Annual Bhjan Competition

The Balavihar annual bhajans competition was held in Deenabandhu Temple, Indiranagar on Sunday 3^rd September, 2017 with 180 children from 19 groups from all over the city participating. The enthusiasm, effort and preparation put by the children and Balasevikas was a treat to watch with each group rendering the bhajans melodiously to bhava and tala with utmost sincerity to the delight of listeners. The prizes were given away by Pujya Swamini Sampannananda with the first prize being bagged by Deenabandhu, second by BTM and the third being shared by Sripaadakshetra and Malleswaram Balavihars. Five other groups were awarded consolation prizes.

Inauguration of Chinmaya Independent Pre-University College at Chokkahalli, Kolar.

The Chinmaya Independent Pre-University College constructed in Chokkahalli Chinmaya Sandeepany Ashrama complex in Kolar District was formally inaugurated on 5^th September, 2017 by Sri M R Jayaram, chairman of the prestigious Gokula Education Foundation and Chancellor of M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences in the divine presence of Pujya Swami Brahmananda. Sri Jayaram remembered the contribution of Pujya Gurudev in inculcating positive values in society declaring that He belonged to the Dasa Parampara spreading the message of the Bhagavad Geeta through daily spiritual discourses all over the globe.

Sri B R Prabhakara, trustee of Karnataka Chinmaya Seva Trust warned that right education is very essential in this competitive modern world where tremendous information of all types is available at the tips of fingers. He remembered with pride that Ms Nandini who topped the 2017 IAS examinations is a student of both Chinmaya Vidyalaya and M S Ramaiah Institution.

Pujya Swami Brahmananda in his Aashirvachanam echoed Sri Jayaram’s views that man is forgetting the all compassionate Lord who has provided everything that we need for our comfortable living. Along with academic education one needs to inculcate the positive moral values which alone can develop an integrated personality.

The function was very well attended by students and parents of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, College and general public with many Acharyas of Karnataka gracing the occasion.

Gita Jnana Yajna by Pujya Swami Brahmananda

Pujya Swami Brahmananda conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna from 10^th September, 2017 to 17^th September, 2017 on Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 5 at Sri Sai College for Women, Rajajinagar. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri R Anand, Chairman of Sri Sai Mandir Trust.

Pujya Swamiji introduced the text as an Art of Living to be studied by everyone so that they can lead a tension free worriless life. He warned that happiness and sorrow are inseparable experiences in life. But amidst all the dualities it is absolutely necessary to maintain peace of mind as life is full of surprises and nothing happens as per human thinking. It is only the mature mind that stops questioning the happenings accepting situations as they appear without allowing the emotions to overpower. A sanyasi does not have either the doer and enjoyer attitude as he lives in the firm knowledge that he does nothing but is only an instrument through which the Lord performs all actions. Agitations of the ignorant mind create the world and bondage while a calm mind with right knowledge gets liberated seeing only the Lord everywhere. It is only knowledge that will help one to lead a sensible and meaningful life that will ultimately take him to a Jivanmukta status.

The Yajna was very well attended.

Navaratri Celebrations

Navaratri was celebrated in Sripaadakshetra, J P Nagar with due religious fervor from 21^st September, 2017 to 30^th September, 2017. Rudrabhisheka was performed daily morning followed by Durga Sapthashati chanting. Archana was done in the evenings with Lalita Sahasranama chanting followed by devotional renderings by different groups daily. Kannika, Sumangali and Brahmana puja was also performed. Devotees thronged in hundreds daily to witness the beautiful decoration and listen to the Acharyas explanation on the significance of each day during Navaratri. Pujya Swami Brahmananda kick started the celebrations through Satsang in Shirdi Sai Mandir, Tyagarajanagar paying glowing tributes to Shirdi Sai Baba and Pujya Gurudev who led simple high thinking life spreading peace and happiness around them expecting nothing in return.

YUVAKENDRA WORKSHOP IN KORAMANGALA

Chinmaya Yuvakendra Bengaluru organized innovative youth workshop “Looking Back… Moving Forward” on Sunday, 10th September 2017 at Sharada Mandira in the Kormangala Vidyalaya complex. It was a fun with learning event participated by over 50 youngsters and consisted of thought provoking Quiz and several other activities. The participants were divided into groups and went through multiple rounds of quiz on Indian culture and also had to answer questions through ‘Dumb charades’ and ‘Pictionary’. All the participants enjoyed the sessions and agreed that Looking Back (our rich Heritage)… leads to Moving forward towards greater Heights in all facets of life.

Chinmaya Mission Delhi in continuation to its Chinmaya Prem Dhara project distributed Ration to approximately 21 needy, marginalized widows on 4^th October 2017.

Swami Prakarshanand blessed the assembled widows and shared his thought that “Diwali is the festival of sharing the happiness and light”.

Further Swamiji said, “We can see the physical world through our eyes but we cannot see the subtle things like Our Mind which is subtle like Air. We are the sum total of our thoughts. And therefore we should avoid negative thoughts and try to be positive and happy. When we are positive and happy then only will we be able to share and spread love, affection, positivity and happiness”.

The long wait was finally over….Pujya Guruji finally came out of his four month retreat on the 29th of September, 2017 and it was a day to celebrate at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai!  The staff of CCMT, CAT and TCT along with Vedanta Course students and guests, welcomed Pujya Guruji with offerings, flowers, lamps and rangolis. A special Raas leela was performed for Pujya Guruji after receiving him with the Purnakumba. As an offering of love and gratitude, Pujya Guruji performed Paduka Pooja and Rajopachar was offered by the staff and the students of the Vedanta Course. The fitting finale to the programme was a melodious composition written for Pujya Guruji and sung by the faculty and students of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth – Chinmaya Naada Bindu Gurukula along with all staff and Vedanta Course students joining in the chorus! This wonderful event came to an end with Pujya Guruji blessing all those present with prasad. 

The nine days of Navratri are the days to worship the Divine Goddess in her forms of Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati. On 24 th September Chinmaya Mission Delhi celebrated this occasion at their Lodhi Road center with Devi Puja and a Garbha dedicated to Maa
Jagdamba. In the evening devotees took part in the Devi Puja led by Swami Prakarshananda. The puja was followed by devotees enthusiastically participating in the Garbha. On this auspicious occasion Swami Ji also released a New Audio CD on Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.

On the occasion ongoing of Sharannavaratri utsav, on the second day Chinmaya mission secunderabad devotees worshiped Divine Mother through Chandi Homam.

CMP held its second family retreat from September 2^nd – 4^th in Payson, Arizona. It picked up from where last year’s retreat left off, exploring ‘Into The Wild’ with Sadhana Panchakam. The retreat was led by Vivekji from Niagara Falls and Brni Shubhaniji from New York. A total of 110 adults & kids signed up for the event.

The group met up early morning at Tonto Natural Bridge Park to explore the largest natural travertine bridge. After lunch everyone proceeded to the retreat site at Camp Tontozona. During check-in, each attendee was given a gift bag that included well thought of items needed for Satsang.

Vivekji led the adult group with early morning contemplation session. His Satsangs were filled with insightful messages and tactical points for everyone to practice in their daily life. For each of the 40 verses, Vivekji provided Reflection Adventure of the Day (RAD).

Shubhaniji kept the kids engaged with morning yogasanas. During Satsang she taught the kids how to live a great life by starting their day with inspiration, filling their day in doing the right things and ending their day with satisfaction. She led ‘make your Ganesha’ activity which was followed by ‘disco bhajans’.

In-between Satsangs, group activities included soccer, cricket & photo treasure hunt. Volunteers helped prepare sumptuous meals for the entire duration of the retreat. After dinner on first day, everyone sat by the fireplace and sang bhajans while for second night participated in star gazing.

For the closing ceremony everyone got blessings from the Vivekji and Shubhaniji and received a framed family picture with them. Lastly, everyone participated in Ganesha immersion at the nearby pond. As everyone packed up and drove home, all took back with them lot of fond memories, amazing spiritual experience and the joy of spending time with Chinmaya families.Also attaching few additional pictures from the Retreat: