In her welcome address, Smt. Rao had drawn attention to the unceasing travel and incredible efforts that Pujya Gurudev put in weeding out the misinformation about Hinduism while fostering the logical approach to ancient Vedic philosophy. She added, “He has convinced us that we need not be sadhus or recluses to lead a spiritual life – that the path of divine life can be achieved and practiced in the midst of worldly affairs – that the impediments to such a life lie not outside us but within us.”

In his inaugural speech, Sri. Munshi shared about his tender and long association of 68 years with the “little book” of the Gita which had never failed to strengthen and inspire him. He called attention to how Indian culture survived for over 5000 years against many odds, and he emphasized that “vitality of India arises from the strength and spirit of our culture…culture is not a distinct way of life, but it is the spirit of man.” He outlined how the Gita helps to overcome the grip of ego, the ‘I-ness and My-ness,’when daily living itself turns into a jnana yajna. Through mindful balance, inspired work, and surrender to Bhagavan, success happens, he assured.

Pujya Gurudev reiterated the importance of Sadhana which is termed yoga in the Gita. He pointed out how 13th chapter gives a comprehensive and exhuastive insight to understand both the Field and the Knower so that a student of Gita can enter Gita, experience, conquer and live It subjectively.

The diverse public of Bengaluru also attended Pujya Gurudev’s Kaivalyopanishad discourses in the mornings. The response to the yajna organized in an exemplary manner by the all-ladies yajna committee was overwhelming. Even Pujya Gurudev expressed how He had felt a special sense of satisfaction in teaching, there, the Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga, a chapter He had taught so many times before.

A Meditation Minute:

कल्याणशीतलकटाक्षनिरीक्षणेन तापत्रयप्रशमनैकपरं सुधीरम् ।

प्रज्ञानवारिधितरंगविहारलोलं श्रीचिन्मयं गुरुवरं हृदि भावयामि ॥ ७ ॥

kalyāṇaśītalakaṭākṣanirīkṣaṇena tāpatrayapraśamanaikaparaṃ sudhīram ।

prajñānavāridhitaraṃgavihāralolaṃ śrīcinmayaṃ guruvaraṃ hṛdi bhāvayāmi ॥ 7 ॥

“I meditate in my heart upon Śrī Chinmaya, the best of teachers of firm wisdom, who subdues the three human miseries (ādhibhautika, ādhidaivika, and ādhyātmika) by a mere soothing and auspicious glance, and who sports joyously upon the ocean of supreme wisdom.”

• Chinmaya Ashtakam verse 7

Pujya Gurudev’s conviction and faith in the scriptures was so firm that it visibly diffused through the thousands who walked into His yajnashalas. All afflictions – as He termed so concisely as “Seen, Unseen, and Within” would simply resolve in His Presence. His mere glance, even from His image or pratima after He attained Mahasamadhi, holds the power to quieten the agitations in the minds of millions. 

To that curative and compassionate anchor, “Sri Chinmaya,” our heartfelt prostrations.

The yajna phenomenon predictably played out. The crowds grew by the thousands every evening in spite of bad weather conditions, always surprising the organizers. The seekers listened carefully to Pujya Gurudev’s tips from the sixth chapter to becoming meditation-worthy. In the journey from a sadhaka, a seeker, to the Perfected Sthitaprajna,  He outlined the path of right action to be sufficiently purified. 

In His morning classes held at the Andhra Yuvathi Mandali from October 17th, the text studied was Panchadashi. The Nataaka Deepa Prakarana chapter challenged the seekers and enthused them to absorb deeply the words of Pujya Gurudev. The hall began overflowing in the morning sessions too as the avid seekers enjoyed the devotional rendering of the Shankara Guru Stotra and Shankara Stuti composed by Adi Shankaracharya’s great disciple, Totakacharya. 

Pujya Gurudev carried the message of spiritual empowerment to the army barracks staff at Trimulgherry (now Tirumalagiri) Mandir on October 22nd, speaking about “Religion In Daily Life.” The army families gratefully offered Bhiksha and reveled in a joyfully enriching satsang with Pujya Gurudev. The hope and learning throughout the yajna was voiced in a report that said: “Integration of India is not far when Chinmaya is amidst us. He is integrating the individual through whom the family will be united, the society will be improved, the states will enjoy a harmonious existence, and slowly, the nation will rise up fully integrated.”

A Meditation Minute:

सान्दीपनीति भुवनप्रथितं प्रशान्तं अध्यासितं परममंगलमालयाग्रयम् ।

श्रीमत्तपोवनतपोधनशिष्यवर्य श्रीचिन्मयं गुरुवरं हृदि भावयामि ॥ ६ ॥

sāndīpanīti bhuvanaprathitaṃ praśāntaṃ adhyāsitaṃ paramamaṃgalamālayāgrayam ।

śrīmattapovanatapodhanaśiṣyavarya śrīcinmayaṃ guruvaraṃ hṛdi bhāvayāmi ॥ 6 ॥

“I meditate in my heart upon Śrī Chinmaya, the best of teachers, who is the foremost disciple of Śrī Tapovanam of great penance, who has established the serene and auspicious pioneer abode of learning, renowned in the world as Sandeepany.”

• Chinmaya Ashtakam verse 6

Pujya Gurudev called His entire life’s work as a “Tapovana Vratam.” Acclaimed by the world as a peerless Guru, He viewed Himself as a disciple first. The source of the glorious Jnana Ganga that flowed from Pujya Gurudev came from His surrender at Swami Tapovanam’s Lotus Feet.  The Vedantic vision that His Guru instilled in Him inspired the making of Sandeepany Sadhanalaya. 

To that Visionary Disciple and Jagadguru, “Sri Chinmaya,” our heartfelt prostrations.

Aside from the invaluable insights that Pujya Gurudev gave when He distilled the Highest essence of philosophy and knowledge from the unparalleled chapter 2 of Bhagavan’s Krishna’s  Gita, His sagacious guidance during the Second All India Chinmaya Mission Conference held toward the end of the yajna indicate His uncompromising Vision. About 126 delegates assembled in the new hall of the Rice Mill Owners Association on October 9, 1961. While the first conference held at the end of August 1958 in Chennai was themed “Dynamic, integrated Hinduism,” the second conference held from October 9-11 at Vijayawada was inaugurated by Pujya Gurudev with His call to “Concentrate on Individual Development.” Some excerpts from His inaugural address to soak in are:

• For want of an appropriate word, we have taken this term ‘Mission’ to indicate our organization. But, we do not convert others; we convert ourselves.
• Lay the foundation strong. Serve yourself by serving others.  If the ground is not ready, if the beauty of life has not come up, remember, the structure cannot be raised. Even if constructed, it will not stand there. 
• Unless the  members of the Mission are spiritually inclined, I have nothing to do with the Mission. The idea must be spiritual awakening.
• Don’t depend upon opinions. Even if Lord Krishna were to come, a Shishupaala would be there to protest and criticize. Let opinions become a sort of incentive for you to check yourselves up. 
• Service must be our prayer, upaasana, our japa, and our archana to the Lord.
• Whenever you are invited to a place or a temple, do not boast. Let not the ego come up in any form – We are only seekers. We are not Siddhas. While trying to develop ourselves, we are trying to share what we have.
• Our Blueprint: Every Group leader must become a Chinmaya. Your own sincerity and tapascharya counts.The path of Truth is laid with truth. These ideas, if you do not bring them into your life, who else can bring them?
• We are trying to make artistic perfection. It is not large-scale production. Hand-made perfection is our attempt. 

The Vision He spelled out then inspired, one by one, to build the worldwide Chinmaya Mission we celebrate now.

A Meditation Minute:

विज्ञानसारवचनामृतजह्नुकन्या-निश्शेषधौतभवकिल्बिषमुन्नतांसम्।

श्रीखण्डमण्डितमनोज्ञविशालभालं श्रीचिन्मयं गुरुवरं हृदि भावयामि ॥५॥

vijñānasāravacanāmṛtajahnukanyā-niśśeṣadhautabhavakilbiṣamunnatāṃsam।

śrīkhaṇḍamaṇḍitamanojñaviśālabhālaṃ śrīcinmayaṃ guruvaraṃ hṛdi bhāvayāmi ॥5॥

“I meditate in my heart upon Śrī Chinmaya, the best of teachers, whose large forehead is decorated pleasingly with sandalwood paste, and whose nectarine words expounding the essence of Supreme Wisdom are the Gaṅgā waters that wash all the sins of the world.”

• Chinmaya Ashtakam verse 5

With His broad forehead anointed by the fragrance of timeless scriptures, Pujya Gurudev sprinkled the purifying waters of the Highest Knowledge in our lives. His words, sweet and strong, held the power to avert our downfalls and uplift us to greater possibilities. To that sanctifying Preceptor, “Sri Chinmaya,” our heartfelt prostrations.

The inauguration of Pujya Gurudev’s 93rd Jnana Yajna on September 4,1961, opened with the presidential address by the District Judge Shri. Rengarajan who stressed that materialistic minds needed religious rejuvenation. Shri Bhaskara Thondaman, a retired I.A.S Officer, inaugurated the yajna expressing faith in Pujya Gurudev’s endeavor to spiritualize the modern man.

The morning discourses on Ishavasyopanishad and the evening talks on Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga of the Gita radiated spirituality around town. With His quick wit, charming dramatization, and a rich variety of examples, Pujya Gurudev drove home the importance of viewing the world as the all-pervasive Divine as well as understanding that though Omnipresent, the Self or Supreme Reality is untainted and immutable.

Sri M S. Jayaraman, a lecturer of Hindu College, Tirunelveli, and Sri T. Seshadri, a lecturer of the Madurai College, translated and conveyed in Tamil, Pujya Gurudev’s discourses everyday. When the jnana yajna concluded, the people of Tirunelveli, received the yajna prasad booklet, “Vedanta, A Bird’s eye view” from Pujya Gurudev. To show their support for the upcoming Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, the yajna committee offered a contribution of Re.1001, a small but sincere pledge in reverence for the farsighted work of Pujya Gurudev.

A Meditation Minute:

धावल्यमञ्जुलमृदुस्मितकान्तिपूरं विस्मारिताखिलपदानतदुःखभारम्।

आताम्रशोभनपरिच्छदसंवृतांगं श्रीचिन्मयं गुरुवरं हृदि भावयामि॥४॥

dhāvalyamañjulamṛdusmitakāntipūraṃ vismāritākhilapadānataduḥkhabhāram।

ātāmraśobhanaparicchadasaṃvṛtāṃgaṃ śrīcinmayaṃ guruvaraṃ hṛdi bhāvayāmi॥4॥

“I meditate in my heart upon Śrī Chinmaya, the best of teachers, with His bright, beautiful, and soft smile, who is covered with shining, auspicious saffron clothes, and who removes all sorrows of those who surrender at His Holy Feet.”

• Chinmaya Ashtakam verse 4

Pujya Gurudev’s smile came from His entire joyous Being. Emanating from the glowing orange of His Presence, His smile captured, disarmed, uplifted, and energized millions.  He had an inscrutable way of making difficulties disappear when devotees and disciples submitted themselves in sadhana and seva. To that effulgent, cheerful sage “Sri Chinmaya,” our heartfelt prostrations.

Pujya Gurudev’s discourses were like “shock therapy,” remarked Smt. Thiagarajan as she described the exceptional way Pujya Gurudev effectively removed the “delusion of modern men as even Lord Krishna removed that of Arjuna.” 

Inaugurating and introducing Gita’s third chapter, the scholarly Mr. Iyer spotlighted on how Karma Yoga revealed “the philosophy of right action, viz. Nivrtti in Pravrtti.” He elaborated, “Peace and joy are his who is free from the craving for the fruits of actions. Such actions do not bind their owner; for, there is Nivrtti in his Pravrtti.” Pointing out how Pujya Gurudev exemplified this, he said: “The Swami has nothing to gain from this activity: but still he acts. as Lord Krishna Himself did in the Mahabharata war. He finds his joy even as he does his action: not at the end of his actions. This indeed is the Nivrtti in Pravrtti. And this is the essence of the third chapter of the Gita.”

Then came Pujya Gurudev’s catchy beginning: “To a modern man this audience is laughable – In the year 1961, these seemingly educated people sit down and listen to a religious discourse…here so many people sit to hear a discourse by a Swami on something a cowherd boy said to a Kshatriya some 5000 years ago!” That was because, Pujya Gurudev clarified, Gita’s chapter 3 especially taught the supreme way to channel actions for self growth through uplifting, cooperative social good.

The mornings in Madurai were sublime because of Pujya Gurudev’s classes on Mundakopanishad, and the evenings focused on Karma Yoga were unforgettable eye-openers.

A Meditation Minute:

आयामरम्यभुजदण्डगभीररूपं मायान्धकारविनिवारणभद्रदीपम्।

मुद्रादरिद्रकरुणावरुणाधिवासं श्रीचिन्मयं गुरुवरं हृदि भावयामि॥३॥

āyāmaramyabhujadaṇḍagabhīrarūpaṃ māyāndhakāravinivāraṇabhadradīpam।

mudrādaridrakaruṇāvaruṇādhivāsaṃ śrīcinmayaṃ guruvaraṃ hṛdi bhāvayāmi॥3॥

“I meditate in my heart upon Sri Chinmaya, the best of teachers, with beautiful staff-like outstretched arms and a profound form; who is the auspicious lamp that dispels the darkness of Maya and is the abode of the ocean of compassion.”

• Chinmaya Ashtakam verse 3

With a big heart and arms ready to embrace seekers of all faiths and temperaments, Pujya Gurudev transformed lives, illuminating the path to spiritual evolution. From the throes of Maya to the portals of Moksha, He pointed the way. To that benevolent and enlightening “Sri Chinmaya,” our heartfelt prostrations.

In the early part of 1961, Pujya Gurudev had conducted a full scale Jnana Yajna, His 80th in Chennai. In the July 1961 issue of Usha, the effects of that Yajna were reported: “The Chinmaya Floodlight that was projected across the intellectual and spiritual firmament of Madras during this year’s Yajna has been developing into a magnificent spiritual conflagration steadily burning down the fuel of ignorance in the hearts of the Madras seekers. The birth of new branches of the Mission in areas hitherto unexplored or lying dormant in the spiritual field and the earnestness and zest for knowledge evinced in the various study circles of the branches bear ample testimony to this spiritual progress of the Chinmaya pilgrims.”

 Apart from the four strong study groups in Chennai, a fifth group blossomed in Mylapore. Two new branches at Nungambakkam and Kodambakkam were also inaugurated. In His letters to guide the growth of these new offshoots, Pujya Gurudev reminded, “better the knowledge of the path, quicker the pilgrim’s progress.” He alerted how study groups must be dedicated and inspired. He emphasized that the group leader must possess an “unflagging zeal to learn, to impart, and to live the spiritual knowledge grasped by the intellect.”

A Meditation Minute:

उन्मीलदम्बुजदलायतमुग्धनेत्रम् उत्तप्तनिर्मलसुवर्णसमानगात्रम्।

उन्निद्रभक्तजनमानसराजहंसं श्रीचिन्मयं गुरुवरं हृदि भावयामि ॥२॥ 

unmīladambujadalāyatamugdhanetram uttaptanirmalasuvarṇasamānagātram।

unnidrabhaktajanamānasarājahaṃsaṃ śrīcinmayaṃ guruvaraṃ hṛdi bhāvayāmi ॥2॥

“I meditate in my heart upon Śrī Chinmaya, the best of teachers, whose large lovely eyes are like the petals of a blossoming lotus, whose form is shining like pure gold, and is the king of swans (Haṃsa) sporting in the alert minds of the devotees.”

• Chinmaya Ashtakam verse 2

Pujya Gurudev’s penetrating, deeply compassionate gaze of pure Knowledge removed the blindness of the spiritual ignorance of millions worldwide. His brilliant aura was of shining Consciousness. In every Jnana Yajna, He highlighted the Vedantic know-how to clearly separate the significant from the shallow. To that discerning and wise “Sri Chinmaya,” our heartfelt prostrations.

The venue for the short 11-day yajna was aptly chosen; it was the Kali Prasad Inter (K. P. I) College founded by the greatly respected Munshi Kali Prasad Kulbhashkar who gave all of his land and property to educate the less fortunate in the late 1800s.

In His summary of the 13th chapter, Pujya Gurudev called it one of the most brilliant chapters in the Gita which provides “a direct subjective method of meditating upon and realizing the Imperishable and Eternal in ourselves.” He pointed out how the plurality of all experiences of perception, feelings, and thoughts in the “Field” are supported by the One Indivisible and Changeless Knower.

The theme of All-pervasiveness continued in the morning classes on Ishavasyopanishad when Pujya Gurudev eloquently guided the aspirants to contemplate upon the how the All-Pervasive must also be something that cannot move. He explained: “Since Consciousness is all-pervading, it cannot move, and nothing that moves in the Universe can ever move except in the medium of Consciousness.”

Just as in that 90th yajna, in every Jnana Yajna, Pujya Gurudev’s depth of spiritual expression astounded the large group of seekers. 

A Meditation Minute: The verses of Chinmaya Ashtakam written in poetic Sanskrit echo the reverence that many thousands began to feel in that spectacular first decade of Pujya Gurudev’s Vedantic Renaissance. In the momentous 108-yajna pilgrimage, Pujya Gurudev illumines the way and embodies the goal; thus, to meditate on Him turns our attention to the Highest.

ओंकारसूनमकरन्दरसं पिबन्तम् अध्यात्मभृङ्गमवनीतलभाग्यशृङ्गम् ।

आनन्दपूर्णमतिमप्रतिमप्रभावं श्रीचिन्मयं गुरुवरं हृदि भावयामि ॥१॥

oṁkārasūna-makarandarasaṁ pibantam adhyātmabhrnga-mavanītala-bhāgyaśṛngam, 

ānanda-pūrna-matima-pratima-prabhāvaṁ śrīcinmayaṁ guruvaraṁ

“I meditate in my heart upon Sri Chinmaya, the best of teachers, the bee of spirituality that drinks the nectar in the flower of Omkara, the greatest blessing upon the earth, whose mind is full of bliss, and whose glory is incomparable.”

• Chinmaya Ashtakam verse 1

Pujya Gurudev wanted the ‘educated yet lost’ to taste the unparalleled sweetness of Vedanta that He enjoyed. His great compassion made Him go from place to place proclaiming that secret to true happiness. To that inimitable blessing “Sri Chinmaya,” our heartfelt prostrations.

With the Om flag silently proclaiming the onset of the Gita Jnana Yajna, the happy and large gathering awaited Pujya Gurudev’s discourses on the 16th chapter of the Gita. In His welcome speech, Sri B. B. Sharma reminisced about the previous yajnas in Karol Bagh and Ashoka Road. Full of reverence for the glorious work of Pujya Gurudev across the country, he conveyed how the people of Delhi felt blessed and had been trying to live up to His guidance. 

The morning discourses were on Kaivalyopanishad. The audience, enriched by the teachings of the upanishad as well as the Gita, grew in numbers and understanding. The Community Hall could not hold the crowds as seekers stood in corridors and the outside lawn. One advantage of having the yajna in the indoor setting was that interruptions due to downpours were avoided. Somehow in Delhi, when Pujya Gurudev’s yajnas were conducted, the clouds too celebrated without realizing that they became an obstacle!

Paada Puja: On the morning of July 27, 1961, as early as 6 am, a big group of devotees of Delhi convened at Pujya Gurudev’s place of stay. It was the auspicious day of Guru Poornima. He had given them permission to do His Paadapuja – the worship of His Lotus Feet, and they were elated. Laden with fruits, flowers, garlands, Bhog, and all puja essentials, they waited until Pujya Gurudev emerged from His room at 8 am. Greeting Him with the most reverential silence first, the devotees understood what a great blessing it was to offer worship to His Lotus Feet which symbolized the glory of the Guru Shishya Parampara, particularly Parama Guru Swami Tapovanam through Pujya Gurudev. Then, a beautifully meaningful Paada Puja was conducted while chanting the Vishnu Ashotthara followed by melodious bhajans.

For Reflection: Pujya Gurudev had said, “All through the pāda pūjā, understand the significance that the feet are borrowed from Swami Chinmayananda. You are not worshiping the Swami. If you say or feel so, it is a disaster to me because my vanity will increase. All of us are worshiping Him. I will be turning my mind to my Teacher, and you are turning your mind to your teacher and the Lord.”