Chinmaya Mission Timeline
The clarion call that Gurudev made during the Hindu Renaissance drew not just the adults. Everywhere He went, the very young too felt that magnetic pull in His booming laughter, His cheerful spirit, and His extraordinary love. Naturally, in His Jnana Yajnas, a place was made to nourish the children,…Read More
“Death is born with us when we are born,” consoled a deeply ailing Swami Tapovan Maharaj when Gurudev was heartbroken during the last meeting with His peerless Guru in the first week of December 1956. Then, at the serene and auspicious time of 4:30 am on the full moon day…Read More
From December 1951 in Pune to December 1956 in Hyderabad, Gurudev’s tireless efforts through Jnana Yajnas ignited a wave of renewed interest in the Vedic scriptures. To commemorate the sterling milestone at the 25th Jnana Yajna, the first volume of a publication called “Hail Renaissance” was brought out. Crowning the…Read More
During the 13th Jnana Yajna in New Delhi, Gurudev was invited by All India Radio, the national public broadcaster, for a three-part broadcast on key topics in spirituality. With His commanding voice, He reminded Indians again about their spiritual status: “Ours is an Age of Science. The new India, thrilled…Read More
“The Gita is therefore to be studied and delivered to as many devotees as possible. This Pravachana – missionary zeal in propagation – has been emphasized in our scriptures also. The Lord’s Divine Song was not a prescription for one Arjuna of the Mahabharata days. It is for all times…Read More
By the September of 1955, there were already more than 35,000 ardent devotees who had reached out to Gurudev requesting for the Yagna Prasad booklets to be mailed to their addresses. Recognising the great demand for the booklets and the fact that it was becoming inefficient timewise and financially to…Read More
The pace picked up significantly after the second Yajna in Chennai gave birth to Chinmaya Mission. While the organisation formulated its structure and code of conduct, Gurudev took the message of the major Upanishads to the prominent cities of India to awaken and elevate the educated. From Mundakopanishad in Madras…Read More
“Don’t start any organisation in my name. I have not come here to be institutionalised. I have come here to give the message of our ancient sages, which has benefited me. If it has benefited you also, pass it on.” This was the reply that a group of earnest devotees…Read More
Gurudev’s thunderous pravachans (discourses) left seekers thirsting for more. Many sincere seekers who were captivated by His compelling wisdom wanted to bask in His teachings. This desire to reflect, relearn, and reinforce through joint discussions spawned the Chinmaya Study Groups that sprung up in every city beginning with the second…Read More
The fire of spiritual thirst had been kindled by that incomparable 100-day Upanishad Jnana Yajna, and Gurudev was astute about keeping the flames growing. He ensured that every discourse starting from His introductory talks on Hinduism in several public venues before the first yajna were carefully recorded on paper. Gurudev…Read More