. It was a beautiful sight watching them dressed in beautiful dresses daily. An atmosphere of wedding was there without the presence of bride and groom. Kanyas and Batuks could be seen anywhere and everywhere and their grace, dignity and innocence added a unique divine touch of living gods and goddesses.

On the 3rd day, there was Sita-Ram Vivah (wedding). It was celebrated in the Path by playing Conch (Shank) & flowers were sprinkled along with pious puja water over all the devotees sitting in Yagyashala. Yagyashala also was decorated beautifully with different decorations. Inspite of all these decorations the place had a look of simplicity and divinity which is impossible to describe. The divinity of the place could only be felt, I am at a loss of words to put it on paper.

Everyday more and more people joined in this celebration, increasing the joy, though kitchen and other organizing work increased. And as more people came, they joined the Karamyoga with great zeal. Hence the additional people coming became helpers rather than nuisance or burden. The kitchen was efficiently handled by Swami Chandramouli with his team and a lot of Karamyogis. The food was served in traditional Indian style on donas and pattals made up of leaves and sticks. And it was served with so much love and affection that the age old Indian tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhav’ (Guest is God) needed no preaching, it was being practiced. Every one enjoyed the meal like a big family,chatting and laughing. Many times I wondered inside that there was no worry or tension here. And what is the binding force? Ofcourse I realized ‘It was the love and affection of Swami Satsangi, who just like a mother was taking care of each and every devotee.’

Daily our inner being was loaded overfull by divinity. Yognidra, in the afternoon relaxed everyone deeply. Satsang with Swami Satsangi and Swami Niranjanananda added a very special touch to the Anushthan. We all had so much to discuss and exchange after the satsang. The days were packed with a lot of activity, divinity and knowledge. Though we were all very tired by the end of the day, we were deeply relaxed and extremely happy.

The last day of Navratri i.e. ‘Ram Navami’ arrived, with a lot of excitement and expectation. As the air was filled with the scent of Sri Swamiji’s (Swami Satyanand) Darshan. Everyone looked forward to have a glimpse of ‘Sri Swamiji’. And I realized deep inside; was Swamiji’s darshan on Ram Navami not related to Rama’s birth? Isn’t Sri Swamiji a God’s incarnation? So much love , devotion, Sri Swamiji receives from his devotees! And my mind ran back to recollect Sri Swamiji’s declaration of being an emperor, who had won hearts of his disciples by the strongest weapon of love. And I felt deeply blessed by the gentle showers of Sri Swamiji’s love and affection, which quenched my innermost thirst. And the prize distribution to Kanyas and Batuks by Swami Niranjan added a unique touch to the whole celebration. And the dance of Swami Satsangi, Swami Niranjan and Sri Swamiji with Kanyas and Batuks was a sight, every devotee carried in his heart. Such simplicity! Such innocence!

Prasadam was served first to Kanyas and Batuks and their parents. It was a grand feast and each and every thing was prepared by ashram itself.            ‘Sri Swamiji’ sat along with Kanyas and Batuks to have Prasadam in pattal and dona. It was a dream come true for people serving in the kitchen. After that Swami Niranjan and Swami Satsangi distributed special Prasad in the form of dress, soap, towel and eatables to Kanyas and Batuks. Both of them also had Prasad with them in pandal. And I wondered! Was it not divine eating with divine! Where else do you see such love, affection and simplicity?

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RAJSUYA YAGNA CULMINATION OF RIKHIAPEETH

11/1/2013

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RAJSUYA YAJNA CULMINATION OF RIKHIA PEETH

 

AN EXPERIENCE

 

Paramhamsa Swami Satyananda Saraswati who is fondly known as Sri Swami Ji by his disciples culminated his 12 year Rajsuya yajna this year in 2007 successfully. It was a grand affair which consisted of 5 day devi worship. Nearly 15000 people attended the yajna daily. Nearly 3000 devotees did the path of Durga Sapatshati daily twice for 3 days; once for 2 days. People of all age groups attended the puja and derived immense benefits;physically, mentally and spiritually. The atmosphere was throbbing with thick spiritual vibrations. The kirtans of Kanyas sent us all in ecstasy. All of us danced frenzically on the catchy tunes of these kirtans. Many seekers could feel the elevated status of their souls. In spite of many problems; the zeal of devotees was infectious! Daily every one waited for the darshan of Sri Swami Ji. Sri Swami ji blessed us all daily by coming out of his seclusion in between. He wanted us all to concentrate on Devi Ma not on him. Only on the last day he came in the Pandal and drenched us all by his grace and infinite love.

We all were thirsty for his Darshan and pravachan. He gladly gave us an opportunity to soak his energy, feel his magnamity, derive strength from his innocence. He talked simply and humbly about his own experiences, his fighting with mind whom he declared a goonda(rogue).

I felt extremely comfortable and happy after listening his pravachan. All of us keep on facing many problems in life due to notoriety of our mind. The great saints like Sri Swami Ji make us feel very much human! The kindling of hope becomes stronger by knowing that Sri Swami Ji was also in the same boat as ours one day!

Many antisocial elements tried to mar the gaiety of the occasion, but in vain. Little difficulties could not deter devotees a single bit from their Sadhna. People of diversetemperaments performed Sadhna in the form of reading the path or doing seva; i.e. called as karamyoga. The spirit of selfless service thronged the place abundantly. All devotees worked together like a family under the able leadership of Swami Niranjan. Swami Ji could be seen every where supervising the volunteers; guiding the spiritual aspirants; loving the little children; welcoming the guests personally. His gait, his devotion to his guru was a teaching in practice.

The food was served tirelessly to one and all who came to attend the yajna as prasadam of Devi ma. Nearly 5,00,000 lakh villagers received utensils and other utility articles as Devi Prasad. The Kanyas and Batuks of  Rikhia received one new dress daily from various donors. They are 2000 in number. Like flowers these poor children adorned theTapovan( puja place).

From where does the money come? From where does the grace come? One wonders sitting there with awe and amazement! All the devotees received the Prasadam i.e. called as Akshat( never ending). The Akshat consisted of a beautiful silk sari, shirt, ang vastram, 1 Kg. rice and many books. The children got dresses to wear.

It was divine experience which all of us carried home. The Prasad in the form of a huge Ladoo is being distributed to those who could not go to Rikhia.

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A Brush with Foreign Disciples of Swami Satyananda

7/30/2012

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When I reached Rikhia; a small village in Jharkhand on 7th December, the whole place was swarming with disciples of Sri Swami Ji. The disciples were both from India and other countries or you can say that they were from all over the world. I came across disciples of 7 countries on 8th December. The number kept on increasing daily. Many times they were object of our envy because of little privileges given to them e.g. free entry & exit from both the gates; where as we were allowed only at restricted timings. But they were proportionately lesser than our huge crowd.
    Deep inside I always wondered, how could they cope with our language lest alone dance frenziedly on the kirtans sung by the Kanyas. When I went to Rikhia in March; I met a lot of foreigner inmates who had learnt Devnagri Script (Hindi) quite perfectly. I developed a deep respect for Sri Swami Ji; whose influence could make these people devote their lives so staunchly to India & Hindi.
    This year Sri Swami Ji praised them highly & said that they were very intelligent. They are rich. They can benefit India & are also doing so. Many of them had donated dresses to 2000 Kanyas & Batuks of Rikhia Peeth. I had more proof of Sri Swami Ji’s statement on last day of Rajsuya Yajna culmination; when I happened to sit amongst them, right in front of sri Swami Ji. None of them could understand his words, as he was speaking in Hindi. Since they are not used to sit on the floor; many were struggling hard to sit; shifting the posture in between. Even then they were sitting quietly with rapt attention & trying to absorb the strong positive vibrations of Sri Swami Ji. When I gave them English translation of his speech; many started reading & asking for more. A few of them gave me their email ids; so that I could send them his satsangs.
    I also came across a booklet published by Australians in English; which contained some stotras of Durga Saptashati. In it was written that you have to be very much aware & alert to read these stotras during the path with the pandits. If you are not alert; you might miss them! Paramhamsa Swami Niranjananda Saraswati has given a lot of importance to the vibration aspect of these stotras & mantras. Hence, with full faith, they all stayed tuned in.
    The Karamyoga i.e. selfless service given to them was cleaning the toilets & pouring water for washing hands after meals. Many of them were standing right in front of toilets the whole day! They all performed the Karamyoga without a trace of malice on their faces. I was astonished & amazed at their dedication & devotion! After coming to our country; eating our type of food with hands on pattal & dona; sitting on floor with great difficulty; they could be seen every where & any where in the pandal! I bow to them for their patience, intelligence & faith!
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Life at Rikhiapeeth: My Experience

6/19/2011

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Rikhia is a small village situated near Deoghar in Jharkhand state of India. Deoghar is also known as Baijnath Dham and is famous tirth of Bihar with a lot of temples sprawled all over the small town. Paramhansa Satyananda Saraswati chose Rikhia for his tapasaya in 1989 on a divine mandate. When Sri Swami Ji came to Rikhia ,it was a deprived village laden with poverty. The women and children did not have clothes to wear, most of the villagers used to go to bed without food. Sri Swami Ji started doing his Panchagni Sadhna while his disciples and devotees developed the ashram at Rikhia. Sri Swami Ji asked Swami Satyasangananda to distribute clothes to the poor villagers after reaching here. And thus the disciples and devotees of Sri Swami Ji got themselves busy in selfless service by distributing the food and clothes to the poor villagers. The clothes came miraculously from as far as Singapore sent by the devotees.   
    And now, no one can believe that just a few years back this village was in such a shabby state! The whole face of not only this village , but many villages around it has been totally transformed. The school at Rikhia imparts education, free school uniforms, books to the children. Sri Swami Ji has named these children as batuks(boys) and kanyas(girls). Batuks are given the respect of Christ and Kanyas are considered ‘Devi’ as Sri Swami Ji has declared these innocent children as the channels of Divine energy. The sanyasis have built houses for the villagers, from each house the eldest child gets the opportunity of employment in form of shop or rickshaw and the education of the youngest child is free. Since 11 years Sri Swami Ji is performing ‘Rajsuya Yajna’ in which nearly 5,00,000 villagers are given clothes, utensils and various other articles of daily use as Devi Prasadam. And kanyas and batuks are given new dresses daily by Sri Swami Ji himself. 
    With in a span of 10 years the Rikhia ashram has grown tremendously now it has been named Rikhia Peeth because a yoga university is being constructed here at Rishi Kunj. Various Paramhansa properties stand majestically in Rikhia Peeth in the form of ashrams which provide shelter to numerous devotees and disciples of Sri Swami Ji the whole year round. And on special functions eg.chaitra navratri, guru purnima Krishna janmashatmi; this place occupies a look of pilgrimage with thousands of devotees thronging the place.
     Inspite of all these changes, the purity, simplicity and divinty of this place is beyond description. Sri Swami Ji is doing various sadhnas here in seclusion for the welfare of mankind. After getting an opportunity to stay here I feel deeply blessed and rejuvenated. The ageold Indian tradition is being preserved by Swami Satsangi, who is director of Rikhia Peeth. She is the perfect blend of modern and traditional. The buildings are equipped with all the modern facilities, yet green plants and trees and wells  in each building give a unique touch of olden times. The wells are a great relief at the time of severe water and electricity shortage. The lanterns are provided at every place in case of power cuts, though generator is also used in case of emergency. Like a perfect organizer she has kept all the sanyasis and sanyasins together with her love, affection and discipline. And I realize deep inside that it is all due to God’s grace, Sri Swami Ji’s divine presence. After coming here, my faith in selflessness,charity, God’s grace has acquired an altoghter new dimension. Swami Satsangi is an epitome of discipleship carrying out the teachings of her guru in practice. And practising not preaching is the best method of teaching which needs no eloquence, no example no proof. I sincerely wish from the bottom of my heart, that more such places could be developed where people of all religions,all nationalities are welcome with open arms and open heart. And is it not the great teaching of universal love and peace in practice? 

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RIKHIA PEETH –AN ENIGMA

6/7/2011

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Rikhia Peeth is situated in a small village of Rikhia situated in an eastern province of India known as Jharkhand. Rikhia Peeth is also fondly named as Rikhia Dham by devotees and disciples of  Paramhansa Swami  Satyananda . for the cause of welfare of whole mankind Swami Satyananda is doing penance in seclusion since 18 years in rikhia. He perfoomed a very difficult ‘Panchagni Sadhna’in his early years in Rikhia.As Sri Swami Ji hails from hilly district of Kumaon he could not bear heat above 25c.Even throughout his monk life he either lived in air conditioners or in cold places. But after coming to Rikhia he sat between four fires and the fifth fire was hot sun from 14th January to 14th July daily. Tulsi (plant) was his Adhishthatri Devi. It is an extremely difficult sadhna,many lost their lives due to dehydration as the temperature goes up to 90c in the hot summer months of April and May. But Sri Swami ji’s determination and will power sustained him as God’s grace was with him in abundance. And this sadhna made him heat proof.
       Such determination! Such courage! So much will power and a deep faith in God can only make such miracles happen! So Rikhia now has become a pious place and devotees and disciples from all over the world take shelter under its canopy to seek solace,peace,happiness and bliss. Where there is Ganesh Kutir,Raghunath Kutir,there is also Christ Kutir.Devotees of all religions are welcome with the same love and affection by all inmates of Rikhia Peeth.
     Nearly 10,000 devotees throng this place during ‘Rajsuya Yajna’ of Sri Swami Ji which is performed in the month of November or December. The glory and grandeur of this yajna is just beyond words. And Sri Swami Ji is doing this yajna since 11 years. This is the last year of his Rajsuya Yajna.
     All the villages around Rikhia show an air of prosperity due to Sri Swami Ji’s endeavours. A school has been set up for children where uniforms and books are given free and education is also imparted by sanyasins. Children are enriched by education of Indian traditions by reading Gita,Ramayana,Durga Saptashati and chanting melodious kirtans. Where as in order to put them at par with modern world,they are educated in English as well as computers.
    Many villages have been adopted around Rikhia and each and every family is looked after by sanyasins of Rikhia. During grand Shatchandi Yagna all batuks (boys) and kanyas(girls) are worshipped as Christ and Ma Durga by Sri Swami Ji. And he himself gives a new dress to these little Gods and Goddesses daily as ‘prasadam’of yajna.
    Following the teaching of Param Guru Sivananda,Sri Swami ji has turned this small village into a prosperous religious Dham where the simple greeting of ‘Namo Narayan’ echoes every nook and corner of streets. And every heart is throbbing on the pulse of God. Divinity is present in the very air of Rikhia Dham. And the best part about this Dham is an air of selflessness,purity,devotion that separates it from other religious places which are stinking by the greed of so called custodians of religion(pujaris and pundits). No superstition! No binding! No pressure! Every one has his own space and choice,yet they are all a strong team under the able guidance of Swami Satsangi whose love and affection flows like a river in the Ashram.The nectar of this Dham can only be drunk after coming here. I strongly feel that it is a role model where ancient Indian culture stands glorified. A lot of foreigners come here regularly and realize the depth and greatness of Indian culture. All foreigners whom I happened to meet liked everything about this place right from food to kirtan and mantra chanting. I only wish in the deep abyss of my being that more such Dhams could be developed all over India;so that India again can shine on the top,as a spiritual leader where many sages and saints felt proud to be born and live!
  Let us all endeavour to put India back to its old glory by taking a small step ourselves by the simple teaching of   Swami Sivananda.
“SERVE- LOVE- GIVE- PURIFY- BE GOOD- DO GOOD- BE COMPASSIONATE- BE KIND”

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