Annual Bhjan Competition
The Balavihar annual bhajans competition was held in Deenabandhu Temple, Indiranagar on Sunday 3rd September, 2017 with 180 children from 19 groups from all over the city participating. The enthusiasm, effort and preparation put by the children and Balasevikas was a treat to watch with each group rendering the bhajans melodiously to bhava and tala with utmost sincerity to the delight of listeners. The prizes were given away by Pujya Swamini Sampannananda with the first prize being bagged by Deenabandhu, second by BTM and the third being shared by Sripaadakshetra and Malleswaram Balavihars. Five other groups were awarded consolation prizes.
Inauguration of Chinmaya Independent Pre-University College at Chokkahalli, Kolar.
The Chinmaya Independent Pre-University College constructed in Chokkahalli Chinmaya Sandeepany Ashrama complex in Kolar District was formally inaugurated on 5th September, 2017 by Sri M R Jayaram, chairman of the prestigious Gokula Education Foundation and Chancellor of M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences in the divine presence of Pujya Swami Brahmananda. Sri Jayaram remembered the contribution of Pujya Gurudev in inculcating positive values in society declaring that He belonged to the Dasa Parampara spreading the message of the Bhagavad Geeta through daily spiritual discourses all over the globe.
Sri B R Prabhakara, trustee of Karnataka Chinmaya Seva Trust warned that right education is very essential in this competitive modern world where tremendous information of all types is available at the tips of fingers. He remembered with pride that Ms Nandini who topped the 2017 IAS examinations is a student of both Chinmaya Vidyalaya and M S Ramaiah Institution.
Pujya Swami Brahmananda in his Aashirvachanam echoed Sri Jayaram’s views that man is forgetting the all compassionate Lord who has provided everything that we need for our comfortable living. Along with academic education one needs to inculcate the positive moral values which alone can develop an integrated personality.
The function was very well attended by students and parents of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, College and general public with many Acharyas of Karnataka gracing the occasion.
Gita Jnana Yajna by Pujya Swami Brahmananda
Pujya Swami Brahmananda conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna from 10th September, 2017 to 17th September, 2017 on Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 5 at Sri Sai College for Women, Rajajinagar. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri R Anand, Chairman of Sri Sai Mandir Trust.
Pujya Swamiji introduced the text as an Art of Living to be studied by everyone so that they can lead a tension free worriless life. He warned that happiness and sorrow are inseparable experiences in life. But amidst all the dualities it is absolutely necessary to maintain peace of mind as life is full of surprises and nothing happens as per human thinking. It is only the mature mind that stops questioning the happenings accepting situations as they appear without allowing the emotions to overpower. A sanyasi does not have either the doer and enjoyer attitude as he lives in the firm knowledge that he does nothing but is only an instrument through which the Lord performs all actions. Agitations of the ignorant mind create the world and bondage while a calm mind with right knowledge gets liberated seeing only the Lord everywhere. It is only knowledge that will help one to lead a sensible and meaningful life that will ultimately take him to a Jivanmukta status.
The Yajna was very well attended.
Navaratri Celebrations
Navaratri was celebrated in Sripaadakshetra, J P Nagar with due religious fervor from 21st September, 2017 to 30th September, 2017. Rudrabhisheka was performed daily morning followed by Durga Sapthashati chanting. Archana was done in the evenings with Lalita Sahasranama chanting followed by devotional renderings by different groups daily. Kannika, Sumangali and Brahmana puja was also performed. Devotees thronged in hundreds daily to witness the beautiful decoration and listen to the Acharyas explanation on the significance of each day during Navaratri. Pujya Swami Brahmananda kick started the celebrations through Satsang in Shirdi Sai Mandir, Tyagarajanagar paying glowing tributes to Shirdi Sai Baba and Pujya Gurudev who led simple high thinking life spreading peace and happiness around them expecting nothing in return.
YUVAKENDRA WORKSHOP IN KORAMANGALA
Chinmaya Yuvakendra Bengaluru organized innovative youth workshop “Looking Back… Moving Forward” on Sunday, 10th September 2017 at Sharada Mandira in the Kormangala Vidyalaya complex. It was a fun with learning event participated by over 50 youngsters and consisted of thought provoking Quiz and several other activities. The participants were divided into groups and went through multiple rounds of quiz on Indian culture and also had to answer questions through ‘Dumb charades’ and ‘Pictionary’. All the participants enjoyed the sessions and agreed that Looking Back (our rich Heritage)… leads to Moving forward towards greater Heights in all facets of life.
