First copy release of Guru Vachaka Kovai

Guru Vachaka Kovai (The Garland of the Guru's Sayings) is the most authoritative collection of Ramana Maharshi's spoken teachings. The first Tamil edition of the book, published in 1939, was personally checked and revised by Ramana Maharshi himself. 

There are two translations of Guru Vachaka Kovai, one by Sadhu Om and Michael James, and the other by Dr. T. V. Venkatasubramanian, Robert Butler and David Godman.

The English translation done by Dr. T. V. Venkatasubramanian, Robert Butler and David Godman contains Muruganar’s expanded prose renderings and his explanatory comments on all the verses. It has been edited and annotated by Sri David Godman and this book has been translated by Sri Donepudi Venkayya into Telugu. Such a book has not been published until now in Telugu. It can therefore, be said that this Telugu translation of Guru Vachaka Kovai is the most authoritative book available on Ramana’s teachings in Telugu.

Ramana Bhakta Mandali takes pride in publishing this book which has been done with the kind permission of Sri David Godman. The first copies of the book were released by Sri V.S.Mani at Sri Ramanasramam on 01/11/2013. Some copies of the book were handed over to him for their distribution in the Ashram. Some copies were also given to Sri David Godman who liked it very much and put his appreciative signatures on the book.

Some related photographs are being posted below.

Advent Day Celebrations on 01/09/2013

The advent day celebrations of our trust were held on 01/09/2013 in Hyderabad at the residence of our member Sri D B V Narasiah. The following members attended the function.

1. Sri D V S Sastri
2. Sri K M Sarma
3. Sri C L Giridhar
4. Sri D Naresh Babu
5. Sri D B V Narasiah
6. Sri D Narasayya
7. Sri D Chaitanya
8. Sri K Maruthi Srinath
9. Smt C Vijayalakshmi
10. Sri D R Sarma
11. Sri D B V Avadhani
12. Sri R Sriramamurthy 
13. Sri AVS Sarma

Others who participated in the event were Smt D Varalakshmi, Sri D Maruthi, Smt Usha, Sri D Bhargava, Smt Sandhya Rajesh, Smt Sundari, Smt Kanthi, Sri M Phani, Smt Madhuri, Smt Sudha, Smt Rajyam, Sri Narasimham, Smt Vasantha, Sri Sarma, Smt Gayatri and others. The total number of persons who participated in the event was around 30.

The function was compered by Sri D Narasayya who invited the dignitaries to the dais. Sri AVS Sarma was invited to be the Chief Guest and Sri R Sriramamurthy was invited as the Chairman of the meeting. Sri D V S Sastri and Sri K M Sarma were also invited to the dais.

The programme started with the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries. There after the invocation song was sung by Smt Sandhya Rajesh.

The recitation of Upadesa Saramu was done by Sri Maruthi, Sri Chaitanya, Smt Vijayalakshmi and Sri DBV Avadhani. The recitation of Ramana Suktamu was done by Sri DBV Narasiah and Sri D Naresh Babu. The recitation of Ramana Vijaya Ganamu and Ramana Panasa was done by the members by forming into two groups.

Thereafter, the welcome address was given by Sri DBV Narasiah who welcomed all the guests and informed all that it was a moment of joy for him to host such an event at his residence.

The welcome address was followed by the speech of Sri Naresh Babu on the life history of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Sri D B V Avadhani then spoke about the advent day, its importance and why it should be celebrated by Ramana Devotees.

Sri R Sriramamurthy then spoke about Sri Ramana Maharshi, his teachings and his own experiences in the path of devotion to Sri Ramana Bhagavan.

The participants broke for lunch at around 1.15 PM and after reassembly, Sri K M Sarma spoke on the subject 'Practice of Self Enquiry by Grihasthas'

A tele-message was then given by Sri D Venkayya from Narasaraopet. Sri D B K Murthy also joined via Skype from Tanzania and spoke on the occasion. Smt D Chaya sang songs on Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi at the same time.

Sri A V S Sarma then spoke about his experiences in his spiritual journey and also on the importance of practice by devotees.

Sri C L Giridhar then spoke about the activities of the trust and future programmes after which Sri D V S Sastri gave his presidential address.

This was followed by felicitation of the dignitaries and presentation of mementos to them. Mementos were also presented to all the participants which was followed by the vote of thanks by Sri D Narasayya.

The programme concluded with the distribution of prasadam to all the devotees.

Some of the photographs taken on the occasion are being posted below.

Advent Day Celebrations on 01/09/2013

Advent Day Celebrations

The advent day celebrations for this year would be held in Hyderabad at the residence of Sri D B V Narasiah on 01/09/2013. The celebrations would start at 11 AM. All are members are requested to reach the venue by 10.45 AM. 

The celebrations will include Ramana Puja in the morning, recitation of Ramana Vijaya Ganamu, Ramana Panasa, Upadesa Saramu and Ramana Suktamu. Bhajans and Songs would be sung by members of the Bhakta Mandali. 

There will be distribution of prasadam after the meeting.

All are requested to attend the meet and receive the blessings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Special Satsang on 11/08/2013

Special Satsang on 11/08/2013

The topic for discussion during Special Satsang on  11/08/2013 at 6 AM is

Tell something about the famous personalities who met Ramana Maharshi 

The Schedule will be as follows::

1. Reading of "Upadesa Saram-Sanskrit" by Chaitanya and Maruthi
2. Ramana Ashtottara Nama Vyakhya by Sri D Venkayya, Narasaraopet
3. Discussion on the topic given
4. Mangalam by Venkatesh

2nd Annual General Body Meeting at New Delhi

The Annual General Body Meeting of the Ramana Bhakta Mandali was held on 05/05/2013 at the residence of President Sri D V S Sastri at New Delhi. The following members were present at the meeting.

1. Sri D V S Shastri
2. Sri C L Giridhar
3. Smt C Vijayalakshmi
4. Sri C S S S Prasad
5. Sri C J M Rao
6. Sri D Naresh Babu
7. Sri D Narasayya

Before the start of the meeting, a Puja was performed to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi  by Sri AVS Sarma. Sri D Narasayya welcomed all the delegates to the AGM. He also welcomed the Chief Guest for the meeting Sri A V S Sarma.
The President Sri D V S Sastri then gave his presidential address. He welcomed all the delegates and stated that the trust has been focussing on publication of books and has come with more than 7 books till date. He also stated that the trust activities were moving in the right direction. He stated that the trust is in a nascent stage and the members should actively participate for its further progress.
The General Secretary then presented his report on the activities of the trust. A written brief of the report, the financial statements of the trust and the auditors report were given to all the members for examination and further deliberations. Mr D Narasayya asked whether the audit fees provision was adequate. After discussions on this issue, it was decided that the audit fees should be raised to Rs. 2000/-
The General Body then adopted the General Secretary's Report and the Financial Statements for the year 2011-12 and 2012-13.
The chief guest Sri A V S Sarma then spoke about his interaction with Ramana Devotees and also that how many paths lead to the same God. Sri A V S Sarma then thanked the trust for inviting him to the meeting.
The house then started deliberations on organizational matters. It was felt that the post of Accountant be filled in which is lying vacant after the resignation of Sri D B R Murthy. It was decided by the house that the posts of Vice President and Organizing Secretary be bifurcated since the Organizational activities need more time and attention.
It was proposed by the house that Sri D B V Narasiah, be appointed to the post of Accountant and Sri D Narasayya be appointed to the post of Organizing Secretary. The president said that prior consent of the members nominated to these posts be obtained before confirming the appointment. After taking  the consent from Sri D B V Narasiah and Sri D Narasayya, the above appointments were adopted by the house. The President then proposed that Sri A V S Sarma to be a 3rd Permanent Invitee to the trust for which he consented. The house welcomed this decision. It was also decided that Permanent Invitees will be exempt from Membership fee.
The executive committee elected for the current year is as below:

1. Sri DVS Sastri -President
2. Sri KM Sarma - Vice President
3. Sri C.L.Giridhar - Managing Trustee and General Secretary
4. Sri D.Narasayya - Organizing Secretary
5. Sri DBV Narasiah - Accountant
6. Sri DBV Avadhani - Treasurer
7. Smt C Vijayalakshmi - Office Secretary

After the meeting, a Satsang was held at the same premises.
The Satsang was started with a prayer sung by Smt C Vijayalakshmi and Smt D Madhuri. Sri C J M Rao sang some devotional songs. Sri D Naresh Babu spoke about the life and teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Ramana Suktamu, Ramana Panasa, Ramana Sandarsana Gadyamu and Ramana Vijaya Ganamu were also recited.
The Chief Guest Sri A V S Sarma then inaugurated the latest publication of the trust 'Sri Ramanopadesa Saramu'. Copies of the book were distributed to all the persons present on the occasion. He then spoke about the contents of the book and explained some of the verses from the book.
Thereafter, fecilitations were done to the Chief Guest and some other members.
The Vote of Thanks was given by the President Sri D V S Sastry. He thanked all for having come to Delhi for the meeting.
The prasadam was distributed after the meeting.

The related photographs can be viewed by clicking the following link.

https://plus.google.com/photos/105306407743597441081/albums/5879132609789877457?authkey=CIunq5qonsf-FA

Ramana Jayanti Celebrations

Sri Ramana Jayanti was celebrated by the members of Ramana Bhakta Mandali Trust at Bangalore on the 29th of December 2012.
The following members attended the function.

1. Sri DVS Sastry 
2. Sri C.L.Giridhar
3. Sri CSSS Prasad
4. Sri CJM Rao
5. Sri DBV Narasiah
6. Sri D Naresh Babu
7. Sri DBV Avadhani
8. Sri D Narasayya
9. Smt C Vijayalakshmi
10. Sri V Prasad

Others who participated in the event were Smt D Varalakshmi, Smt C Annapurna, Smt Usha, Sri Bhargava, Sri K Sridharan, Sri K Suresh Babu, Smt K Swapna, Sri K Suhas and Km J Ramya.

The programme started with invitation of guests by Sri DBV Narasiah. Sri K Sridharan was the Chief Guest and Sri CSSS Prasad was the Chairman of the function. After the lighting of the lamp by the dignitories, an invocation song was recited by Smt D Varalakshmi. After that recitation of Ramana Panasa, Ramana Gadyam and Ramana Vijaya Ganamu was done by members namely Sri DVS Sastry, Sri D Naresh Babu, Sri D Narasayya, Sri C L Giridhar, Sri DBV Narasiah, Sri DBV Avadhani and Smt C Vijayalakshmi.

Welcome address was given by Sri DBV Avadhani and thereafter Ramana Jivita Charitra was read by Sri D Naresh Babu. 

It was followed by address by the General Secretary Sri C L Giridhar who highlighted the activities of Ramana Bhakta Mandali Trust, Bangalore. 

The following books were released on the occasion.

1. Nenu Pai Dhyasa 3rd Reprint by Sri CSSS Prasad
2. Ramana Sandarsana Gadyam by Sri K Sridharan
3. Blog of Sri D Venkayya and 16 books in pdf format for internet users

It was followed by address by Sri CSSS Prasad who spoke about the book Nenu Paid Dhyasa. Sri K Sridharan too spoke on the occasion. Sri DVS Sastry spoke about the book Ramana Sandarsana Gadyam. 

A tele message was given by Sri D Venkayya, Sri R Sriramamurthy and Sri K M Sarma on the occasion. 

Thereafter fecilitations were done to the guest of honour Sri K Sridharan by Sri CSSS Prasad. 

All the members and others present were given momentoes which was followed by the distribution of 'Prasadam'

The final vote of thanks was given by Sri D Narasayya.

Some of the related photos are posted below.