H.H. Swami Chinmayananda
"The secret of action is to get established in equanimity, renouncing all egocentric attachments, and forgetting to worry over our successes and failures."
-Swami Chinmayananda
About - Swami Chinmayananda
Swami Chinmayananda, affectionately known as Pujya Gurudev, was a revered spiritual leader who dedicated his life to spreading the profound teachings of Vedanta. Born as Balakrishna Menon in Kerala, India, he embarked on a transformative spiritual journey after encountering the wisdom of Swami Sivananda Saraswati. Renouncing his earlier life, Balakrishna Menon embraced the path of spirituality and became Swami Chinmayananda. He possessed a rare gift for elucidating complex philosophical concepts in simple, accessible language, making Vedantic wisdom understandable and relevant to people from all walks of life.
His Vision and Inspiration
Pujya Gurudev was motivated by a strong desire to serve humanity and promote universal brotherhood through the dissemination of Vedantic wisdom. In 1953, he founded the Chinmaya Mission with the vision of spreading the teachings of Vedanta and inspiring individuals to discover their spiritual potential. Drawing inspiration from the scriptures, especially from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, Pujya Gurudev emphasized the relevance of ancient wisdom in modern life. He also admired the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya and sought to revive and propagate them in contemporary society. Through his lectures, writings, and the establishment of numerous Chinmaya Mission centres worldwide, Pujya Gurudev's life was dedicated to guiding individuals on the path of self-discovery, ethical living, and service to humanity, leaving an enduring legacy of spiritual enlightenment and social transformation.
Pujya Gurudev's teachings are focused on self-analysis and self-improvement through the study of the scriptures, meditation and selfless service. His impact was profound, with his lectures and discourses inspiring countless individuals worldwide to embark on their own spiritual journeys. Swami Chinmayananda's legacy lives on through the Chinmaya Mission, which continues to carry forward his vision of spiritual enlightenment and service to humanity.
Spiritual Initiatives and Social Impact
Swami Chinmayananda's spiritual initiatives through the Chinmaya Mission had a transformative influence on society. The mission established schools and educational institutions worldwide, integrating academic excellence with moral values rooted in Vedantic principles. Emphasizing women empowerment, the mission promoted gender equality and women's education. Bala Vihar, a programme designed for children, instilled cultural values and spirituality in children. The youth wing of the mission (CHYK), fostered leadership skills and community engagement amongst the youth. The mission's community service initiatives, including medical camps and disaster relief camps, demonstrated the importance of selfless service. Swami Chinmayananda's teachings revived interest in Indian cultural heritage and spirituality globally, inspiring individuals to lead purposeful lives guided by timeless values. His legacy continues to empower individuals and communities to strive for holistic development and societal well-being.
On A Quest - Movie on Pujya Gurudev
Books on Pujya Gurudev's life
Documentary on Pujya Gurudev
A 108 Day Pilgrimage with Pujya Gurudev
Gita Talks by Pujya Gurudev
Chinmaya Jayanti 108 Updates
A Festive Month at Chinmayaranayam, Ellayapalli
108th Chinmaya Jayanti celebrations took place in Chinmayaranayam, Ellayapalli from 8 May to 31 May 2024, with a Paduka Procession, Guru Paduka Puja, Bike Rally, a play about Swami Chinmayananda called "The Disenchanted Journalist" and a Bala Vihar Read More..
108th Chinmaya Jayanti in Bengaluru
The 108th Jayanti celebrations of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda was observed throughout the year by performing Paduka Puja in 1151 houses across the city of Bengaluru with devotion, dedication and sincerity in the true Yajna spirit. The Read More..
Chinmaya Jayanti Celebrations at Jhansi
A 108th Chinmaya Jayanti celebration was organized at Bundelkhand College under the auspices of Chinmaya Mission, Jhansi. On this occasion, 108 devotees performed Paduka Puja of revered Swami Chinmayananda, under the guidance of Brahmachari Read More..
Chinmaya Jayanti at Hosur
Shri Chinmaya Jayanti Celebrations at Chinmaya Mission Hosur on 8 May 2024 included Sampoorna Gita Paryanam with Paduka Puja in the morning and Samashti Paduka Puja in the evening. Read More..
108 Names by 108 Teachers
Here is a garland of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s 108 Glorious Names sung by 108 Chinmaya Mission Swamins, Brahmacharins and Vedanta Teachers from around the world, in the form of a beautiful video, created by the CMWRC team. Read More..
Chinmaya Jayanti at Nagpur
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s 108th Jayanti celebrations began with great enthusiasm and devotion by devotees, Bala Vihar children and members of Chinmaya Yuva Kendra from 3 May to 8 May 2024. On 3 May an Annadaan project was held by Read More..
Grand Devotional Event in Mumbai
On a bright sunny morning, with great love and devotion for Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, members of Chinmaya Mission Mumbai gathered at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Powai, Mumbai, to perform Mastakabhishek to His statue. This event offered Read More..
Chinmaya Degree College Celebrates Chinmaya Jayanti
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s 108th Jayanti was celebrated with great joy at Chinmaya Degree College, Haridwar, on 8 May 2024. The celebrations started with the lighting of the lamp, garlanding and floral tribute to Gurudev by the Chief Read More..
Chinmaya Jayanti Celebrations at Trichy
Chinmaya Mission Trichy celebrated the 108th Chinmaya Jayanti by doing 108 Paduka Pujas in different houses, including short talks about Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. 108 pujas were completed in April and these are continuing on popular demand! Read More..
Devotional Tributes from Manila, Philippines
Chinmaya Mission Philippines have made a series of videos as a loving tribute for Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda's 108th Jayanti. This is the link to the compiled videos: https://youtu.be/R_hxGhP5N8U Read More..
19 Jul 2024 - 03 Aug 2024
Chinmaya Channel (YouTube) presents online video talks by none other than our revered Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda! The 16-day grand Jnana Yajna will be on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 - The Royal Secret! Details: Talks by Swami Chinmayananda on Read More..
29 Jul 2024 - 03 Aug 2024
Chinmaya Mission West’s 31st Mahasamadhi Aradhana Camp is around the corner! Why attend? This is a rejuvenating residential camp for the entire family. Connect with fellow seekers from all over the nation, and immerse in a transformative Read More..
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Paduka Puja
Guru Paduka Puja is an offering to our Pujya Gurudev out of love, reverence and gratitude for all of the teachings that we have received from our entire Guru Parampara (lineage of teachers). It also represents our complete surrender at the lotus feet of our Guru, who is guiding us all along in this wonderful but unknown spiritual journey.
Here is some material on how to perform Guru Paduka Puja.
Daily Sadhanas
Sadhanas or spiritual practices are essential part of a daily routine of any seeker in order to make a steady progress. However, there are so many spiritual practices provided by our Gurus over centuries that it might be difficult for us to identify and select the right sadhana at the right time in your spiritual path. This is where Pujya Gurudev’s teachings come to help us and what’s more we can directly perform them with the help of some guidance provided here.
Perform your daily sadhanas as prescribed by Pujya Gurudev under his guidance here…
Article by Swami Aparajitananda
In Bhagavad Gītā it is said:
yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata |
abhyuthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmyaham ||
(=Whenever there is a decline of dharma and an ascent of adharma, I manifest Myself.)
In the initial years of the 20th century, India was going through a painful phase. It was a time when the successive foreign rules had made the Indians forget their own glorious culture.
