Chinmaya Mission Khargar – Navaratri Celebrations 

Bhaarat is the land of festivals! Numerous festivals celebrated here are not only for fun or just to bring everyone together! They are to remember God and divinize our life!! Navaratri is the festival celebrated in each and every corner of India which serves all these purposes!!!
Today on the 7th day, Mother is worshipped as Kaalaratri – the savior in our dark times!! In every Sadhaka-s journey, there comes a time when everything looks impossible! Mother helps him to come out of it!! Many of us don’t start new endeavors in fear of being lost on the way! We may not be strong enough to complete the task; but the Divine Mother is always there to help us, elevate us and make us reach our goal! Have faith in Her and she will make us achieve the impossible!!!

Ahimsa is a very important value in Hinduism; then why all of our Gods n Goddesses are endowed with so many weapons? Our scriptures say that the weapons are – to destroy demons, for the welfare of Devata-s and most importantly to protect the devotees!!!
Today on the 8th day, Mother is worshipped as Mahagauri – one who shines in a beautiful golden colour! Today is also the most auspicious day of Durgaashtami!!
Like our Gods, we should also have all the weapons with us!! Not to trouble others but to destroy negativities in us! Satyam (truth), Brahmacharyam(self-control), Viveka (discrimination) and Jnana (knowledge) are the weapons that we should all carry always!! May the Divine Mother give us strength!!!

The goal of human life is Moksha – liberation. Liberation is not to go somewhere after death! It is attaining permanent happiness without a dash of sorrow, here in this life itself!!!
Today we have Navami (upto 9am) and Dashami together!!! On the 9th day, Mother is worshipped as Siddhidatri – one who gives Siddhi. The real Siddhi is Liberation, the culmination of our upaasanaa! Being pleased with the upaasaka, Mother blesses him with Moksha!!
Today is a very very auspicious day of Dassera, also known as Vijayaadashami! This is a day of victory; not over someone outside, but on our own negativities!! If Navaratri shows different sadhana-s, Vijayaadashami shows the dawn of the Supreme Knowledge! Mother is worshipped as Shree Saraswati – the Goddess of Knowledge!!!
May by Mother’s grace we kill our negativities, like Shri Ramachandra killed Ravana! May She give us the Knowledge by which we will be able to attain the Liberation!! Om Shrimatre Namah!!!

Swami Ramakrishnananda, Author of Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF)’s “Easy Sanskrit” Home Study Course visited Chinmaya Mission, Houston in August 2014 for a week-long “Easy Sanskrit” camp.

Smt Padmashree Rao, member of the Houston center who attended the camp writes about her experiences in the September 19, 2014 issue of “The Indo American E-Newspaper”.
Read the complete article here http://issuu.com/indoamericannews/docs/e-newspaper09192014/16

Swami Abhedananda’s Visit & Gyan Yagna in Singapore – August 2014

The devotees of Singapore were extremely blessed to have the divine presence of Swami Abhedananda from 7 to 18 August, when Swamiji filled everyone’s hearts with immense devotion and uplifted us to soaring heights of Vedantic bliss. During Swamiji’s stay, Chinmaya Seva Centre Singapore had organized a series of programs, thus treating the local devotees and people of Singapore with spiritual ecstasy. Swamiji’s arrival was marked by Vishnu Sahasranam Archana and puja at the ashram, followed by morning Yagna on Advaita Makaranda titled “From Illlusion to Illumination” and subsequently a 5-day evening Geeta Gyan Yagna on Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 14 titled “Secret of Self-Transformation” at RELC Auditorium. During both the yagnas, Swamiji enthralled the listeners with the depth of his wisdom and thought provoking discourses.

With Swamiji being at the ashram during his course of stay, the ashram was abuzz with devotees and activities. People thronged the ashram after the morning classes, and used the opportunity to clarify their doubts on the subtle topics of Vedanta. Swamiji enlightened everyone through these informal question and answer sessions which were filled with immense clarity and depth of knowledge. There were formal sessions organized for ladies of Devi Group, for Balvihar Sevikas, teenagers and Junior CHYKs, as well as a big gathering of all Sevaks/ Sevikas and members of the various Study Groups. In all the sessions, Swamiji inspired the audience to commit themselves to a higher purpose in life. Swamiji said that the only purpose of life should be to make God happy with us. The ultimate objective of human life should be to progress towards the higher, such the Jeeva becomes closer to the Paramatma, and ultimately becomes one with Him. In whatever we do, we must always remember this purpose of life. We must use the people, situations and objects around us as “pooja samagri” (offerings) towards pleasing the Lord & Guru alone.

On 10 August – the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan, Swamiji was invited by the Hindu Centre and the Hindu Endowments Board of Singapore – a government affiliated body, who organized a program to integrate all Hindu organizations and foster the spirit of brotherhood among these organizations. Swamiji addressed a huge audience at the PGP Hall on the principle of Universality as explained in the scriptures. On this occasion, Swamiji represented Chinmaya Mission and graced the stage with several other eminent personalities like Mr.B K Modi – Chairman of the Spice Group of Industries.

The culmination of Swami Abhedanandaji’s visit to Singapore was marked by the auspicious celebration of Janmashtami on 17 August, when the ashram was fully decked in the charming presence of Lord Krishna and Radha. Swamiji’s enamouring satsang on Srimad Bhagavatam captivated everyone’s hearts as he portrayed Lord Krishna’s mystic leelas that filled everyone’s eyes with tears of devotional bliss. Midnight aarti was performed and everyone danced with joy to welcome the Lord’s birth in our hearts.

In the course of his stay, Swamiji sprinkled everyone in Singapore with unforgettable moments of love, joy and devotion. His presence brought everyone close to each other and gave an opportunity to meet every day and serve Pujya Gurudev’s Vision in a truly Yagna spirit. The effortless sewa and beaming faces of all volunteers was a sign of true fulfilment that such an event can bring about.

A brief report on a “Four Day Lecture Series based on Upanishad Ganga”

at Ahmedabad Management Association

Chinmaya Mision Ahmedabad organized a four day series on Upanishad Ganga at Ahmedabad Management Assosiation. The audio visual presentations sandwiched between introductory talks, conclusions and question – answer sessions were conducted by Br. Atharvana Chaitanya. This series covered the introductory part on Upanishad Ganga based on the first eight episodes. The programme was very well received by the attendees daily. Each participant, the organizers and the host wished more of such series happen in future, and so it can be called a very successful programme. Similarly lecture series on the subsequent episodes of Upanishad Ganga have been planned for the months to come. This programme is a part of the offering made by Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad on the occasion of Pujya Gurudev’s Birth Centenary Celebrations, Unto HIM Our Best!

Hariom.