VMS annual retreat/Mettilotsava final program

[Guest guest]

Hari Sarvothama, Vayu Jeevothama, Sri Krishna parabhramana namaha

 

Dear Sri Krishnabhakthas:

 

The annual VMS retreat (at Racoon Creek State Park) and Mettilotsava function (at Sri Venkateswara Temple, Monroeville, Pittsburgh) are going to be held over the Labor Day weekend. The final program and info regarding retreat are given below. To get a more accurate head count, please reply to srinivasans about your attendance and your approximate arrival time. We truly appreciate your response.

 

 

Info on the park and group cabins are available at: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/raccooncreek.aspx#directions

 

Details about the park & retreat are sent in separate email.

 

Final Program:

 

Friday Sep. 2nd: The group cabins (Group Cabin #2) at the park are available to us from Friday afternoon / evening. Please bring your own food for Friday dinner.

 

Saturday, Sep. 3rd:

12 noon to 3 pm: Registration, socializing (bring your own lunch)

3:00 - 4:00 pm: Coffee, tea, snacks

4:00 - 5:30 pm: Children's session (song, dance, sthothra recitation, etc...) conducted by Smt Ramaa Srinivas & Smt Varuni Narahari

5:30 - 6:30 pm: Break

6:30 - 8:00 pm: Bharathanatyam on Saint Vadiraja's RukminIsha Vijaya by Smt. Bhramari Shivaprasad

8:00 pm: Dinner, followed by Camp fire

 

Sunday, Sep. 4th:

08:00 am: Assemble at Foothills of S.V. Temple, Pittsburgh, with chanting of Sri Vayu stuthi (Car parking upstairs as before)

08:30 am: Procession starts (ladies in Yellow saree with Red border, men in traditional attire (panche/shalya) )

10:00 am: Reach Temple entrance

10:30 am: Mettilotsava concludes (have / pack lunch at Temple cafeteria)

 

At park:

1:00 - 2:30 pm: Spiritual discussion (Q & A format). Topic: Saadhana and Spiritualism in daily life

3:30 - 5:00 pm: Discussion on VMS charter, goals

7:00 - 9:00 pm: Daasa saahithya concert by Sri Madhava Gudi (disciple of Sri Bhimsen Joshi)

09:00 pm: Dinner, followed by Camp fire

 

Monday, Sep 5th:

AM: Light breakfast, Clean-up, and depart by 11 am.

 

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

 

 

Sri Rukmanisha Vijaya

 

SAMOOHA, Udupi

Presents

Bhava Nrithya Namana

 

(Bharathanatyam recital based on saint Vadiraja’s Rukminisha Vijaya)

 

Concept and Direction: Prof Udyavara Madhava Acharya

Dance presentation: Bhramari Shivaprakash

Sri Rukmineesha Vijaya is a devotional masterpiece by Sri Vaadiraja describing Lord Krishna and his omnipotence. Smt. Bhramari is presenting excerpts from this masterpiece in this ‘Nritya’ – ‘Bhava’ – ‘Namana’ as a solo performance. In this presentation, you will see Bhramari depicting various stages of Lord Krishna in Gokula, in Vrindavana culminating in his marriage with Rukmini.

Doham Kaapi Vihaaya Krishnam Surabhim

Dhogdhum smasthestham....gatA

which briefly translates to Gopika leaving behind milking all other cows when she heard the call of Lord Krishna.

Various instances that are presented here include Lord Krishna’s childhood starting with the birth as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki, the days of growing up at Gokula, breaking of milk pots, stealing butter and slaying of Putani. Prior to moving to Mathura with Akrura, the playful nature of Krishna is depicted in the Raasa Leela. In Mathura, Krishna competes in bow festival and kills Kamsa. Krishna sends Uddhava to inform people at Gokula about his well being and when Uddhava comes to Gokula, he is amazed at people chanting SriHari Sankeerthana. Sri Guru Vaadiraja tells us that with Bhakti every house hold can be Sri Krishna’s house through the eyes of Uddhava who feels Sri Krishna’s presence in all the houses in Gokula.

This epic concludes in the marriage of Sri Krishna and Rukmini. The various incidents leading to the marriage like writing of love letter by Rukmini which pulls Sri Krishna like a magnet and in the ensuing war, Sri Krishna defeats Shishupaala, Rukma, Bheeshmaka and others. With a touch of humor Sri Guru Vaadiraja creates a memorable marriage event with love-hate songs between the two marriage parties.

This is Nritya Bhaava Namana. Sri Guru Vaadiraja’s ‘Ranga Pooja’ to Sri Krishna with a unique insight of Aadhyatma and Bhakti.