India Herald , Houston, covers the beginning of Birth Centenary celebrations world wide in its issue dated May 13, 2015.
“Unto Him, Our Best” is the global resolve and promise as Chinmaya Mission worldwide prepares to pay tribute to the beloved spiritual Master Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda on his birth centenary year beginning Friday, May 8th, 2015.
Inspired by that lofty slogan, Chinmaya Mission Houston offered its best during the three-day- event commemorating the onset of the 100th year celebration of the birth of a rare modern sage – a fearless Guru who galvanized the globe with his powerful logic of spirituality and sang the Lord’s Song everywhere.
It was a birthday event where dedicated action joined hands with unabashed devotion and united before the altar of blissful Knowledge. The spirit of the Bhagavad Gita was exemplified in every heart as each aspect of the festivities from May 8th to May 10th shone with Chinmaya glory, precision, and beauty.
On the evening of May 8th, in the beautiful courtyard of Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya, a life-sized image of the inimitable Gurudev placed just outside the temple evoked the memory of Gurudev’s promise to wait for every seeker at the door to eternal Truth. Surrounding Gurudev was beauty beyond aesthetics – the decorations of flowers, candles, and banners seemed to perfectly complement the beaming blue skies and the gently glowing green grass of the courtyard.
Inside the Smrti hall, Manasa Kethireddipalli invoked the Grace of the Guru and highlighted the fearless transformation of Balakrishnan Menon into Swami Chinmayananda. As the chanting of Gurustotram and Chinmayastakam energized the hall, Acarya Sri Gaurang Nanavaty lit the Akhanda Jyoti – the flame that will shine on and light the spiritual journey for the whole year ahead. Following that ceremony, Acarya Sri Gaurangbhai addressed the gathering. He said that Gurudev’s extraordinary intellect, deep conviction, and fearless quest for Truth gave this world
the Chinmaya Mission.
Then, the devotees were thrilled to hear from Gurudev himself, via one of his timeless video talks. Describing the process of setting and facing challenging goals, Gurudev elaborated on one of the immortal verses of the Gita. Just like the Ganga, Gurudev dramatized, a determined seeker must learn to jump lightly over small hurdles, rush with strength over big obstacles, and skirt around mountains of seemingly unending challenges, never losing sight of the goal to merge with the Highest!
The rest of the evening was a rare birthday party where a thousand-plus CMH family members assembled in the courtyard. A special birthday song composed by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, a musical encore by the Chinmaya choir children, and an energetic flash-mob styled dance delighted all with both devotion and cheer. The evening ended with fireworks that formed an awe-inspiring background for the Sivalinga above Gurudev’s image.
The morning of May 9th welcomed a happy Chinmaya army to a well-organized walkathon. It was a walk that symbolized the Chinmaya family’s courage and fortitude to fight against all negativities and progress on the path of universal spirituality.
As part of the 5K walkathon to the Eldridge Park, over 1000 people enjoyed several fun activities including a tug of war and laughing yoga. If laughter were like flower petals and cheerful thoughts like rising fragrance from incense then the Mission family certainly made the walkathon a grand offering to our Gurudev.
The next day, on May 10th, the centenary celebrations took on yet another hue of pious joy and gratitude. The day began with performing Gurudev’s Paduka Puja. Since the day also marked Mother’s Day, both the mother and the Guru were revered. The Chinmaya Houston family conveyed their love and gratitude to beloved Acarya Srimati Darshana Nanavaty and prayed for her years of good health ahead. All mothers were wished with a tender poem written by Elisha
Thakare, a Bala Vihar child.
Urging for a truly Chinmaya movement ahead, Acarya Gaurangbhai said that the best tribute to Gurudev – and the most meaningful inheritance left to the next generation – is the regular study of the Bhagavad Gita. And, just two verses of the Gita everyday could begin an unending personalized tribute to Pujya Gurudev!
Chinmaya Mission invites all to the special screenings of a biopic about Swami Chinmayananada, “On a Quest,” on May 30th and June 7th at 3:15pm at the AMC Dunvale. The movie portrays the unconventional life journey and an unforgettable glimpse of a great Master, Buy your tickets online at www.chinmayahouston.org/onaquest .Ticket availability is limited, so we encourage you to purchase soon. For more information, please visit www.chinmayahouston.org or contact Jay Deshmukh 832-541-0059.
Report by: Padmashree Rao & Vinod Sharma