Chinmaya Mission, Ahmedabad witnessed festive celebrations, Jnana Yajna, Youth Camp & Upanishad Ganga Lecture Series during March – April,2015.

Festival Celebrations

Chaitri Navaratri & Shri Ramanavami
Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad Celebrated Chaitri Navaratri from 21st to 28th March 2015 by performing Navhaan Parayana of Shri Tulsi Ramayana. Devotees gathered in large numbers for the parayana of the holy text daily for two hours each in the morning and in the evening. Different incidents of the great Ramakatha namely Shiva-Parvati Vivaha, Ramjanma, Dhanushya Bhang, Sita Rama Vivaha, Shri Rameshwar Sthapana, Shri Rama Rajyabhishek as well as Shri Rama’s meeting with his beloved devotees such as Ahalya, Bharata, Jatayu, Kewat, Shabri, Shri Hanumanji and Vibhishana were portrayed in the temple and the yajamanas performed special arati for each of these occasions. The Satsangis revelled in the beautiful experience of singing Bhagvan Rama’s glories in different moods as beautifully presented by a great devotee Shri Tulasidasji. On the last day of Parayana, the devotees celebrated Shri Ramanavami. This day also being Shri Gangeshvar Mahadev “Sthapana Divas”, a special puja was offered in the temple. The devotees sang Kirtans and celebrated Shri Ramajanma at noon, followed by Mahaprasad.
Shri Hanuman Jayanti
On 4th April Chinmaya Mission, Ahmedabad family celebrated Shri Hanuman Jayanti. The celebrations started early morning with a grand puja of Shri Hanumanaji. The devotees also performed Shri Guru Paduka Puja in the evening followed by a musical program by Chinmaya Swaranjali of Chanting Shri Hanuman Chalisa 7 times in 7 different tunes. Devotees of all age groups participated in the chanting and felt the power of the hymn in the divine ambience of the temple.

Jnana Yajna
As a part of Pujya Gurudev’s Birth Centenary Year Celebrations, Shravana Sadhana Series of monthly Jnana Yajnas in different Areas of the city titled “Saarathino Sathvaaro” (Company of the Charioteer) have been organised successfully since march 2014.

Chapter 13 Jnana Yajna
Jnana Yajna on Chapter 13 of Shrimad Bhagvad Geeta was organised from 14 to 19 March 2015 at Global Hospital, Bopal, Ahmedabad. Many members of Global hospital family and devotees from the nearby area attended the yajna daily. After expounding on the path of single-pointed devotion for the Lord in chapter 12, from this chapter Shri Bhagvan slightly shifts the focus and leads Arjuna to a different view point for understanding the oneness of the Jeeva, the world and the Lord. By explaining the verses of this chapter, Br. Atharvana Chaitanyaji discussed how the world is divided into the Kshetra – “the field” and Kshetrajna – “the knower of the field”. The principle here is that all that which can be known as “this” is the “field” and that which is other than the field is the “knower of the field”. Therefore, the sense objects, the body, the senses, the mind, the intellect, the feelings, the thoughts, the experiences – all are nothing but a part of the field. Atharvanaji beautifully explained that it’s only the combination of these two (Kshetra+ Kshetrajna) on which the very existence of the world is based.
Ruling out the misunderstanding that there are many knower of the field, Shri Bhagvan clarifies that He, alone is the knower of all fields. This alone is the ultimate knowledge which needs to be experienced. Now, in order to experience this Truth, a guideline is provided to a seeker in the form of 20 Sadhanas which can assist him in preparing himself for gaining the highest knowledge. The devotees were inspired by the detailed discussion on these 20 lakshanas of a seeker in his journey towards the Lord. Thus purifying one’s mind, when a seeker develops the vision of oneness in all, he comes out of the sense of doership and enjoyership and attains liberation. Br. Atharvana Chaitanyaji’s simple and lucid style of explaining this profound message of the Holy Geeta was well appreciated by the novice listeners.

Chapter 14, Jnana Yajna

Jnana Yajna on Chapter 14 of Shrimad Bhagvad Geeta was organised from 11th to 16th April 2015 at Shreyas Foundation, Ahmedabad. In the lush green Yajna shala, amidst the soothing chirping of birds, a large number of devotees were benefited by Br. Atharvana Chaitanyaji talks expounding on the Guna-Traya-Vibhaga-Yoga. After differentiating between the various fields and the “knower of the fields” earlier, in this chapter, Shri Bhagvaan explains that the world that one experiences is nothing but a combination of the three Gunas – Satva, Rajas and Tamas. Citing many examples, Br. Atharvanaji explained in detail, the various effects and attributes of these Gunas. An individual identifying with the limited body, which itself is a field, acts according to one’s moods governed by the Gunas and gets bound by the cob-web of the effects of these Gunas. These gunas as the cause are not visible or perceivable directly but they can be apprehended through their various effects. For example, the effects of Satva Guna are happiness and knowledge, Action or Agitation are the effects of Rajas and Tamas is expressed as Confusion, forgetfulness or procrastination. Through a verse from Shrimad Bhagvatam, Atharvanaji explained the listeners the way of regulating these Gunas and slowly progressing from Tamas to Rajas to Satva. Since Satva Guna is necessary for gaining knowledge, a seeker is advised to direct oneself to Satva. Such a satvik and pure minded sadhaka with single-pointed devotion for the Lord, overcoming all the bondages, transcends the three gunas and attains the vision of oneness with the Lord.

 M (ind) Y(our) Mind Youth Camp

On April 5 2015, Chinmaya Yuva Kendra Ahmedabad organised a one day youth Camp titled Mind Your Mind for the youth of the age group 18 to 35 years. Under the guidance of Br. Atharvana Chaitanya ji, around 20 youth explored the answers to many questions such as “What is Mind?”, “How is the mind created?”, “What is the purpose of Mind?”, “How can one control the mind?”. The campers also had the guidance of a senior mission member, Smt. Gauri Barad, who discussed about the power of one’s mind and presented various techniques to overcome one’s mental obstacles and attain success in every field through a workshop on the movie “The Secret”.

 Upanishad Ganga Lecture Series VI @ AMA

The topic on the first day of the series was “I am not this”. The discussion started with a fundamental question of “What is bondage?” as asked by a disciple in the text Vivekachudamani. In the text Shri Adi Shankaracharyaji explains the student that limiting my self (Atma) to what I am not (Anatma) is bondage! Therefore, it is important to know “What I am not”(Anatma).
Since it is impossible to make a list of countless things which “I am not”, through various examples and illustrations Br. Atharvana Chaitanya Ji concluded that our scriptures provide the following principle to distinguish Anatma from Atma:
Everything which can be known as mine cannot be me. (e.g my watch is not me, my car is not me, my body is not me and so on…) Or
That which can be known as “This” (Idam) cannot be I (Aham).
Based on the above principle, my belongings or objects, my equipment such as body, mind, intellect; my conditions; my experience, perceptions – none of these is Me. This was further clear through the episode of Upanishad Ganga based on conversation of Shri Krishna-Subhadra and Savitri-yama. After identifying various layers of one’s personality as “not self”, the question is, Who am I?
On the second day of the series, Br. Atharvana Chaitanya ji explained that in principle, there are three ways of indicating something which is unknown:

1) Indication by means of negation (The “Not this” method) – In this method we negate everything other than that which is to be described and thereby point towards the unknown. Applying this method, our scriptures say that the Self is not the objects, body, mind, intellect, experiences. Meaning, it is other than the world that we perceive as “this”.

2) Indication by means of reference: Here, we take help of that which is known and with reference to that we describe the unknown. Now, adopting this method the scriptures take reference of the world that we all know and say that the Self is the very substratum or the witness of this world.

3) Indication by means of its essential nature: This method describes the unknown by its own innate quality. Our scriptures use various terms to describe our own nature some of them are – Nitya (Eternal), Shuddha (Pure), Buddha (All knowing), Mukta (Free), Sat (Existence), Chit (Consciousness), Ananda (Happiness).
In a nutshell, our scriptures declare that we are Existance-Conciousness-Bliss, now we may think, “If I am the Eternal Conscious Being or Happiness, why do I experience sorrow?” Or “How can I experience what I really am?”. Addressing this fundamental question, all our scriptures provide pointers to withdraw one’s attention from one’s false identities and show the direction towards one’s true nature. By watching the episode of ‪Upanishad Ganga‬ on Saint Arunagiri’s journey from lust to liberation, the listeners were inspired to learn how intelligent questioning and Self-enquiry can lead to Self-realisation irrespective of one’s current state.

Children enchant with the Gita at Chinmaya Prabha

Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda once said – “Opportunities in life come to all of us almost all the time. They come in streams, in hosts and knock at our doors. We are either ‘out’ or sleeping ‘in’. Be awake. Be alert. Be prepared to make use of them.” Truly, one of such glorious opportunities comes every year in the form of the Gita Chanting Competition at Chinmaya Prabha Houston. And, as a mark of special reverence, the competition is held on a Saturday close to Pujya Gurudev’s birthday of May 8, 1916.

Significantly, the event held this year on May 2nd, was a beautiful opportunity for children to offer a very beautiful gift to Pujya Gurudev to commemorate the centenary year of his birth. Prepared, alert, and enthusiastic, over a hundred and twenty children from ages 4 – 18 captivated the audience with their skillful chanting of Srimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15 – Purushottama Yoga (The Yoga of the Supreme Spirit).

The competition started at 8:30 AM in the morning with Vedic Aarti followed by the Mission Pledge. Pujya Acarya Sri Gaurang Nanavaty, in his message encouraging and congratulating all participating children, said, “Just as listening to the national anthem increases patriotism, listening and the learning the Gita increases love for the Lord. You children who learn the Gita are indeed winners in life.”

As the competition commenced, it was evident that all children were really the winners. The judges who listened to child after child struggled to distinguish who was ahead in terms of memory, pronunciation, chanting style and overall effect. From the youngest participant to the oldest, the spirit of chanting was such that it must have truly enchanted Lord Krishna himself! When the competition concluded by noon and the results were announced, the overwhelming feeling was one of genuine victory for all. The special day drew to a conclusion with a sumptuous lunch for all the attendees.
In the award ceremony the next day, when Acarya Gaurangbhai, honored the winners, he shared a special email written by Rohith Narra, one of the winning children. The young teenager dedicated his success to his teachers saying that his victory came after nine years of participation. During his chanting this year, he concentrated on giving his best and did not focus on the result – he learned how that attitude, in fact, contributed to his success.
Then, there was Vashi Banavalikar, a four-year-old who just missed participating in the formal competition because of his age cut-off. He was determined to learn the verses of Ch.15 and so he did – the toddler memorized fourteen verses, and he marched on the stage that Sunday morning – and enchanted everyone with his chanting of the verses until the Acarya had to request him to pause! Indeed, Gurudev’s rich legacy of teaching the Gita shone throughout the day’s award ceremony. Each year, the preparation for this day starts early – the Mission conducts Gita chanting classes for the children from February to prepare them for the annual event and teachers pour their hearts in this auspicious effort.
This year, the winners will head for Chicago in September to participate in the National competition which will be followed by the International Chanting competition being conducted at Chinmaya Vibhooti, Kolwan (Near Pune), India in December as part of Pujya Gurudev’s Birth Centenary celebrations.

Group A (4 to 6 year olds)
3rd Place: Sanvi Sudarshan
2nd Place: Saumya Kabnur
1st Place: Pranav Sriram

Group B: (7 to 9 years)
3rd Place: Siddharth Satish
2nd Place: Aditi Chaubal
1st Place: Shanaya Kabnur

Group C (10 to 12 years):
3rd Place: Rachit Mukkamala & Ayush Manoj
2nd place: Meghana Prabhakaran
1st Place: Mihir Krishna Gundamaraju

Group D (13 to 15 years)
3rd Place: Bhavya Kethireddipalli
2nd place: Mythreyan Ganesh & Arushi Das
1st Place: Rohit Narra

Group E (16 to 18 years)
2nd Place: Shravya Arra
1st Place: Yuthika Gundamaraju

 Yajna No. 48:

The forty eighth Yajna in the Akhanda Gita Jnana Yajna series to celebrate Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s birth centenary celebration in Bangalore was conducted in English by Pujya Swami Ramatmananda, of Indiranagar, Bangalore centre from 29/03/2015 to 05/04/2015 taking Amrita Bindu Upanishad in the evenings at Deenabandhu Temple, Indiranagar. The Yajna was inaugurated by Smt Nirmala Menon, an ardent devotee of Pujya Gurudev.
All our modern gross knowledge is incapable of blessing us with peace and tranquility which is the aim of our entire life. It is the study of our own mind which when controlled and tamed through systematic approach with the help of scriptures under the guidance of a Guru will unleash a tremendous power engulfing itself in a sea of calmness and joy realizing its own true that was hitherto unhidden. We come to realize that it is only through an undisturbed mind that we can understand our real nature and all the wrong notions with respect to our identification with the body and external world disappear enabling us to realize that we are one with the Supreme Truth – Sat Chit Ananda.

Yajna No. 49:

The forty ninth Yajna in the Akhanda Gita Jnana Yajna series to celebrate Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s birth centenary celebration in Bangalore was conducted in English by Pujya Br. Sujay Chaitanya, of Mangalore centre from 06/04/2015 to 14/04/2015 taking Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 in the evenings at Prarthana Mandir, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Koramangala. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri B Krishnakumar, president of the Mission.
Sanyasa is not in external behaviour but a mental attitude. It is not necessary to leave the world and go to Himalayas wearing ochre clothes to attain peace of mind. One can be amidst intense activity and yet be detached to the fruits of action thereby attaining tranquility of mind. A true Jnani understands that all activities belong to Ishwara and he is only an instrument through whom the activities are being performed. It is necessary to purify the mind through self-discipline and surrendering at one chosen ideal abandoning all attachment to the fruits of action. Men of realisation are able to rise above the dualities and look at all happenings in the world with equanimity and calmness of mind.

Yajna No. 50:

The fiftieth Yajna in the Akhanda Gita Jnana Yajna series to celebrate Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s birth centenary celebration in Bangalore was conducted in Kannada by Pujya Swami Krutatmananda, of Sripaadakshetra, Bangalore centre from 15/04/2015 to 21/04/2015 taking Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 in the evenings at Kuvempu Kalamantap, B T M. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri G N R Babu, corporator, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike.
Realisation of the supreme truth is possible either by total surrender at the lotus feet of the Lord in the form of the manifest Ishta Devata or through contemplation on the unmanifest all pervading eternal light that enlivens the entire universe. But for the body oriented persons who comprise a major portion of mankind single pointed devotion is the best form through which all dualities get destroyed and the sadhak is able to see oneness in the entire creation thereby losing body consciousness that helps him to merge with the cosmos.

Yajna No. 51:

The fifty first concluding Yajna – “SHUBHAMANGALA” in the Akhanda Gita Jnana Yajna series to celebrate Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s birth centenary celebration in Bangalore was conducted in Kannada by Pujya Swami Brahmananda, from 22/04/2015 to 03/05/2015 taking Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 in the evenings at Sripaadakshetra, J P Nagar. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri Sakala Narasimhulu Setty, Trustee of the Mission and a very senior ardent devotee of Pujya Gurudev.
Sanyasa is renunciation of kamya karmas and abandonment of the fruits of all actions is tyaga. Such abandonment is deemed as Sattvik. Different kinds of knowledge, action, agent (karta), understanding, firmness of mind and happiness depend upon the three Gunas – Sattvik, Rajasik and Tamasik. The four-fold caste system is just made to have a healthy balance in society. It is the mental attitude that plays an important factor to ascertain where we belong and birth absolutely has no significance. He is a true sanyasi handling a thousand things as they come and go without any modification happening in his mind. He is totally equipoised in all the dwandwas – mentally living in solitude with complete command over the senses and having totally lost all body consciousness. He is a true devotee with unswerving faith in his chosen goal and works his entire life towards it. Gurudev has been a glorious example of such a person who lived amidst all of us setting an example for all to follow. What is extremely important is to perform all actions whatever they may be with utmost dedication forgetting all other thoughts.
Guru Vandana to all Acharyas of Karnataka was performed on 02/05/2015. Pujya Gurudev’s 99th Jayanti was observed on 03/05/2015 with bhajans, Paduka Puja and video coverage of His talks.

All the Yajnas were well attended.

Chinmaya Mission Nagpur organized a non-residential Bal vihar camp from 19th to 28th April 2015 daily 7 to 10 p.m. at Shivaji Hall, Shivaji Nagar, Nagpur. Around 60 children participated in it.

Prayers, Gayatri mantra repetition, hymn recitation was taught in the beginning. Salutation to sun, yoga postures were followed by Geeta chapter 15 chanting.Variety items like Go safe road manners presentation, Fort making demonstration, musical Quiz, Calligraphy coaching, tale of Gurudev, a talk on dieting and entertainment show were few of the activities that children
enjoyed.

There were patriotic songs, prayer for peace. At the valedictory children showcased some of their newly learnt talents. Revered Swamini Gayanandji and others led the camp to conclusion.

A book stall displaying literature for children and others was set at the venue of the camp on all days. Children reveled in books during free time while parents bought their favorite books and CDs.

Glimpses of the recently concluded camp of Pujya Guruji at Rewa, Madhya Pradesh from 22nd – 26th April,2015.