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With the blessings of Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, JET Atlanta celebrated Gi:tha Jayanthi on December 11, 2011. The day was filled with Bhajans, Songs, Bhagavadgitha chanting, sloka & drawing competition and many more activities in honoring Lord Krishna. This wonderful day was to not only honor Lord Krishna but also a day to recognize all our Prajna kids. They have worked hard in learning the Bhagavdgitha slokas and stories of God and his teachings. Prajna kids were quite eager to show what they had learned from their teachers. The day started off with Jai Srimannarayana Bhajan followed by e Ashto:ttara Puja to Lord Sri Krishna. Many devotees sung Bhajans as well as a few stories recited by the young masters in Prajna. With blessings of our acahraya, though the kids live far from home they have stayed true to religion and culture.
 
 
The kids participated in a Sloka competition to illustrate how well they know their Slokas as well as showing reverence to Lord Krishna. The kids ranged from 4 to 13 and they were equally perfect in reciting the slokas. Though the day was mainly for religious purposes, the program also intertwined enjoyable activities. The kids participated in an Art competition in who can bring the best color to a drawing of Lord Krishna. The children thoroughly adored this moment by enjoying with their friends; a background chanting was orated by the captivating voices of a few devotees of Lord Krishna. There was also a booth set up for anyone to donate for JET which many people supported. Then fallowed a game of Bingo for all to play which was also recited a few slokas as well during the game. The kids had participated with the dearest devotion to their hearts and they were awarded with trophies to applaud their appreciation for Pragna. The day appeared to have end with prasamdam for everyone. Everyone left with smiles on their faces and enjoyment and more devotion in their hearts, as they were looking forward December 11, 2012.
 
 
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The divine glances of the two-eyed Vishnu, the three-eyed Shiva, the eight-eyed Brahma, and the thousand-eyed Indira cannot match up to the impact of a divine glance from a one-eyed (mind) of an Acharya. Similar blissful experience has been felt by the many devotees who participated in the spiritual journey of H.H. Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji in Atlanta, GA from October 6th through the 9th.
Hundreds of Atlanta devotees have been fortunate enough to receive blessings from Swamiji on the most auspicious day of Dussehra. Swamiji has encouraged everyone, especially gruhasta women, to participate in new spiritual and cultural activities, and to start working towards a goal. The Sami Pooja, performed on the evening of Dussehra under the aegis of Swamiji, was a unique and a transcendental experience for all. The rituals were performed according to traditional Vedic ways. This included the shooting of the arrows in all eight directions, which signifies that the entire universe may be blessed with the divine presence of God. This has been achieved by chanting the mantra, "Sami: samayathe: pa:pam sami: satru vina:sini, arjunasya dhanurdha:ri: ra:masya priyadarsini:"
 
Several doctors and social service group members have participated in the Meet and Greet session. This event is where Swamiji instructed everyone to expand one’s own bounds by including both the society and nature as part of their own family. At the Georgia Institute of Technology, Swamiji has enlightened hundreds of culturally diverse students with his speech on, "The Art of Balancing Life". The innumerable subjects that Swamiji referred to in the lecture has mesmerized and inspired the student community. Swamiji specifically quoted the “SWOT” analysis, by stating how it failed to include an objective and a goal for the individual who is seeking success. Swamiji recommended a five-layered approach of service with an objective/goal as the central agenda focus for the righteous way of balancing life.
 
Students have learned from Swamiji that one should accumulate certain qualities that bring them closer to the divine. Such qualities include compassion, selflessness, respect, and discipline. One should also work on suppressing qualities which disrupt and hinder progress. Those traits include anger, passion, greed and jealousy. The positive qualities that help us reach God are automatically manifested.
Probably the most important ceremony of all was the Sri Lakshmi Narayana Puja. This puja was performed by hundreds of devotees under the guidance of Sri Swamiji. The divine bhajan lead by Swamiji, himself, immersed the entire devotee congregation in the Hari na:ma singing. In the Bhagavat gita 18.55, Lord Krishna has stated, “bhaktya: ma:m abhija:na:ti ya:va:n yas cha:smi tatthvathaha. ” The meaning behind the words is, “One can understand me as I am, the supreme personality of godhead, only by devotional service.” Swamiji then explained the Vedic principles for every ritual that has been performed during the entire ritual ceremony, with the utmost care. All the devotees inculcated the bhakti bha:ya in their hearts, by performing this devotional service. This has led everyone to go a step closer in the mission of going back to the abode of godhead.
 
During Swamiji’s stay in Atlanta, Swamiji has educated all with spiritual guidance and enrichment of humanity. Swamiji has, yet again, inspired many to volunteer and take part in the seva activities. The profound program came to an end with a volunteer meeting with Swamiji, where Swamiji has provided mangalasasanams to all fifty volunteers who have helped this grand event become successful and one to remember. Swamiji was kind enough to provide feedback of the events in Atlanta, and encouraged the volunteers to increase awareness among all. Swamiji also recommended the upsurge of Prajna centers and volunteers in Atlanta.
Swamiji has radiated joy and peace to all who have been fortunate enough to meet him. Swamiji’s profound speeches, an easy-to-approach attitude, and a great sense of humor have hypnotized us all. With blessings of Acharya, JET Atlanta will continue to do more service by conducting Prajna classes, VT Seva, and Jet activities.
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Harika, daughter of Smt. Swaroopa garu & Sriman Rami Reddy garu, a 11th Grade student of Alpharetta High School, Atlanta, GA, USA inspired by the speech of our Swamiji, made up her mind to collect & donate funds to JET. So far she accumulated and donated $600.00 This year, she is inspiring her friends and continued with her dollar a day, which is truly remarkable & inspirational.
In her own words, She says
“Ignite the fire in you by getting inspired!” - Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji was my inspirer in accomplishing this achievement. We initially started 3 years ago by just listening to swami’s speeches; the main goal in these speeches was to give to the less fortunate but within your limits as well. Through VT Seva I was able to achieve the dollar a day project, it was an easy way to obtain money but without bearing the amount all at once. The concept of changing a child’s life by just giving a dollar a day astounded me. The world can change with even a minimalistic value but just the drive to change it will make the world a much more enlightened place to live in! I show gratitude to my parents for being supportive and Swamiji for presenting me with the insight. – Harika Parvathareddy
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“Prajna is the ability to translate good knowledge into action.”
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Learn slo:kas and prayers
Learn basics of our tradition
Get familiar with vocabulary and terminology
Introduced to the Vedic literature, stories from our itiha:sas
Learn biographies of our great acharyas and devotees of Lord Srimannarayana
Understand virtues and values and much more.
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