Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama @ Belgaum

The 6th batch of Japa Yajna programme was held in the Ashrama from 17th - 21st sep.

Around 50 people from Bangalore & Hyderabad participated.

Some of the photographs & the remarks from the devotees are given below:

Some remarks from the devotees:

1. Truly a great experience. The body & mind in longing for more . Melodious bhajans, short discourses & your your own way of narration of stories , is rejuvenating.- Smt. & Sri Annajee Rao, Hyderabad

2. I cannot forget this, it is really a great experience. I don’t know how to express my gratitude. Everything is very nice & well organised. - Smt. Girija, Hyderabad

3. This experience cannot be explained in words,it’s a unique experience & wonderful experience, it was thrilling to sit in front of Sri Sri Thakurji, Sri Sri Maa & Swamiji & do Japam. At home it is just impossible for us to devote such a long time for Japam. I’ll try to do more Japam at home. - Smt. Madhu Asthana, Mumbai.

4. It has been a fascinating discovery that we were practically cajoled into experiencing the joy of doing Japa. It is going to be the beginning of a joyous journey as far as I am concerned.- Smt. Uma Rajagopal, Bangalore.

5. It is not a theoretical Japa Yajna. All the time it was taken care that we were doing our Japam. Even the volunteers were not permitting us to move here & there unneccesarily. It is a practical japa yajna. Routine for these days is excellent. - Sarala, Hyderabad.

6. This japa Yajna has been a great help for me. It made us forget the outside world for these days & be always in “Sri Ramakrishna’s” thoughts. - Gayathri S, Bangalore

To accommodate ever growing demand from the devotees a special 5th camp of Japa Yajna was held from August 27th - 31st. In this camp more than 40 devotees from Bangalore participated. Usually one camp per month is held but due to overwhelming demand from the devotees this 2nd camp in the month of August was organised. All the devotees expressed their joy for being given a chance to attend Japa Yajna programme. For the dates of upcoming Japa Yajna camps kindly see page end:

Some of the remarks  from the devotees:

1. The word ‘constantly’ & ‘incessantly’ are used often in connection with spiritual life. We have heard & known only the word-meaninig. But through this Yajna we have been given an opportunity to practice ‘constantly’.

About the ‘Dhuni’ - we had read & thought of it & had our own ideas of this programme. But we can’t forget those thrilling moments during dhuni meditation. As Sri Ramakrishna says "Just by saying ‘intoxication’ nothing happens, only those alone who experience that intoxication can understand it truly". - Devotees from Ramakrishna Vivekananda Kendra, Yelahanka, Bangalore

2. I started doing Japa mechanically to begin with, I was filled with doubts whether I would be able to complete 1 lakh Japa within 5 days. But as I proceeded I began to feel that we have great strength, like Lord Hanuman, & we did not knew of it because nobody told us about it. I thank Swamiji for having shown us that capacity in us. I began to have taste for God’s name.

More such Japa Yajna camps should go on. We sincerely pray at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna that like Belur Math this Ashrama also become a great spiritual centre & more & more devotees be benefited thus.- Smt. S Geeta, Bangalore

3. I feel sad that on 5th day this camp is coming to an end. Through the grace of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother & Swamiji may we come back again to participate.

Though we have opportunities to practice at home, it does not happen like the Japa sadhana done here in the Ashrama.- Smt Cheluvamba, Bangalore

4. I have participated in many satsangas & devotees convention , but have not had such experience anywhere. Here we are immersed in the bliss of Sri Ramakrishna. The waverings of mind is reduced. - R N Sarojamma, Bangalore

5. For those who desire the bliss of God, this Japa Yajna camp was a very good chance. The arrangements made to take care of the participants of the camp were extremely good. - Smt. K Srilakshmi Venkatesh

6. This Japa Yajna is an excellent and wonderful program. This program is an effort to draw our attention to our attention to our Ishta Devata by performing 1 lakh japa. This camp is a guidance to the initiated devotees to perform sadhana & to progress towards our goal. - Smt Rajkamala Prakash

Upcoming Japa Yajna camps

Japa Yajna 6

September      17^th – 21^st Devotees from Bangalore.

Japa Yajna 7

November       12^th – 16^th Devotees from Chennai

Japa Yajna 8

December        3^rd-7^th Devotees from Ahmednagar, Bangalore, etc.

Japa Yajna 9

January, 09      7^th – 11^th Devotees who have already participated.

A Report

Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum organized the 4th camp of ‘One Lakh Japa Yajna’ from 6th-10th of August, 08. In this 4th camp more than 70 devotees participated in which around 36 were from Hyderabad-Secunderabad & rest were from Bangalore, Chennai & Mumbai. All arrangements for food & accommodation for the outstation devotees were provided.

In this 4th batch also there was chanting from the 12th chapter of ‘Srimad Bhagavat Gita’ before the noon & night prasada & also there was Sri Saradanaam Sankirtana performed by a group of devotees as well as Dhuni (sacred fire) during which there were singing of Bhajans, reading from ‘The Eternal Companion’ which was followed with Japam & dhyana.

All the devotees completed One lakh Japa within 5 days.

‘Some remarks from the participants’

1. “After returning to my home I am going to enjoy the bliss in my solitude, wherever I live & wherever I go the nama Japa will always go on.”- K Saraswathi, Chennai

2. “I was able to do I lakh Japa in 5 days. It has given me confidence to perform more Japa & meditation in a day.”- N Radha Krishna, Hyderabad

3. “I have never done Japam so consistently & joyfully, which I did here. Japa Yajna is has been the most experienced and joyful sadhana ever done.”- Rajesh dave, Mumbai

4. “I think no one will ever say herafter that there is no time for doing Japam. Thank you very much for initiating us in right path.” Smt. Usha Ganesan, Chennai

5. “I have realised the importance of continuous Japa, which leads to a further step in the spiritual life.”- M Madhava Reddy, Hyderabad

6. “Japa Yajna was so helpful to me in understanding what Sri Ramakrishna means by “solitude” in the Gospel. I do not remember anytime in my life I have practiced Japa & meditation for so long”- Sri Nitin Muthane, Belgaum

A Report

Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum organized the 3rd camp of ‘One Lakh Japa Yajna’ from 25th-29th of June, 08. In this 3rd camp more than 60 devotees participated in which around 45 were from Mumbai, Thane & Bangalore & remaining from Belgaum town. All arrangements for food & accommodation for the outstation devotees were provided.

In this third batch special event was chanting from the 12th chapter of ‘Srimad Bhagavat Gita’ before the noon & night prasada & also  there was Sri Saradanaam Sankirtana performed by a group of devotees from Mumbai & Dhuni (sacred fire) during which there were singing of Bhajans, reading from ‘The Eternal Companion’ which was followed with Japam & dhyana.

All the devotees were very glad for having got an opportunity to participate in this unique Yajna.

‘Some remarks from the participants’ 

1. " Japa Yajna has given me the proudest moments of my spiritual life, next only to moments of receiving MANTRA DIKSHA. My only request is to call me again & again for all Japa Yajnas in future."- A Devotee

2. "Dhuni meditation was a life time experience, overall it is an enriching experience for all of us & given a chance I will come back again for spiritual upliftment."- Surender Vasandani, Mumbai

3. "I am indeed blessed for being able to participate in the 5 day Yajna. I will make all efforts at home to improve my Japam and other spiritual practices. I would like to attend Japa Yajna again & earnestly request you to consider me for future Yajnas."- K Rama Rao, Mumbai

4. "About ‘Dhuni’ I really liked the silence & now I realize that we can also do sadhana if we wish & Thakur will help us in many ways. Only we should have desire for God.- Dr.(Mrs) Nivedita Bakshi, Mumbai

5. "Japa Yajna is really a new thing for us. Although it is very tightly scheduled but we did not feel it. Rather we enjoyed every moment, especially Bhajans & Kirtans. The time spent here will be an unforgettable experience of my life."- Chitra Ray, Mumbai

6. "Usha Kirtana has made a deep impression on my mind. Its timings & the way of its presentation is very good."- Raghunatha Rao, B’lore

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION ASHRAMA, BELGAUM organized Japa Yajna programme for doing one lakh japa & practice sadhana in a suitable atmosphere for the devotees of Sri Ramakrishna.

The 1st camp was organised from 14th-18th of May, 08. In this 1st camp more than 75 devotees participated in which around 50 were from outside Belgaum & remaining from Belgaum town. All arrangements for food & accommodation for the outstation devotees were provided.

Some photographs of the event

All the devotees performed one lakh japam within 5 days. They were all excited & highly appreciated the program.