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Hindus of Greater Houston- Hinduism Awareness Week

Related Post - Understanding Hinduism in Today's World

Hinduism awareness week, sponsored by Hindus of Greater Houston, was well attended. Children of all ages participated in the event and were asking questions and they listened to complete lecture by Swami Nikhilanand Ji, a pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Many topics were covered and it was a very interactive session.

Swami Nikhilanand covered some basic and as well as some advanced topics on Hinduism. After the lecture all the kids took a test on the lecture and were very eager to do their best.

Rajat, winner in 12-18 years category. He scored 10 out of 10. The question which made the difference was related to "soul" and if it is "Omnipresent" ?

Winners in 6 - 12 age category. They won the competition by scoring 10 /10. They won a video camera and an MP3 player.

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Narad Bhakti Darshan is one of the most important scriptures explaining the true meaning of bhakti.

Date: January 15 - 22 2010
Time: Weekdays & Saturday 7-8.3opm Sun 4-6pm
Location: 1307 W. Forest Drive, Houston, TX 77043

Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj teaches that bhakti is eternal. It is the eternally existing path to attain God. God is one, so the path of His attainment is also one, and thus, the same path of bhakti ensures the attainment of any of the forms of God.

The path of bhakti is prevalent in every brahmand of this entire universe and it is for all the souls of this universe. It remains the same in all the four yugas (satyug, treta, dwapar and kaliyug) and, as it is directly related to soul and God, it is above caste, creed, sect and nationality. It can be adopted by any person of any nation of this world, because it is gifted by the supreme God Himself for the benefit of the humankind; and again, there are no physical requirements in doing bhakti.

There are no meditation postures to adopt, no concentration techniques to follow and no rituals to observe. So it can be done by anyone, young, old or sick, and at any time in twenty-four hours, because bhakti is the pure love of your heart that longs to meet the Divine beloved of your soul in this very lifetime. The philosophy of bhakti is described in Narad Bhakti Darshan and explained by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. (Picture: Sage Narad Ji who revealed the Narad Bhakti Darshan).

In this 8 day lecture series we will learn-

How do you do bhakti?
Why moksh is not the goal of bhakti.
What are the 3 things you need to know to follow the path of bhakti?
What is the difference between worldly desire and desiring God?
How many forms of God should you worship?
How should one balance their worldly duties with the path of bhakti?
What is the best historical example of bhakti?

The discourse is in English followed by beautiful Kirtan composed by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj and led by Swami Nikhilanand of Barsana Dham Ashram, founded by Shree Swami Prakashanand Saraswati. Prasad/dinner will be served on all days.

Related Post: The Meaning of Makar Sankranti


Swami Nikhilanand Ji, a disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj starting the Surya Namaskar session



Swami Nikhilanand Ji participating in the kite flying festivities.

This year, Hindus of Greater Houston celebrated Makar Shankranti day most joyously. Swami Nikhilanand Ji, a disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj gave a speech on "the meaning of Makar Shankranti".

Over 4,000 men, women and children joined in festivities with kite-flying, yogic exercises - Surya Namaskar yagna - and music in Houston. It was a picnic with a difference where people from various parts of greater Houston area gathered to mark the festival that also signifies the Sun's northward journey - Uttarayana.

The festival organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, Gujarati Samaj of Greater Houston and Hindus of Greater Houston has become a favorite fun day for the last two decades. This year because of the wet outfield, games like cricket and kabaddi were canceled but that did not diminish the enthusiasm of the gathering. The Day extended for almost 8 hours with the peak around 2 pm when music, food and kite flying were the big attraction. Gujarati Samaj served Khichari and butter milk free, like every year, said Prakash Shah, the President of Gujarati Samaj.

From the morning hours till well past noon hundreds of people from ages 6 to 60 participated in the Yogic exercise, Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) that helps both the body and the mind. Lakshminarayan, one of the organizers, said Surya Namaskar has become very popular and every day some 10,000 people do it in parks, playgrounds and at their homes. The goal is to reach 100,000 people this year.

Event Name- "Understanding Hinduism in Today's World"
Location -
Keshav Smriti,
4018 Westhollow Pkwy,
Houston, TX 77082
Date - Saturday January 9th 2010
Time - 10am - 12noon
Contact - Dharminder Dargan (281) 531-4332

Schedule -
9.30am Registration
10.00am Talk on Hinduism Today
10.45am Question & Answers
11.15am Hindu Event Awareness
11.30am Competition
11.50am Prizes
12.00noon Pizza Lunch

Topics of Lecture-
Why have faith in Hinduism?
Why should I believe in God?
Why does the description of God in Hinduism differ or agree with other religions?
Is it possible to see God?
The challenges of being a Hindu youth in America.

Swami Nikhilanand is a pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj and a sanyasi teacher of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Barsana Dham. Swami Nikhilanand left behind his Western beliefs and chose to adopt Hinduism as a young man. He travelled to India and studied in the ashrams of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, learning Hindi, Sanskrit, and the essence of the prime Bhartiya scriptures (Upnishads, Darshan Shastras, Gita, Bhagwatam). When the time came, his Guruji gave him the order of sanyas. Since then, Swami Nikhilanand has lectured throughout the U.S., inspiring audiences with his clear and practical representation of our Hindu dharm.

"What to ask from God - A Conversation between Queen Kunti and Shree Krishn"
Inspirational discourse in Houston, by Swami Nikhilanand, a pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.

Event Name- "What to ask from God - A Conversation between Queen Kunti and Shree Krishn"
Location -
Hindu Worship Society Temple
2223 Wirtcrest Lane,
Houston, TX 77055
Date - Sunday, January 3rd 2010
Time- 12:00 - 13:00
Contact - Vishnu Divecha (713) 784-1455 OR Renu Seth (832) 816-0169

Swami Nikhilanand, a pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj will speak on the devotional philosophy of What to ask from God.

Once in our history, in the time of Lord Krishn during Mahabharat, the mother of Arjun, Kunti, asked for a very strange boon from Krishn. Krishn had told Kunti that He could give her anything she desired. Kunti said "Vipadah santunah shashwad... Bavato darshanam..." "O Lord Krishn, if you want to give me anything, give me lack of worldly pleasures at every step of my life, because the absense of worldly things inspires the human heart to proceed towards You; otherwise, the heart tends to recede from You because of its increasing attachments."

Krishn said "Kunti! Generally people desire for worldly luxuries, yog-powers or liberation. Why do you ask for the pains of the world?" Kunti replied, "My Lord! Do not try to trick me. You see, if I receive worldly luxuries, my pride will grow and I might forget You, so how could I come close to You? But if I am facing difficulties in my life, I will know that this world is full of miseries, disappointments, and negativities. Then naturally I will remember You, and when I remember You, I will find You"...
(Excerpted from "The Shikchashtak by H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati)