Mahabaratha Gnana Yajna - Tirunagar, Madurai

VENUE: Dharmakshethram, Tirunagar, Madurai

DATE : from 08.06.10 to 13.06.10

Swami Sivayoganandha, simply transported the audience to the battle field... The closing days of the ferocious war. The war of 'Mahabaratham' is not just a war in the history!.

It reveals number of 'Dharma' of perfect living. The discipline & the morale followed during the war, by both the sides is just amazing !

Swamiji's explanation of the ' humane ' of Shri Krishna, took us to the lotus feet of the Lord .

Drops of wisdom from the Great epic:

• Perseverance on the right path, meditation & nithya pooja gives the power to achieve.
• The mind becomes pure when negative & dirty thoughts vanish.
• When any action is taken with a view of 'good for all' & 'enmity to none' , one is sure to climb the ladder of success.
• During turbulant period, one should always act as per the advice of the 'Guru' - 'The voice of God'.
• Anger is always one letter short of danger.
• True knowledge is to know what is right & to avoid what is wrong.
• Charity done for pomp & show will not save one.
• Forgiving the ignoble deed helps to reach the Lord.
• Unconditional surrender to the Lord alone bring success even in the material world
• Satsang with great & noble souls helps one to be quiet, polite & revel in the Lord.
• Gods have no moods., they have only sense of time
• the one who is proficient and efficient, will get success. Even if you don't succeed, in spite of your efforts you will not go unnoticed .

The recent topics of the 'Corporate World' like ' Motivation', 'Crisis Management', 'Teamspirit' etc., are found in abundance are dealt in detail by Sage Veda Vyasa in Mahabaratha. It is a hidden treasure to be explored by MBAs & HR Personnel.

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Chinmaya Mission, Madurai - Uttarakasi camp - 2010

Chinmaya Mission Madurai organized "six day residential camp" at Tapovan Kutir , Uttarakasi from 25^th to 30^th May,2010. Devi kalotara jnanasara vicharam of Ramana Maharishi and Srimad Bhagavatam 8^th canto were the texts for the camp. The camp Acharya Swami Sivayogananda handled the texts in a simple and lucid manner. All the 68 delegates who attended the camp enjoyed the subtle subject of Sri Ramana Maharishi and the Values behind the stories of Bhagavatam. Evening satsangs were handled by Poojya Swami Dyananandaji . The serene ashram atmosphere, hospitality, Tapavan kutia and Ganges made the camp, very memorable for the devotees.

All the camp Delegates along with swami Sivayogananda undertook chardam yatra to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri and felt a life time spiritual experience.

‘Maha Prasthanam’ as it is called, travelling on Siwalik range of Himalayas, beside Ganges, is a life-time experience.

· Darshan of Yoga Narasimar of Joshi Math in Pippalkot and Gupth Kasi are rarest of the rare opportunity....

· Ketharnath decked with snow flakes along with the abode of Adi Shankar....

· The vision of Neelakanda parvath, in the Himalayan hills range...

· Badrinath, the graceful descend of Badrinarayana on this earth....

· Gangothri dripping from the mattered locks of Lord Siva....

· Yamunothri – the river bank oft pervaded by Sri Krishna....

· Haridwar – immense footprints left by many many sages during Kumbamela...

· Rishikesh, the seat of Swami Sivananda from where Poojya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, emerged.....

· Vimaleshwar Shrine , in Dharukavan hills range..

· Rudraprayog, meeting of the rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini are the

Places of Serenity, Sanctity, Beauty and Elegance. They are not to be just remembered but cherished in one’s life....

· visit of Vyasar gufa, Ganesh gufa and the thundering flow of the river saraswathi., are unforgettable experiences ..

Gnana Yajna at Tapovan Kutir - Uttarakasi (Himalayas)

GnanaYajna by Swami Sivayogananda....

Topic : Devi Kalothram by Ramana Maharishi

Venue: Tapovan Kutir, Uttara Kashi (Himalayas)

Devi Kalothram one of the masterpiece of Ramana Maharishi, when he was in Virupakshi Cave, Tiruvannamalai.

Set in tune by Smt. Pichammal, the text was vividly explained by Swami Sivayogananda, Camp Acharya. The two great sages – Tapovan Maharaj and Poojya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, were the silent observers of the Yajna along with Ramana Bagavan. So serene was the ambience.

Lord Siva explains the Supreme Knowledge to His consort – Parvathi. Being the Divine Mother, her request was

· Liberation from all the worldly ties...

· The path should be one and only way...

· It should be easy for everyone to follow..

‘Devi’ represents human consciousness ‘Siva’ is Nirguna and Suddha Brahmam.

‘Kalagnanam’ is mere information

But ‘Kalothara gnanam’ becomes the experience of a sadhak, when heard from a Guru.

In short, the message is:

· The culmination of all knowledge is sacred and spiritual.

· Spirituality demands a lot of internal discipline.

· Let our ears allows us to sink into the heart.

· Be innocent and pure like a child.

· Shed off ‘ego’.

· Be extremely compassionate.

· Slowly grow out of your own contradictions.

· First, establish your identity as a spiritual seeker which demands,

o Quietening the mind o Be firm.

Controlling the mind is controlling the flow of consciousness.

Hence

• step 1 :Quiet the mind.!
• step 2 :possess firm intellect.!
• step 3 :to be associated with such like minded people.! (Eg: Sathsangh)

· Thus this ‘viveka buddhi’ becomes experience through ‘vairagya’. This experience of total bliss will close the external doors.

· Then all the pleasures conditioned by time and space will wane and melt.

· So make "U turn." We are given the power to look within. Exercise that freedom well.

· Then you are ever liberated.

· If you are a seeker, declare your independence.

· Thus the purpose of life is fulfilled.

· No need to run away from the world. The core of one’s personality is so pure and each soul is potentially Divine.

· Pray for inner strength.

· The mind is engulfed by that brightness.

· Realise the 'Self ' which

o Always exists

o Which always shine

o Which is ever in blissful state.

· Such is the greatness and depth of our spiritual knowledge.

· So, Turn...Dive... and

Dissolve.......

"Personal Productivity through Integrated Personality"

Swamiji’s talk in Productivity Council, Madurai, on 11.5.2010

As Swami Sivayogananda entered the hall, a sort of silence with curiosity was prevailing. Swamiji started as, “We are the most unproductive with material aspects”. A ripple of laughter went on. He was bilingual and his flow of words was flawless.

The synopsis of the talk:

• Harness your potentiality, your energy.
• Invest your energy in the right way.
• Energy by itself is neither good nor bad.
• It is there in everyone of us, but in the crudest form like crude oil.
• Refine it, as energy follows a thought pattern.
• Higher and noble are the thoughts, energy flows in that direction.

“In spite of increasing comforts we experience decreasing happiness”, says Gurudev.,Why?

Swami Sivayogananda started from here and took audience attention completely.....

• Lack of healthy value system
• The united and strong family tree is broken.
• Lack of social commitment to the society.
• Lack of spiritual interest.
• Failure to locate the core of your personality.
• It is so pure, potent untouched by impurity.

If you can trace it, know who you are, and if all actions are dedicated to that pure core, the secret will be revealed! Your material purpose will be seen well. How? Inner equilibrium should be maintained.

Your - availability, ability and stability are needed to maintain this peace and tranquility.

One’s external Sadhana should not contradict with one’s inner dharma..

See - the Cosmos has a discipline. We create indiscipline..... Then, the Cosmos set to discipline by itself ! We call it disaster !! Identify the above wrongs and correct them and you will be productive within and without....

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LEAD 2010 - Balvihar Summer Camp

LEAD 2010 - Balvihar Summer Camp

“Don’t invest only on the child. Invest in the child !” -Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda

Yes... Realising His Master’s words , Swami Shivayogananda, rightly guided the CHYKs and Devi group for conducting the LEAD - Summer Camp from May 1 to 8, 2010.

The Inauguration with the presence of the great poet Bharathi and Subramaniya Siva had a different colour. Chief guest Dr. Mrs. Revathi, stressed the need for such religious blended camps, for this is the right age to sow the seeds of love and devotion to the Lord.

Good exposure daily on : Chanting vedic mantra, performing Mahalakshmi Pooja, Yoga and learning about the great avatars, saints and sages who walked on this soil and breathed this air.

Result : Faith in God bloomed well. Deep gratitude to the sons of the soil, swelled up in everyone’s heart.

Ripple of Joy : Craft work, singing and dancing and games for the campers. Full of fun, joy and laughter

Result : Learnt new games, camp songs, craft works, asanas after the name of birds / animals and theatre skills.

Highlights of the camp:

Valedictory function was par with excellence. The function started with Mathru Pooja by children., followed by 'value worship' . With children dressed up as Vallalar, Gandhiji, Vivekanandar, Savitri, Nalayini and so on. The pinnacle of the show was the entry of Lord Krishna who beautifully expressed Gurudev as embodiment of all values. The audience applauded so well to appreciate the campers.

"Balasurya"-a magazine was released on this auspicious day. The President of Chinamaya Mission, Sri.M.S.Meenakshisundaram expressed his joy on the release of the magazine. Sri. N.S.Krishnan, a close associate with Poojya Gurudev was the guest of honor for the valedictory. He recalled His reminiscences with Gurdev. Indeed it was pleasant to hear about Gurudev. The parents and their children joined the Chinmaya family to perform Paaduka pooja, sincerely following the Mantras pronounced by Swami Sivayoganandha.

Swamiji expressed his happiness over the presence of parents and welcomed them all to come under the big umbrella of Chinmaya Mission by serving Gurudev in their own capacities. Certificates were distributed to the campers. With hearty lunch everyone departed carrying sweet memories of Poojya Gurudev.

Seva by Vanaprastha Sansthan Members !

Chinmaya Vanprastha Sansthan, Madurai, conducted a Seva Camp at Balar Illam, Tirunagar, near Madurai., as suggested by the Acharya Swami Sivayogananda.. Members of the Vanaprastha Sansthan participated in the Camp with more enthusiasm.. They had interaction with the inmates of the Balar Illam, where 75 students are being accomodated.

They discussed various issues and problems faced by the inmates, with the authorities. They decided to distribute uniforms to the children, in the next academic year,,Further it has also been planned to organize regular coaching classes for the students.

Lunch was sponsored by Sri Venkatraman, on behalf of the Chinmaya Seva Trust, Madurai, in which the visitors also joined with the inmates of the Illam .

Members decided to continue their support, in future also and dispersed with a sense of happiness and satisfaction..

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"Prasnopanishad" Class at Chinmaya Mission Madurai

It seems that Poojya Gurudev, in the presence of Lord Dakshinamoorthy, decided to give this ‘final touch’ of "Prasnopanishad" through Swami Sivayogananda. , who beautifully synthesized upanishad... Blessed are those who are able to conceive and comprehend....

The essence in a nutshell:

• Prior to the evolution of a man’s spiritual progress, he is ‘mooda athma’.! This is nothing but his close association with material objects and worldly pleasures.

• Then he steps up, to be ‘Vijanathma’. This is the last remnant of illusion and the first touch of reality.

Q: When does one become ‘Vijanathma’?

A: When one follows the instruction of the Guru with utmost sincerity and devotion he remains as ‘pure self’. When the soul is so pure, then he experiences the first touch of reality. Once he realises this, silence sets in.

It is enough to bring one to the very frontier of knowledge to know the immensity of the unknown. Then it is upto that person to dive in.

• A life long discipline thus becomes a must.
• 'ॐ 'is the only fuel to lift you.
• Though from time immemorial, people chant 'ॐ ' they reach those planes depending on their ‘sangalpa’ on the different syllable of 'ॐ '
• All these are ephemeral and a true spiritual seeker should not be carried away by a glimpse of these planes.
• The ultimate spirituality is ‘shantham’, is ‘peaceful tranquillity, attained by 'ॐ 'in wholistic.
• Thus one gets firmly established in a state of fearlessness.
• ‘Prana’ is ‘Shakthi’, the vibrating force of ‘Shivam’, who is the master key of whole creation.
• Only by chanting , ' ॐ ' the pranava mantham, ‘Prana’ can be controlled.
• As in the water cycle, the ‘Atman’ should merge into its source by chanting continuously ' ॐ '
• ‘Prana’ to ‘nama roopa’ the ‘Athman’ to be shaded with ‘Shodasakala’ which is otherwise so pure.
• Thus, the sage ‘Pippalahar’ explained 'ॐ ' in a crystal clear manner to all his six disciples.

It is pleasant to note, .,twenty years before, Gurudev took this text in Madurai (‘Prasnopanishad’ ).... Blessed maduraities!!

CHINMAYA VANAPRASTHA SANSTHAN Meeting..

Vanaprastha Sansthan, senior citizen wing of the Chinmaya Mission, Madurai, met on 27^th Saturday, at Chinmaya Meenakshi, Doak Nagar,

Acharya Sivayogananda, in his inaugural address while welcoming the senior citizens, mentioned - “now we joined together; next we think together; then we will work together!” This is the beginning…Slowly this Vanaprastha movement will gain the momentum.. Senior citizens have more time, more knowledge and more experience and these could be utilized for the society thro’ this movement.”

Mrs. Mallika Sekar, discussed the responsibilities of the senior citizens under the title “our responsibilities”.

Sri Gopalsamy, Joint Secy. and Yoga faculty explained the concept and importance of “Yoga Mudras” and demonstrated some “Hastha (Hand) Mudras”, for the healthy living. The participants also practiced the hastha mudras…

After the tea break, members discussed their future course of action, in the 'Planning Session'. . Acharya motivated them, about doing some ‘seva’ and also explained the types of ‘services’ they could deliver with social responsibility. He advised them, to plan and lead a meaningful and purposeful life to the society. Some suggestions were also aired by the members.

The following decisions were taken at the meeting:

• Visit to “Balar Illam” at Tirunagar on April 24, to do the Seva to the children there..
• Monthly meeting at Chinmaya Mission. every second Saturday of the month at 10 a.m
• Organising weekly ‘study classes’ in the residential areas and the immediate one will be held at ‘Shanthi Sadan Apartments’ and Sri Venkatraman will be the co-ordinator.

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