The Rocklyn Ashram is situated in the Wombat Forest near Daylesford. A few of us friends decided to pay a visit this weekend. The weather was foggy and dreamy as we started our journey.
On the off-road, I saw a sign that said Satyananda Ashram. I was intrigued by the name, but then thought - it can't be! Swami Satyananda Saraswati from Bihar is my Guru Anna Vyavahare's Guru! His disciple Swami Niranjananand Saraswati is one of my Gurus. I wondered whether this was the same Swami Satyananda Saraswati, or maybe another one. I held these thoughts in and took in the serene, dense forest. A tiny Kangaroo crossed the road in front of us and was joined by 2 more on the side road. Beautiful birds on the side brought us closer to nature.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the Swamini who runs the ashram and were told about our schedule and Ashram rules. Within minutes, I discovered that it is indeed named after our Swami Satyanand Saraswati. The Yoga magazine from Bihar School of Yoga, which was available to read in the lobby was the first confirmation. I also saw pictures of Swamis Satyanand and Niranjananda adorning the walls of the Yoga Hall and the canteen. Ghantali Mitra Mandal's website has the same picture of Swamis Statyanand and Niranjananda Saraswati on their website.
In the Yoga Hall, we attended a one hour Yoga Nidra Session, which brought back memories of all the Yoga Retreats I have attended in India led by Swamiji and his disciples. To all my students reading this - please practice the below Yoga Nidra when you have time. Let me know how the experience was by commenting on this article once you are done.
Yoga Nidra By Swami Niranjanananda In Hindi
Lunch was a simple affair with Khichadi and organic veggies from the Ashram's own farm. The herbal tea was delightful.
I led 3 bhajans for our group - Manasa Satatam - a song fit for karma Yogis, Karo Raksha which is Swami Niranjananda's favourite prayer and Aim Hrim Kleem - also a dhun that reminds me of Swamiji.
Karo Raksha
करो रक्षा विपत्ति से न ऐसी प्रार्थना मेरी
विपत से भय नहीं पाऊँ प्रभु यह प्रार्थना मेरी
मिले दुःख ताप से शान्ति न ऐसी प्रार्थना मेरी
सभी दुःख पे विजय पाऊँ प्रभु यह प्रार्थना मेरी
उठा ले भार तू मेरा न ऐसी प्रार्थना मेरी
बनू समरथ उठाने में प्रभु यह प्रार्थना मेरी
मदद पर कोई आ जाए न ऐसी प्रार्थना मेरी
न टूटे आत्मबल डोरी प्रभू यह प्रार्थना मेरी
सुखी दिन में भजूं तुझ को, दुखी अंधेर रात्रि में
न आए तुम प्रति शंका, प्रभू यह प्रार्थना मेरी ।
प्रभू यह प्रार्थना मेरी, प्रभू यह प्रार्थना मेरी
We had a fruitful sattvik discussion as a group in our free time. Then we attended a Yoga session which also reminded me of Swamiji's session. When the rain took a short break, we went for a walk around the lake on the property.
The evening Mrityunjay Havan was amazing. The positive vibrations of the mantras last with you for days to come.
The booklets they used during the Havan are also true to the Bihar Ashram ways, including the Sankalp (resolve) at the beginning of Mrutyunjay manta, Gayatri Mantra and Durga Namavali.
Strolling after the Havan, I was delighted to walk into this quaint Shiv Mandir on the Ashram premises. The architecture in all these structures was remeniscent of India.
Like the Himalayas, the Ashram life also calls you back. We will definitely visit again. Hoping to go back one day with all my Yoga students as a group.
PS: Just 4 days after this visit, my good friend Suvarna Newalkar shared Swami Niranjananda Saraswati's latest podcast interview. He shares beautiful memories of his early years with Swami Satyanand Saraswati. Here is the link - make sure you watch it. It feels like a candid one to one with Swamiji. I believe he has spoken publically after very long.
https://youtu.be/-4wD6SzjSJY?si=h2M2R3vwYipDIztD
1 comment:
Hari Om. That's good to hear.
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