Date; January 10 2021
Topic: Guidelines for Living- as introduced by Adi Sankaracharya in his bhasya on Bhagavad Gita
Speaker: Smt. Sunitha Grandhee
Smt Dr. Sunitha Grandhee has been a sevika with Chinmaya Mission Ann Arbor for over 29 years under the able guidance of Smt. Sharada Kumar ji. She went through a 2-year residential Vedanta course in Mumbai with a rigorous/structured approach in Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, various Prakarna Granthas, , Brahma Sutras, Bhagavatham and Ramayanam'
Note: The first video covers the discourse. The second video covers the Q & A session until 5.30 min and Aarti begins at 11min
Date: February 14 2021
Topic: 'SCARE OF FALLING DOWN IN BETWEEN' - (Based on 6th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita)
Speaker: Swami Yogatmanandji
Born in 1953 in Karnataka, India, Swami Yogatmananda joined Ramakrishna Order in 1976. He received his monastic vows in 1986. He came to the United States in the summer of 2001 as the Minister of the Vedanta Society of Providence.
Swami Yogatmananda is the Hindu Religious Affiliate at Brown University, Providence, RI and the Hindu Chaplain at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, MA.
Note: THe first video covers the first half. Geeta Summary starts at !9 min and Bhajans at 37 min. It also covers two presentations by Samskrita Bharati
Date: March 14 2021
Topic: A narrative on range of topics covered in guidance provided by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in Bhagvadgita
Speaker: Dr C. L. Prabhakar
Dr. C.L. Prabhakar is a Vedic and Sanskrit Scholar . He has addressed Geeta Sessions in the past and spoken at topics related to Bhagavad Geeta to various groups including Samskrita Bharati. Following are among his numerous associations:
Director, Vedaadhyayanana Kendra, Bangalore
President, World Association for Vedic Studies (WAVES), USA, India Branch,
Professor of Vedas, Hindu University of America, Florida
Note: The first video covers the first half. Geeta Summary starts at 13 min and Dhuns/Bhajans at 24 min.
Date: April 11 2021
Topic: Jain Cosmology, as described by Mahavir Swami. Understanding the basics of the Jain Universe.
Speaker: Mrs Surabhi Modi
Surabhi Modi lives in Rochester Hills, MI, and is an active member of the Jain Society of Greater Detroit. She is an IT Program Manager at General Motors, where she has worked for 30 years.
Learning about Jainism is not just a hobby for her, but an integral part of her life. She religiously attends weekly Swadhyay sessions at the temple. She has been a Pathshala teacher for 8 years and is an active member of the temple Bhakti group.
Note: The first video covers the invocation and Shlokas followed by the synopsis of Geeta Chapter 3 at 16.30 min. The second video covers Dhuns followed by the presentation by the Jain group from 15 min. The third covers the Discourse and Q&A begins at 25 min
Date: May 09 2021
Topic: Approach to Upasana Yoga prescribed by Bhagvad Geeta
Speaker: Natrajan Chandramouli
Mr. Chandramouli is a chemical engineer with Management qualification. He has great interest in Practical Vedanta, as preached by Swami Vivekananda. He has undergone a systematic study of Vedantic scriptures and Prakarana Granthas under the guidance of Swami Paramarthananda of Arshavidhya Gurukulam order.His deep involvement with Ramanashram of Thiruvannamalai and J.Krishnamurthi foundation has helped him to have a balanced view of application of Shastras in practical life. He actively participates in promoting Sanatan dharma.
Note: the first video starts with Shlokas and Invocation. Synopsis od Geeta Chaptr 4 begins at 13.30 min and Dhuns at 23.30
Sunday, June 13 2021 Program
Topic: GITA AND COVID : PERSPECTIVES ON THE PANDEMIC
Speaker: Prof. Amit Varma
Amit Varma is a Founding member and Trustee of BTCCGL (Bharatiya Temple and Cultural Center, Greater Lafayette). He is a former student of Swami Tadatmananda under whose guidance he studied Vedanta, Gita, and Upanishads. Amit has been conducting regular classes on the Gita at the BTCCGL temple. He has been conducting regular Vedanta classes for Hindu Yuva at Purdue University. He has addressed Geeta Mandal on several occasions in the past
Note: This recording covers the entire event after missing a bit in the beginning. The discussion on Geeta Chap 5 begins at 6.50 min, Dhuns begin at 21.20 min and the main discourse at 59.40. Aarti begins at 2.09.00.
Sunday, July 11 2021 Program
Topic: Essence of the 8th Chapter of Bhagavad Geeta: AKSHARA BHAHMA YOGA
Speaker: Dr Chandra Reddy
Dr.Chandra Reddy is a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist. After establishing and also practicing at Hope Cancer Research Institute and Paul Seibenmorgan Cancer Center at Terre Haute, Indiana, he recently retired from active professional practice. Dr Reddy has addressed many past Geeta sessions with erudite presentations.
Note: This recording covers the entire event with a few interruptions. The main talk begins at 54.50 min upto 1:34.0
Sunday August 8 2021
Topic: Pravritti, Nivritti and Lokasangraha
Speaker: Sree Aswath
Sree Aswath is no stranger to Geeta Mandal and HTCI . He has been associated with our activities and provided guidance over the years. He has addressed many forums and us every year for over 20 years. His talks have always been very engaging, knowledgeable and much sought after.
Note: The recording begins with the synopsis of Geeta's Chapter 7, Bhajans start at 5.45 min and the main discource begins at 34.30 min
Sunday September 12 2021
Topic: Know yourself better by understanding your role and balancing our Sattva, Rajas and Tamas Gunas
Speaker: Sanjay Mehta
Sanjay Mehta is the General Secretary of World Hindu Council of America (VHPA). He is also the Religion, Culture and Youth programs co-coordinator for Hindu Jain Temple, Pittsburgh, PA. He is a Bal Vihar teacher for over three decades. He serves as a Seva (service) coordinator for many local and national groups. He presents and speaks on Hindu teachings in various forums including interfaith groups and educational institutes.
NOTE: The recording of the discourse began a couple minutes late. The Bhajans feature special Bhajans for Ganesh Utsav starting 16.30 min
Sunday, October 10 2021
Topic: Karmayoga- Role of action in gaining equanimity of mind
Speaker: Swami Muktatmananda Saraswati
Swami Muktatmananda Saraswati is a Sannyasi (Hindu monk) and teacher of Traditional Advaita Vedanta and Sanskrit. A disciple of Swami Dayanada Saraswati and Swami Viditatmananda Saraswati, SwamiJi undertook a three year residential Teacher Training Vedanta course in India under the guidance of Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
Presently, SwamiJi is a resident acharya at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Saylorsburg, PA. where he teaches the weekend class on Bhagavad Gita and engages in community outreach.
Sunday November 14 2021
Topic: Prayer and Worship
Speaker: Dr Prasad Shastry
Dr. Prasad Shastry is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois.
In 1975, he met Sri Swami Chinmayananda and Sr Swami Dayanand Saraswati when he joined IIT-Bombay for his PhD and was influenced by their teachings.
He taught at University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1982. While in Madison, he co-founded the Vedanta Society of Madison which is running even to this day. In Peoria, Prasad Shastry founded the first Gita Vichara Group (GVG) – a Bhagavad Gita Study Group – in 2001. This group has been meeting bi-weekly since then.
NOTE: the videos and photos will be uploaded after the December event...pl bear with us