"God is religion. Religion is not of God. Religion is just a path to reach God. In this world, everyone is fighting in the name of religion. Everybody loves his own religion and thinks that is the best in this world. However, it is also very important to have respect for other’s religious faith. Then there will not be any fighting in the name of religion. Religion guides us towards peace. Religion is for peace. However, it is ironic that in the name of religion when people engage themselves in war. Truth is everywhere, in every religion.

There are many ways to reach our goal but we have to select the best for us. Then to follow until we reach our goal. If we want to go on the top floor of a skyscraper, there would be many ways to go but we have to select one way to reach the destination. Different ways are not our subject. Our aim is to reach on the top by any way.

Similarly, there are many ways to realize God. However, we have to focus on achieving the ultimate goal – God, not on the way, by which we marching. Select any one religion, any one way and then follow it. Everyone should have the aim to achieve God. To realize the Supreme is our ultimate goal. As that is the place where we all can meet, where there is no differences, where there is no demarcation. Realizing Oneness is the only solution to stop the war in our world.".......Bhagavan

Devotees chanting Mahamantra at Mayer bari, Birati, Kolkata

A report on Bhagavan’s visits to Shillong- a beautiful city with beautiful people at the North eastern state of Meghalaya, India.

-Sanjib Bhattacharjee & Smt Champa Nag, Shillong, India

Bhagavan- the founder and core of the International Vedanta Society paid a 3 day visit to Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, a small but beautiful North Eastern state of India.

The arrival 1st of July 2008.
· Respected dignitaries of Shillong welcomed Sri Bhagavan with traditional “Gamosa” and garlands when Bhagavan arrived here at 12.30 pm. He was accompanied by Swami Sankarananda, Vice President IVS, Mrs. Maushumi Deb, Vice President, women’s wing, from Arunachal Pradesh and Miss Shikha Sarkar from Assam. Some of the members present were Sri Sanjib Bhattacharjee, Smt Shibani Talukdar, Sri Siddhartha Nag,Smt Champa Nag, Sri Api Das, Smt Nami Das, Smt Sonali Das, Sri Chandan Dev, Smti Devi Dev etc.
· On His arrival speech, Bhagavan highlighted the importance and significance of appearance of Sri Bhagavan in this earth to a moderate gathering which included devotees other dignitaries of Shillong. While elaborating on the concept of Diksha, Bhagavan said that the traditional “Mantra Diksha” given to the disciples is not enough, but the touch of a highly spirited super power can guide the holy heart to the ultimate realization.

The stay 2nd of July 2008
· Bhagavan said, “Vedanta should not be practiced separately; it should be made a part of our life. Every step and teachings of Vedanta helps us to lead a tension and stress free life”.
· While elaborating on the Mahamantra He said, in earlier days, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra was chanted mostly by people without realizing its inner meaning and power. But now, as the power of the Mahamantra is being discovered, it is now chanted by people of all classes, especially the literate ones, not only in India but also around the world.

· After a long time the devotees had the opportunity to listen to the Advaita Vedanta from the Master. Bhagavan was in the mood of delivering the essence of the highest form of spiritual knowledge to his loved ones. He said-“Common people are aware of three stages- awake ness, dream and deep slumber. But the ultimate internal fragrance of realization comes from the fourth step of spiritual awakening i.e. the “Paramarthik Jagaran” or the transcendental state”. He said that we or rather our mind is constantly trying to get something or the other. Naturally some of our wants are fulfilled while others are not. We feel happy when everything we want is achieved but we start to blame others for our failures and miseries when our wants and desires are not being fulfilled. The main message was that we are only responsible for our sorrows and miseries. “Nobody but me to Blame”. The sooner we can understand this the quicker we will learn to remain contended and happy.

3rd of July 2008
· Bhagavan said that the realization of eternity in every soul can only be explored when the quest for the same is felt inside.
· Sri Bhagavan said, innumerable numbers of people around the world has experienced the essence of realization with His divine touch, but compared to that it is very unfortunate that appropriate recognition is not given by the people, the reason for this being the selfishness of the aspirants who happily experienced the pleasure and joys of Realization but never had tried to express and spread this message to the world.

The departure 4th of July 2008
Every good thing comes to an end. After spending three really wonderful days with Bhagavan, the day of separation finally arrived for the people of Shillong. Devotees with tearful eyes bid farewell to His Holiness Sri Sri Bhagavan who left Shillong for Guwahati on the 4th of July at 9AM accompanied by Swami Sankarananda, Mrs Mousumi Deb and Miss Sikha Sarkar. Members present during Bhagavan’s departure were Smt Tapashi Bhattacharjee, Sri Malay Talukdar, Sri Pradip Rakshit, Sri Pinak Pani Hore, Smt Sudipta Hore, Sri S.R Choudhury, Sri Suparna Choudhury, Smt Chandra Nag, Smti Meenakshi Choudhury and others.

PHILOSOPHY OF IVS.

Our slogan-" Man is God".
The international Vedanta Society solicits one and all irrespective of any caste, creed, sex or religion. IVS doesn't stress on worshipping any particular God or Goddess. It believes that the all powerful resides within everyone and this omnipresent is known as Iswara or God.
The International Vedanta Society doesn't speak of any rights for men or women because the society believes that everyone is born with their own rights. The task is only to make them aware about it. And the medium of serving this ideology is love.
The International Vedanta Society doesn't give any preferences to Sannyasins(monks) or householders. The society wishes to let every individual manifest their inherent divinity within. IVS believes that only Vedanta can change the trouble- tormented situation of the present day world. And that must come through love and the International Vedanta Society is spreading the message of Unity and love. IVS appeals everyone to perform some benevolent activities everyday. each one of us has a role to play. Let everyone play his own role.
We've heard many great good things in this world. But not much has been done. We must not differ in words and actions. IVS believes and respects all faith and religions.
The International Vedanta Society desires to build such a new civilization where man would have predominance.
The idol of IVS is "man"(Human Being).
"Man is truth above all else, nothing beyond prevails"
--- Bhagavan, the founder and core of IVS.

Bhagavan's words- Bappadittya Saha,

Dear Everybody,
Bappadittya, a known face in the circle of IVS in Kolkata. An Engineer of a German based company by profession, needs always extensive traveling worldwide but it doesn't distract Him from the devotion and dedication towards Bhagavan. He and His family are always pleased to serve Bhagavan and the devotees of Kolkata. He shared some golden words spoken by Bhagavan with all of us. I hope these words of Bhagavan will provide us deeper insight in the world of spirituality. Love to you all, Swamiji.
Dear Swamiji,
Me and my wife together got 'diksha' (initiation)from Bhagawan on 26th August,2006 at around 9 am. Bhagawan said Diksha means looking inside. All throughout we had been looking outside, he said. From now on you will identify, understand and realize your origin, your source.

Bhagawan said :
Whatever you do, do it best. Atleast try to give your best. Give your 100%. Try to do it the most beautiful way. When you eat, eat nicely. When you go to sleep, try to do it nicely. When you talk , talk nicely....

Belief is the real thing, the most important....

Hatred or absence of love is the greatest threat, the greatest enemy of mankind.....

Good and honest thoughts will protect us....

Whatever you do, do with love


You have done a lot with your wisdom. What did you get ? What happened ? Now try to practice Vedanta. You will see that HE is showing the way. You need not do anything. Everything will happen by itself.

Be simple but don't be a fool.

Whatever you are , its you who's responsible. You cannot escape the fruits or eventuality of your actions.

IVS teaches acceptance, not tolerance.

Be in discipline. Don't waste time. Respect the value of time. Be in a system.

When you are watering a plant , feel for the plant, love the plant, feel as if the plant was feeling ... 'yes, I needed water..'

By nature the Guru(Master) is quiet, calm, and at peace with himself, however it is for the disciple that he talks, he has to talk. Hot oil is calm but when a luchi (paste of flour) is released in the hot oil, the oil makes frying sounds. As soon as the luchi gets completely fried and gets a spherical shape, the hot oil becomes quiet.


Shall send more shortly.
Regards,
Bappaditya

Dear Friends,

Its my pleasure to bring to your notice a recorded copy of My Master's speech on the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Thakur Shri RamaKrishna. I hope that these words of His will provide a light to all of us in this transcendental journey.

Love and light,

Swamiji

Today, the 16th of March 05, in the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Thakur Shri Ramkrishna, Shri Bhagavan spoke to His devotees thus,Shri Bhagavan," I had started with Thakur Shri Ramkrishna. In the year 1971, Thakur first came to my life. He appeared before me saying, Everything will happen to you. But, I didn't understand whatit meant. Now, everything happened to me, but how? I haveput everything in my life.Inspite of being a house holder, I had practiced this knowledge. That is why this movement had spread worldwide. It has become an International movement. Now if you want to establishVedanta Society, you have to be qualified. You have tobecome. Becoming is religion. This becoming is necessary for everybody. Who have excelled in that, will be evident to him. Because Knowledge is known by itself. Knowledge has to be tested; you have to seethe following things,

a) Have I become truly fearless? When the SelfKnowledge is firm, one becomes fearless.

b) Have I become truly selfless? If the Self Knowledgebecomes firm, one becomes selfless.

c) Have I become a true lover of mankind?

With a firmSelf Knowledge, one becomes a lover of mankind.

(Bhagavan- the founder and core of IVS)

To make the knowledge firm, Shri Bhagavan gave the following directives:-

a) Our austerity (Sadhana) is the Self or the Atman, so as the sayings of the Upanishads goes: Know that Atman or the Self, stop talking of others ; He is the bridge to immortality.

b) To know thy Self, Shri Bhagavan gave this path,Think of your thoughts.

c) If any work is left after the Self Knowledge,its only one, Spread the message of Vedanta to each and every house."

Shri Bhagavan said that after these many years ofexperience the knowledge which came to Him is that ,envy will remain, ego and anger will remain, we haveto accept these. Poison will be there but thereshould be the strength to digest it. Every work ofShri Bhagavan has been accomplished. Now its time forthe devotees to start working. But this work should beperformed by the strength of spirituality. The strength of the Knowledge, love and truth is needed.We have to tell the world about religion in a new way.