Swami Suhitananda, General Secretary Belur Math, Blesses Houston Devotees

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Photos: Jiten G. Patel

By Sanchali Basu

HOUSTON: It was an eventful couple of days for the Vedanta Society of Greater Houston (VSGH), when the General Secretary Maharaj of Belur Math, Sw. Suhitanandaji graced the center with his presence along with Swami Sarvadevanandaji, Head of the Vedanta Society of Southern California and Sw Shubhakaranandaji of Belur Math Sept 24th and 25th.

A reception for the Swami was arranged on the evening of September 24, which was attended by important community members like Imam Mubasher Ahmed of Ahmadiya Muslim Community, Matt Kahn, Associate Director of Interfaith Minisries of Greater Houston, Bhai Bhupinder Singh Paras and Mandeep Singh of Gurudwara Sahib of Southwest Houston and Pandit Suman Ghosh, ace student of Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj. An alumnus of Narendrapur Ramakrishna Mission School, from where Panditji imbibed his training and interest in classical music, paid homage by singing a melodious Bhajan to begin the evening program.

Swami Suhitanandaji spoke on, “Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi – The Epitome of Motherhood.” He quoted, “Just as a mother needs no language to speak to the child, similarly, for the Holy Mother, language was never a barrier and she could communicate with everyone.” Even Swami Vivekananda derived inspiration from her as she represented Godliness and provided the strengthening force in the Ramakrishna order after the passing of Sri Ramakrishna.

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A Youth Forum dedicated to discussing, “The Different Facets of Swami Vivekananda,” was the highlight of the evening of September 25. Swami Suhitanandaji addressed the youth by saying that, “Only one word can describe Swami Vivekananda – Superlative. With him a new chapter of world civilization started. He explained how to utilize knowledge to give a new dimension, to religion, organization, science, morality, spirituality and concept of human life and utilize God for the development of the world through JivaSeva and seeing God in every human being NaraNarayan.”

The youth presentations started with a Bhajan by a 9 year old. The enthusiastic participants then talked about Swamiji as a story teller, poet, educationist, young spiritual seeker, and an Epitome of strength. Swamiji’s sense of humor and the human side of Swamiji were also among the other topics of discussion at the forum. Participants ranged in age groups from 12 to 27. All the presentations were very well received by the audience and each presentation was well researched. The concluding portion of the forum dealt with the topic of  Swamiji as a Musician and aptly enough, the children of Pandit Ghosh interspersed their presentation with Bhajans.

The Swamis were impressed by the tremendously dedicated group of devotees and mentioned feeling the good vibrations at the center. The devotees were indeed touched and honored by the visit of the high ranking officials of the Belur Math and this may lead the way to definitely getting a resident Swami at VSGH.

The next program scheduled at VSGH is its Annual Sri Durga Puja on October 17, 2015. Please visit the website: www.houstonvedanta.org for updates on Sri Durga Puja and other upcoming events at the society.