On 7th Dec, 2017, Chinmaya Mission Jaipur hosted a principal’s meet at Saras Sankul
Auditorium, JLN Marg, Jaipur. The meet was formally inaugurated by chanting of Shanti
Mantra and lighting of lamp by Pujya Swami Mitrananda ji, President of Chinmaya Mission Jaipur Mamta Mansingka and Vice President M. L. Gupta. The meet was addressed by Swami Mitrananda Ji of Chinmaya Mission Chennai, who is a dynamic disciple of Pujya Gurudev. Around 29 school principals, teachers and educationalists participated in this meet. The main aim of this meet was to introduce Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth, which is a deemed University for Sanskrit and Indic Traditions, with its two verdant campuses at Veliyanad in Kerala and Kolwan near Pune and is the latest addition to the noble services to the humanity by Chinmaya Mission in the field of education.

The main objective of this university is to make students aware of the values of ancient and rich Indian culture and civilization along with academic subjects. Through this meet Swami Mitranada Ji had spoken about Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth which was established at the birthplace of Shri Adi Shankaracharya near Kochi city of Kerala. This
Vishwavidyapeeth was established on the house and the surrounding land where Lord Adi Shankaracharya was born at his maternal grandparent’s residence. Today Chinmaya Mission is serving humanity through more than 100 schools in the field of education, but Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth is the first step towards graduation and postgraduate education. Swami Mitrananda ji had spoken about the ignorance of Sanskrit language in contemporary science which is keeping us away from the achievements of our ancestors. For this reason, special attention is being given to the knowledge of Sanskrit language at Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth and Sanskrit language is being studied exclusively with almost all courses.

He also shared information about the courses already introduced and the courses to be
included in the future. Towards the end of the seminar, academicians and journalists put forward their queries related to Vishwavidyapeeth and were resolved by Swami Mitrananda ji, followed by a vote of thanks by Secretary, Chinmaya Mission Jaipur Dr. Uma Acharya.

GEETA CHANTING COMPETITION 2017 Chinmaya Mission Jaipur

On December 3, 2017 Sunday, Chinmaya Mission Jaipur organized the Inter school level of “Geeta Chanting Competition” at Rotary Bhawan, Jaipur. This competition is being successfully conducted annually by Chinmaya Mission Jaipur since 1999. In this competition 2385 students from 16 eminent and prestigious schools of Jaipur participated and out of which 38 participants reached the Inter school level.

Immense enthusiasm was seen in schools, parents and students for this event. The Chief guest of the event Dr. Prakash Pandey, President of the National Sanskrit Institute, graced the program with his presence and guided everyone on the relevance of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and it’s usefulness in life.

In the competition, the first, second and third winners of each category A, B, S & D were given award of cash prizes of 3000 / -, 2000 / – and 1000 / – respectively along with books and trophies. Consolation prizes of 500/- and books were also given. Certificate of participation was given to all the 2385 participants. This year, all the participants gave a memorable presentation on the Geeta 17th chapter.

Scaling rocks to waterfalls, diving into waves in the Atlantic Ocean, and hiking through a river in the Amazon rainforest may sound like the activities of a daredevil. However, they were actually the adventures of a group of yatris on the most recent Chinmaya Inspiration Yatra to Trinidad and Tobago in November 2017. Vivekji from Chinmaya Mission Niagara led 45 North American yatris ranging from school-aged children to grandparents on the international self-development opportunity of a life time.

            The first few days of the Yatra were devoted to yatris getting to spend time at the Chinmaya Mission Ashram. Yatris interacted with school students at the Chinmaya Vidyalaya, participated in Vedic chanting and Kathopanishad classes with Vedanta students, and most wonderfully, got to spend time with Pujya Swami Prakashananda.

            The first excursion yatris delved into was a hike to Edith Falls, a hidden waterfall nestled at the top of a rocky hike. While the trek itself was demanding, the beauty of Edith Falls proved that the hard work required to get there was worth it. After the morning’s hike, yatris enjoyed pizza with Trinidadian flare, including ingredients like hot peppers, pineapple, and corn before heading to Mount Saint Benedict, a monastery set high in the mountains. Mount Saint Benedict is in constant mounam, or purposeful silence, and yatris were able to enjoy a reflective quietude before returning to the ashram.

            The yatris’ next trip took them to the Dattatreya Temple, where an 85-foot moorti of Lord Hanuman stands tall. After chanting Hanuman Chalisa while completing pradakshina around Lord Hanuman, yatris traveled to Patiram Trace, where they got to offer freshly picked bilva leaves to a svayambhu Shiva. Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva must have been smiling upon the yatris, because after visiting both temples, the entire group indulged in scrumptious Trinidadian food including doubles (channa batura sandwiches), aloo pies, and spinach pies. With full stomachs, yatris returned to the ashram, where they filled their afternoon playing football with Vivekji and the Vedanta students.

            Yatris spent the third day of the Yatra at Maracas Bay, a beautiful beach with huge waves and picturesque views. Before leaving the beach, yatris enjoyed “bake and cheese,” a local sandwich favorite before returning to the ashram.

            The highlight of the trip came the day after Maracas Bay, when yatris left before sunrise to hike up through rainforest terrain to the peak called Tapovanam. While the hike started off  light, it wasn’t long before yatris started losing their shoes in the thick mud that filled the trail up the mountain. However, the group was soon met with the blessing of wading upstream through a river all the way to the peak. At the top a large pavilion welcomed the yatris, who quickly jumped into many forms of seva, including unloading bags from jeeps, cutting vegetables for dinner, and most demanding, tearing down old parts of the pavilion structures and building concrete walls with Swami Prakashanandaji. While at Tapovanam, yatris forgot the conveniences of normal life and used communal kitchens, bathrooms, sleeping spaces, and were completely immersed in simple living, high thinking, and of course, reveling in joke after joke told by Swami Prakashanandaji. Despite being away from home in the middle of the rainforest, yatris could not have felt more comfortable and joyous.

Upon returning to the ashram, many yatris prepared to head to their respective homes. But, while their time in Trinidad was quickly coming to an end, they were filled with inspiration their experiences had cultivated. At the end of just a short week, yatris gained new friends, new perspectives, and a new sense of the blessing Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda has given all of Chinmaya Mission. More than anything, yatris learned this: Yatras are not simply spiritual pilgrimages. They are difficult but worthwhile opportunities to journey away from our comfort zones, and towards our best selves.

Gita Jnana Yajna by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda

Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna in Engish from 11^th to 21^st  November, 2017 at Mangala Mantapa, NMKRV College for Women, Jayanagar . The Yajna was inaugurated by Dr M K Panduranga Setty, president of the R V Trust running the college.

Pujya Guruji explained that it is important to remove the wrong notions one has on Sanyasa, Tyaga, Yajna, Dana and Tapas. Only when we understand the terms they blossom in our lives leading to a meaningful existence. It is necessary to perform action renouncing the fruits associated with it even when the action is done for a very noble cause. The character of Sri Rama in Ramayana is a towering example of such attitude.

Dwelling into depths of Gunas, happiness and karma Pujya Guruji emphasised that perfection is possible only when one pursues activities in tune with the inherent tendencies. The real fact is that happiness as experienced by the sense organs can never be permanent. It is necessary to withdraw from the world giving up all likes and dislikes and not getting disturbed by pleasant as well as unpleasant situations. Total surrender is the only means to overcome the power of Maya when true knowledge dawns revealing our true nature – Sat Chit Ananda.

Thoughts soaked in love become bhakti and when there is total surrender to the goal and entire life is dedicated to the cause, success is bound to be achieved. Whenever true knowledge guides the actions, success is assured.

The Yajna was a grand success with more than 1000 sadhaks attending every day.

Gita Jnana Yajna by Pujya Swami Adityananda

Pujya Swami Adityananda of Mandya centre conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna in Kannada from 22^nd to 28^th Nov, 2017 at Sri Shirdi Sai Mandir, Tyagarajanagar on Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri R Seshadri, trustee of the temple.

Pujya Swamiji covered all the chapters enumerating the various tips involved in the Gita for peaceful living. He laid stress on the fact that the greatest mistake man does is forgetting his true nature of infinite happiness and runs behind the outer world seeking momentary peace. We should develop the art of self inquiry which is the only way to remove ignorance and understand the true meaning of life. This is possible only through selfless work without expecting anything in return when chitta shuddhi occurs leading to peace and tranquility.

The Yajna was very well attended.

Gita Jayanti Celebrations

Gita Jayanti and Tapovan Jayanti were celebrated on Wednesday, 29th November, 2017 at all centers in Bengaluru with the chanting of all the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita along with Tapovan Shatkam and Paduka Puja.

Kartika Masa Celebrations

The Kartika Masa celebrations that began last month with daily colourful lamps decoration, archana and special puja followed by the evening keertans, bhajans and devotional rendering concluded on 18^th November, 2017. The highlight of this year’s celebration was the divine presence of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji who enjoyed the lighting and devotional renderings daily. He was in Bengaluru conducting a Gita Jnana Yajna from 11^th to 21^st Nov 2017.

Balavihar Sub-Junior Competitions

The all Bengaluru Balavihar competition for sub-juniors was held at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Koramangala on the 26^th of November 2017 in the holy presence of Pujya Swami Brahmananda. More than 500 children who participated were judged for chanting –  Dainika Prarthana, Guru Stotram, Rama Stotram, Madhurashtakam and Storytelling in Kannada and English. There were 23 First prizes, 27 Second prizes, 32 Third prizes and 93 Consolation prizes. Smt Aruna Shadakshari gave away the prizes to winners.

“Ever content, steady in meditation, self-controlled, possessed of firm conviction, with mind and intellect dedicated to Me, he, My devotee, is dear to me.”
~ Bhagwad Geeta, 12.14
In spite of Singapore week-night mayhem, it was heartening to see so many people from all walks of life and all ages gathered together in steadfast devotion to that One Supreme Truth and It’s Bearer. The fervor, the zest, the joy that enlivened this evening’s Geeta Jayanti and Tapovan Jayanti celebrations was truly a sight to lo and behold!
We eagerly look forward to seeing you with family and friends for our upcoming and very exciting in-house events in the New Year! Stay tuned!
Until then – may the Grace and Blessings of Srimad Bhagwad Geeta and our entire Guru Parampara continue to ceaselessly flow through us to the world around us!
Hari Om!