Hindu Press International

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KAUAI, HAWAII, September 9, 2019 (Himalayan Academy Publications): Today we are officially announcing the version 2.0 release of our free Spiritual Workout App. The app was inspired by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's publisher's desk article, "The Ten Minute Spiritual Workout." While today nearly everyone appreciates the need for daily exercise to stay fit and healthy, many don't realize the need to maintain a balanced spiritual life through daily practices. The Spiritual Workout is designed primarily for Hindus who would like to maintain a daily spiritual practice, but who might not have much time to give to spiritual well-being.

The app has four main areas: worship, introspection, affirmation and study. The Worship section includes mantras, chants and a Ganesha Puja (including audio files for learning). The Introspection section includes "Aum" chanting, a simple breathing exercise and a guided meditation. The Affirmation section presents several affirmations which can be repeated to positively reprogram one's subconscious mind, and the Study section makes available some of Himalayan Academy's important publications. There is a "10 Minute Sadhana" section which organizes these four areas, as well as a Hatha Yoga section and a simple timer for use in your own custom spiritual practice.

For the free iOS and Android versions, click "source" above.

NOTE: Android users might not see an update for several days due to the Google Play Store managing a high volume of app updates on a daily basis.

Read the original Ten Minute Spiritual Workout article here:
https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/ ... tion/item.php?itemid=5454

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KAUAI, HAWAII, September 7, 2019 (Hinduism Today): On the first look, answering this question is easy. Chickens lay eggs, chickens are animals, so an egg must be an animal since it has an animal origin and grows into a new animal. But...what if the eggs are not fertilized? Commercially available eggs from your local grocery store in most cases originate from the large hen farms which hold chickens in cages without a chance for fertilization. Since there is no fertilization, a new animal organism will not develop from these eggs. Does this lack of animal development make these eggs plants? In short, no.

Read the full article from Hinduism Today's July issue at "source".

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Ever afterward, though the dance of creation change around me in the hall of eternity, I shall be the same.
-- Anandamayi Ma (1896-1982), Mystic Bengali saint

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KAUAI, HAWAII, September 6, 2019 (Hinduism Today): There are many ways to conceptualize 240 million people: 3.2% of the world's population or 72% of the US; 200 times the population of Paris; enough to be the fifth largest country in the world. On January 15th alone, fourteen million--some say 20 million--joined the Royal Bath at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and celestial Saraswati Rivers adjacent to the host city of Prayagraj (population a mere 1.5 million). It was the largest gathering of humans for one event in history. In attendance were India's foremost religious leaders, hundreds of thousands of sadhus and millions of Hindus. They were there to take a holy dip in the sacred rivers, have darshan of the saints and enjoy each other's company in grand celebration.

Hinduism Today correspondent Rajiv Malik provides an in-depth report with many photos of the 2019 Kumbh Mela in the magazine's July issue at "source" above.

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We want to claim that which we already are. You are already the Self, you are just not aware of it. Do not put it off based upon some concept that we are not ready, we are not worthy, we need more of this or that. None of those principles apply when it comes to Self Realization.
-- Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today

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TIRUPATI, INDIA, September 2, 2019 (The Hindu): At a time when eco-friendly celebrations have become the mantra for Vinayaka Chaturthi, Tirupati has emerged as a trailblazer by going a step ahead to present recyclable statues. There are at least two huge statues in the temple town which need no immersion as they will be dismantled and distributed among the devotees after the festival. At Thummalagunta village on the city outskirts, a huge Vinayaka statue made of clay bangles is drawing the attention of the passersby. The Bala Vinayaka Committee and Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Youth Association have plans to welcome the Lord of Wisdom in a novel form. They have chosen bangles as the raw material this festive season. Made of a whopping 200,000 bangles, the 30-foot Deity has become the cynosure of all eyes.

"Unlike the regular spherical shape, the Laddu placed in the palm of the Lord has been crafted in the form of Vinayaka himself. The prasadam weighing 2,460 lbs. will be distributed among the devotees on the Nimajjanam day," a representative of the puja committee says. Another huge statue is made of dry coconut (copra). The statue is made of 375 lbs. of copra and 200 coconuts. "After the festival, the dry coconut pieces will be distributed as prasadam," says Murali Checharla, one of the organizers. Meanwhile, clay idols are being distributed across the city by the civic authorities and charitable organisations to promote eco-friendly celebration.

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INDIA, September 2, 2019 (The Hindu): Both Vizianagaram and Srikakulam towns wore a festive look on Sunday, ahead of Vinayaka Chaviti. Despite the rain, Vizianagaram's PW Market was bustling with activity, as people rushed in to buy Ganesh statues and puja materials. YSRCP leaders Eswar Kaushik, Kolagatla Sravani and others distributed eco-friendly statues to the devotees. In Srikakulam, the distribution of clay statues continued at Vijaya Ganapati Temple, Samapath Vinayak Temple among other places. Sampath Vinayak Temple Trust Board chairman Konda Rambabu expressed happiness over the positive response from the devotees to the concept of celebrating the festival in an eco-friendly manner.

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INDIA, September 4, 2019 (Hinduism Today by Purnendu Singh): There were times during thes Kumbh I went without sleep for two days at a stretch because of my duties overseeing VIP visits. But when I saw that, despite the huge rush, the pilgrims were able to comfortably and smoothly take their bath and felt blissful, I got a very special kind of satisfaction which cannot be easily explained in words. Seeing that, feeling the bliss and peace on the faces of the pilgrims, is the biggest achievement of my posting here. It was such an energy booster for me.

Purendu Singh, one of the Kumbh Mela senior police officers, shares his thoughts and feelings on the duty of a lifetime in the July issue of Hinduism Today. The full article can be viewed at "source".

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Sunder your desires even unto the Lord. The more the desires, the more the sorrows, the more one gives up, the more bliss there shall be.
-- Tirumantiram verse 2585

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BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, September 1, 2019 (Hindustan Times): The ongoing demolition drive of mutts and other commercial structures around the 246-foot perimeter of Jagannath temple in Puri has taken a political turn with the Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth Swami Nischalananda Saraswati and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party lashing out at the BJD government over the drive. Since August 27, the Puri district administration is on a demolition spree of old structures within 246 foot radius of the 12th century temple after a committee headed by retired judge of Orissa High Court BP Das recommended the removal of such structures early this year. The district administration began by demolishing the Languli Mutt, a 14th century Hindu monastery of Dasanami cult, and on Friday it followed up with demolition of 12th century Emar Math belonging to the Ramanujacharya sect and one of the oldest Hindu monasteries of Puri.

According to officials familiar with the demolition drive, a dozen such Hindu monasteries around the temple are set to be demolished in the coming days. About a week ago, chief minister Naveen Patnaik had approved the demolition drive urging people to cooperate to ensure security of the Jagannath temple. "Odias made tremendous sacrifice for the safety of Jagannath temple and the presiding Deities. Our tradition is centered around Jagannath culture. But global terrorism is a big challenge. Terror groups are targeting religious institutions. So, it is imperative to implement various security related suggestions in the temple," said Patnaik, defending the demolition while announcing a US$69.5 million mega plan to turn the holy town of Puri into a World Heritage City.

More at "source".

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PURI, INDIA, August 31, 2019 (Orissa Post): The ongoing eviction drive around the Jagannath Temple in Puri ran into rough weather once again Saturday, with Govardhan Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati declaring the recommendations of Justice B.P. Das commission illegal. Based on the recommendations of the commission, the Odisha government and the Puri district administration launched an eviction drive a week ago in the area surrounding the temple and all structures within 246 feet of its boundary wall are being cleared. "According to the special power vested on the Shankaracharya, I declare the recommendation of the Das commission illegal," the seer told reporters at Govardhan Peeth in Puri.

The seer expressed displeasure that he was not consulted by the judicial panel before submitting its report on temple reforms to the state government, which had accepted the recommendations. He also did not approve the function of the Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae on the reforms in the 12th-century shrine. The seer said the Shankaracharya should be consulted on religious and spiritual matters. "How can the Chief Minister, law minister or administrators take decision on religious and spiritual mater?" he asked. Underlining that Puri is first a spiritual place and then a place for tourism, he suggested the state government to undertake reforms in the holy town and temple from the religious and spiritual point of view and not for the comfort and luxury of the tourists visiting the place.

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KAUAI, HAWAII, September 3, 2019 (Hinduism Today, by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami): As an emanation of God, each soul has the eternal truths of Hinduism encoded within itself, available through meditation. Hinduism is often referred to by the Sanskrit term Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana means eternal and dharma in this context means religion. Thus, Hinduism is the "Eternal Religion." Calling a religion eternal naturally leads to the reflection, "What is it that is eternal in the universe?" The answer, of course is just one entity--God. I propose that Hinduism's eternal essence is possible only if it abides in the intelligence of God. How then does this spiritual knowledge pass from God to man, whose inmost being is also immortal?"

Read the full Publishers Desk article from Hinduism Today's July issue at "source' above.

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Joys and sorrows are time-born and cannot last. Therefore, do not be perturbed by these. The greater the difficulties and obstructions, the more intense will be your endeavor to cling to His feet and the more will your prayer increase from within. And when the time is ripe, you will gain mastery over this power.
-- Anandamayi Ma (1896-1982), God-intoxicated Bengali saint

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GOA, INDIA, September 12, 2018 (inditales.com, by Anuradha Goyal): This is that time of the year when Ganesh Chaturthi fervor is in the air. Like every festival, Ganesh Chaturthi also has popular bhajans and songs associated with it. The first worshipped, the remover of obstacles is the favorite Devta across India. However, there is nothing like celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, and Telangana. At "source" is a list of best of the Ganapati songs and videos to celebrate with.

HPI note: As readers might have noticed, yesterday's list of Ganesh Chaturthi songs came from Bollywood movies; this list is of more classical renditions. Both types are very popular in India.

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HYDERABAD, INDIA, September 2, 2019 (Deccan Chronicle): The 61-foot Khairatabad Ganesha statue is set for the festival on Monday, together with a 1,653 lb. laddu, and a 70-foot shawl that was contributed by devotees. The bamboo scaffolding used during the construction was removed on Sunday, revealing the statue in its glory. Devotees thronged Khairatabad to have the first look at the city's tallest-ever statue. This year, the statue is named Dwadashaditya.

One of the devotees, Mr. J. Srikanth donated the laddu. He said 15 people worked on preparing the laddu and its container. The cooks, fabricators and welders worked for 36 hours to complete the prasadam. The total cost was put at US$1,250. The Dwadashaditya Ganesha statue has 24 hands and 12 heads which is adorned with 12 snakes. The statue and the arrangements cost approximately $111,000, and about 150 artists took part in its making. Special prayers will be conducted on Monday morning by Veda pandits from Warangal and local priests.