ALL VIKASATARANGINI CO-ORDINATORS MEETING
19-Aug-2007

Photos Here

In the divine presence of HH Sri Swamiji Vikasatarangini meeting was held on 19th Aug Sunday from 12PM to 5PM. About 400+ Coordinators from all over the Andhra Pradesh have attended the meeting. President Sriman E.Ramarao opened the meeting with the details of the working progress. Many members have informed about the service activities like medical camps etc., that they are doing in their places. HH Sri Swamiji gave an inspirational message and wonderful practical guidelines for the members. HH also clarified many questions raised by the members regarding implementing the VT guidelines. HH said that we are not 'Hindus' though many people generally call us so. If there is temple system or God worship in this country it is because of the Vedic system followed and presented to us by our elders. Original scriptures have no contradictions ever any where and if someone found them it is only due to their ignorance or misguidance or misinterpretation.

It is decided that all the VTs shall conduct Sathsangs EVERY WEEK as before. Sathsang begins with a prayer "Poornamidam...." followed by few slokas recitation / Bhajans for a maximum of 10 minutes. Then they can discuss on one story in the topic such as "Ma:thru De:vo Bhava" / "Pithru De:vo: Bhava"/ "Acharya De:vo:bhava" ( For this year). The content is available in the form of books. After bhajans for few minutes, the Sathsang comes to an end with Closing Prayer "Agne Naya" followed by "pu:rnamidam..."

It is also decided that VT shall now do 3 International Programmes per year and 3 local Programmes every month on a regular basis. The Earth's Day (April 22nd), The Day for understanding Blind (Jan 4th), The Day of Cancer Awareness (Feb 4th), in view of their importance and their respective coherence with the aims and objectives of VT. Each VT shall constitute of 3 teams each conducting atleast one activity every month focussing on one of the aims and objectives of VT.

Decided that Vikasatarangini's will be recognised and given the branch status only based on the performance reviewed at the end of the year. In view of the improper system in the Govt in regard to temples and their maintenance, exploitation of devotees beliefs and offerings in the temples by many, the attitude of using the temples as the sources of income under the mask of cajoling "schemes" which are more misleading the public, diverting them from actual spirituality and divinity, it is decided that VT will not involve in such activities by any temple though the schemes superficially appear to be luring. The reason is more clear below.

HH said, one need not go to the temple to have Darsan of God, for God is there in the deity form even in your house, who is equally powerful everywhere. It is also wrong to think that going into sanctum and having Darsan alone is the Darsan of Lord. Lord when He comes out as Uthsav Murthy is the same who resides inside. Having Darsan of the Uthsav Murthy is also the same as Darsan of Lord in the sanctum. If it is only to have darsan of lord one need not go to temple at all. If it is to appease the taste of tongue with the prasadam they serve, then also one need not go to the temple as they can do it better at home. To think that we get peace in the temple (these days) is ridiculous. Then....Why should we go to the temple? It is only to learn something that great devotees like Acharyas who practiced and preached during their divine experience with Lord, have revealed. Every mantapam has a significance. Every uthsavam has a traditional importance. Every authentic structure has a significance behind that teaches something to the seekers. Temples became famous, not by the size of the deity or special power of the deity, but, only due to the great devotees who experienced the divine association with Lord and in order to share that divine experience with all the seekers, they have established wonderful systems, signifying customs and practices in those temples.

When priests do archana mechanically, questioning the basic services to Lord which He himself ordained to be followed in any temple, when temple administration doesn't take interest in teaching the public about the greatness of the authentic history that the temples are associated with.... , the temples are losing sanctity and any public value. They are more like corporate business centres rather than those that inculcate higher devotional and spiritual values to the seekers.

HH said that temples when they function like real temples are like glowing Lamps to the society. All the authorities and staff are like guardians to the tradition of the temple at their respective level. When the guardians are not doing what they are supposed to do, then it is the fault of the public to allow such things happen there. Because, ultimately, they are the owners, the sufferers.... Those who mismanage temples according to their fancies or those who dictate temple systems in a corruptive manner may suffer later but, the damage they do is immediate and imminent to the society, if that society does not oppose the mishappenings. It is like a owner depending on a watchman and sleeping inside happily thinking that watchman shall take good care. When Watchman is not doing the duty he is supposed to do, starts poking his nose into and manipulates the procedures and systems of the owner, then such watchman is more a danger to the owner. When temples are not doing what they are supposed to do, then supporting their cause also becomes dangerous to the society. Hence, VT decided so. Unfortunately, the temples are being targeted by the department only for the income ( calling it "secular") to nourish the entire department rather than for promoting the spiritual activities which vary and are specific to each temple. Also it is very clear that all the temple assets and temple sources are being swallowed by the cheaters with their deceitful logics and unfortunately governments are no exception ! VT members gave many examples of these happenings all over, particularly in Andhra Pradesh. Finally, the decision came thus.

It is also decided that any offerings to VT activities in the form of assets etc., should be done in the name of "Vikasatarangini" ONLY and it is wrong to put them on personal names. HH Sri Swamiji said that using the photo of HH on any pamphlets or other instruments during the activities is totally prohibited. One should obtain proper permission from VT to do so.

It is also announced that there will be singing competitions to select the best singers for the devotional songs from all over the state. CDs of the select songs are under preparation from which the competitors have to choose the songs. It is informed that "Mathru Devo Bhava " competitions were held last year and HH personally conducted the quiz for the finalists in the premises of JET Hyderabad. The winners were awarded instant Cash prizes worth Rs20,000. Soon there will be competitions in "Pithru Devo Bhava" and "Acharya Devo Bhava" topics all over the state. Interested people may contact jetsitanagaram@yahoo.com for any details. These Books are also available for the interested people. HH Sri Swamiji invited Children and youth who are interested in participating in the noble services to the society who can really allot some time in their busy schedule. Many activities we see otherwise are for physical development and welfare, whereas the programmes by VT are proven for purifying the knowledge and making it glorious to enjoy in really applying it.

All those who want to enroll as VT members have to send Rs.150/- as membership fee along with the filled in application form and photo and get the identity card. The identity card will be sent directly by post from the central office Hyd. The amount also includes one year free Bhakthinivedana _Telugu membership for one year. If they are already receiving Bhakthinivedana then, HH said they can gift the extra magazine to their beloved ones whom they feel will be interested to read and understand the contents.

HH appreciated the wonderful programmes organised by the VT in the recent past right from Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum, Githa Jyothi, Venkatesa Saranagathi Deeksha etc. Many people appealed to Swamiji that there is a lot of pressure from the devotees to see that TTD keeps its promise at the earliest as there is already a slag on their part. Sri Swamiji soothed their ardent desire and expressed hope that Govt. will take immediate steps in this regard. Sri Swamiji's inspiration rejuvenated the co-ordinators with multiplied strength and commitment.

Sri Swamiji personally distributed nylon hand bags to all the VT co-ordinators who attended the meeting as a mark of rememberance of the occasion.

Meeting ended with prayer "Agne: Naya...." The coordinators also enjoyed the feast of Lord's Prasadam (Meals).

VT MEETING Details Here

PHOTOS

Some of the VT co-ordinators and also special invitees.

HH blessing the message

Co-ordinators enjoying HH message...

Hyderabad JET President Sriman Anand receiving VT Bag

Devotees receiving the VT bags.