Jnana Yajna by Pujya Brn Vasumana Chaitanya

Pujya Brn Vasumana Chaitanya of Shivamogga centre conducted a Jnana Yajna on Bhagawan Adi Shankara’s Maneesha Panchakam in Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Koramangala from 30/09/2018 to 07/10/2018. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri Purandhara Sharma, president of the Mission. Pujya Vasumanaji beautifully explained the existence of only one absolute Truth that cannot be divided and it is only Self knowledge that can remove the darkness of ignorance just as the entire plural world of dream vanishes on waking. The entire visible world is nothing but appearance superimposed on the ultimate Truth just as the ocean waves have no independent existence other than water. The Self which is all pervading and eternal beyond the limitations of time, space & vastu is the material, instrumental and efficient cause for the entire pluralistic universe. A person who has understood and experienced this truth transcends all duality. This clarity brings forth the oneness of the entire universe both at the macro and microcosmic levels where all duality vanishes removing all man-made barriers upholding the Advaita concept.

The Yajna was very well attended.

Upanishad Yajna by Pujya Swami Swaroopananda

Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, Global Head of Chinmaya Mission conducted Upanishat Yajna in English on Ishavasya Upanishat at Mangala Mantapa, NMKRV College for Women, Jayanagar from 24th to 30th October, 2018. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri G N Seshadri, Trustee of the Mission with Dr M K Panduranga Setty, president of R V Trust presiding in the presence of Sri Purandhara Sharma, President of the Mission.

Pujya Swamiji laid foundation to the text explaining that Ishavasya Upanishat is considered as the foundation for Vedantic study and forms the basis for Bhagavad Geeta. Our true nature which is infinite happiness pervades the entire universe and is beyond the perception by the senses. Our culture looks at every creation as embodiment of the Lord visualizing oneness in the entire world of plurality. This vision of oneness is the essence of the Upanishat. This is the only path to peace and happiness where all war and enmity ends. When one sees this vision of oneness all limitations cease to exist with the understanding that nothing belongs to the individual allowing the individual to enjoy the fruits of karma without any complaint and greed acquiring morally what he needs and share the excess with society. When one works without greed success without stress is sure. The real knowledge is understanding that the world is illusory and withdraw the mind in meditation abiding in the Truth. One needs to perform duties without any selfish motive to exhaust all vasanas; only then actions will not be able bind the individual. A realised Master works in the outer world for Lokasangraha with an attitude that all actions performed are for the sake of the Lord.

The Yajna was very well attended on all the days.

Pujya Swamiji also inaugurated Block ‘C’ of upcoming Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Banashankari on 27/10/2018 and graced Balavihar meet on 28/10/2018 where children from different Balavihars showcased their talents in front of Pujya Swamiji who appreciated the programme and blessed them.

Navaratri Celebrations in Bengaluru

The auspicious and most popular Navaratri festival was observed in Sripaadakshetra, J P Nagar from 10^th to 18^th October, 2018 with all religious fervor in the divine presence of Lord Dakshinamurthy, the presiding deity. The daily different decorations of the Devi were a treat to the devotees who came in hundreds to perform the archana to the chanting of Lalita Sahasranama. The archana was followed by special puja and musical performance consisting of keertans, Devaranamas, classical music and bhajans by various groups. The entire temple wore a festive look on all the nine days with Swamijis conducting Satsang on the significance of Devi Mahatyma to spiritual seekers.

In this age of technology and speed, distractions abound! In their efforts to unplug from dependence and replug into independence, 60 Sadhakas met at a Family Retreat organized by CM Milwaukee from October 19^th to 21^st at a Camp in Ingleside, IL to study the Game of Life with Vivekji. The theme of the Retreat was Vedanta Unplugged.

Vivekji shared the framework for the Game of Life – plan, purpose, players, practice and playing the game. The purpose of the game is Fun and Friendship, which the Sadhakas had the opportunity to practice with various games and activities throughout the Retreat – human knot game, taboo, soccer (epic game with hail!), treasure hunt, debate, camp fire (where the children got to “burn” Ravana symbolizing the destruction of vices), meditation, Yoga and nature walks. In addition, the families prepared videos on various scenarios depicting how technology can be effective and distracting, which was a lot of fun. Vivekji shared 6 sutras on the use of social media that were simple and practical.

Vivekji shared a simple framework for playing the game of life that parallels the game of cricket – accept the decision of the umpire (~God), adapt to the field (~World), protect your stumps (~Body, Mind, Intellect), utilize your bat (~Knowledge and discernment) and learn from the test. He challenged all Sadhakas to play a game every day and use these principles.

Over a span of 45 hours, the Sadhakas unplugged from dependence and tuned into Vedanta, engaged in various games to practice and play, and reflected on lessons to apply these principles in the uncontrolled environment that they will go back to. The Retreat concluded with reflections and gratitude for this opportunity to learn and practice with the guidance of Vivekji and blessings of Pujya Gurudev and God.

The AESA – Architects Engineers Surveyors Association (Pune) – present awards for Best Project in various categories such as individual houses, multi-storey buildings, commercial complexes and industrial buildings, as well as an “Other” category for unique projects.

Swanubhooti Vatika has been chosen – among projects from all over India – as the Best Project in the “Other” category.

Soon after Pujya Gurudev’s Mahasamadhi, Chinmaya Mission Chicago – became home to Lord Badri Narayana. In the year 1987, Pujya Gurudev named the Chicago Center, Badri, A School of Vedantic Studies and advised to have prana pratishta of Lord Badri Narayana. On Sunday, October 24, 1993 the sthapana ceremony of Lord Badri Narayana was held in the holy presence of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda,

The weeklong silver jubilee celebrations included a spiritual discourse by Swami Ramakrishnanda on Brhamasutra: Theory of Superimposition from October 15-20. Followed by 108-Kalasa Puja, Homam, Abhishekam and Archana on Sunday, October 21 by devotees in the presence of Swami Sharananda (CM Chicago), Swami Sarveshanada (CM Dallas), Swami Ramakrishnanada, Shri Shanker Pillai (President CM Chicago), Shri Jetindra Nayar (Yamunotri Center) and Shri Dhiren Khattri (Gangotri Center).  Even Mother Nature celebrated Lord Badri Narayana with snow flurries making Chicago truly Badrinath.

Following the ceremonies, Swami Sarveshananda held a special session with Chinmaya Sethukaris, Yuva Kendra members and the high school students, the future generation to become Pujya Gurudev’s torchbearers.

!! Om Namah Shivaya !!

During the auspicious Shravan month, under the meticulous guidance and loving care of Swami Abhedanandaji, a group of 77 delegates embarked on the much anticipated Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and had a very fulfilling darshan of the magnificent Mount Kailash and the mesmerizing Mansarovar Lake.

The Yatra commenced on Aug 20^th as the delegates gathered in Kathmandu from all parts of the world – South Africa, Singapore, India, USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Guyana. Seeking gracious blessings of Lord Pashupatinath on the inaugural day, everyone witnessed the majestic Aarti of Lord Mahadev. Next day morning, the delegates were treated with a fabulous Ariel tour of Mt. Everest and the nearby peaks, followed by a visit of the famous Swayambhu sleeping Lord Budhaneelkantha Vishnu temple. During these two days in Kathmandu, there were soulful discourses conduced by Swami Abhedanandaji on the famous stuti of Lord Shiva – ‘Rudrashtakam’. In his talks, Swamiji emphasized that we have come on this trip as Teerth Yatris and not as tourists or mountaineers, and thus the sole purpose & goal of the trip should be to please the Lord, invoke His infinite grace and express our gratitude towards Him.

On Aug 22^nd, the group left from Kathmandu and began their journey towards Lord Kailashpati. First stop was Nepalgunj, followed by Simikot and Hilsa. As the helicopters took the delegates from Simikot to Hilsa in smaller groups of 5-6 people each, the outside mountain-top views were absolutely stunning and picturesque. From Hilsa, after crossing the border and clearing the Chinese immigration, there was a night stay scheduled in Purang (Tibet).

As everyone got acclimatized to the altitude and temperature change, the group then travelled from Purang to Mansarovar Lake via Rakshastaal. Awed by the divinity and vastness of Mansarovar Lake, all the devotees were spell-bound, and they offered prayers and prostrations with a grateful heart towards that Lord who made them see & touch the serene waters of the pious Mansarovar Lake. In Swamiji’s words – “Mansarovar represents the Mind of Lord Shiva, and having darshan of Mansarovar externally or taking a dip in its water should not just remain as an outer act, rather it should be an attempt to make our small minds tune with the Lord’s Total Mind!”

On Aug 26^th, the delegates reached Darchen, the base camp of Mount Kailash and stayed overnight. Throughout the way, the whole group was provided with best-in-class hotel/guest house accommodation as per the location, and ample supply of delicious vegetarian food and mineral water. Even in the face of unexpected delays and other uncertainties, no one lost their focus & hope, and kept chanting the powerful Margabandhu stotra repeatedly as advised by Swamiji. The group remained in elevated high spirits as a result of Swamiji’s inspiring satsangs where he constantly revealed the secrets of holding on to the Lord and getting more and more surrendered at His feet.

Finally came the most awaited day, Aug 27^th, when the arduous 3-day Parikrama of Mount Kailash began. At the starting point of Parikrama, the devotees passed through the Yam Dwar, and embarked on the most difficult part of the yatra. Moving ahead tirelessly, some on foot, some of pony and chanting Lord’s name with each step, the yatris had their first darshan of the beautiful Lord Kailash (West face) during this first day of Parikrama. Each yatri was mesmerized as they witnessed Lord’s grandeur and beauty, unlike they have ever imaged. Indeed, it is rightly said that merits of several births and immense grace of the Lord alone can culminate in the possibility of such a yatra!

Deraphuk was the first halt in the 3-day Parikrama where the Lord, in His full magnanimity, revealed Himself through the North face. With tearful eyes and immense gratitude towards the benevolent Lord, the yatris performed Aarti of the gracious Lord upon arrival at Deraphuk. The twilight Aarti experience was beyond words to say the least! On the following day, everyone continued to Zuthulphuk, with the fulfilling darshan of Gauri Kund (Pool of great compassion) on the way. On the third and the last day of Parikrama, the group returned back to Darchen, thus completing the most memorable circumambulation of Lord Kailash.

Though there were numerous hurdles & unasked challenges, but with the presence of a Mahatma like Swami Abhedanandaji, every obstacle became an opportunity to perform austerity and call upon Bhagwan even more intensely. During this unbelievably arduous yatra, inspite of varied circumstances, each yatri felt the divine touch of Lord Mahadev deep in his heart.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu on Aug 31^st, the yatra was concluded with a valedictory function wherein Swamiji elaborated on the importance of undertaking this beautiful yatra. Swamiji said in his concluding discourse – “Just as the outer journey was filled with constant anticipation of seeing Mount Kailash, asking everyone how long will it take, how far is it, or how is the darshan going to be like; similarly we must pursue our inward journey undeterred by outer circumstances, constantly seeking the Highest Goal of life, asking ourselves how long will we be stuck in the rut of life, how far is our Goal, and how is that ultimate experience going to be like!” Every delegate was presented by Swamiji with a small murthy of Nandi Bhagwan, one who is the symbol of service with complete surrender and no insistence.

Everyone left with a fulfilled and blissful heart, expressing their deepest gratitude towards Swamiji and towards all the organizers & volunteers for having gotten the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the beautiful Lord of Lords, Lord Kailashpati Mahadev!

SHRADDHANJALI

Dr.Prakashwati Sharma, patron Chinmaya Mission Jaipur, breathed her last on 12th October 2018. A retired professor of philosophy got inspired by Pujya Gurudev’s teachings and Mission activities in 2009-10 while on a visit to the USA to her son. On returning to India she joined Chinmaya Mission with a missionary zeal. Despite her advancing age and health problems she joined 2 years residential Vedanta Course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai in 2011 under the guidance of Pujya Swami Advayananda Ji. She conducted regular classes on different scriptures after completing her course in the year 2103 along with serving almost all Mission activities as Vice President and later as Patron. She regularly visited Sandeepany to attend different sessions of ongoing Vedanta Courses whenever she could spare time.

Dr.Prakashwati Sharma Amma was a loving mentor and precious guide for Chinmaya Family Jaipur. Her ardent devotion for Advait Philosophy was a source of inspiration for all the devotees at Jaipur. Her demise is a great irreparable loss to us.

Chinmaya Family offers its condolences to the family.