Pujya Swamiji officially inaugurated the Laljibhai Chaturdas Institute of Technology, in Bhandu (Mehsana district), Gurarat, approximately 50 Km north of Ahmedabad. This new technology institute will be chaired by Shri Bhogilal L. Patel, and was brought to fruition by the dedication, generosity and dedication of Shri Harilal Patel, Shri Bhogilal Patel, and Shri Dinesh Patel. This engineering college will have four major subjects: Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic and Computer engineering.

A visit that was originally scheduled for one day, extended into three days due to the passing of Shri Dhirubhai Ambani. As Pujya Swamiji was sitting on the plane, about to take off, on the early morning of July 7, He received a call that He should not leave Bombay and rather should proceed back into the city and to the Ambani home.

On the evening of July 24, there was a special Guru Purnima programme given by H.H. Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (Pujya Muniji) in Rickmansworth, at the home of Shri Himatbhai Dawada. Although organized at the last minute (due to Pujya Muniji�s last minute confirmation of His arrival in London), over 400 people came to offer their love, respect and devotion to Pujya Swamiji on this sacred day.  

The programme included an inspiring and uplifting pravachan by Pujya Swamiji in which he urged everyone to be true, loyal, pure devotees of their Guru, whomever and wherever He may be. Pujya Swamiji said that our gurus are always with us, always watching us. �We are so cautious driving on the road because we are afraid that policemen or radar detectors or cameras may be watching us. But, what about the super-policeman? What about the super digital camera, that is always watching us? God and Guru are watching us always, not only on the road, but every moment of our lives. So, drive safely in your lives,� He cautioned. �Your Guru is always watching you. When you slow down in your life, when you follow the rules in life, when you drive safely in life with the awareness that your Guru is always with you, then that is Guru Purnima.�

He continued by encouraging people to truly examine themselves rather than simply to judge, criticize and condemn others. �When we wake up and really look at ourselves rather than at other people, that is true Guru Purnima,� He said.  

Following the lecture, there was a short question-answer session.  The program ended with a beautiful, divine drumming performance by Shivmani the world renowned drummer.

Pujya Swamiji traveled to Lisbon, Portugal where Pujya Sant Shri Morari Bapu delivered Shri Rama Katha at the Radha Krishna Temple. On the opening day of the Katha, July 27, the Mayor of Lisbon as well as the Indian High Commissioner attended.  

Pujya Swamiji gave a very clear, simple Press Conference, explaining to the Portuguese media why people come to temple, why they come to Katha. �Katha gives us the mirror to see ourselves.�

Pujya Swamiji with Pujya Sant Morari Bapu during the Shobha Yatra of the katha.

Pujya Swamiji spoke at the beginning of the Katha, saying that a Katha is a festival of beauty and simplicity, of duty and divinity, of piety and purity, and of Satyam, Shivam, Sunderam.  He explained how the ultimate message of the Ramayan is "Money and fame comes and go, but morality, divinity and spirituality come and grow." Telling a beautiful story of Sharanagati, he explained how this is the key to opening all the locks in life.

Pujya Swamiji distributes awards and certificates to the top scoring students.

On July 28, Pujya Swamiji had a special youth session scheduled from 5:00 � 6:30 pm.  Over 100 youth squeezed into the conference room at the Radha Krishna Mandir, with many of them left standing in the http://www.parmarth.org/updates/aug2002/corners, and even more stood outside the door. At 6:30 pm, the youth begged for more answers to their questions, for more time from Pujya Swamiji, so He stayed until 7:30 pm, when He had to leave in order to fulfill other obligations. However, the youth were so inspired and uplifted by His talk and by His answers that they begged Him to give them more time. As He was leaving the following day and could not postpone His program, He agreed to return at 9:30 that evening.  Thus, after sitting with Pujya Bapu, He returned to the Mandir, and sat with the eager and spiritually thirsty youth (this time in the Katha pandal as there were too many of them for the conference room), until 12:30 am!!

He answered every question � ranging from what happens to the soul after death, to the meaning of karma, to the principles of dating � with love, understanding and a modern outlook combined with ancient wisdom that captivated and enchanted the youth.

At their earnest request, He has agreed to have a special 3-4 day youth camp during His next visit to Lisbon.

Pujya Swamiji spent the night of July 30 in Louis Trichardt with Shri Anilbhai Desai and his family, and also gave a special question-answer session to the very young children (approx. 5 years old on average) of the school.  These tiny tots brought a smile to Pujya Swamiji�s face as they sang the Hanuman Chalisa flawlessly and lovingly.

Then, on July 31 He flew to Durban where He was a special guest at the Divine Life Society Mahasamadhi Program on August 1. The Divine Life Society of South Africa is thriving and blossoming under the Divine guidance of H.H. Swami Sahajanandaji Maharaj a saint for whom Pujya Swamiji has immeasurable love and devotion. It was to this ashram that 2 of Parmarth�s young rishikumars traveled in June.

Pujya Swamiji went immediately to the Divine Life Society upon arrival on the 31^st evening to perform aarti at the Ganga Rani created by Pujya Swami Sahajanandaji. Most saints bring their devotees to Ganga, but Pujya Swami Sahajanandaji has actually brought Ganga to South Africa! He has filled a glorious pool with not only pure Ganga jal but also with love, devotion and piety which has infused the entire hall with the feeling of being on the banks of Mother Ganga.

On August 1 morning, Pujya Swamiji traveled to Peitermaritzburg, the city where Mahatma Gandhiji was forcibly thrown from the train due to racial prejudice. Pujya Swamiji wanted to have darshan of the place where Gandhiji says �My life of active non-violence began.�

In front of Mahatma Gandhi station in Pietermaritzburg

August 1 was the special anniversary of the Mahasamadhi of H.H. Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, so from Peitermaritzburg, Pujya Swamiji came directly back to the DLS ashram to have prasad with Pujya Swami Sahajanandji and then to partake in the special evening program.  

Distributing food to the poor, needy Africans at the Divine Life Society's weekly free meal service.

In His speech, Pujya Swamiji spoke about how blessed the Durban community is to have such a divine saint as their Guru. He talked about how a DSL connection gives us a fast connection to the internet, but how the DLS (Divine Life Society) connection gives us the fast connection to God! He further said that with DSL people frequently are led astray and make messes out of their lives on the internet, but that with DLS and H.H. Swami Sahajanandaji, they would always be on the right path!

August 2-6:  Zambia, Africa

Then, on the morning of August 2, Pujya Swamiji left for N�dola, Zambia where He was the Guest of Honor at the 50^th anniversary, Golden Jubilee celebration of the N�dola Hindu Samaj and the 32^nd Bhajan Mandal of Zambia.

On August 3, Pujya Swamiji gave a special lecture and question-answer session for the youth which was so filled with curiosity and great fervor for answers that He praised the youth effusively. Questions ranged from �What is a Guru?� asked by the youngest child to aspects of vegetarianism to the meaning of the orange robes. Again, the youth session went much over schedule due to the eagerness of the young children.

August 4 was the day of the Bhajan Mandal and Pujya Swamiji sat in divine bliss, as the groups from all over Zambia and also from Zimbabwe sang their glorious, devotional songs to God.

In His pravachan, Pujya Swamiji praised the community of Zambia for their piety and dedication. He shared wisdom and insights on how to make our lives really divine. He appreciated the N'dola Samaj for hosting the bhajan mandal and He commented on how wonderful it was that each and every group -- the young and the old, the cities from far and the cities from near -- got the opportunity of exactly 30 minutes to sing their bhajans. "Jivan bhi ek moca hai [life is also an opportunity]," He said. "Some receive 40 years, others receive 50 or 60 years, still others receive 80, 90 or 100 years. But there is no guarantee. Even our watches come with guarantees -- water proof, scratch proof, break proof --, but not our lives. So let us make the best use of every moment." He proceeded to tell the story of when He and Pujya Bhaishri were in a procession and they heard one of the pan-wallas playing a popular song which said, "...." "Is this really true?" Pujya Swamiji asked. "Is there really someone there who will be yours forever, someone whose heart will remain open to you forever?" He continued, "After marriage we go for Honeymoon, but within a few months or years the Honey is gone and the moon is gone! The only Someone who is yours forever is here in this temple -- it is God." 

On August 5, Pujya Swamiji had another special pravachan, meditation and question/answer session with the community during which He led everyone through a beautiful meditation.

In the evening He went to Kitwe and Luansha communities to give darshan and pravachan.  

Shri Rameshbhai, Smt. Manjuben, Smt. Gitaben and Smt. Pujaben Patel	Pujya Swamiji gives a flower to Shivali, the youngest member in the Patel home!

Pujya Swamiji decided, as He saw the destitution of the local people, that from now on every donation that comes to Him while He is in 3^rd world countries will not come with Him back to India, but rather will be donated to a worthy charitable organization doing humanitarian work IN THAT COUNTRY. �No donation will be taken out of these countries anymore� He announced. �We will work with the local charities to improve the lives of the local African people.�  

Distributing prasad to the workers in the home

Blessing Jayhind Trading Co, the shop owned by Shri Rameshbhai, Shri Ballubhai, Smt. Manjuben and Smt. Gitaben Patel

On August 7, Pujya Swamiji returned to India and began a one-month special Shravan Mas meditation until September 8.

Upcoming Events

Yoga camps

October:
1-14:    Yoga & Meditation for All  
1-28:    Yoga For Beginners.

1. Practice of Yogasanas:
2. Surya Namaskaras with Surya Namaskar Mantras
3. Practice of Pranayama beginning with simple breathing Exercises
4. Practice of Shatkarmas
5. Vedic Chanting
6. The Art of Relaxation and Practice of various modes of Meditation
7. Yoga and Meditation; Theory, significance and the end to achieve
8. Shrama Daana
9. Devotional Music and Satsangas
10. Group Discussions and Question-answer Sessions
11. Tests and Assignments

August 12 �20: Shrimad Bhagwat Katha in Hindi/Gujarati at Parmarth Niketan

August 22-30: Shrimad Bhagwat Katha in Hindi/Gujarat at Parmarth Niketan

September 9: 51 young Rishikumars at Parmarth Niketan will be undergoing the sacred thread (yagno pavit) ceremony. By the hands of H.H. Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (Pujya Muniji), their beloved Guru, and H.H. Sant Shri Rameshbhai Oza (Pujya Bhaishri), these children will be initiated into the secrets of the Vedic tradition.

September 23: Bhoomi Puja of New Satsang Hall at Parmarth Niketan. The Parmarth Niketan Satsang Hall is in need of great renovation and repair. The central pillar cracked severely and the contractors have advised the foundation is not very strong anymore. We are, therefore, building a new, much larger Satsang Hall which will also include � on the second floor � new rooms for the Gurukul. The bhoomi puja will take place by the hand of revered saints on September 23. If you are interested in making a donation for this new Satsang Hall,
please click here

September 23 � 30: Free eye camp. Dr. Shailja and Dr. Jay Chaturjee from Australia, along with several doctors from Bombay, are coming to do eye screening, testing and minor operations.

News in Health Care:

The official Parmarth Medical Heath Seva Team has been established, including:

Dr. Nishit Kotecha, UK
Dr. Yoksam Kotecha, UK
Shri Priyesh Kotecha, UK
Smt. Saroj Patel, Canada
Dr. Shailja Chatturvedi, Australia
Dr. Ravi Goel, UK

This team will work together to not only provide frequent, free medical camps at Parmarth Niketan but also to improve the quality and the services available at the Charitable hospital. Anyone interested in participating in this program which brings free treatment to the rural, indigent people of the sacred Himalayas, please contact Parmarth@aol.com. All assistance � in the form of time, finances, equipment, medicine, advice � is greatly appreciated.