Jnana Yajna 44

Jnana Yajna 44

Year & Dates:

July 20, 1958 to August 29, 1958

Yajna Topic:

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 18

Place:

Chennai, India.

The skies that poured over Chennai could not dampen the mounting sense of excitement in the four thousand seekers-admirers-disciples inside a spacious Pandal. On the evening of July 20, 1958, after the Governor of Madras, Shri Vishnuram Medhi invoked the Grace of Bhagavan Krishna and said, “May the discourse on Gita bring into bold relief the message of love, tolerance, truth and non-violence,” Pujya Gurudev voiced His inspiring preface: “Why do we seek a greater peace and happiness? Why not be content to be what we are? Something in each one of us tells us that what we have now is not the real peace; we feel that there is some higher peace which is our own. There is a standard in our mind, a vague ideal entertained by our intellect, which is the highest standard. Compared with that ideal peace, unknown – yet, not unknowable – the kind of joys, happiness, and peace we are familiar with seem to be sheer trifles and so mostly valueless.”

Path to Life-Fulfilling Peace

In His first 108 Jnana Yajnas, His 44th Jnana Yajna was the only yajna where He expounded on the final chapter of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. Before Pujya Gurudev began the Jnana Yajna, He visited the revered Sankaracharya of Kanchi who was staying at the Sanskrit College in Mylapore (a Chennai suburb); the saint was observing silence and Pujya Gurudev offered His prostrations with respect and great humility. Pujya Gurudev’s exposition of Moksha Sannyasa Yoga started on that powerfully silent note. After a masterful outline of the previous 17 chapters, the greatest proponent of the Gita brought out the way to elevate life after progressing from Tamas (inertia) to Rajas (activity) and finally to Sattva (Knowledge). Through noble sacrifice, right understanding, selfless actions, fortitude, and true happiness, liberation in life is achievable, Pujya Gurudev reiterated. Clearly stating that healthy detachment (Tyaga) was required for true renunciation (Sannyasa), He presented the ultimate joy of liberating surrender and the sacred assurance of Bhagavan’s Grace. 

The morning sessions of Kenopanishad and Isavasyopanishad were profound. The evening sessions increased the craving to grow noble, egoless, and devoted. To sweeten knowledge with devotion, a Laksharchana Devi Puja with continuous chanting of Lalitha Sahasranama and 100,000 flowers was performed to a beautifully adorned Goddess in the Yajnashala on August 10th. Lotus buds from Kolkata, pure-white carnations from Bengaluru, soft pink roses from Mumbai and garlands of all hues from Trichy, Mangaluru, Delhi, Tripunithura – the flowers came from everywhere and were offered all day by thousands. Pujya Gurudev also conducted an energizing Gita Havana, a highly cherished yatra for Avabhrta Snaana in the holy Kaveri of Sreeranga Kshetra, memorable darshans at the sacred temples of Shree Ranganatha and Sri Jambukeshwara. The finale before returning to Chennai was an exciting climb up the Rockfort hill to worship Bhagavaan Vigneshvara. Pujya Gurudev made everyone experience the liberating peace that passes all understanding in that extraordinary Jnana Yajna.

Photo Gallery

“Think,” Says Pujya Gurudev 

In the very symbolism of the Gita-scene, Krishna, the teacher, is a mere charioteer ready to drive the chariot in any direction to which Arjuna, the master, shall command. Krishna bears no weapon; He has no war to wage. He has nothing to gain or lose in the fields of Kurukshetra. Yet, it is His duty to bring to the notice of His ‘master’ certain points of view, certain varieties which Arjuana seems to have not cared to recognize, or has overlooked because of the peculiar mental condition in which he was then. Having placed before him all the facts and figures of life, principles and methods of living, Krishna rightly invites Arjuna to make his own independent decision after considering all these points. Spiritual teachers should never compel. And in India, there has never been any form of indoctrination.

From Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 18, Book

Abandonment vs. Renunciation

Swami Chinmayananda in his inimitable style sheds light on the common confusion between “abandonment” and “renunciation” and their psychological nuances. through introspective contemplation, learn how letting go of desires and expectations leads to the transcendence of ego, paving the way for spiritual realization.


Jnana Yajna 43

Jnana Yajna 43

Year & Dates:

June 28, 1958 to July 19, 1958

Yajna Topic:

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 15

Place:

Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), India.

After the 42nd Jnana Yajna amid gold mines at Kolar followed the 43rd Jnana Yajna of Pujya Gurudev at a very different terrain – a railway colony which housed a workshop that repaired Royal Air Force planes during World War II. The place was called Ponmalai in Tamil and also known as Golden Rock, a zone assigned to the culturally rich city of Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) in Tamil Nadu. Arriving in Trichy on June 29th, Pujya Gurudev started His Gita Jnana Yajna at 7pm that evening, after prayers at Goddess Ponneshwari (a form of Goddess Parvati) Temple and the nearby Shri Ram Mandir. The topic chosen was  ‘Purushottama Yoga’ Chapter 15 of Bhagavad Gita, and the diverse crowds of the ‘mechanical-minded’ community looked forward to the 22-day spiritual experience.

Adaptive, Supreme Teaching

Sri Krishna, Bhagavan Himself, was indicating the Supreme, Eternal, and Immutable Spirit through a spiritual allegory. The intriguing upside-down Tree-of-Life fascinated Arjuna then, and every seeker continues to wonder about that Subtlest Divine Source that enlivens every single aspect of our environment, body, mind, and intellect. Those 22 days at Ponmalai were truly more than golden. After introducing the upanishadic philosophy and the context of Bhagavan’s Divine Song, Pujya Gurudev raised the audience to a breathtaking combination of analysis, introspection, and immersion. He was explaining the most secretive Science of the Inexplicable, the Knowledge that would make the finite thinking individual dissolve. In the awe of That, all wisdom would be gained and all duties became complete.

Those 20 potent verses of chapter 15 to yoke to the Purushottama – Pujya Gurudev’s uplifting eloquence and electrifying emotion astounded the thousands. The Hindus, devout Christians, the pious Muslims, the people of all strata of society – for those 22 days, all differences disappeared in the brilliant Jnana Yajna.

The Yajna was held in the month of Adi that marks the onset of monsoon when rivers overflow and the winds become gusts. Since the yajnashala had a low roof, Pujya Gurudev substituted the Gita Havana with an elaborate Devi puja. With Lalitha Sahasranama chanted by the famous pundits of the Thiruvanaikoil Jambukeshwara temple, the audience gained the benefits of Kirtan, Japa, and Puja. In place of the sacred ashes from a havana-kund, Pujya Gurudev offered those flowers sanctified by puja to the sacred Kaveri river flowing through Trichy. When the 43rd Jnana Yajna concluded with the Ganga Prokshana (sprinkling), the audience of Ponmalai were bathed in the Supreme golden bliss.

Photo Gallery

“Think,” Says Pujya Gurudev 

Consciousness is the Light in the Sun; it is the same Consciousness that fertilizes the Earth; the Consciousness as the Moonlight supplies food-value to the plant kingdom. It is Truth Itself as the body-warmth that presides over the assimilation of the food within the body and supervises the processes of life’s transactions with the world outside; and it is the same Light of Consciousness that makes it possible for us to gain experience, store away knowledge, and replace ignorance with better knowledge. 

From Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 15, Book

Rare Fact about Ashwattha (Banyan) Tree!

Explore the etymology of “Ashwattha” and its implications for the transient nature of existence. Join Swamiji as he explores the metaphorical significance of cutting down the tree of life with the sword of detachment, leading to inner liberation.


Jnana Yajna 42

Jnana Yajna 42

Year & Dates:

May 26, 1958 to June 15, 1958

Yajna Topic:

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 3

Place:

Kolar, India.

Kolar, a small town that rose to fame because of its gold mines, waited eagerly for Pujya Gurudev to arrive. The people had already been informed that He had left Bengaluru, which was about 100 km (around 62 miles). The 41st Jnana Yajna in Jayanagar had been successfully concluded only that morning of May 26, 1958. And, Pujya Gurudev was going to begin His 42nd Jnana Yajna that same evening in Kolar. More precious than gold was time to Pujya Gurudev. The hard-working community of Kolar was going to receive the glorious knowledge about worshipful work from a tireless Master. Bhagavan Krishna’s immortal advice in chapter 3 about how work purifies and elevates was the focus of Pujya Gurudev’s Gita Jnana Yajna.

Precious Time for Valuable Work

The Gita Jnana Yajna spotlighting Chapter 3, Karma Yoga, was inaugurated at Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) by Shri Nijalingappa who was then the Ex-Chief Minister of Mysuru (Karnataka). The Managing Director of the Gold Mine Undertakings, Sri Muninanjappa, who was also the president of the Gita Jnana Yajna Committee, welcomed Pujya Gurudev and the audience. After those preliminary speeches, Pujya Gurudev introduced the format and features of the Gita Yajna.

 

The venue for the 42nd yajna was an unusual one. It was a large tin-roofed hall, referred to as the town’s ‘skating rink,’ and its walls were made of corrugated sheets. Echoes during discourses were a problem, and when the monsoon rains pelted the roof and the metal sides of the building, it became a painful challenge for both Pujya Gurudev and the seekers. Nevertheless, Pujya Gurudev roared the message of the Gita as always. When He spoke about how to achieve perfection through selfless work, His words and attitude to the external hurdles were a shining example of His consummate level of work. The verse, “Whatever a great man does, that others also do (imitate). Whatever He sets up as the standard, that the world follows,” came to life as the audience listened with deep regard.

On June 11th, Pujya Gurudev completed the Jnana Yajna, four days ahead of schedule. Though His health had taken a beating, He persisted with the ceremonies of the Ganga Prokshana (sprinkling) and Guru Dakshina after the Akhanda Kirtan.  Only after the Yajna was rightly concluded, did He leave to Bengaluru to rest briefly and recuperate. From the start to finish, He exemplified perfection in work, true to what He taught.

Photo Gallery

“Think,” Says Pujya Gurudev 

Man is essentially an imitating animal. This is a psychological truth. The moral rejuvenation of a society in any period of history can take place only because of the example set forth by the leaders of that nation. Students can be disciplined only when teachers are well behaved; kindness and honestly cannot be corrupt tyrants. Childrens’ behavior depends entirely upon, and is ever controlled by, the standard of purity and culture in their parents.

With this Krishna raises his next argument why Arjuna should act in the world. Unless he diligently acts, the chances are that the entire community will follow the low standard of retreat from actions set up by him and thus they will ultimately invite a general decadence of the Hindu culture in life.

From Tyagi Magazine

Here Krishna says that a man of Self-realization also works in the world with as much diligence and sincerity, tireless enthusiasm and enervating joy, burning hopes and scalding energy, as any ordinary man striving in the competitions of the market-place. The only difference between the two is that, while the ignorant act anxieties for the fruits,” a man of Godly intentions or complete Perfections will work in the world, without attachment, only for the purpose of the redemption of the world.

From Tyagi Magazine

Only 1% Are Able to Do This!

In this powerful video Swami Chinmayananda sheds light on why only a select few attain greatness and pivotal role of surrendering to the Divine. Uncover how surrendering unleashes unparalleled vitality, knowledge, and success. Learn why third-rate work cannot bring forth excellence and how lack of adjustment and cohesiveness hinders success.


Jnana Yajna 41

Jnana Yajna 41

Year & Dates:

May 15, 1958 to May 26, 1958

Yajna Topic:

Vivekachudamani

Place:

Bengaluru, India.

Knowledge reinforces devotion as much as devotion ripens knowledge. Pujya Gurudev, in all His discourses and yajnas, instilled an exquisite blend for seekers to experience the true growth of the head and heart. So, concurrent with the 40th Jnana Yajna on Bhakti Yoga which was being held at the ITI Colony, Pujya Gurudev conducted the 41st Jnana Yajna on Vivekachudamani in the mornings at Jayanagar, another suburb of Bengaluru. The Managing Director of ITI, Sri Jagadish Prasad, inaugurated the yajna on the morning of May 14, 1958; Sri Gurava Reddy, Chairman of the Jayanagar Community Centre and organizer of the Jayanagar yajna welcomed Pujya Gurudev and the gathering. The seekers of Bengaluru were excited and grateful. The sheer poetry and Vedantic clarity of Vivekachudamani as explained by Pujya Gurudev in an exclusive morning Jnana Yajna would be a true awakening.

Strengthening the Vedantic Base

Sri Adi Sankaracharya’s masterpiece, Vivekachudamani, is a Vedantic crest-jewel, and Pujya Gurudev’s expertise and eloquence enthralled the fortunate aspirants who attended that yajna. With heartfelt prostrations to the Guru and emphasis on the rare blessing that human life is, Pujya Gurudev explained how seekers could qualify themselves to be fit for spiritual success. He elucidated the key Vedantic terms, equipping all with the ability to rediscover the Highest within. The spellbound seekers experienced the poet, philosopher, orator, and the realized Sage in Pujya Gurudev as He brought out the brilliance of Vivekachudamani.

After listening to Vivekachudamani, it was but logical that the revered Arunaachala-Kshetra (Tiruvannamalai) was chosen as the destination for the yatra. So, Pujya Gurudev accompanied about 540 devotees who had attended both the Bhakti Yoga and Vivekachudamani Jnana Yajnas. The pilgrimage was memorable because of devotional bhajans and introspective satsangs. The Avabhrta Snaana was completed in the Amrta Theertha of the famous temple, and Pujya Gurudev led the devotees to a place called Moola Matha within the temple walls. There, everyone prostrated to a great, scholarly saint called Eshvara Svaami who spent his life in silent Tapas. Pujya Gurudev expressed His regard for the saint who lived a life of total renunciation like His own esteemed Guru Swami Tapovan Maharaj. 

The darshan of the resplendent Agni Linga of Arunachala filled the hearts of all as they returned to Bengaluru. Pujya Gurudev, when He concluded the Jnana Yajna on the morning of May 26th, had richly endowed every seeker with the terminology, the path, and the destination of spirituality.

Photo Gallery

“Think,” Says Pujya Gurudev 

In the spiritual treasure hunt, the endeavor of digging is made with the pickaxe of thought and the spade of discrimination. With these, we remove the earth – the attachments with the body, mind and intellect, which are the effects of the ignorance of the Self. Avidya creates in us various misunderstandings and it is these agitations of the mind and negative thought veilings of the intellect that conceal the Treasure Divine, the Self. These can be removed by reflection and meditation.

Manana and Dhyana – reflection and meditation – prepare the mind for a single pointed application by bringing it to the state of least agitation. This is the condition of the mind and intellect fit for vichara, the highest spiritual sadhana known to man. This is exhaustively indicated only in Vedanta.

From Vivekachudamani, Book

Change is Not for the Weak!

Is spiritual evolution possible without challenging our entrenched patterns? Discover why mere understanding isn’t sufficient to enact change and why spiritual practices are essential for growth. Spring into the depths of consciousness and learn how to replace old, worldly vasanas with spiritual ones. A thought provoking discourse that set us forth on our path towards self-realization.


Jnana Yajna 40

Jnana Yajna 40

Year & Dates:

May 14, 1958 to May 25, 1958

Yajna Topic:

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 12

Place:

Bengaluru, India.

With material progress, the concept of welfare has often overlooked a deeper, spiritual well-being. Having made an astute diagnosis before He undertook His Mission, Pujya Gurudev wanted the remedy from the scriptures to be distributed to all. So, on May 13, 1958, at a City Town Hall Meeting arranged by Chinmaya Mission, Bengaluru, He said: “In spite of the beautiful contributions made by science providing more and more comforts and amenities in the outer world, man is not happy today because of the maladjustments in his inner personality constituted by his own mind and intellect. He becomes a shattered personality and, like a man suffering from fever, he is not able to enjoy the ‘feast of life’ which the world provides for him. His heart contracts, and the intellect alone grows and ramifies…”

Developing the Heart

The 40th Jnana Yajna was arranged wishing for the true, wholesome welfare of over 5000 employees of Indian Telephone Industries Limited (now ITI Limited). And, Pujya Gurudev fittingly chose Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 to revitalize the mind-intellect equipment.

On the evening of May 14th, inaugurating the yajna, Shri R.R. Diwakar, Chairman of the Gandhi Memorial Charitable Trust, pointed out that Hindu culture withstood the lashes of time only because of its spiritual roots. He added that the Gita was like a capsule encasing the curative essence of all Upanishads. Especially the Bhakti Yoga declared by Bhagavan Krishna in the 12th chapter presents a universal path accessible by all. 

Pujya Gurudev, in His introductory discourse, cautioned that mere repetition of the mantras doesn’t strengthen spiritual culture.  He defined Bhakti as an unmasking attunement with the Divine. Explaining thoroughly the unmanifest and manifest aspects of Bhagavan, along with the path, attitude, and attributes of a dear devotee, Pujya Gurudev indicated that developing the heart with divine love was equally important as advancing our intellect.

The audience of the 40th Jnana Yajna had the opportunity to express their devotion every evening. This is because of the bhajans they sang joyfully on the special buses while arriving into the ITI colony from all parts of Bengaluru.The other integrated features of the Jnana Yajna like the five -day Akhanda Kirtan, the Gita Havan, and the yatra to the sacred Arunaachala-Kshetra Tiruvannamalai for having the darshana of Arunaachaleshvara Bhagavaan also enriched the practice of devotion as learned from the Gita. On May 23, after the purifying Ganga sprinkling ceremony, Pujya Gurudev distributed about 1000 booklets of “Gayatri & Japa Yoga” to all the devotees, reminding that mantras and Japa gain potency only with devotion.

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“Think,” Says Pujya Gurudev 

Fix thy  mind on Me Alone: The mind cannot contemplate on any theme that cannot be conditioned by the senses. Therefore, by meditation upon the enchanting form of the Immortal Flute-Player, the human mind can readily be made to rest entirely at the feet of the form. The Lord, being All-pervading, is at once the Divine Grace behind all names and forms. The mind of a devotee cannot wander to any place where he is not reminded of the smile of the Crowned Cowherd-boy! 

From Shrimad Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 12, Book

Faith vs. Belief

Are belief and faith synonymous? Do our beliefs falter when confronted with life’s trials? Can we uphold faith even as our beliefs waver? Pause for introspection and contemplation as we explore the resilience and enduring strength of unwavering faith. Find answers to these inquiries and more in this enlightening discourse.


Jnana Yajna 39

Jnana Yajna 39

Year & Dates:

April 24, 1958 to May 10, 1958

Yajna Topic:

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 2

Place:

Aurangabad, India.

A gentle drizzle just before the inauguration of the 39th Jnana Yajna at Aurangabad, Maharashtra – it seemed like Varuna, the God of Rains, wanted to participate in Pujya Gurudev’s Gita Jnana Yajna. Unmindful of those sprinkles, an attentive audience awaited the glorious Chapter 2 of Bhagavan Krishna’s Eternal Song through the incomparable voice of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. After prayers at the nearby Khadkeshwar Shiva temple, the unfurled Om flag energized the atmosphere. Sri B. G. Ghate, the secretary of the yajna committee welcomed Pujya Gurudev and the gathering. And, Swami Ramanand Thirth inaugurated the yajna saying Gita showed the way to lasting happiness. 

Opening His address with, “In this red-hot age of Sputniks and Hydrogen bombs, in this age of Science and Technology, in this age of Plans and Projects, you may be wondering why there are two Sadhus on the stage this day!” Pujya Gurudev attracted Aurangabad with His charming wit.

Through Heat and Rain

As Pujya Gurudev shifted into high gear in the discourses that followed, Nature too became intense. Aurangabad experienced an unusual heat wave, and then the skies poured. When the yajna committee tried to put up a shamiana (tent), their efforts were thwarted. Every evening, a storm brought down the new tent that had stood through a quiet day after being erected. Undisturbed by the onslaught of heat and rain, storm and thunder, Pujya Gurudev unfolded the exalted logic of Sankhya Yoga and Buddhi Yoga. Sheltered by His composure and immersed in the beauty of His exposition, the audience sat thrilled by the spiritual, intellectual, ethical, and traditional viewpoints that Pujya Gurudev presented.

Aurangabad is home to many artistic masterpieces. During this Jnana Yajna, Pujya Gurudev visited the acclaimed Ellora Caves, about 18 miles from Aurangabad. The aesthetic excellence of the Kailas Cave, in particular, launched Him into a state of supreme joy. 

During the final days of the yajna, the Akhanda Kirtan from  April 30th, the Gita Homa from May 2nd, and the Gangajal procession stirred devotion in all the awakened hearts of Aurangabad. The spiritual sojourn to the nearby town of Paithan and the Avabhruta Snanam in the Godavari river brought much happiness to devotees. Offering homage at the Samadhi shrine of the great saint of Maharashtra, Sant Eknath Maharaj was a fitting culmination. Pujya Gurudev, in yet another wonderful Jnana Yajna, demonstrated how the Gita view of life can certainly become a practical way of life.

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“Think,” Says Pujya Gurudev 

Yoga and Kshema in their meaning include all the activity of every living being on the face of the universe. These are the two urges which goad every one in all their activities. Yoga means ‘to acquire’ for the purpose of possessing them; and ‘kshema’ means ‘all efforts at preserving the acquired’. Thus the two terms Yoga and Kshema indicate all our ego-centric activities motivated by selfish desires to acquire and, compelled by equally selfish wishes, to hoard and preserve what has been acquired. To renounce these two temperaments is to immediately get away from the two main fields that yield the poisonous harvest of extreme restlessness and sorrow in life.

From Tyagi Magazine

Buddhi as defined in the Upanishad is a determining factor in the inner equipment; Nischayatmika is intellect; Samsayatmika is mind. Thus, when thoughts are in a state of flux and agitated it is called the mind; and when it is single-pointed, calm and serene in its own determination, it is the intellect. Thus Buddhi Yoga becomes “established in the devotion to intellect.” Steady in your conviction, your mind perfectly under the control of your better discriminative intellect, to live a master of your inner and outer work is called Buddhi Yoga.

From Tyagi Magazine

Embrace Death

Explore the profound wisdom behind the metaphor of death as a mere change in attire. In this insightful discourse, discover how the transition from one body to another is likened to shedding old clothes and donning new ones. Gain a deeper understanding of the timeless concept of mortality and the continuity of existence beyond physical form. Join us on a journey of contemplation and enlightenment as we delve into the eternal nature of change.


Jnana Yajna 38

Jnana Yajna 38

Year & Dates:

March 17, 1958 to April 10, 1958

Yajna Topic:

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita- Chapters 16 & 17

Place:

Tirunelveli, India.

Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu – the temple town on the banks of the perennial Thamirabarani river, is praised in ancient literature including the Mahabharata. It abounds in sacrosanct temples which are also architectural marvels, like the famous Nellaiappar  Kantimati Temple dedicated to Bhagavan Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Saints of both the Shaiva and Vaishnava orders were born in that town. A place of music and fine arts, Tirunelveli also made great, brave contributions to Indian history. Such a place of inherent spirituality was the venue of Pujya Gurudev’s 38th Jnana Yajna.  On the evening of March 17, 1958, the inaugural day in the eminent Nellai Sangeeta Sabha, the heroic, modern sage of the Vedantic Renaissance, captivated thousands with His beaming face and majestic presence.

Language Above Words

Always considerate of the Vedantic aspirants of any background, Pujya Gurudev thought about the ability and difficulty of every seeker who walked into His Yajnashalas. To ensure that His explanations of Krishna’s Celestial Song as well as Adi Sankara’s Atma Bodha were understood by all, Pujya Gurudev enlisted the help of Sri T. Seshadri, a professor of the Madurai College, whom He humorously called “the Tamil Mouth of Swami Chinmaya.” With careful attention, Pujya Gurudev’s detailed discourses of both morning and evening were translated into Tamil. For 25 days, the people of Tirunelveli were soaring in sublime spirituality for five hours each day. They reflected on the value of virtues that Bhagavan Krishna lists in Chapter 16 and the warnings of vices. Pujya Gurudev and His translated talks emphasized the classification and  role of Shraddha when explaining chapter 17. Serious seekers lost themselves in the deeper import of Atma Bodha’s striking examples.

The ardent devotees of Tirunelveli actively participated in the Akhanda Nama Kirtan from March 27th, in the 3-day Gita Homa from March 28th, and in the euphoric Ganga-jal procession. They accompanied Pujya Gurudev on April 5th to an awe-inspiring yatra to the holy seaside temple of Tiruchendur for a wondrous Avabhrta Snaana in the sea and a special darshan of Lord Subramanya. 

When Pujya Gurudev’s Gita Jnana Yajna concluded after the heartwarming Gurudakshina ceremony on April 10th, His supremely seamless flow of knowledge, prayers, meditation, and satsangs had transported Tirunelveli into a bliss where language barriers didn’t exist.

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“Think,” Says Pujya Gurudev 

Devotion to knowledge (Jnana Yoga) is the positive way to persuade the mind to leave all its low temptations. When a child is playing with a delicate glass curio, to save the precious object, the parents generally offer a piece of chocolate, and the little child, anxious to get the chocolate, puts the precious thing down. Similarly, a mind that is awakened to the serener joys of the Self will, naturally, never hang on to the sensuous objects and their fleeting joys.

From Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 16, Book

As a man’s faith, so is he. Man is verily what his ‘faith’ is. The type of personality and its effectiveness or otherwise are all determined by the ‘faith’ under which it functions. That the achievement of life is ever colored by the type of faith with which the individual pursues his activities is very well-known and realized by all men of action.

From Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 17, Book

Play the Game of Life!

In this enlightening discussion, uncover strategies for navigating the myriad challenges and seizing the abundant opportunities that life presents. From mastering the power of intelligent responses to embracing the ever-changing landscape of existence, learn how to thrive amidst the dynamic interplay of circumstances. Join us and unlock the keys to living a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.


Jnana Yajna 37

Jnana Yajna 37

Year & Dates:

February 09, 1958 to March 11, 1958

Yajna Topic:

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita- Chapters 5 & 6

Place:

Bengaluru, India.

It was the biggest pandal (tent) erected thus far in the open grounds of Malleshwaram, Bengaluru. Even so, by 6 pm on the evening of February 9, 1958, over 8000 people had occupied it. Given that the gathering was for Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s  Gita Jnana Yajna, the overflowing audience had become a norm, not an exception. The 31-day yajna was inaugurated with grandeur and gusto by the Maharaja and Governor of Mysore, Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, and marked by an address by Maharaja Mohan Shamsher Jung Bahadur, the Rana of Nepal and patron of the Yajna Committee. 

When Pujya Gurudev began His introductory talk chanting Om thrice with His inimitable voice, the pandal became a powerful Yajnashala. His voice stilled and thrilled the large gathering.

To Uplift and Give

To make man the master of life is the clarion call of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. Pujya Gurudev stated that the noble idealism of the Gita must become an intrinsic part of life. Nourishing Bengaluru with both the milk and the cream – the Upanishad and its essence – Kenopanishad in the mornings  and Gita chapters 5 & 6 in the evening sessions, Pujya Gurudev took the teeming audience to the peaks of Vedanta. He explained how renunciation can be gloriously incorporated in a path of detached action. His guidance on how to raise oneself through meditation inspired the audience; when Pujya Gurudev voiced the teachings of Bhagavan Krishna in chapters 5 & 6,  He assured that renunciation and meditation could be practiced within the ambit of everyday life, slowly and surely.

The Akhanda Kirtan from February 27 to March 2, the three-day Gita Homa which concluded on March 2, and the memorable Avabhrta Snaana at the renowned Tirumala Temple Pushkarani (tank) on March 9 – in and through each aspect of the Jnana Yajna, Pujya Gurudev brought out the spiritual in the ritual. 

Another outstanding and elevating part of all Jnana Yajnas that Pujya Gurudev conducted was the Guru Dakshina ceremony which became a hallmark of Chinmaya Mission. The ceremony of revering the Teacher who blesses disciples with the Abundance of Truth and Happiness is an ancient Vedic tradition. Pujya Gurudev needed nothing and gave everything. The Guru Dakshina ceremony was the devotees’ thanksgiving that upheld and supported not just Chinmaya Mission; often, the Guru Dakshina collected was shared in charity to serve many. And, as in other yajnas, every devotee was given a free copy of the Yajna Prasad. In the momentous 37th Jnana Yajna, the Guru’s blessing was “Hinduism at a Glance-Gita.” Pujya Gurudev instilled the practice of giving back even in the Guru Dakshina ceremony.

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“Think,” Says Pujya Gurudev 

Self-realization is not a melancholy parade crawling to a pre-destined tomb, but it is a joyous ride to the Palace of Truth, from which man had wandered away in his own ignorance and confusion. A true prophet-not an assumed one, laboriously keeping to himself the unnatural pose of an unrealized perfection-is one who lives himself consumed in an ever reviving fire of love. He ceaselessly strives to bring out “himself” from the rubbish that is veiling his own Self in all other forms around and about him. This is indicated by the term “engaged in the good of all-beings”.

This loka-seva becomes his recreation, his self-appointed engagement. His body, mind and intellect are offered as oblations into the sacred fires of activity and while remaining at rest with himself the Saint lives on in an unbroken Consciousness of the Divine, the Eternal.

From Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 6, Book

Thoughts appear in the mind at every second in a continuous stream, and these constant thought disturbances, each dying yielding place to a new one, gives us the apprehension of a solid factor called the mind. Similarly, the tip of a flame also, (it can be experimentally proved) is never steady, but the continuity of its change is so fast that it gives us an apparent illusion of solidarity.

When this flame is well protected from the fickle breeze, then it becomes steady in its upward flights. In the same fashion the flame of the mind, flickering at the whims and fancies for the passing sensuous desires, when arrested in a meditator, becomes steadily brilliant, although the mind is made to contemplate upon the Self by a constant flow of Brahmaakaara-vritti. 

From Bhagavad Gita- Chapter 6, Book

Nobody can help Anybody!

Bhagavad Gita serves as a guidebook for navigating life’s trials, empowering individuals to find strength within themselves. Explore how to cultivate a mindset of equanimity and balance, enabling you to navigate through life’s ups and downs with grace and resilience.


Jnana Yajna 36

Jnana Yajna 36

Year & Dates:

January 11, 1958 to February 01, 1958

Yajna Topic:

Atma Bodha

Place:

Kolkata, India.

When we welcome a new year, we usher in the resolve for higher aspirations. With that enthusiastic spirit, opening 1958 with a Jnana Yajna by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda was Kolkata’s great fortune. It was the third Yajna in the city; Pujya Gurudev had taught the poetic, profound Atma Bodha in the early morning classes in many places including Kolkata, but this was the first Yajna where Atma Bodha was going to be elaborated during the two-hour evening primetime. 

Pujya Gurudev was received ceremonially at 6:30 pm on January 11, 1958. After the Om flag was unfurled and hoisted, He was escorted with exuberant chanting of the Mahamantra in a graceful procession onto an aesthetically decorated stage. The beginning was spectacular, and the next twelve days of discourses were spell-binding with the rich similes of Atma Bodha.

Master of Circumstances

The 36th Jnana Yajna at Kolkata had also the twist of the unexpected. On the calm evening of December 23rd, just the day before the planned Havana, the devoted Akhanda Kirtan of “Hare Rama” was interrupted by the cries of “Fire, Fire!” In a matter of just five minutes, the huge tent with all the expensive idols and equipment was reduced to ashes by a raging inferno. Hearing about that fearsome blaze, Pujya Gurudev remarked with His characteristic composure: “Agni Bhagavan decided not to wait for the Havana tomorrow to visit us. Do you not discern His Protecting Hand in the fire breaking out at 5:30 pm. and not at 6:30 pm.?” Indeed, if the fire had broken out just an hour later during the discourse, it would have ended in a tragic disaster. It was a sheer miracle that no life was lost.

Personifying equipoise, Pujya Gurudev reassured the shaken people and continued His Jnana Yajna at the Gujarati Bala Mandir for the next few days. Guided by His unshakable strength, the Kolkata Yajna Committee re-erected a new, bigger tent on the very same fire-ravaged land. The Yajna was a roaring success as the program was improvised. Instead of a scheduled trip to the Triveni Sangam, a steamer trip to the Ganga Sagar Island was scenic and memorable; the small snags dissolved in the sheer bliss of Pujya Gurudev’s Presence. From February 3, 1958, the Havana inside that new pandal and Akhanda Kirtan commenced with fervor and faith. When the final 68th verse was explained on February 5th and the Ganga waters were sprinkled by Pujya Gurudev on the blessed audience of Kolkata, the spiritual fulfillment felt was beyond words. 

The unforgettable Jnana Yajna ended when the Om flag was unfurled. It had been flying high, untouched by the hungry flames, symbolizing the unscathed Atma that Pujya Gurudev extolled.

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“Think,” Says Pujya Gurudev 

In cooking food, items such as vegetables, rice, spices, etc., are “contributory” causes; but by themselves they can never constitute food. Fire alone can accomplish the cooking; fire is the direct cause. Similarly, the performance of rituals, the offering of gifts, the practice of austerities, control of the mind, the study of the scriptures, the use of the discriminative intellect are all, no doubt, helpful factors which aid one’s spiritual growth, but they do not by themselves directly lead one to liberation. Liberation is possible only when the true Knowledge of our own existence is realized, or the glory of our Self rediscovered.

From Atma Bodha Book

Without this, Success is Far!

What is the role of tapas in channeling mental energy towards creative pursuits and achieving goals? Can it help preserve my mental vitality? And is success possible without this mental vitality in any field? Listen to the video to know more.


Jnana Yajna 35

Jnana Yajna 35

Year & Dates:

December 01, 1957 to December 22, 1957

Yajna Topic:

Kenopanishad

Place:

Mumbai (Bombay), India.

Though the nearby city of Pune had the great honor of being the site for Pujya Gurudev’s first Jnana Yajna, Mumbai(then Bombay) had to wait for about six years. Only in December 1957, could Mumbai host its first Upanishad Jnana Yajna by Pujya Gurudev. The well-known Kishinchand College (K.C.College) in Mumbai offered its terrace as the happy venue. Drawing attention to how Vedanta had withstood onslaughts because of its adaptability and resilience, Pujya Gurudev was emphatic that Vedanta was for all. His systematic 5-day introductory discourses prepared the Mumbai audience for the subtle import of Kenopanishad. His hourly talks every morning on Atma Bodha in Vijay Mahal embellished the understanding of serious seekers. As had become His practice, Pujya Gurudev set aside time to address the young generation of college students who needed the crucial know-how to harmonize Science and Religion.

Mankind, Religion and Science

In a memorable talk at Poddar College on December 25, 1957, Pujya Gurudev presented a thought-provoking analogy. Comparing mankind to an old man, religion to a long-standing, faithful spouse, and science to a young, attractive maiden, Pujya Gurudev showcased the predicament of mankind. With science racing ahead and mankind abandoning the loyal support of religion, Pujya Gurudev pinpointed how mankind was lost in the middle. 

Every yajna of Pujya Gurudev was aimed at rejuvenating religion and helping mankind understand its value in the presence of advancing science. In Mumbai too, the special lectures at colleges, the Upanishad discourses, kirtans, meditation sessions, and the sacred Ganga prokshan (sprinkling) affirmed how the people of a busy city could tap into the blessings of religion.

The yatra to Alandi near Pune was a sacred experience. Aspirants could bask in the peace of Sant Jnaneshwar’s samadhi and complete the Avabhrta Snana in the Indriyani river. The satsang with Pujya Gurudev under a banyan tree transported all to the Vedic times. After that, when each seeker meditated for half an hour in seclusion, the significance of the scriptures came into focus. Pujya Gurudev aimed to empower mankind with a clear understanding of both religion and science.

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“Think,” Says Pujya Gurudev 

A child, trying to catch the head of its own shadow, moves forward and forward, but at each leap the goal too moves as far away from it as before; until at last it falls off the verandah onto the court-yard!! So too man seeking a permanent Joy among the impermanent things, falls off into his grave!!Alas!!

That deer which knows that the source of the Musk Secret is within itself, shall no more run about and die away in futile and meaningless exhaustion. The Man who has recognized the Truth that the source of All Joy is within himself will no more strive and struggle in the meaningless dust and fume, hustle and bustle, noise and nuisance of the broadways. To him life becomes a hilarious, melodramatic scene, and not a serious tearful tragedy of his own impotence and failures!

From Kenopanishad Book

Remedy for an Unhappy Mind!

In this profound exploration of Consciousness and thought, discover the remedy for an unhappy mind. Join us as we unravel the teachings on transcending the fluctuations of the mind to find inner peace and clarity. Learn how to shift your focus from the contents of your thoughts to the illuminating light of Consciousness that permeates every aspect of your being. Through practical techniques and insightful wisdom, uncover the path to Liberation from the grip of unhappiness.