PRANA VIDYA SESSION AT RIKHIA PEETH
I am just back from Rikhiapeeth after doing Prana Vidya course (Oct.12 to 18). The experience was unique in many respect. The session was conducted by Swami Muktidharmananda, who is a modern day yogi and have lived with Paramhansa Satyanandaji, at Munger for 16 years. Swami Muktidharmananda now lives at Anahata Yoga Retreat in New Zealand, devoted to spreading message of ‘Satyananda Yoga’ in the western world. Swami Karma Karuna, also from N.Z. was throuout assisting the session as coordinator and as an able yoga teacher. Morning class was taken by her.
The seven day session was attended by more than 50 aspirants from all parts of world and faith. The women outnumbered men.

The day started with Asanas and Pranayams specific to Prana Vidya, which was followed by theory and practice in the next sessions..
We were taught, how through Prana Vidya practice, one can transfer his Prana from Mooladhar to Ajna, and the vice versa. It was emphatically told that this session was an introductory course only, and perfection shall need dedicated and continuous practice for a long period, may be the entire life time. The opportunity of Seva (Karma yoga), Keertan and participation in different Ashram activities like Rudrabhisheka , Geetapaath, Deepawali festival, were added advantage of this session. All Ashram activities were conducted by Kanyas and Batuks of Rikhia.
The joy of participants was at peak when they were informed that they will have darshan of Paramhansa Satyanandaji on Oct.18 morning and they were free to put any question before him spontaneously. They had the darshan of Paramhansaji, asked many questions, all satisfied, and ultimately no question to be asked.
I may or may not practice Prana Vidya back home, but this session left a changed attitude of my mind towards the life, which is now positive and only positive. And that was the only purpose of going there.
I have sent application and full fees for Kriya Yoga and Tatwashuddhi session being held in December next, have you too?
B. L. Gupta,
Secretary,
“Satyam Sharanam”
Village and post- ADALHAT.
Distt. Mirzapur (U.P.)- India
Pin- 231 302
E-mail; satyamashram@gmail.com

(To know more about ''SATYAM SHARANAM'' kindly go through previous blogs.)

'SATYAM SHARANAM' MAIN BUILDING

REGISTRATION WITH ALMIGHTY THROUGH RIKHIAPEETH/MUNGER

It was October-1981. I was posted as Assistant Engineer at Rajghat Dam Project at Lalitpur (U.P.). Sri O. P. Pradhan, a friend insisted me to go to BSY Munger to get rid of severe Diabetic condition of Sushila, my wife. By that time, I had no idea of yoga or spiritual life or guru-shishya relationship. We stayed in old Ashram for one full month. Sushila doing her Health management Course and I Joined 'Yoga Teachers Training Course (English)'.just to pass time. My class teacher was Swami Hridayanandaji of Ausrallian origin.Paramhansji blessed us daily through his satsang in the afternoon.
One day someone asked Paramhansji- "What is best form of Guru-Dakshina for you?- I was expecting that reply would be some huge donation or construction of a few rooms in the BSY.But Paramhansji quickly replied- “ Each of you, motivate six person to come to BSY, that will be the best form of Gurudakshina for me!” This reply was nailed in my mind somewhere.
Several chances of Mantradiksha had already passed but my previous 'sanskars' resisted us from receiving diksha. I had no idea of guru- shishya relationship. Every sanyasi at BSY appeared to me as just as another clean shaven sadhu, assembled there for a livelihood, waiting for the kitchen bell to ring. My state of mind at that time can be visualized by what I am going to write in the next paragraph.

-- We had a photo session and after group photography of TTC trainees, the willing singles and couples were to be clicked with Paramhansji. That time I was so ajnani (f00l) and ahankari (proudy) that myself and wife pulled folding chairs and sat on the either sides of Paramhansji, without realizing that our place was at his feet on the ground.( Now whenever I look at this photo, my head bows down in shameful regret.)-

.But may be, it was a form of ‘shaktipaat’ or something else, after sitting for a photograph, close to Paramhansji, immense desire for receiving diksha rose in our mind and the date was fixed on our repeated request. After a small conversation and mantradiksha by Paramhansji, our life had changed.
During rest of our stay at Ashram, I and my wife had several unique experiences which can not be given words. After return from Munger we were entirely changed persons in the eyes of all others. Dibetese of Sushila had vanished. Asanas and pranayam had taken permanent place in our routine besides daily guruvandna with family. Drink, non-veg. food and smoking vanished in a single stroke (though Paramhansji never insisted anybody to do so) My children also attended Children Yoga Course at Ganga Darshan during summer vacation of 1983 and 1984.
Since 1981 we have visited Munger and Rikhiapeeth several times. As per order during satsang, We have motivate and sent a large number of persons to Munger and Rikhiapeeth for several purposes. A no. of yoga camps were organized and conducted by wandering sanyasis of Munger origin
After retirement from govt. service, and living in the rural home place, I am able to understand the real gross root problems of my neighbors. In the previous blog the purpose of establishing ‘Satyam Sharanam’ is mentioned in brief. With the help of some disciples and bhaktas of Munger and Rikhiapeeth, we are trying to help the downtrodden class of society.
It is a bare fact that none of the political systems can solve the problems of poorest class. Only educated, awakened and people well-off can do something.
Under the guidance of Paramhansji, Swami Niranjanandji, and swami Satsangiji. A large number of such followers and bhaktas are rendering selfless service to needy people without craze for publicity or political gain.
Is it not a real chamatkar (miracle)? which may not attract namaskar (salute) of common man but is being registered by Almighty sitting at the top of universe, though present everywhere, 7 x 24.
Namonarayana!!

“SATYAM SHARANAM”
Project of ‘Satyam Sharanam’ is the result of inspiration and blessings of Swami Satyananda Paramhans and Swami Niranjananandji through their satsangs and writings. I want to let everybody know how in places away from Rikhia and Munger, the satsangs of these two great saints of the century have created an awareness for serving the rural poor masses.
‘Satyam’ means not only ‘truth’, but it was the nickname given by Swami Sivanandaji to Paramhans Swami Satyanandaji, as revealed by Swami Dharmashaktiji in one of her books.
‘Sharanam’ means ‘shelter’.
“Satyam Sharanam” is the name of an institution and a building raised by some disciples and bhaktas of Swami Satyanandaji and Swami Niranjananandji, by their kind blessings,(though this is in no way officially affiliated to BSY etc.) --- The efforts are being made to transform this building- true to its name-‘Shelter of Swami Satyanandaji.’
The location is a rural bazaar (marketplace), ADALHAT, Distt Mirzapur (U.P.) on Varanasi-Shaktinagar state highway. This place is equidistant (32 km) from Mughalsarai and Varanasi railway stations and 55 Km from Varanasi airport, connected by all weather road.Famous Shaktipeeth of Mother Vindhyavasini Devi is 65 Km from here.
The double storey ‘Satyam Sharanam’ building has a plinth area of 1600 sq ft, with 4 rooms of sizes and a 6ft wide and 60ft long verandah in the ground floor and a Sadhna Hall (40ftX19ft), a guest room and kitchen on the first floor, besides toilets and running water facilities. The construction was started in 2002 and completed in 2007.
The plan is to provide a platform for those selfless groups/individuals who are interested in serving the rural poor masses with their spiritual and/or physical/material achievements.
The ground floor rooms are meant for medical and health services and the first floor hall for yoga, pujan, kirtan and employment generating activities.
So far ‘Satyam Sharanam’ is celebrating Shivananda Jayanti and Durga Puja on regular basis.This year Ganesh Puja was also performed. Every Thursday evening, Ramayana Path and Mahamrityunjaya Mantrajap is being organized since last month.
No solid arrangements for medical services or regular yoga classes have been made so far, for which efforts are being made. However, a Health Checkup Camp was organised by Rotary Club Varanasi on April-8, 2007, which was unique for this area, because a number of leading medical practitioners of Varanasi offered their free services, which was beyond the means of common man.
Some office bearers of ‘Satyam Sharanam’ are regulars at, Munger/Rikhiapeeth and have been blessed by Diksha . Some more photograph of building and activities at ‘Satyam Sharanam’ shall be posted here shortly.
Association of disciples and bhaktas of Paramhansji and Swamiji are cordially invited to join ‘Satyam Sharanam’ the way as suits them.

Please write/mail-mailto:satyamashram@gmail.com
Secretary,
Satyam Sharanam,
Vill. And Post- ADALHAT
Distt.- MIRZAPUR (U.P.)
Pin-231 302

Mobile# (0) 98 38 91 83 23

Namo Narayana!