Vivekananda Navaratri Day 6

Students of Vidya mandir, Mylapore rendered a colorful cultural programme as the delightful starter of the day. It was followed by reading from the Swamiji’s lecture.

Swami Sathyaprabhananda Maharaj spoke on Swamiji’s experience at Vivekanandar Illam. Swami Vivekananda had some spiritual experience on one day. Other than that we know nothing about his spiritual experiences here. Otherwise all the 9 days were occasions of grand celebrations. 1000s of people accompanied by musical instruments came to welcome him in Chennai. His chariot was pulled by the youth. This was a heartening incident to Swamiji.

“You are the incarnation of Thriugnasambandar” exclaimed one lady to Swamiji and worshiped him. Swamiji was very much moved by this. Tirupathi devotees called him an avatar from Vaikunta.

There were some moments when Swami Vivekananda slightly grew emotional, such as when someone asked “You a non-brahmin has become a Sanniyasi ?. He gave a suitable reply but didn’t hurt the person with words.

The occasion when Swami Vivekananda came out of the meeting hall to see hundreds of ordinary people outside shows his love and compassion for his fellow beings.

On one of these days at this Illam, Subramaniya Iyer revealed the idea of establishing a Universal temple, where all people irrespective of religion would come and worship.

At the time of parting, the people of Madras were visibly sad. Swami consoled them by promising to send one of his brother monks to keep the momentum.

Sri L Sabaretnam, Chairman, Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan participated as the Chief Guest of the event. In his keynote address he mentioned that Bhavan’s and the Math had similar ideas and did similar activities. Swami Vivekananda believed that spiritual awakening is the only way for India to become supreme globally. Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan has published more than 29 books on Swami Vivekananda.

Spencer S Balasubramaniyam who helped a lot for the Divine Book Festival was felicitated. On his brief address he mentioned, by setting the motto of Ramakrishna Math as “Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitayacha” Swami Vivekananda had transformed the entire concept of service.

The last and the special item of the day was Bommalattam. Puppet show on Swami Vivekananda was done by Mayiladutharai Sri Gananathar Bommai Nadaga Sabha. Audience was enthralled by the performance. The show was filled with Swamiji’s life added with nice traditional humor by Koomali.

Navaratri event was attended by more than 300 people.