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Bala Vihar Programme at Jagannath Niketan Orphanage

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Chinmaya Mission Parlakhemundi is situated in the Gajapati district of Odisha. Jagannath Niketan Orphanage is located at a distance of 7 kms from Parlakhemundi town.

Chinmaya Mission generally conducts Narayana Seva there by offering free food, provisions and clothes for the resident students. On 20 March 2022, a special Bala Vihar programme was organized, where Swami Nigamananda took classes for the residents of the orphanage, based on the book “Gita for Children”. Gita books and Hanuman Chalisa were distributed to the students, Bhajans were sung and a quiz was conducted.

Time – The Mighty Devourer

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We human beings are strange. It is common knowledge and we know that anyone who is born is going to die. Yet we live under the strong illusion that the day is far away. We refuse to appreciate the play of Time.

The Time Factor

Our life span perishes continuously. As we see, day by day, youth disappears. The days gone by will not return. Time devours the whole world. Material prosperity and worldly wealth are as fickle as the waves of the tidewaters. Our life is like a flash of lightning. Therefore, I have surrendered to You (God). Please protect me.

Just like a person watching a thief taking away his belongings, we watch as time is slipping from our hands. Our life span is continuously reducing, not only every day, but every moment. The youth that we are so proud of and glorify, as though it is permanent, also disappears.

Material prosperity and worldly wealth are as fickle as the waves of the tidewaters. Our life is like a flash of lightning, shining bright and then gone in a fraction of a second! The lightning momentarily illuminates everything and then there is darkness again.

We know we are going to die someday, but we do not know our lifespan. Let us assume a person’s lifespan is 80 years. When he is a year old, we celebrate his birthday and the years roll by. At the 50-year mark, we may ponder for a moment on whether we are growing or reducing in years – depending on which side we are looking from! From a lifespan of 80, 50 years have already gone. The countdown has started. Then, when we turn 60, only 20 years remain, but we are not aware of it!

We believe we will die some day in the future, but even as we watch, we are dying every moment! We relegate this fact to fate and have no control over it. However, we must appreciate the Lord’s generosity and compassion. He has graced all human beings with a most special gift. Without exception, each day, on waking up, we have 24 hours before us, irrespective of whether we are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, man or woman, young or old.

Moreover, Bhagavan has not stipulated how we should spend those 24 hours. He has given us full freedom. Some, who may be referred to as the descendants of Kumbhakarna, spend their time mostly sleeping, or fulfilling various desires, without realizing how much trouble they may be causing to others while acquiring something for themselves.

A few sensible people do think about this and understand that money lost may come back, but time gone never returns. They understand the great wealth of time they have been gifted with. In the transactional world, ‘time is money’ is a well-known expression. Many professionals, management gurus, lawyers and so on swear by this. Given this scenario, what are you doing with the wealth of time at your disposal? Are you under the illusion that you still have much more time left?

Little Time!

The illusion that ‘there is still time’, keeps us bound to this world and we often miss the most important things in life. Therefore, we end up being preoccupied and busy with urgent things or catching up with pending items of daily routine and consequently miss some critical aspects of life and put them on the backburner.

Time does not wait. Bhagavan says, “I have not waited for anybody – be it a raja, maharaja, Mr. World or Ms. Universe, a sannyasi or a sadhu.” Some say, “I am so busy that I don’t even have time to die!’ But Death says, “Don’t worry. I have plenty of time!”

No matter how long your lifespan, when your time is up, nothing can stop death. From the Puranas and Vedas, we learn that the long lifespans of Indra and other gods as well as of Brahmaji also come to an end.

Slowly, the body gets emaciated; we are seeing it. All that denotes youth also disappears. Days that are gone do not come back. Time is money, but we spend all our time in earning mere money and miss the real wealth! Someone aptly said, “The love of wealth has taken away the wealth of love from man’s life.” We spend all our time in earning material wealth and we destroy our health in the process. Later, to regain that health, we spend all the wealth that we have earned!

What can be more surprising than this – even after seeing everyone around us dying each day, man still lives with the hope that death will not touch him! The point to note is that one should not become depressed by thinking of death all the time, but must know how much importance to give to worldly achievements. Yes, it is important to earn through the right means, to utilize one’s wealth for the right causes and not just for indulgence. But to earn, enjoy and share wealth is not the final goal. We have to grow out of that stage too.

How would a fifteen-year-old look if he carried around the teddy bear he played with as a toddler? We have to understand that worldly things perish and can never give us everlasting peace, satisfaction and happiness. We must worship the Lord and gain the real wealth of life – our own Self.

Seek and Surrender

A true devotee prays at all times: “Bhagavan I have understood, I cannot live beyond my lifespan, nor can I depend on worldly wealth. I cannot depend on people, though I love and serve them. I can only depend on You. Everything is an illusion; therefore, please protect me. O Lord, I have surrendered to You now. I have heard that You have never turned away anyone seeking Your shelter and You never look at their past records, whatever it may be!”

In the Gita, Shri Krishna also states – Abandon all varieties of dharmas of the body, mind and intellect; simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.

Understand that the world we see is impermanent, the only permanent factor is the Lord. So if we run after the impermanent alone, the permanent is lost and the non-permanent does not remain in any case. Therefore, we get nothing!
There is little time. Let us not waste it. Seek. Seek only the permanent.

Swami Tejomayananda

Published in Sikkim Express on 25 March 2022

The Role of Bhakti in Advaita Vedanta

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Chinmaya Mission Mumbai’s Mahima Zone hosted a virtual Zoom discourse on 12 March 2022 titled “The Role of Bhakti in Advaita Vedanta” and Brahmachari Ved Chaitanya (CIF) conducted the event, followed by an interactive Q&A session.

Jaishree performed the invocation and Sunitha moderated the session. Over 100 attendees were able to benefit from the detailed exposition from Br Ved, who shared insights about the path of Bhakti and the path of Vedanta and guided seekers on the unison of both paths.

He shared insights about ways to inculcate Bhakti and how it is an important stepping stone in achieving Jnana and Self Realization. He went on to use various examples to clear all doubts in this regard.

Addressing this particular topic encouraged seekers to use Upasana / Puja / Tapas / Japa / Sadhana as tools to inculcate Bhakti.

The event, which was met with a wonderful response, concluded with prayers.

Values to Victory – Retreat for Teenagers

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On 19 and 20 February 2022, Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) in San Jose organized its first ever Junior CHYK retreat in-person at the Chinmaya Mission San Jose ashram, for students in grades 9-12. The retreat was very successful with 41 attendees, and over 15 CHYK volunteers present each day. There were 28 CHYK volunteers in the entire team.

 

The retreat theme was ‘Values to Victory’, reflecting on values taught by Lord Rama to Vibhishana in Vibhishana Gita, and how these values can lead one to success in life. The youth had studied Vibhishana Gita during the Fall 2021 semester, guided by Brahmachari Soham Chaitanya. The retreat workshops were created by CHYKs to engage high schoolers and focus on topics that would be relevant to them.

 

COVID safety measures were undertaken, with all attendees and volunteers remaining masked indoors, and abiding by distancing policies. The joyous energy in the ashram with CHYKs and J-CHYKs was wonderful to see. There was positive feedback from attendees and parents on the engaging workshops and seamless event organization. All attendees left with new perspectives, inspiring points to reflect on, and a toolkit of values that will greatly help them as they navigate new situations in high school and college.

CHYK = Chinmaya Yuva Kendra = the youth wing of Chinmaya Mission for those aged 18 to 28

J-CHYK = Junior Chinmaya Yuva Kendra = the teenage wing of Chinmaya Mission for those aged 13-17

Looking Ahead – Bala Vihar (USA) in Indian Languages

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For several years now, there has been a demand to create a common and consistent curriculum for all languages within the Bala Vihar programme in Chinmaya Mission Centres in USA. There are numerous benefits for students, teachers, parents and Centres to have a nation-wide syllabus that is uniformly followed across all Chinmaya Mission West Centres. Many sevaks (volunteers) from across different Bala Vihar Centres recently came together to create a curriculum proposal for some of the Indian languages.

At this time, the curriculum proposal will be presented for the following languages:

  • ● Gujarati
  • ● Hindi
  • ● Kannada
  • ● Malayalam
  • ● Sanskrit
  • ● Tamil

Know how you can help!

If you are a teacher or volunteer with Bala Vihar anywhere in USA, you can:

  • ● Volunteer to create teacher & student learning materials
  • ● Support formalizing a process for assessments, evaluation and certification
  • ● Discuss plans to roll out these language curricula in your respective Centres starting 2022-23
  • ● Help find external sources for books and other resources from established institutions
  • ● Consider using the proposed curricula to seek county/state accreditation for foreign languages

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If you need any further information, or if there is interest in creating a similar curriculum for other languages not listed above, please email languages@chinmayamissionwest.org.

Non-insistence is Freedom

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A 105-year-old man was asked the secret of his long life. He answered, “The secret is that I am not yet dead and that’s why I am living!” One who breathes is said to be living; even a person in coma is alive. A man earning to take care of basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter without any further aspirations also lives. Another type of living is of the extremely ambitious person who craves power, name and fame, and behaves like a bulldozer wanting to conquer the whole world.

The fourth type of living is when a person is greatly concerned about the happiness and welfare of other people, and places them before him or herself. Swami Chinmayananda said, “Since you are born, you have to die. But don’t die while living; live after you are dead!” Such a person not only blesses him or herself, but also blesses the entire world.

The most prevalent meaning of freedom is to be able to live according to the whims and fancies of the mind. On freedom Swami Chinmayananda said, “Not to do what we feel like doing is called freedom.” Please do not misunderstand. Otherwise you will say, “I felt like praying to God, but now I will not, as that is slavery!”

To appreciate the meaning of freedom we have to understand the meaning of bondage. Bondage is dependence on things without which one feels one cannot function. For example, some are bound by the first cup of tea or coffee in the morning. Everybody knows how deeply dependent and addicted we are to objects. When we go to bed, we must have a particular pillow; if the bed is changed, we can’t sleep; if the room is changed, we can’t sleep and so on.

Bondage is also caused in the mind due to our likes and dislikes. We like something so we say, “This is beautiful and joy-giving.” We dislike something else and say, “This is ugly and gives me sorrow.” These are nothing but our own mental projections.

The third factor pertains to the individual, or the “I” who has likes and dislikes. This “I” is called Ego (different from the common connotation of the word to mean pride or conceit). Ego is a sense of individuality arising from one’s identification with one thing or the other.

Bondage at the subtlest level is to identify ourselves with something that is not our true nature. Look at the body – it is our place of residence, our vehicle and the instrument through which we work in the world, but to think that we are the physical body is the first bondage. Even to consider it as ours is bondage. How much control do we have over it? Can I stop this body from the aging process? Can I control thirst, hunger or disease?

The second bondage arises from the first notion that ‘I am the body’. As a result of this thought, we want more and more comforts, pleasures, and security for it. Greater attachment to the body leads to greater desires. Since all our desires cannot be fulfilled we become unhappy, frustrated and depressed and thus sink into deeper bondage.

This is what is happening in life; we want happiness but are creating more sorrows for ourselves because of the erroneous belief that objects will make us happy. Vedanta states that if you can be happy without objects then you are free – that is real happiness.

One beautiful definition of knowledge states that non-insistence on any particular thing is a sign of knowledge. Insistence should be on abidance in one’s own true nature. However, as far as worldly matters are concerned one should show flexibility. A wise person realizes that there is no point in becoming inflexible in an ever-changing world. An incident from Kabirdas’s life will explain this point clearly. Some scholarly pundits (priests) became jealous of Kabirdas’ fame and honour. One day, a pundit approached him and expressed his wish to defeat him in a debate. Kabirdas promptly said, “Is that all! I accept my defeat. Why do I have to go through the lengthy process of a debate? The truth remains unchanged under all conditions. However, if you are bent upon having your own way, it’s fine.”

Such a person is free. He abides in the knowledge of the Self. There is no slavery to sense objects, to likes and dislikes or to the idea of the ego. The wise person lives with everything, faces all types of conducive and non-conducive situations and remains ever free. This is truly living in freedom.

Swami Tejomayananda

Published in Sikkim Express on 11 March 2022

National Science Day at Chinmaya Degree College Haridwar

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On the occasion of National Science Day, MSc students of Chinmaya Degree College, Haridwar, put up an exhibition of various science models which were reviewed by the chief guest Praveen Chandra Jha, Executive Director, BHEL Haridwar.

The programme, convened by Dr. Manisha Solanki, started with Saraswati Vandana by students. The officiating Principal of the College, Dr. Alok Aggarwal, welcomed the guests presenting them bouquets. The inaugural lamp was lit by BHEL’s first lady Sulekha Jha, accompanied by Neeta Dave, Sadhna Sachdeva and Kshama Agarwal. Floral offerings were made before the idols of Swami Chinmayananda and scientist C. V. Raman.

Praveen Chandra Jha showed keen interest in the models made by the students. He encouraged the students, saying, “One of you will emerge as a scientist like Raman”. In his presidential address, he said that technology marvels like generators are being made in BHEL using supercritical technology aiming to reduce carbon footprint in the atmosphere. BHEL has an important contribution in the global efforts to reduce carbon footprint. He encouraged the students to make more and more innovations.

Neeraj Dave, BHEL’s Human Resources Department General Manager, appreciated the Chinmaya Degree College saying that the college is constantly trying to make new experiments in modern science while imbibing the ideals of Swami Chinmayananda, the founder. He said spirituality was in the DNA of students of Chinmaya Degree College.

Commander Amod Chaudhary, Managing Committee Member, said that our sages were the first scientists who spoke of the theory of evolution through the 10 divine incarnations several thousand years before Darwin, listing Matsya Avatar to Rama and Krishna. He stressed on the need of creating an ecosystem wherein such mind honing activities are held round the year. He said after material progress, the scientists were trying to figure out the biochemistry of the human mind through which they could understand the working of the mind, aiming to discover a state of happiness at all levels and in all circumstances.

Colonel Rakesh Sachdeva, Chairman, Chinmaya Management Committee, introduced the guests to various activities of the College and lauded the efforts of the team in organizing Science Day in a grand way. He encouraged the students to adopt a scientific approach in life. A student, Sarthak, deliberated on the importance of the role of a scientific mindset in nation building.

Professor Ajay Kumar of Chinmaya Degree College made his statement on the theme of this year’s Science Day, in which he said that development of any country is possible only through science and technology. Quoting a scientist he said that refusal of accepting anything without testing it was science. He said that controlling the Covid-19 epidemic by making a vaccine in the field of medicine is also a living example of science and technology. Dr. Swati Shukla, HOD Biotech department presented scientific policy and its changing form in the Indian Constitution.

The students of MSc presented seven science models in which the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Microbiology were selected in the first three divisions. The Li-fi project of Physics was highly appreciated, through which students Kajal and Mayank created the electronic smart stick project for blind people. This special stick detects the intensity of light, water and fire and provides signals to move the blind from there. Cdr Amod Chaudhary shared that the same project will be presented to the National Institute of Visually Handicapped in Dehradun.

The project to make biodiesel from vegetable oil was selected first. The plastoscope made by student Surbhi, made with two empty bottles and a wooden box fitted with a lens which can be used to enlarge an image up to 450 times, won the appreciation of the chief guest. It can be made use of at home since it is cost effective.

The programme concluded with certificates being distributed to participating students by Praveen Chandra Jha, followed by group recitation of the Chinmaya Mission Pledge and National Anthem, and then high tea for all. The distinguished guests signed the visitors’ book as they left.

Australia Youth Camp – Future Proof Your Life

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Youth from all over Australia participated in “Future Proof Your Life” from 25-27 February 2022, a camp led by Swami Swaroopananda (Global Head of Chinmaya Mission). The youngsters were led on a journey to discover the eternal secrets to future proof their lives, gain clarity on the goal of life and learn how to centre themselves in an ever-changing world by strengthening their inner equipment.

Camp activities included meditation, Vedic chanting, discourses and interactive sessions like obstacle courses, riddles, mirror charades, garba and dandiya.

The attendees left at the end of the camp inspired to take charge of creating a life irrespective of circumstances and remain steady and strong to live a life of purpose, success and everlasting joy.

Mahashivaratri at Jagadeeshwara Mandir, Powai

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Mahashivaratri was celebrated in a grand day-long function at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Powai, Mumbai on 1 March 2022. The celebrations took place with great fervour, despite there being no non-residents present. The temple and Ashram were all decked up to celebrate the glorious day. The Ashram residents and students of the 18th Batch of the Vedanta Course had a wonderful celebration in the divine presence of Swami Tejomayananda. The various programmes were streamed LIVE on Chinmaya Channel on YouTube, so that devotees from around the world could view them and be part of it all.

Lord Jagadeeshwara, clad in His new orange attire and adorned with flowers, was smiling and shining from His pedestal from 5 AM. From 9 AM, Rudram chanting began (Laghunyasa, Namakam and Chamakam) and the Pujari conducted the Puja, which included Ekadasa Kalasa Sthapanam and Rudra Aavahanam. This was followed by Maharudrabhishekam at 11 AM. A unique offering to Bhagavan Jagadeeshwara by way of rendition of various devotional Shiva Stotrams and Kirtan, was conceptualised by Swami Tejomayananda and presented by him along with the students at 4.30 PM. This was truly a treat for the ears and eyes. The most awaited Deeparadhana of Lord Jagadeeshwara was witnessed by everyone present and those watching online at 6.30 PM. This was followed by the first Prahara Puja and second Prahara Puja at 7 PM and 10 PM respectively along with devotional chants, including Ganapati Atharvashirsha, Rudram, Purushasuktam, Durga Suktam and ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ Japa.

The programme concluded with divine and blissful Maha Arati, which was offered to the Lord at midnight, followed by Mahaprasad.

Though this was a somewhat different celebration, without the non-stop flow of devotees throughout Mahashivaratri day which Jagadeeshwara Mandir at Sandeepany is known for, it was still a wonderfully heartfelt, memorable and devotional day filled with love and joy for all present.

What is life and what is its purpose?

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At some point in our lives, many have pondered over the deeper meaning of life. Some think life is the sum total of everything we have or what we own – friends, family, property, vehicles and so on. Others think that life is what we do – love, play and work. So what constitutes life, and what is its significance?

Sometimes, even with all our education, we are unable to grasp the meaning of life. It’s a perpetually intriguing and mysterious play of actions and circumstances, and each individual needs an answer to it. Life can be as simple or as complicated as we make it. Its vastness and intricacy is near impossible for an average human being to figure out. We are brought closer to this introspection when we face the various challenges life throws at us. It is then that we ponder over questions like – how to understand life or what is the purpose of this life? Our ancient spiritual wisdom from the Upanishads points us towards simplifying this complexity, so we can navigate successfully through the course of our living.

Is life perishable?

As living beings, we are confronted with the cycle of birth and death. We know that the lifespan of any living creature is limited, but what we sometimes don’t reflect upon is that this is only a transient change, and not the ultimate end to ‘life’. All great seekers, before enlightenment, inquired into this – if one is to live and die, then one is helpless within the confines of creation, and life may, in fact, be meaningless.

When the body dies, it takes up another form. A body is never alive in and of itself; it pulsates because it has a ‘life-force’, which vitalizes the inert matter constituting the physical self. This life force is called the jiva, according to Vedanta. In common terms, we call it the ‘soul’.

The soul is eternal. It forms the core of our being. When we talk about ourselves, we are referring not to the body but the soul. The body is akin to the clothes that the soul dons to take form. When one body dies, the soul takes up a new body; it inhabits many bodies in its lifetime. In this vein, the Bhagavad Gita beautifully points out, “Just as people remove their clothes and wear new ones, the soul drops one body and picks up another one.”

What is the purpose of life?

On any given day, our mind is persistently planning for a future that we know nothing about. We live in fear of tomorrow, and plan for it rather optimistically, knowing fully well that it is impermanent. We are always trying to be greater or bigger, not realizing that to be infinite is our nature. While living up to our potential, we feel fulfilled and happy. So if we discover our infinite nature, then we will surely encounter bliss. In short, the true purpose of life becomes to discover ourselves.

But does that really happen, and so easily?

Seeking our true selves with inquiry

Since the soul carries our karma, the actions from our past life create our present fate, and our current actions will give birth to our future destiny in forthcoming lifetimes. Asking ourselves the question again and again, “What have I done with my life thus far?” is a sure step towards gaining clarity and the correct perspective on the necessary actions as we go forward.

Inside the uncut diamond of our life lies the brilliance of wisdom, bliss and immortality. With the tools of right knowledge and unflagging determination, we have only to cut the diamond, on all sides, all aspects of our life, such that it shines forth to radiate light and beauty all round.

Everyone’s purpose in life eventually boils down to seeking peace and happiness. And what we seek doesn’t lie outside, but within us ¬– our own infinite potential that we live with every day but are oblivious towards. Each one of us is infinite, yet each is also unique. Our seers and Rishis point us towards the highest goal there can be – to aspire to be more a part of our own infinite nature. Throughout the scriptures too, the infinite nature of a human being has been highlighted to comprehend the very purpose of life.

Swami Swaroopananda
Global Head, Chinmaya Mission