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Swami Vivekananda and Human Excellence
Thursday, January 14th, 2010 | News, Notifications, Uncategorized | Comments Off
On 12th January 2010, on the occasion of the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, celebrated by the Government of India as the National Youth Day, Samskrita Sangha at Indian Institute of Science had organized a talk by a monk from Ramakrishna Math, Ulsoor, Bangalore.
Here is an outline of the talk titled “Swami Vivekananda and Human Excellence”.
The world and India has seen several saints and prophets. When almost all of them talked about God, Swami Vivekananda insisted on dignity of man. The main theme of Swamiji’s lectures, private talks, writings, letters, etc. was Human Excellence. He wanted every human being to manifest the best qualities in all spheres of life. The best examples of the ideal for human excellance are Swami Vivekananda himself and Sri Krishna.
The person who has achieved the utmost excellence in his life is a man of harmony. Krishna presents a vivd picture of such a man at several occasions in the Bhagavad Gita. In his personality and life, we see harmony between pair of apparant opposites like gentleness and fearlessness, renunciation and service, faith and rationality, meditation and work, etc. Usually we meet two kinds of noble people – the meditative introverted renunciate and the ever active social worker. A harmony of both of these in the same person is the epitome of Human Excellence.
Human Excellence can be broadly classified as Character Excellence and Spiritual Excellence.
Character Excellence requires three qualities – (1) Knowledge of ways to uplift mankind, (2) Capacity to put the knowledge into practice, and most importantly, (3) Strength of conviction. Conviction (shradda) is the most important factor and is the seed of all good action. Conviction is of three things – (1) Conviction in the potential of oneself, (2) Conviction in the power of goodness, (3) Conviction in the meaningfulness of the world and society.
There have been several people of great achievements in Character Excellence. But ultimate fulfillment in life will come only from Spiritual Excellence. This is having the true knowledge about oneself as the pure Consciousness, ever unattached and beyond all cause-effect relationships.
Swami Vivekananda was a perfect blend of Character and Spiritual Excellence. By following his teachings, we also can strive to inculcate these concepts in our life and attain both these aspects of Human Excellence.
Report of the Inter-School Cultural Competitions 2009
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 | News, Notifications, Uncategorized | Comments Off
The Ramakrishna Math, Ulsoor, Bangalore, a branch centre of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Belur Math, Dt. Howrah, West Bengal. Our Math is engaged in various social service activities in the fields of education, medical, cultural and religion with the spirit of “Service to Man is Service to God”.
With a view to build a better society and to inculcate higher values among the public in general and students in particular, various activities are organized. Every year we conduct Inter School Cultural Competition, with a view to inculcate higher values and to give an insight into our ancient heritage.
This year, the following competitions were held between August and September 2009 for the children from L.K.G. to X Standard:
1. Srimat Bhagavat Gita Chanting Competition – The participants were asked to chant 20 shlokas from the chapters 2nd and 17th.
2. Painting Competition: The topics were “Zoo or Green Bangalore” for Primary School and “Our Solar System” for High School.
3. Essay Writing: On the “Future of India according to Swami Vivekananda”
4. Elocution Competition: For High School – “Personality Development according to Swami Vivekananda” and for Primary School students – “The Character I like most in Ramayana and Mahabharata”.
5. Quiz Competition: This consisted of 6 rounds of questions culled from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Life of Swami Vivekananda, and the History of Indian Freedom Struggles and Maths & science puzzles.
6. Fancy Dress for L.K.G. to 4th Standard – Indian saints, Gods and goddesses
In total, 18 schools took part in the competition. A total of 58 prizes along with certificates are being awarded to the winners. This includes 13 first prizes; 13 second prizes; 15 third prizes; and 17 consolation prizes. Each participants were given one Badge so also a participation certificate.
A special prize is awarded to the institution that has sent maximum number of participants. This year it was awarded to “Amarajyothi Public School”. The institution that has secured maximum number of prizes was also awarded, a Prize. This year this award goes to Army Public School.
We are thankful to all the institution heads, teachers, parents and students for taking part in the competitions and in making it a success.
We are sure that such activities will leave behind a lasting impression in the minds of the young participants and it will help them in moulding their lives.
We pray to Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda to inspire and guide one and all towards the real goal of human life.
Thanking you all once again,
Jai Sri Ramakrishna
Aashrama’s Activities Summary Update - September 2008
Sunday, November 9th, 2008 | News, Notifications, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Here is the Summary of Activities. Please Click below Images to Enlarge them.
Narayana Seva Started by Ulsoor Aashrama
Monday, September 22nd, 2008 | News, Notifications, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Narayana Seva
As a part of Rural Welfare Programme, our Ashrama has started Narayana Seva. This project is meant to help those who could not afford to purchase the food articles due to the prize hike and poverty.
By this project, food articles for the poor lactating-mothers and senior citizens in the remote villages are being distributed.
Each family gets
Rice – 10 kgs.
Ragi – 10 kgs (or) Aatta – 5kgs.
Dal – 5 kgs
Oil – 2 lts.
More than 500 families in 19 villages are getting benefited by this scheme.
All are invited to participate in this noble service.
Photos for the same can be found here.
Summer Camp for Boys and Girls
Saturday, August 16th, 2008 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
Summer Camp for Boys and Girls was held successfully from 4th May to 18th May. This event was well received by all the students.
