The melody of Srimad Bhagavad Gita’s chapter 3 drew more each evening as Pujya Gurudev instructed how to sublimate self-centered actions into Karma Yoga, the path of action without attachment. Focusing on Bhagavan Krishna’s description of how the entire world turns on the wheels of action, He highlighted the importance of doing one’s bounden duty, egoless, and with devotion. 

After a powerful Akhanda kirtan and Gita Havan, Pujya Gurudev planned for the devotees of Trivandrum a memorable Avabhrta Snaana in the Thamirabarani river flowing through Tirunelveli In Tamil Nadu. The yatra at the end of the Jnana Yajna was not just a spiritual picnic; the attitude of traveling in satsang, bhajans, and constant remembrance of the divine presence in everything transformed the pilgrims’ perspective. The sacred dip in the waters was not just energizing but also sanctifying. When Pujya Gurudev led them to the ancient Nellaiappar Temple where Bhagavan Shiva had performed penance and His Cosmic Dance, where Bhagavan Vishnu  as Nellai Govinda blessed and solemnized the divine wedding of Bhagavan Shiva with Kantimathi (Goddess Parvati), the importance of worship was experienced. The astonishing craftsmanship of the famous musical pillars in the Mani Mandapa, the Taamra (copper) Hall of Dance with its intricate woodwork, and the shrines of various Gods inside the sprawling temple reminded people of the land’s sacred heritage. Pujya Gurudev also took them to Cape Comorin for another unforgettable darshan of Devi Kanyakumari before the huge group returned to Trivandrum bathed in a bliss they had failed to recognize before.

Pujya Gurudev, bringing out the warbling wisdom of the melodic Gita in His  48th Jnana Yajna, appealed to the devoted audience to infuse their lives with noble values. That would lead to an inspired standard of life rather than just an externally prosperous standard of living.

From the moment that Pujya Gurudev began His discourse with His resonating utterance of Om, the audience was mesmerized. Through the mornings with Atma Bodha and the evenings with Kenopanishad, the numbers of the attendees swelled so much that the pandal was extended. It was as though the whole place was in a spiritual trance – even the leaves of trees didn’t rustle as the air was calm; nobody in the thousands even sneezed, and until Pujya Gurudev concluded with “Tomorrow then…,” time seemed suspended. 

The three-day Mrityunjya Havana conducted in perfect Vedic style reassured the orthodox that the modern Swami wasn’t one to decry rituals. The 3-day Akhanda Kirtan also gave everyone an opportunity to revel in devotion. On November 8th, when Pujya Gurudev concluded His pravachans, the adoring audience didn’t want to leave.

 The final segment of the Jnana Yajna was an unforgettable ‘one-day’ sannyasa yatra to the most hallowed spot of Talakaveri, the source of the holy Kaveri river. Pujya Gurudev was like the Pied Piper and a stately Commander as He outlined the yatra plan and guidelines to the huge group in those 13 buses and 20 cars. The 106-mile drive in the panoramic Western Ghats with Bhajans and kirtans echoing through the countryside and mountains was heavenly, especially since Pujya Gurudev spent time in each bus. The way He cared for the pilgrims indicates the magnanimous love that He personified. He was the last one to board a bus, have tea or dinner, and He slept after everyone had gone to sleep. When He led everyone to the sacred birthplace of the Kaveri river to  immerse the ashes of the Mrtyunjaya Havana and complete the Avabhrta snaana in the sacred temple tank, it was a transformational experience. Pujya Gurudev’s ability to guide and enlighten is  legendary.

Pujya Gurudev, everytime He expounded on the potency of devotion described in Gita’s chapter 12,  told seekers that Bhakti was not the realm of mere emotion for a divine idol. It was the more subtle act of faithful attunement to the Highest Reality using the sacred form as the springboard – from Form to the Formless. Thus, every verse of chapter 12 signifies how a devotee can rise in love to merge with the Infinite. As Pujya Gurudev painted the profile of an inspired devotee detailing the attributes that Bhagavan Krishna had Himself enumerated, the audience at Allahabad were filled with the yearning to become that Bhakta who is most dear to Bhagavan. When He described the path of constant practice to uplift the mind, He reinforced that an emotional heart needed a balanced head; the individual must understand the Indivisible Essence.

Since the Jnana Yajna was of shorter duration than previous ones, both Akhanda Kirtan and a Gita Havana could not be done. However, Pujya Gurudev headed a vibrant procession of devotees riding on cycles, buses, and cars to Rasulabad with bhajans to worship in the temples of Prayagraj. Apart from the Gita discourses, Pujya Gurudev spoke on “Our Culture” at the Aeronautical Training Centre Club at Bamrauli.

Though the 46th Jnana Yajna was planned as an afterthought when rains hindered Pujya Gurudev’s discourses on Gita Chapters 5 & 6 at Delhi, it was a shining example of the resourcefulness of a young branch of Chinmaya Mission. Pujya Gurudev showered the blessing of divine Love to reward the way a sudden availability of an adored Guru was utilized respectfully. 

Pujya Gurudev asked the audience to recognize how the Gita was a heroic manual not just in a crisis but in the game of life. It was about “how to receive stimuli from the world and send out readily the right responses – for a fuller, happier life.” The 21-day camp with Vivekachudamani classes in the morning and the yajna discourses on the Bhakti and Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yogas immersed everyone in devotion and deep contemplation. 

The youth of Palakkad Victoria College were specially blessed when Pujya Gurudev inaugurated their student union, reminding them about their duty to self and the world. On September 6th, He visited a children’s branch of the Mission at Marutharode near Palakkad. Speaking to parents, Pujya Gurudev placed emphasis on the betterment of children, for, at a tender age, it is easy to give their minds the right inclination and put them in the proper channel to grow. He noted how a spiritual culture was India’s flag post and reminded that Chinmaya Mission aimed at cultural renaissance which required the participation of children with their parents. The very young, the youth in their prime, the mature, and the aged – Pujya Gurudev embraced, encouraged, and enlightened without a pause. Palakkad and its surrounding villages were enchanted by the magnetic personality and the spiritual power of Pujya Gurudev.

The Gita Havana concluded on September 14th, and an enthusiastic group of adults and children boarded special railway carriages and buses with bhajans and  kirtans for Avabhrta Snaana in Coimbatore. Pujya Gurudev arranged for a devotionally memorable trip with darshan at Perur Pateeshvara temple famous for its svayambhu linga and amazingly intricate sculptures. The 45th Jnana Yajna was another wholesome experience of spiritual living. And, Pujya Gurudev motivated blossoming generations to get enlisted in the Vedantic Renaissance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.