Discourse & Satsangs

Bhagavad Gita Discourse

Gunas that Bind and also Liberate:

(21st-24th and 28th-31st January)

Understanding that the initially planned 4 days would be inadequate to give sufficient coverage to the topic of the Bhagavad Gita discourse, Nutan Swamiji and the organizing team of SIRD decided to extend the duration of the series to 8 days. The first 4 days took place as part of the residential retreat’s evening sessions, which were open to non-registered seekers also.

Nutan Swamiji commenced the series by establishing the importance of Bhagavad Gita in all facets of our interactional life. The core of Bhagavad Gita is “buddhi-yoga” which means anchoring our intelligence in the Soul dimensions as we live and move about in this world. Remaining impersonal and impartial bestows clarity and helps us make the right decisions in life.

Swamiji repeatedly emphasised that Bhagavad Gita says activities and interactions are not hindrances on the spiritual journey, rather they are tools for attaining the same Knowledge of the Upanishads. The vital point is to perform every activity with Yajña-bhāva, devoid of desires, and without any sense of doership.

Swamiji taught us that everything in the universe is a manifestation of the three guṇas – sattva, rajas, and tamas – which are the fundamental constituents of Nature. All three guṇas co-exist and are necessary. It is the proportion of each guṇa that makes up one’s personality.

Swamiji thoroughly dissected each guṇa, its characteristics, binding properties and how to overcome that bondage. He gave many examples to help us look within and analyse our own personalities. Using various illustrations, he made it clear to us that it is desire that traps our intelligence in the clutches of worldliness. Winning over desire is only possible when our buddhi is connected to the real, universal Self.

The only way to move forward on this path, Swamiji repeatedly emphasised, is to overcome the bondage of rajas and tamas by cultivating more sattva-guṇa. This can only be done by being mindful of our āhāras (inputs), taking in more sāttvik inputs. Ultimately the bondage created by Sattva-guṇa itself must be overcome through surrender and non-expectation, to become guṇātita (one who has transcended the guṇas). This is the Viśuddha-sattva state of the Knower, who is free from the bondages of these guṇas, yet moves about with all three guṇas at play in their purest and most effective form.

Nutan Swamiji enlightened us that cultivating the qualities of a Knower is the sadhana for a seeker. It was a profound message for all of us.

Many of us found Nutan Swamiji’s presentation of the topic to be eye-opening, allowing us to understand our personalities in a manner we’ve never done before. Our immense gratitude to Nutan Swamiji for giving us this priceless guidance and inspiration.

Swamiji at Divine Life Society

Visit to Divine Life Society (14th January)

Nutan Swamiji, along with devotees from SIRD, visited Divine Life Society (DLS) in Batu Caves, Selangor, upon invitation by H.H. Sri Swami Swayamjayananda Saraswati Maharaj, President of DLS Malaysia. Nutan Swamiji was humbly received by DLS Sannyasins and Brahmacharins with poorna-kumbham, and garlanding by Maharaj himself. Nutan Swamiji was then taken to the sublime Satsang Hall where ārati was shown to the marble statue of DLS’s founder, Swami Sivananda.

The visit was arranged to interact with the children residing in DLS-homes. These children had participated in the ‘I CAN’ project and ‘3 + 3 Mind Training programme’, being conducted by SIRD volunteers as part of SIRD’s Inner Resources Development (IRD) initiative, aimed at bringing Poojya Swamiji’s teaching to the youngsters from the Indian community.

The programme concluded with a vibrant chorus chanting of Guru stotras by the children and a Q&A session of Nutan Swamiji with the devotees of DLS.

Pongal Day Satsang

Pongal Celebration (15th January)

Pongal is the second most celebrated festival after Deepavali for Hindus in Malaysia. We at SIRD were blessed as this year it fell during Nutan Swamiji’s visit to Malaysia. We observed Pongal at SIRD with our Cultural Heritage Class children as a festival of fun as well as knowledge. Children also tried their hand at kolam decoration under the guidance of their dedicated teachers.

Significance of making the pongal (sweet rice) itself was beautifully explained by the children as representing 5 elements constituting Nature – earthen pot (earth), milk (water), firewood (fire), air and space. When all the elements are in balance, milk boils and sweet rice can be cooked. Similarly, when the 5 elements in our body are kept balanced, our life will be blessed with good health and prosperity.

The event concluded with Nutan Swamiji’s message on Indian festivals. He explained that all festivals (utsava) in our culture are designed to elevate our mind. Swamiji used a globe (made out of cloth by CHC children) to explain the timings of these important yearly festivals decided by the movement of Earth on its own axis and around the Sun. By the end of the day the children returned home with brilliant faces and enriched minds.

Interactive Satsang with Swamiji

Q&A Sessions (16th, 18th, and 31st January)

Interactive Satsangs held in the Centre drew vibrant participation from newcomers as well as regular devotees. Questions covered a vast range of topics pertaining to highest philosophy, doubts and difficulties on the spiritual journey, and interpersonal relationships. All of Nutan Swamiji’s answers were not only practical and applicable, but carried precious gems for everyone’s sadhana. As always, Swamiji answered questioners with gentle humour and full compassion.

The sessions drove home the point that with all the online resources available to us, the depth and impact felt being in the physical presence of a Saint is simply incomparable.

Walking, Meeting, Chanting

As is customary during Nutan Swamiji’s visit programmes, evening walks were a regular treat. We looked forward to fresh air, exercise and most importantly, being in the company of Swamiji amidst Nature in the beautiful and serene park close by.

Despite the busy schedule, and having to manage Ashram affairs from a distance, Nutan Swamiji made time to meet seekers individually, particularly the youth, giving them much-needed guidance, clarity and solace.

Except during the retreat period, Vishnu-sahasranāma chanting classes with Dr Aravindan were held almost every morning. Aravindanji patiently and fervently made sure our pronunciation was proper, using many Tamil words as examples to assist us in differentiating the sounds of each letter. Although we only went through the first ten lines, all of us found significant improvement in our pronunciation.

Our Gratitude

It was heart-warming to see how SIRD family members – particularly the youth members – came together to take up various forms of seva with full devotion and commitment. Despite some hiccups, all worked harmoniously to ensure every aspect of the programme, including food and accommodation, ran smoothly.

Throughout the programme, Nutan Swamiji enriched our minds, strengthened our understanding and encouraged us to intensify our own spiritual practices. Simply being in his presence, observing him working and interacting in his most simple and natural manner, had tremendous impact on us. We feel inspired to purify ourselves to be simple, stay afloat and perform all tasks with common sense. As we await our next Jñāna-yajña with Poojya Swamiji and Ma, Nutan Swamiji’s words of wisdom and advice will continue to guide us.

Glimpses of the 5-day Retreat in Malaysia (20th – 25th Jan 2023)

[Nutan Swamiji’s “Enlightened Living – Walking the Inner Path” Residential Retreats first started in Jamshedpur in 2013. This year, for the first time, the retreat was conducted at SIRD-Malaysia from 20th to 25th January 2023. The 5-day retreat had 20 participants from diverse ages and backgrounds. Dr Anand Balan, Anupreeta Partiban, Nyanaselvi Krishnan, Subashini Sivagnanam and Vanisri Sivagnanam were among the young adults who had participated. They were happy to give their views and glimpses of the enlightening and enriching programme, as presented below.]

Introductory Session – 20th Jan (evening)

Just hearing Swamiji speak made us excited about the retreat. We came with open mind and no expectations. All we wanted was to learn. +Read full Article