Baandhavya December 2013

Baandhavya ಬಾ೦ಧವ್ಯ Veerashaiva Samaja of North America

HIGHLIGHTS 

Editor’s Note

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President’s Message

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Jagadguru Dr. Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji

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Śrī Rudram of Yajurvēda

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Basava Consciousness & God

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Veerashaivism Quiz

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Central VSNA Updates

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VSNA Chapters’ Updates

Editorial Board Supriya Antin Kaddargi Danashree Suresh Basu Mudenur Abhinav Reddy (Youth) Channu Kambalyal

December 2013

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The festival of Kartik Poornima falls in the months of October & November, celebrated as Deva-Deepavali. This is the time of Samudra Manthana, when the Gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrita or nectar, and Shiva assists the gods in their struggle against demons. Basava simplifies this concept as conquering evil thoughts and actions that are within us.

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Central VSNA & VSNA Texas North Chapter Invites you all to the VSNA 37th Annual Convention – 2014 At Dallas, Texas July 4-5, 2014 http://www.vsnaconvention.com

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Editor’s Note

Sharanu Sharanarthi!

Wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year – 2014 from Team Bandhavya! We hope that the new year brings forth good health, success and much deserved happiness to one and all.

I am sure the onset of this year has sparked many a resolution in a lot of individuals. Self introspection is essential to overcome shortcomings before donning the correct. Just as Basavanna appealed to Sangamanatha to remove the fickleness of the mind, we must resolve to uproot the factors that bog us down and stay focused on our goals. ,

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The year 2013 has been very eventful and memorable to all segments of VSNA. While the senior members have delved deeper and stronger into spirituality and, taken up more rigorous steps to enhance the Veerashaiva culture and Basavanna’s philosophies, the youth has forayed further into setting better examples for upcoming generation. This year too, we wish all chapters of VSNA more spiritual and cultural success.

Thank you for all your contributions to Bandhavya so far. Let us keep the momentum going and rev more in the direction of spreading and understanding the message of Veerashaiva Sharanas of the yore.

Kindly encourage the youth as well to contribute to Bandhavya for the upcoming editions. Please send us your feedback, recommendations or just comments to the team of Bandhavya at newsletter@vsna.org.

Thank you and warm regards, Supriya Antin Kaddargi

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President’s Message

Dear VSNA Members, I wish you and your family a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

2013 was quite an eventful year for us. It did not start off very well with our by-law amendments being defeated by the general body. Starting off of our first IBC center went into rough weather. We have to redefine ourselves as to how to position ourselves when we think of associating ourselves with external entities.

Throughout 2013 we spent a lot of time and effort to define as to how we deal with IBC issue. We are looking for results in 2014. I personally think that if we were to orient our efforts towards the common goal we can definitely achieve results.

This year, our friends from the Texas chapter have agreed to host our annual convention in July for the first time. I would like to request all the VSNA community to offer all possible help and support to make sure that the convention is a grand success. As I have been noticing, so far they are progressing very well and I am sure it will end very well.

One more exciting news is that we started a new chapter in Connecticut. This definitely is a sign of growth of VSNA. I would like to congratulate our friends from Connecticut for their achievement and wish them good luck for their future growth.

We have more projects in the works, like the VSNA credit union, conversion of Veerashaiva books and other literature into electronic media. We will concentrate on these projects this year and hope to accomplish them this year. As always, I count on your support and help to make this happen.

Our newsletter committee is keeping up with releasing the quarterly newsletter regularly. Please send in any news, articles, chapter news etc to the committee. As I have been mentioning, we need your help to keep this going.

Finally, I would like to request all the VSNA members to pay their membership dues for 2014. encourage you to become life members.

Also, I

Thank you, Vijay Kumar President - VSNA

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Education knows no boundaries. Championing this today is an enlightening pontiff, a supreme educationist who embraced education not only for himself but also for mankind and made it the mission of His life – Jagadguru Dr. Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji. His is a mission with meaning and magnitude that manifested in institutionalizing a citadel of knowledge in India and abroad.

Swamiji is the 24th pontiff of Sri Suttur Math that was founded way back in the 10th century at Suttur in Mysore district, Karnataka. In 1986, at the young age of 29, he took on the luminary vision of his predecessor Jagadguru Dr Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji, the founder of the educational trust, ‘JSS Mahavidyapeetha’. This trust was founded in Suttur in 1954 to coalesce nearly 50 institutions under one umbrella of JSS Mahavidyapeetha.

Jagadguru Dr Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji’s vision was clear: “Ignorance is the root cause of all evil in society and education is the sovereign remedy”.

In less than half a century, this vision was steered to a stellar expansion by Jagadguru Dr. Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji. JSS Mahavidyapeetha is now is over 300 institutions, 6,000 faculty members and 60,000 students strong.

Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji is truly a towering Guru. His ascetic personality is a culmination of vision, dynamism and conviction. He has greatly diversified choices in education and taken it to a whole new pedestal. Under his leadership, the horizons of disciplines offered by the Mahavidyapeetha expanded from just generic education to providing special education for the physically and mentally challenged and in law, management, engineering, medicine, literature, fine arts and culture. JSS Institutions are now spread all over India and also have an international footprint with presence in Dubai, USA and Mauritius.

Paralleling Swamiji’s vast educational efforts is also his foray into the spiritual arena by founding Vedic schools, Gurukuls and quite recently the JSS Spiritual Mission at Maryland, USA in 1999. The JSS Spiritual Mission at Maryland is actively reinstating the rich Indian dharma for the westerners as well.

Swamiji’s efforts for the economically deprived are exemplary too. Be it Anna Dasoha for more than 10,000 children every day, health services in the form of hospitals attached to medical colleges, agriculture based 5

services to the farming community to improve different facets of cultivation, mass marriages, establishing Sharana Sahitya Parishat to propagate Veerashaiva literature, facilitating various events and platforms for art and culture, Swamiji has pushed the envelope in every field.

While all the aforesaid endeavors enrich the lives of scores of people, Swamiji’s support to victims when a natural calamity has struck has also been on the forefront. He has been an outstanding philanthropist too.

When one gets closer to the efforts of Swamiji, one can only reaffirm that the ‘enlightened existence’ that Swamiji is trying to achieve has borne its fruits. Below is a glimpse into the universe of JSS Mahavidyapeetha.

Category

Institutions

Numbers

General Education

Creches Preprimary schools Primary schools High Schools Sahana Schools Teacher Training Institutes CBSE School Junior Colleges Degree Colleges Sanskrit Schools Janashikshana Samsthanas Karnataka Open School School of Art

07 18 19 56 03 15 12 13 06 12 02 01 01

Technical Education

Engineering colleges Institute of Management Studies Polytechnics ITCs STEPS International Institute for professional studies

04 01 04 03 02 01

Medical Education

Medical College Dental College Ayurvedic College Pharmacy Colleges Naturopathy and Yogic Science Nursing College College of Nursing School of Nursing Institute of Speech & Hearing

01 01 01 02 01 01 04 01

Professional Education

Law College (autonomous)

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It’s neither easy to widely initiate such state of the art establishments nor supervise them all for ensuring top quality. Swamiji works tirelessly to live up to his highest ideas and travels widely. He is a prolific speaker with literary instincts as well. One can only imagine how broad and brilliant Swamiji’s outlook is.

Words of this article will not do justice to the credits of Swamiji. He is the saint behind making the JSS establishment, a grand empire of an enterprise. The vision that he is realizing is only advancing and we as his humble disciples and beneficiaries have much to be thankful for.

Reference: http://jssonline.org/ About the author: Smt. Supriya Antin Kaddargi is banking professional and an active VSNA member from Chicago chapter. She has authored the book 'Spiritual Transcendence', a biography of Sri. Jadeya Shantalingeshwara Swamiji.

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Śrī Rudram of Yajurvēda Linga Raju Śrī Rudram is all about Rudra that is in the Taittirīya Saṁhitā of Kṛṣṇa Yajurvēda. It is a Vēdic homage to Rudra, and it is said to be remarkable not only for its phonetic grandeur but also for its universality of approach to the Divine Rudra. Here Rudra is addressed as the Supreme Being who is omnipresent and manifests in a myriad forms for the sake of the spiritual aspirants. Thus it is also known as Śatarudrīya which means hundred forms of Rudra. The Śatarudrīya is also in the Śukla Yajurvēda in its 16th of the 40 chapters.

The fifth chapter in the fourth book of Kṛṣṇa Yajurvēda is the main part of Śrī Rudram called ‘namaka’; it is called namaka because most of the mantras in it contain ‘namaḥ’ or ‘namō-namaḥ’ in them. ‘Namaḥ’ is obeisance; it means complete surrender, humility, homage, bow-down in respect, and such.

Namaka part has eleven anuvākas or sub-chapters. The first anuvāka has 15 mantras. Its first mantra is an obeisance to Rudra’s anger, and to his arrow, bow, and strong arms; this is said to pacify Rudra’s anger and bring out his benign ‘Śiva’ form. The second mantra goes something like this – ‘your arrow has become benevolent (Śiva); similarly your bow and your weapon have become peaceful; with your peaceful weapon be kind to us’. The word ‘Śiva’ comes three times in this mantra. The third mantra is like this – ‘O Rudra in your Śiva form which does not harm us, you reside in the (Kailāsa) mountain; reveal that form conferring happiness to us’. Other mantras also propitiate Rudra in many ways, thus pacifying His anger and converting him into Śiva.

The next eight anuvākas, from the 2nd to the 9th, give obeisance to many forms of Rudra. In three of these anuvākas, ‘namaḥ’ comes both at the beginning and at the end of the mantras; in the other five, it comes only at the beginning. Many important aspects of Śrī Rudram are brought out in these anuvākas - Rudra is to be clearly understood as the Paramātman, and not merely as one of the Gods. Rudra is all pervasive, and Rudra is the Self of everything.

Rudra is present in everyone irrespective of one’s caste or creed; therefore, persons of all categories is honored with homage. The obeisance is to Rudra within them. Actual names of the castes are not mentioned, but their descriptions clearly indicate that – to Him who wears the sacred thread as a sign of auspiciousness and to the Lord of those with excellent virtues, whose arms are adorned with golden ornaments and who leads the armies to war, the minister and the master of tradesmen, the leader of various classes of people, the great ones and the small ones, the riders of the chariot and the foot soldiers, the teachers who teach how to drive chariots and the drivers of the chariots, the carpenters and makers of the chariots, the potters and smiths, the hunters and fishermen, makers of bows and arrows, messengers, dog trainers, and many others. Dignity of labor is emphasized by respecting all sorts of professions and vocations.

Some epithets and descriptions of Rudra are notable – ‘Bhava’ meaning beings come out of Rudra, and Rudra removes the misery caused by saṁsāra the cycle of births and deaths; ‘Śarva’ the destroyer of sins; ‘Paśupati’ which has a literal meaning of the Lord of the animals/cattle/creatures (from Brahma down to the lowest creature), is explained as the Lord who protects the ignorant as they are bound like animals; physician, and as physicians’ physician; ‘nīlagrīva-śitikaṇṭha’ meaning part of the neck is blue as a result of containing the poison in the throat, and the remaining portion of the neck continues to be white; ‘nīlalōhita’ meaning the neck is blue but the body is red, and then ‘vilōhita’ meaning fair complexioned – it is stated that He is meditated as fair complexioned in the paṅĉākṣari mantra, and as deep red in the aṣṭākṣari mantra, the neck being blue in both -; one with braided/matted hair; one with shaved head; one in the form of Indra; one who is established in the Vēdic mantras and in the Vēdānta; one in the form of sound produced by the drum; one who is ‘Sōma’ which is interpreted here as one with Uma; one who is established by Praṇava (Ōṁ); and Śiva the auspicious one.

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And then there is this paṅĉākṣari/five-syllable mantra ‘Namḥ Śivāya’.

The tenth anuvāka celebrates the generosity of Rudra, and praises Him for prosperity and for warding off of evil. One of the mantras is something like this – You have destroyed our sins, we shall serve you; make us happy in this world and also in the next world; our progenitor Manu got from you happiness and freedom from misery; whatever he got, may that be granted to us by your affection?

In the eleventh anuvāka there is thanksgiving to Rudra’s attendants – Pramathās, Śailas and Gaṇas. There are thousands of categories with thousands of forms of Rudra on earth, in the antarikṣa or mid-region between earth and heaven, and in the heaven as Lords. The three forms of Rudra referring to Vaiśvānara/Viśva, Taijasa and Prājña, and their respective cosmic counterparts Virāt, Hiraṇyagarbha and Īśvara are saluted. Viśva and Virāt are Ĉaitanya with individual and aggregate gross-bodies as upādhis/adjuncts; they stay on earth as they are associated with gross-bodies. Taijasa and Hiraṇyagarbha are associated with subtle-bodies; therefore they stay in the intermediate region between earth and heaven. Prājña and Īśvara are not associated with gross or subtle bodies; they stay in heaven. Prājña is enveloped in the causal-body, and because of this, it is ignorant, not being aware of the Reality. Owing to continued effort and God’s grace, pure intellect results, and there is no more causal-body or the world; Prājña then becomes the inner-self which is Paramātman. Obeisance is offered to all these forms of Rudra. Śrī Rudram speaks of the glory of Rudra, and its study leads to the knowledge of Brahman.

The seventh chapter in the fourth book of Taittirīya Saṁhitā of Kṛṣṇa Yajurvēda is called ‘ĉamaka’. It is called ĉamaka because it has ‘ĉa-me’ in its mantras. ‘Ĉa-me’ means something like ‘may it be granted to me also’.

The namaka of Śrī Rudram, and ĉamaka, together go by the name Rudrādhyāya. It is the time-honored tradition that these two – namaka and ĉamaka – be chanted together daily.

Mantras of ĉamaka are associated with the ritual, and are used for doing hōma at the end of the yajña. Ĉamaka has a leading statement in its tenth anuvāka - ‘yajñēna kalpatām’ which means ‘may everything in this world be offered to God as worship’. This leading statement is to be repeated with each of the mantras in ĉamaka, not just in the tenth anuvāka. Thus it would be ‘May everything in this world be offered to God as worship, and May it be granted to me also’.

Most of what is written in this article is taken from ‘Sri Rudram and Purushasuktam. Translated by Swamī Amritananda. Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004, India. 2007’.

About the author: Dr. Linga Raju is VSNA life member, native of Davaṇagere, India. Dr. Raju is a prominent Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Diseases physician. He has written spiritual publications - “A Journey through Hindu and Vīraśaiva Concepts’, and ‘SIDDHĀNTA ŚIKHĀMAṆ; The one hundred one sthala doctrine A concise composition’.

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Basava Conscience and God Anuj Kambalyal Youth Member, VSNA Chicago Chapter [Presented in Deepavali Celebrations, November 17, 2012]

BASAVA’S GOD  Basava’s formless god

BASAVA’S CONSCIENCE & GOD

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Basava realized the problems with idol worship and understood that god was within oneself.

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He called this god, the Isthalinga, and stressed that it was actually the personal deity that is within each one of us.

Prese nte d By: VSNA - CHICAGO CHAPTER Anubhava Ghosti NOVEMBER 17, 2012 DEEPAVALI CELEBRATIONS

ANUJ KAMBALYA L 10 th G R A D E CHICAGO, USA

(Ref. 1)

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1 ISHTALINGA

3 PARTS OF HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY

 When discussing the ishtalinga, Basavanna revealed that it was the “voice within our mind” that showed us good from bad.  Basava taught us that the “conscience” was indeed the god within us.  Human psychology also shows us that there are basically 3 different forces trying to swing us in their direction, the ishtalinga being one of them.

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 The ID – is the impulsive part of human psyche.

The ID operates on pleasure principle without regard to consequences.  The Ego – strives to satisfy the ID's desires in realistic and socially appropriate ways . The ego sometimes can result in tension if ID is not met.  The Superego – acts as conscience guiding our sense of morality, our sense of right and wrong.

This conscience is the inner- voice that is the Ishtalinga. ** (Ref. 2, 3 & 4)

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Continued…

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Basava Conscience and God (Contd…)

THE SUPEREGO AND THE ISHTALINGA  Superego, conscience or Isthalinga guides us in our thinking and actions overpowering the ego and the ID.  Basavanna used his Superego to see how terrible civil equality was in India and called for a society free of castes.

BASAVA’S CONSCIENCE Vs. OTHERS  The power of the Superego differs from person to person.  Some humans may possess a stronger ID or a stronger Ego.  Due to Basava’s strong Superego he saw the problems that many had not seen or had ignored.

These are visible through his Vachanas.

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STRENGTHENING OUR SUPEREGO

REFERENCES

 Basava believed that in order to have a greater connection with our ishtalinga or superego, we must meditate and focus all of our attention onto one’s Ishtalinga.  By doing these meditations, our superego would surpass our ID and our Ego, and give us a pure mind and soul. This will ultimately make us much more moral people, and get us to Basava’s level of understanding or maybe even surpassing it.

1. The Philosophy of Lord Basava , By - Ramjan Darga, http://www.lingayatreligion.com /Lingayat/RamjanDarga.html 2. McLeod, S. A.(2008). Id Ego Superego. http://www.simplypsychology.org/psyche.html 3. The Id, Ego and Superego - The Structural Model of Personality, By - Kendra Cherry, http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonal ity/a /personalityelem.htm 4. Id , ego and super-ego, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id,ego-and-super-ego

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About the Author: Anuj Kambalyal is a very active youth member of VSNA – Chicago Chapter and has awards at the Annual VSNA Conventions. Anuj is junior at Grayslake Central High School and plans to pursue a career in medicine.

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Veerashaivism - Quiz Ms. Ruchitha Rajaghatta Youth Member, VSNA New England Chapter Check your know-how on Veerashaivism by answering the following questions. Answers are given in the end.

1. In January of 2014, Swamiji of Chithradurga Math is honoring an international personality. This person is being honored for his/her contribution to society by following the principles of Basavanna.

Can you name the person?

2. Which Sharana’s birthday coincides with Deepavali?

3. When is Siddarameshwara Jayanthi celebrated?

4. Which Sharana’s Jayanthi falls around Ugadi?

5. On what day did Sharana Allama Prabhu Deva ascend the Shunya Simhasana?

6. When is Vishwa Kayaka Day observed?

7. When is Akkamahadevi Jayanthi?

8. Who was given the title Mayakolahala for winning over Maya (illusion)?

9. What is the name of the birthplace of Akkamahadevi?

10. What type of Kannada literature did Akkamahadevi contribute to?

References:

a. http://www.aathmanawarenesscentre.com b. Basava Divine Center Website c. http://www.vishwagurubasavanna.com d. http://www.anubhavamantapa.com/

About the Author: Ruchitha Rajaghatta is active youth members from VSNA New England Chapter. th Ruchitha is 11 years old, lives in Northborough, MA, and currently in 6 grade.

Answers: 1. Malala Yousafzai, from Swat Valley Pakistan, now living in England. She is being honored with the Basavashree award which includes a memento, and 5 lakh rupees. Basavanna’s principles that she follows are the equality and Education for everyone regardless of class, religion and gender. She has accepted Swamiji’s invitation and the Swamiji will be hosting her and her father in January 2014.

2. Channabasaveshwara’s Jayanthi – November 4.

3. Siddarameshwara Jayanthi is celebrated on January 14 4. Allama Prabhu’s birthday falls around Ugadi.

5. Allama Prabhu ascended the Shumya Simhasana on April 11 6. Vishwa Kayaka Day is observed on May 1st, which is also known as May Day, or International Workers Day. 7. Akkamahadevi Jayanthi is celebrated on April 25th.

8. Allama Prabhu was given the title Mayakolahala.

9. Akkamahadevi was born in Udathadi in Shimoga District.

10. Akkamahadevi's Vachanas in Kannada, a form of didactic poetry are considered her greatest contribution to Kannada Bhakti literature.

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CENTRAL VSNA – UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS A new chapter - VSNA Connecticut is approved by VSNA – BOD. VSNA Connecticut is the 21st Local VSNA Chapter that caters to the spiritual needs of members from the State of Connecticut and surrounding townships.

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VSNA 37th Annual Convention – 2014

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LOCAL CHAPTER – UPDATES VSNA – Maryland Chapter By - Megha Kori, Youth Leader, VSNA-MD Deepavali celebration Meeting Minutes The members of the VSNA-MD Chapter enthusiastically celebrated Deepavali festival at the JSS mission in Gaithersburg, MD on Saturday, November 9th at 5:30 PM. Thanks to Mrs. Shashikala Auntie and Dr. Chandrasekhar Uncle for sponsoring this event and to the JSS management. We offer our respectful pranams to the Swamiji for allowing us to host this event at the mutt. The event was very well attended and the committee thanks all the participating families for their thoughtfulness and benevolence toward their Samaja.

The main function began with an invocation song by Megha Guggari and the emcees for the occasion were Divya Katti and Parnika Murthy. Both of them did a wonderful job conducting the program. They deserve a big applause from all of us. Our treasurer, Mr. Girish Uppin Uncle, welcomed members to the Deepavali event.

Kids and adults performed linga pooja under the guidance of Mrs. Jayashree Jagadeesh Auntie. This was followed by singing of devotional songs and the maha mangalaarti.

We introduced a new series in Anubhava Goshti, Vachana discussion, entitled ALLEGORIC VACHANAS OF ALLAMA PRABHU. Dr. G. Jagadeesh Uncle conducted the vachana discussion on a selected vachana of Prabhudevaru.

Tanuva tOMTava maaDi, manava guddaliya maaDi, Agedu kaLedenayyaa bhraaMtina bEra; oDedu saMsaarada heMTeya, Bagedu bittidenayyaa brahma bIjava; aKaMDa maMDalaveMba baavi, pavanavE raaTAALa, suShumna naaLadiMda udakava tiddi, basavagaLaivaru hasageDisihaveMdu, samate sairaNe eMba bEliyanikki, aavaagalU I tOTadalli jaagaraviddu, sasiya salahidenu kaaNaa guheshvaraa I made the body a garden and the mind a pick axe, I dug and got rid of the roots of illusion; I broke the worldly mud chunks and sowed the seeds of Brahma; From the well of non-fragmented expanse, with breath alone as the pump and from the depths of sushumna, I irrigated the garden; Concerned that the five bulls will destroy it, I installed the fence of balance and tolerance; Being awake all the time, I took care of the sapling, you see Guhesvaraa!

[Reference: Sajjan Shiva: http://vachanaaweek.blogspot.com/search?q=Tanuva+tOMTava+maaDi]

The biggest attraction of the night was children and youth talent show. Nearly 20 children and youth showcased their talents in many ways. They did a fantastic job of demonstrating devotional songs, their skill with musical instruments and Bollywood dance. It was great! The talent show ended with a song by Nijaguna Prasad Uncle. Thanks to both parents and the participants for making it a memorable evening. We hope to see more talent at the next Deepavali function. Thank you to everyone who contributed to an amazing dinner – it was delicious!

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Chapter Business Meeting There was a Chapter Business meeting to nominate new members for the 2014-2015 VSNA-MD executive committee. It was awesome to see such a spirit of camaraderie within our chapter – people had a lot of fun selecting the new committee. Nominations poured in and our new committee is as follows: President: Dr. Savitha Siddalingaiah Vice-President: Mrs. Sujaya Dessai Secretary: Mr. Girish Uppin Treasurer: Mrs. Sulochana Guggari Web master: Mr. Mrityunjay Mahashetty Thanks to the outgoing committee, President: Mr. Shashidar Nagenalli, Vice-President: Dr. (Mrs.) Uma Murthy, Secretary: Mr. Ravishankar Mahadevappa, Treasurer: Mr. Girish Uppin. We really appreciate all the hard work they put in over the past two years. It was a successful run and we have many great memories of the events and functions arranged by them.

After the Chapter meeting, the kids had a great time playing with the firecrackers. The firecrackers were sponsored by Dr. Uma Murthy Auntie and Mr. Umesh Murthy Uncle.

Thanks to everybody who graced the Deepavali celebration and made it a resounding success. Dr. Savitha Auntie and Mr. Tarakesh Uncle announced on the spot that they will be hosting the New Year’s party. We’re looking forward to it.

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VSNA – Detroit Chapter Updates

The VSNA Detroit Chapter along with the host Setru family celebrated Deepavali on November 9. For the first time in our chapter, the event was emceed by youth committee members. Our youth president, Aashika Sulabelle, along with Samarth Setru volunteered to be the emcees for the evening, and we felt that this was a welcome change that should be continued. Their responsible and professional performance was a testament to the future leaders of our organization. We also hosted a professional skit troupe and Bollywood vocal group while also maintaining VSNA cultural traditions. It was very well attended with over 170 attendees. The committee also recognized the youth who enthusiastically participated in the many cultural activities throughout the year.

The committee is looking forward to 2014 events and activities. We wish all fellow Veerashaivas a Happy New Year.

Karuna Hiremath, President Sapna Dhake, Treasurer Bharathi Sulabelle, Secretary Aashika Sulabelle, Youth President

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VSNA – North Carolina Chapter – Update VSNA-NC chapter members met at 4:30 P. M. on Saturday, November 16, 2013 in Long Lake Clubhouse, Raleigh to celebrate the Deepavali function. The function began with the group Linga Pooja followed by three prayers. Every member participated in the Linga Pooja and the prayer. The Linga Pooja was lead by Jayaraj Kalmat. He also explained the importance and the benefits of doing the Linga Pooja. Then, Jayaraj Kalmat recited two Vachanas and explained the meaning of the Vachanas and their relevance to our daily life. The Lakshmi Pooja was performed by the ladies. The children and adults together sang Devi Stuthih, Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, and Astalaksmistotram. Aarati was done by the families. On behalf of Girija Hawaldar, the Taambolla was distributed to all ladies by Uma Palled and Ambuja Veeranna. The four children read about the significance of the Deepavali festival. Before the cultural activities began the members observed two minutes of silence in memory of Shri. Chandrashekar Shastry (Pushpa Kalmat's father) and Shrimathi Annapurnadevi C. Muktamath (Girija Hawaldar's mother). Under the guidance of Ravi Kalmat a group of children and adults presented a 30 minutes cultural program at the function. The program involved group singing as well as solo singing. The following participated in the group singing: Nihaanth Kaggere, Prerana Prabhushankar, Pranava Yogeesh, Ridhi Yogeesh, Deeksha Kalmat, Thejaswini Kaggere, Archana Prabhushankar, and Saanvi Kaggere. The following participated in the solo singing: Ayush Sunil, Roopa Shivaprasad, Prerana Prabhushankar, Deeksha Kalmat, Ravi Kalmt, Priyanka Prabhushankar, and Sanjana Tharuvesanchi. Thabala and Keyboard were managed by Ravi Kamat and Prarthana Kalmat. Thanks to Ravi Kalmat and to all participants for providing such a great entertainment. Members enjoyed the delicious dinner prepared by the ladies. Shivappa Palled, President of the Chapter, introduced the new members and the visiting guests (parents of Veeranna) Shri Chinnappa Balakundhi and Smt. Nagamma Balakundhi. Shri.

Balakundhi was overwhelmed to see so many Veerashaiva's under one roof and he also shared few words of wisdom with the group. This was followed by the open forum. Members discussed several issues pertaining to the chapter. Hosting of Annual VSNA convention by North Carolina chapter was again discussed. The open forum was ended without any resolutions. Shivappa Palled thanked Mallika and Rajiv Kotrannavar for renting the Clubhouse for the event and also for their contribution to the event. Finally, he thanked the ladies for the tasty food, NC board members and others for their help and support.

Shivappa Palled President, VSNA-North Carolina Chapter

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VSNA – Texas-South (Houston) Chapter – Update Members of VSNA - Houston Chapter conducted monthly Mahamane events in September, October, November and December. September hosts were Biradar Family (Jyoti, Jagadish, Anushree and Aditya), October hosts were Hugar Family (Chandru, Manjula and Bhakti), November hosts were Sajjan Family (Arun, Kamala, Puneet and Mohit) and December hosts were Horepati Family (Vasanth, Aruna, Aakash and Vikas).

In the September Mahamane, the chapter started a new form of Prarthana using prayers for Guru Basavanna written by Sharanas of the 12th century and started doing Omkara and Om Namha Shivaya Dhyana. A new activity in which every member explained their understanding of a vachana was started and so far it has turned out to be a very interesting and absorbing activity.

The October Mahamane was at the beautiful location of the Alexander Deussen Park which has the Houston Lake attached to it. The weather was beautiful and all the members had wonderful picnic time after the Mahamane. The prasada was centered around Holige and was enjoyed by all members. In the November Mahamane, all the attendees lighted a lamp to mark the occasion of Deepavali. Chinmaya Gynani Channabasavanna was born on Pratipadya day. His Jayanti was celebrated by reciting Trividis for Guru Basavanna written by Sharana Siddarameshwara.

A couple of Vachanas of Channabasavanna were read and their meaning was explained. A brief article which had details of Channabasavana’s life and his contribution to the Kranti in Kalyana and Vachana Sahitya was read out.

For the December Mahamane, members from the Dallas chapter came over and shared details of the convention to be held in Dallas on July 4th weekend in 2014 and requested members to make use of the best chance for Houston based VSNA 18

members to attend a VSNA convention. They were very pleased by the reception that they got from Houston chapter. Everyone enjoyed the Rotti based authentic North Karnataka prasada. The process for elections and formation of new committee for the next year was initiated.

Contact information for VSNA Houston Chapter is vsnahouston@gmail.com or Jyothi Biradar, Chapter President, Phone: 832-5451185.

VSNA – Virginia and Washington DC Chapter - Update VSNA Virginia and Washington DC Chapter organized Holiday party events . More details are available on our Facebook page link. www.facebook.com/vsnadcva

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VSNA – Chicago Chapter Updates

On October 20. 2013, VSNA – Chicago Chapter organized “Vachana Gaayana", a musical concert performed

by Pandit Dr. Nagaraj Havaldar. He was accompanied by Mr. Prasanna Mate on Harmonium, Mr. Manpreet Bedi on tabla, and Mrs. Roopa Jayadev on tambura. This event was sponsored by Smt. Uma and Dr. Bangalore Murthy, and Dr. (Mrs.) Kiran & Dr. Rajeev Kumar. Mrs. Uma and Mr. Nataraj Hoskote brought ‘jilebees’ for members.

Additional photos of Vachana Gaayana program can be viewed on: https://picasaweb.google.com/114711221968160934961/VachanaGaayanaAMusicalConcert?authkey=Gv1sR gCOzn5-jTwvC2Sw# On November 16, 2013, VSNA – Chicago Chapter organized the Deepavali programs. Mr. Srishail Hadimani conducted Linga Pooja fpr all participants. Mr. Channu Kambalyal provided Central VSNA Updates. Mrs. Anusuya Shivakumar gave a talk on Akkamahadevi Children Park in Uduthadi. Youth members presented entertainment program, with Masters of Ceremony by Tejas Hullur, Sachin Shiva, and Shailesh Vhasure. The program was sponsored by Dr. Deepti and Dr. Nayan Gowda, and Smt. Anusuya & Sri. Annapur Shivakumar.

Members congratulated Mr. Chetan Shedjale, Industrial Designer, Harley Davidson, who was selected to design Custom Street Bikes for Harley (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msFh-lYAtBE). Mrs. Deepa and Mr. Akash Shirol were blessed with baby daughter “Adhya”. Mayuri Hullur celebrated 8th Birthday. Mrs. Shilpa and Mr. Srishail Hadimani celebrated 17th Wedding Anniversary.

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Additional photos can be viewed on: https://picasaweb.google.com/114711221968160934961/DeepavaliCelebrations2013?authkey=Gv1sRgCPuf5 bWKpszQqgE#. VSNA Chicago Chapter events for the past 5 years can be viewed on VSNA web site

– VSNA Chicago Chapter Events page.

VSNA – Florida Chapter Updates

VSNA Florida Chapter is happy to announce the addition of its newest Veerashaiva - Kirti Gangadhar - son of Roopa and Gangadhar.

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Veerashaivism and Bhakti, Dr. Somashekhar Munavalli (Ed). Bel Air, Maryland, 1988 Veerashaiva Religion - An Introduction, Dr. S. Munavalli (Ed), 1989 Veerashaivism - A Collection of Essays, Dr. S. Munavalli (Ed), 1990 Veerashaivism - History and Fundamental Concepts, Dr. S. Munavalli (Ed), 1991 Veerashaiva Religion - Questions and Answers, Dr. S. Munavalli (Ed), 1991 Veerashaivism - Comparative Study of Allamaprabhu, Basava Sunya Sampadane and Vachana Literature, Sri Kumara Swamiji and Dr. S. Munavalli (Ed), 1993 Lingadharana, Smt. Vimala Channabasappa, 1993 Veerashaiva Sharaneyaru, Dr. S. Munavalli and Siddayya Puranik, 1994 In Search of Shiva, Dr. Saroja Ullagaddi, Clifton, Virginia, 1995 VSNA Brochure - Questions and Answers, Dr. Saroja Ullagaddi, et.al., 1996 Life, Legacy and Lyrics of Devara Dasimayya, Prof. C. S. Bennur (Translator) Dr. S. Munavalli (Ed), 1998 Commemorative Volume - First World Veerashaiva Conference, VSNA Toronto Chapter, Dr. S. Munavalli (Rd), 2000 The Veerashaiva Religion, Its Practices and Principles, Dr. S. Munavalli, Sponsored by JSS, 2002 Cardinal Principles of Veerashaiva Religion, Dr. S. Munavalli A Study of VSNA History, 2007 The Lingayat Dharma, Dr. S. Munavalli, 2007 ABC of Lingayath Dharma, Dr. S. Munavalli, 2007 Veerashaivism Made Simple, Sateesh Kavi, Farmington Hills, Michigan, 2007 Veerashaiva Religion for Preschoolers, Dr. S. Munavalli, 2007 30th VSNA Convention Souvenir, VSNA Detroit Chapter, 2007 31st VSNA Convention Souvenir, VSNA California Chapters, 2008 ARIVU - 32nd VSNA Convention Souvenir - Main, VSNA Chicago Chapter, 2009 ARIVU - 32nd VSNA Convention Souvenir - Supplement, VSNA Chicago Chapter, 2009 33rd VSNA Convention Souvenir, VSNA Toronto Chapter, 2010 34th VSNA Convention Souvenir, VSNA New England Chapter, 2011 The Maker's Mint, A Biographical Novel on Basavanna, Sadanand Kanavalli, VSNA & Basava Peetha Karnataka University, 2011 35th VSNA Convention Souvenir, VSNA California Chapters, 2012.

Siddanta Sikhamani, Dr. Linga Raju, 2013 A Journey Through Sacred Hindu Scriptures, Dr. Linga Raju, 2013 Origin of The People of India and The Vedic Culture, Dr. Linga Raju, 2013 Philosophy and Practice of Vīraṡaivas, Dr. Linga Raju, 2013 A Journey Through Hindu and Vīraśaiva Concepts, Dr. Linga Raju, 2013.

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WITH BEST WISHES TO ALL VSNA MEMBERS

FROM VSNA Newsletter – Committee

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