Sri Viswayogi Viswamjee Maharaj graces MahaLakshmi Homam and Dance-Drama
(Photo: Sri Sai Sashank Pyneni)
Sri Viswayogi Viswamjee Foundation for Universal Integration and Peace organized a ritual-studded MahaLakshmi Homam at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, Georgia on Sunday, October 27, 2013. His Holiness Sri Viswamjee Maharaj, on tour in the US, participated in the homam and gave an uplifting spiritual discourse later.
Under a huge canopy erected on the lawn facing the temple a homam-kunda (fire altar) was artfully decorated with fresh flowers and fruits. Devotees including children were guided in performing the elaborate rituals and in chanting Vedic shlokas in front of the consecrated fires. Swamiji explained, “Thousands of years ago, this universe was only a tiny dot or bindu. In the bindu there are three powerful forces: power of will (icchasakti), power of knowledge (jnanasakti) and power of action (kriyasakti). MahaLakshmi is the Goddess of wealth, and embodiment of beauty, grace, and munificence. She is also the confluence of the three powers, will, knowledge, and action. MahaLakshmi is present in every atom. With her grace one attains power and peace.” Swamiji prayed for close Indo-U.S. relations and peace and prosperity in both countries. He thanked the temple priests and devotees for participating in the homam. “Temples, homams, spiritual discourses, and blessings of holy swamijis create positive vibes, helps recharge one’s energies, purify, empower, and uplift individuals,” he said. He concluded by leading all in chanting Om Sri MahaLakshmi namah.
(Photo: Mahadev Desai)
Hindu Temple’s President Narender Reddy lauded Swamiji for his humanitarian activities for the poor and thanked him for his many visits to bless devotees and enlighten them with his discourses.
After mahaprasadam and lunch, an enthralling Kuchipudi dance drama, “Mahishasur Mardhini,” was presented by Natya Jyothy Kuchipudi Dance Academy and Kala Ratna Pasumarthy Venkateswara Sarma garu. In this story, Mahishasura, the evil demon king, attains a boon from Lord Brahma, that he can only be killed by a woman, which he thinks is impossible. Using this power, he defeats all the gods, but with Lord Shiva’s advice, the gods unite their powers to create a Mahashakthi, who is none other than the goddess Shakthi, who then kills Mahishasura.
A rousing ovation was given, and Swamiji blessed the participants, especially praising teachers Kala Ratna Pasumarthy Venkateswara Sarma garu and Jyothi Chintalapudi garu and bestowing titles of Viswa Nrutya Jyothi and Bharatiya Sanathana Dharma Sarma on them respectively. Swamiji commented that women cannot be treated lightly: they are making progress in all parts of the world and should not be ill-treated, but instead loved and worshipped. He urged that one should worship five Mothers: Mother Universe, Mother Earth, Mother Country where one is born, one’s own Mother, and Mother Cow. He exhorted all to work towards strengthening the India-U.S. bond and promoting world peace.
U.S. Congresswoman Hon. Tulsi Gabbard with Sri Viswamjee Maharaj. (Photo: Sri Sai Sashank Pyneni)
Proceeds of the homam and dance drama went to Viswayogi Institute of Medical Science (VIMS). Cardiologist Dr. Sreeni Gangasani noted that VIMS, with its motto of a sound mind in a sound body, was inaugurated by then President of India Dr. Abdul Kalam in 2008. It has a mother and child care hospital, outpatient clinics, emergency room services, and a research and diagnostic center. Started as a free health camp in 1998, VIMS now accommodates 360 beds. Outpatient services including medicines are provided free of cost. The goal of VIMS is to provide full-fledged inpatient services in the near future and to transform this hospital into a world class hospital.
Swamiji later met with U.S. Congresswoman Hon. Tulsi Gabbard, who was in Atlanta to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, organized by the US Hindu Alliance at the Shree Shakti Mandir Complex.
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