Upanishad Yajna by Pujya Swami Advayananda
Pujya Swami Advayananda, President of Chinmaya International Foundation, Veliyanad conducted a Jnana Yajna in English from 1st to 9th May, 2018 taking the first Anuvaka of Brahmanandavalli from Taittreya Upanishad in Sripaadakshetra, J P Nagar. The Yajna was inaugurated by Parama Pujya Acharya Mahamandaleshwara Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Puri Swamiji of Sri Kailas Ashram who stressed that the essence of all scriptures is attainment of supreme bliss. He recalled his younger days when he had the divine opportunity of listening to Pujya Gurudev and remembered how Gurudev was instrumental in crystallizing his thoughts when he chose the spiritual path.
Pujya Swami Advayananda in his inimitable style took the first anuvaka of Brahmanandavalli for the entire nine days going into great depth and explaining every aspect of the teaching. He stressed the ultimate Truth that ‘I’ am not the body but the all pervading cosmic force that has neither any beginning nor end. But to realise our true nature which is an ocean of bliss and joy, we just need to rise above the delusion of identification with the body just as the waker spontaneously drops the dream world realising his true identity the moment he wakes up. Just as the Sun does not need any external light, the Self is luminous by itself declaring the fact “You are that Brahman”. Transcending the panchakoshas and merging into the infinity the supreme Truth declared by the Mahavakyas – I am That, Tat tvam asi, Aham Brahmasi, etc., can be experienced enabling the sadhaks to appreciate the unknown with the help of the known. The essence is that the sadhak ultimately realises the truth that his real nature is Brahman alone or as is said in the Mahavakyas – the knower of Brahman is in reality Brahman Himself.
The Yajna was very well attended.
Gita Jnana Yajna by Pujya Swami Adityananda
Pujya Swami Aparajitananda of Mandya centre conducted a Geeta Jnana Yajna in Kannada on Bhagavad Gita Chapter – 7 in Sri Brahma Chaitanya Mandir, Srinivasanagar from 20th to 26th May, 2018 The Yajna was inaugurated by Jagadguru His Holiness Sri Vidyanibhava Shankara Bharati Mahaswamiji of Kudli Sri Sringeri Mutt who explained the greatness of Bhagavad Gita and need to imbibe the positive qualities for peaceful life. He paid glowing tributes to Pujya Gurudev and how he was influenced by Him during the childhood days.
Pujya Swami Adityananda centered his talks in stressing the need to drop the false identification with the unreal and understand that ‘I’ – the real, am beyond body, mind and intellect. Once we are able to quieten the mind and experience the true infinite joy within us all other types of knowledge fade into insignificance. We need to broaden our vision and envelop the entire cosmos experiencing oneness in the entire creation. This is the only way to cultivate humility and egolessness.
Pujya Swamiji took the first stabaka of Pujya Tapovan Maharaj’s Badreesha Stotram explaining the subtle concept of Adhyaropa in the mornings.
Both the sessions were very well attended.
CHINMAYA JAYANTI 2018 CELEBRATION
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s 102nd Jayanti was observed through a nine day Upanishad Yajna from 1st May to 9th May, 2018 by Pujya Swami Advayananda, President of Chinmaya International Foundation, Veliyanad. The subject – Brahmanandavalli was very apt for the occasion as it defines the Ultimate Truth – Brahman with crystal clear clarity and Pujya Gurudev after His studies at the feet of Swami Shivananda and Swami Tapaovan remained in that state. Such a Master’s Jayanti can be celebrated only through what He strived for His entire life – Jnana Yajna. Bhajans and Paduka Puja were performed on the last day (9th May, 2018) of the Yajna.
Gita Jnana Yajna by Pujya Swamini Sampannananda
Pujya Swamini Sampannananda of Malleswaran cntre conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna in Kannada taking Bhagavad Gita Chapter – 9 in Chinmaya Mission Vijayanagar Centre from 26th May to 1st June, 2018. The Yajna was inaugurated by Smt. Ishwari Manjunath, senior devotee of the Mission.
Pujya Sampannamma explained that the chapter reveals the secret of understanding the real nature of oneself besides coming out of the bondage of samsara along with the cycle of life and death. But it is important for the student to develop faith in the scriptures and the Guru to appreciate the essence hidden in the teachings. But those who do not have faith will get caught in the web of samsara and get drawn into the whirlpool of delusion. It is only through Self knowledge that one can understand the true nature and get rid of false identifications. It is necessary to understand the Lord properly instead of getting sucked into the name and form world as He can be attained only through sincerity and dedication.
The Yajna was well attended.
Balavihar Summer Camp 2018
A Balavihar Summer residential camp – ‘Enjoy Life – The Krishna way’ – was held in Chinmaya Sandeepany, Chokkahalli from 5th to 11th May, 2018 with Pujya Swami Aparajitananda of Mangalore centre as the Camp Acharya.
Children mostly from Bangalore and a few from Mysore and Hyderabad totaling 92 in number enjoyed every event ranging from learning the Narayana Sooktam & a number of Stotrams, Yoga sessions, Swami Aparajitananda’s inspiring talks with useful tips, daily workshops giving an insight into the rituals, nature acceptance, traditional games like treasure hunt with a difference – the Kanha trail, dahi handi and cooking without fire. The main theme of the camp – Enjoy life the Krishna Way giving glimpse of overcoming obstacles with divine grace by being a flute in His hands was appreciated by all. The camp song – ‘Come enjoy life the Krishna way’ was instantly a big hit with the children.
Gurudev Jayanthi on the 8th of May was celebrated in the presence of Pujya Swami Brahmananda and other Swamijis. The valedictory function on 11th May saw the children showcasing their talents through a number of self created, composed and directed compositions consisting of poems, plays and presentations without much props, all done with very limited resources, including preparation time that left all the elders gaping with wonder.
