Reception to Swami Sivayogananda.....

13thFebruary, the next day to Maha Shiva Rathri is a star marked day for “Chinmaya Kudumbam (family)” in Madurai.

In the pleasant evening, with their minds concentrated on him, with devotion in their hearts and with a firm conviction to tread on the path to be shown, the crowd was waiting eagerly.

The Acharya Br.Srininvas Chaitanya disappeared, only to reveal himself as Swami Sivayogananda with the blessings of Poojya Gurudev, Guruji and numerous Rishis and Yogis who were dwelling in his heart.

5:45 P.M. – The Ochre robed Sanyasi stepped out. His eyes glowed with compassion that reminded the words of Lord Krishna in Gita : “Rarest of the Rare is that high souled one who looks upon on all things as the all pervading Lord”

After welcome with Poorna Kumbam Swamiji alighted the dais flanked by the President Sri. M.S. Meenakshi Sundaram and Secretary Sri Thilagar. Sri Thilagar’s whole hearted welcome of the audience touched everyone. President’s address was testimony to his devotion to Swami Shiva Yoganandha. Dharmakshethram - Sri Krishnaswamy of Tirunagar in his address offered his humble salutations to Chinmaya Mission and wish to continue Mahabharatha Yajna as before forever. Sri Somu, President, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, shortlisted the various milestone reached in Gurudev’s Mission and with profound gratitude placed Chinmaya Mission at the top of all Hindu Spiritual Missionaries of Bharath. Since Swamiji's nomenclature had "Yogi", the Yoga students who are regularly attending classes under the guidence of Sri Gopalsamy, the joint secretary of Chinmaya Mission, paid their pranams to Swamiji . Swamiji reciprocated with his blessings to everyone.

After brief felicitation by Smt. Lakshmi Krishnamoorthy of Devi group and Smt. Mallika Sekar of Senior Citizens wing, Swami Sivayoganandha slowly and steadily briefed us on what is Sanyasa Ashram and great love of Guruji Sri Tejomayanandaji. Swami Shiva Yoganantha’s profound love to his God Father Guruji Sri Tejomayananda was visibly seen and felt. He briefed us that Chinmaya Mission has its root from Shringeri Mutt where great spiritual luminaries have left their indelible stamps on Advaita thought and literature.

At the Altar of Dhakshinamoorthy, under the constant watch of Tapovan Maharaj and Poojya Gurudev, Swami Shiva Yoganantha took a vow that he would live and serve the true spirit of Sanyasa. Loud applaud filled the hall. Paduka Pooja of Gurudev was conducted., by Swamiji. With the chanting of Purusha Suktham and Narayana Suktham the hall was vibrating with celestial feelings. After receiving the blessings of Swamiji, everybody enjoyed the samashti bhiksha prepared by the Devi Group of Chinmaya Mission.

The crowd dispersed with a feeling that there is a true disciple of Gurudev to lift them, from mortality.