Harih Om Tat Sat. For the past 25 years, Narayanashrama Tapovanam and Hind Navotthana Pratishtan have been jointly conducting Anna-Vastra Daana Satram in the austere month of Ashaadha.
The advent of Chatur-masya, the four month period starting with Ashaadha, reminds us to enrich our mind with the unique grace of Daana. Unlike yajna, daana’s power to bestow joy to the giver and receiver alike, places it on a covetable pedestal. Besides, one’s wealth and possessions are purified only by daana, making them a source of continued blessing and strength even to the inheritors.
While objective benefits of Daana-satram go to the recipients, the subtler and greater enrichment is to the givers. Daana-dharma highlighted in Vedas and Shastras, in fact, graces the giver with purity, safeguarding the family and descendants from extravagance and decadence. It also renders the mind liberal and loving. To bequeath wealth is easy, but to bestow an expansive mind and heart is not so. The power and grace of daana alone can ensure the right benevolent bequest and heredity.
In this holy event, recipients are invited in advance through tokens distributed by volunteers. Welcoming them at the distribution centres with aarati and Vedic chants, Sannyaasins, amidst chorus Naama-sankeertana, give them each 3 kgs of rice, a dhoti or saree and sweet.
Last year, to mark the 25th anniversary of Anna-Vastra Daana Satram, we extended it to Delhi and Jamshedpur through our Centres there. More than 26,500 poor families were benefited including 1,500 migrant workers in Delhi and 300 homeless in Jamshedpur. This year we wish to cover a larger number. Enclosed is a brochure of this year’s event.
This year, we plan to begin distribution in Kerala on 8th July. The event at Narayanashrama Tapovanam will be on 21st July and in Vyasa Tapovanam on 10th August.
These benevolent events can be conducted in all their worth, elegance and sanctity, only with the fond sharing and support from devotees and well-wishers. In addition to directly participating in the event, I wish that you also inform your friends and relatives about the Satram, so that they may also have an opportunity to participate in the holy endeavour and be blessed.
May the cultural fraternity implied in this mission grow even more, making the society stronger and more cohesive, enriching you all with greater blessedness and elevation.
Love, regards and ashirvaad.
Antaraatma
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Managing Trustee
