1

2

Welcome

WELCOME TO CHINMAYA MISSION AUSTRALIA

Hari Om!

A very warm welcome to all Parents & Children,

Over the years, with Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s blessings, our center has been growing from strength to strength and reaching out to increasing numbers of people. All our activities have one focus: to reveal to people of all ages and from all walks of life, the timeless wisdom of Vedanta, which is the core of Hindu philosophy.

Chinmaya Mission’s stated Mission is: “to provide to individuals, from any background, the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors to society”.

Our motto is: “To give the maximum happiness to the maximum number of people for the maximum amount of time”.

To fulfill the vision of Gurudev, Chinmaya Mission offers a number of activities, programs and services for children and adults. Currently, Chinmaya Mission Australia (Sydney) has an Ashram (Centre) at Chinmaya Sannidhi, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill, NSW.

3

About Balavihar

Children are a major focus at Chinmaya Mission. The goal of Balavihar is to "wake up the sleeping giant" in our children and inspire them to reach their maximum potential by imparting a value-based education through a specially designed age appropriate curriculum.

The Balavihar program is intended to help children and youth to grow up with a strong understanding of Hindu spiritual and cultural values. The main objective of these weekly sessions is to:

1. Bring about an all-round development of the personality of childrenduring their formative years, and

2. Enable them to achieve success and balance as they grow up and facechallenges of life. These classes are based on our ancient, time-testedtechniques and Chinmaya Mission’s experience of handling the youngergeneration, for over 50 years.

Briefly, the weekly sessions are designed to:

1. Promote the enlightenment of the intellect and enrichment ofcharacter through a value-based education.

2. Provide a conducive atmosphere for nurturing emotional stabilitythrough love, care, and concern.

3. Encourage better communication with parents – strengthen the familybonds through total participation in the classes, festivals and functions.

4. Enable children to achieve academic excellence through exercises toenhance concentration and memory.

5. Inculcation of healthy habits and developing resistance to temptations

4

through talks and discussions on topics related to religious and spiritual values.

6. Develop a broad perspective, positive outlook and healthy interactionwith others by offering positive peer influence.

7. Strengthen the cultural identity of the children through systematic andlogical exposure to our ancient culture.

8. In general, unfold their personality through development of their skills,self–confidence and self–reliance. The children are taught by a team ofspecially trained, experienced, and dedicated teachers under theguidance of our Resident Acharya (Swami Shrikaranandaji).

The age appropriate curriculum designed for all grade levels (Kindergarten through Grade 6) covers a wide range of topics such as: Alphabet Safari

Bala Ramayana

Sri Hanuman, The Super Superman

Krishna Krishna Everywhere

My 24-Teachers

Symbolism of Hinduism

PO BOX Mr. God

Yato Dharmah Tato Jayah

Hindu Culture

Why do we

Hindu Festivals

The idea is to provide an environment where the personality of the child blossoms in a spontaneous way. Good conduct, emotional refinement, intellectual finess, social responsibility and spiritual awareness are developed by the teachers through story-telling from the Pur�nas and other scriptures, singing of bhajans, chanting of stotrams, games, arts and crafts, plays and other funfilled activities. The children are encouraged to be responsible, alert and sensitive members of society.

5

The Balavihar academic year runs parallel to the regular school calendar. The duration of the all sessions is one and a half hour. The program is open to all children, who are five years and above and enrolled in Kindergarten. While the children and teenagers attend the Balavihar and Junior CHYK classes, the parents and other interested adults attend study-groups and discourses on various scriptural texts given by our resident acharya.

Festivals and Special Events Several Hindu festivals such as Maha Shiva Ratri, Rama Navami, Hanuman Jayanthi, Chinmaya Jayanthi, Guru Poornima, Chinmaya Aradhana, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesha Chaturthi, Navaratri, Deepavallii, are celebrated at Chinmaya Mission. The significance of each festival is explained to the Balavihar students by the teachers and the resident Acharya.

We also have other special fun-filled activities such as the Annual Picnic, Clean Up Australia Day, Holi, Annual Cricket Match, Balavihar Fete etc. We also run with our acharya Family Camps, Holiday Programs, Gurukulam, workshops etc for children. All this is organized throughout the year to boost the enthusiasm and interest of the children and family.

Jnana Yajnas and Discourses During every Balavihar session, our acharya give discourses on various scriptural texts, such as Bhaja Govindam, Bhagavad Geeta, Vivek Choodamani, Updesha Sara and Art of Living. In addition, yajnas on texts such as Shrimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Geeta, Upanishads, etc. are also organized several times during the year.

6

Publications

Publications

Book store A wide selection of books/audios/videos of Chinmaya Publications is available for sale at the Chinmaya Sannidhi bookstore located at Chinmaya Sannidhi, 38 Carrington Road, Castle Hill or at the Balvihar centre between 10am to 11.30am. Any titles not available can be special ordered. Recorded discourses/yagnas are also sold in bookstores in MP3 and DVD formats.

Balazine This is a magazine of the children, by the children, for the children. Its purpose is to showcase the multi-faceted talents of our Balavihar children.

Website Chinmaya Mission Australia has its own website, where all upcoming information, articles etc are published. The website address: www.chinmaya.com.au

7

Class Rules Please be seated in the hall ten minutes before start of assembly. Doors will close promptly at the start of each session. Switch off cell phones and maintain silence during assembly. Please follow all parking rules. Park only in the backyard or in

designated areas on the road. It is prefered for at least one parent attends the classes at the same

time as the children. Parents of KG thru 2nd graders are required to pick up their

children from the classes within fifteen minutes after the sessionends.

Parents and children who arrive after start of the session should goto the designated overflow area to participate in the assembly inprogress.

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend regularly and participateactively in Adult Study Groups.

Maintain cleanliness of our Chinmaya Mission premises by keeping Shoes in an orderly manner not scattered everywhere. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend regularly and participate No non-vegetarian food should be served in Chinmaya Mission

premises, including items containing egg, lard, and animal gelatinproducts.

Serving and eating food should be done only in designated areas. Members are encouraged to wear Indian clothes during the

sessions. All Balavihar and Yuvakendra children are to wearappropriate attire. Torn or ripped jeans, tank tops etc. are notappropriate.

Only designated members are allowed to handle the thermostatsand/or operate equipment in the Audio/Visual room.

Only authorized persons are allowed in the office area. Use trash bins to throw papers towels, diapers etc. Please do not

use the toilet to flush such items.

8

No flyers should be displayed in Chinmaya Mission premiseswithout proper authorization.

All advertisements about Chinmaya Mission or its activities requireprior approval from the Resident Acharya /or Committee

Any renting of public facility on behalf of Chinmaya Mission, such asauditorium, recreation parks for picnics etc., shall be done onlyafter approval from the Chinmaya Mission Australia (Sydney)Committee

Refunds of registration payments will be honored only if refundrequest is made within 14 days after start of the session. No refundrequest will be entertained after the 30 day period has elapsed.There will be no exceptions to this rule. Subscription fee of $60 isnon-refundable.

Main Prayer Hall at Chinmaya Sannidhi

In the prayer hall where our Lord Rama and parivar deities are blessing us, is a place of worship and meditation. Please help us to maintain its sanctity by observing the following guidelines: 1. Remove footwear and keep in designated place before entering.2. Maintain silence in the prayer hall.3. Turn off or mute all electronic devices: cell phones, pagers, etc.4. Use restrooms for changing diapers etc.5. Return all handouts to their designated place, and do not remove fromthe hall. If you need a copy, just speak to the books team or youracharya.6. Do not bring any food or drinks, including candy, gum etc. into theprayer hall.7. Do not offer abhisheka with water, milk etc. to the deities.8. Do not light lamps, agarbattis etc.9. Do not touch the altar nor the deities

9

About Chinmaya Mission

In December 1951 in Pune, India, the great Saint and Master, H.H. Swami Chinmayananda, delivered his first public address on Vedanta. That was the start of the dynamic “Chinmaya Movement”, which aimed at spreading the man-making knowledge of Vedanta to all corners of the world. Chinmaya Mission was formed in 1953 by devotees of Swami Chinmayananda to give an organisational structure and cohesiveness to the work and activities being initiated by Swami Chinmayananda. Over the years, Chinmaya Mission grew into a worldwide organisation.

Swami Chinmayananda

Balakrishna Menon, the future Swami Chinmayananda was born in Kerala, India in 1916 to a wealthy and devout family. An energetic and mischievous youth, Balakrishna (Balan) was nonetheless a brilliant student and completed his tertiary studies with degrees in Science, Law and English Literature from Lucknow University. Throughout these early stages in his life, Balan remained a staunch atheist.

Balan took up the profession of journalism and joined in the freedom struggle against the British. Handing out flyers, giving public lectures and writing agitating articles, Balan did whatever he could to upset the British. It worked, and soon the British caught Balan after a brief hideout period and put him in prison.

Without any sanitation and nutritious food, Balan fell terribly ill and was on the point of death. It was during this time that Balan began to inquire deeply about life and a deep conviction grew in him: “If I get out of here alive, I will figure out this mystery called Life.” He did get out alive, but only barely, because the British knew his death would cause a huge uproar amongst the masses.

10

Thereafter, Balan returned to his work but was forever changed by his difficult time in prison. He found a book by H.H. Swami Sivananda and was fascinated by His profound words. In fact, he was so fascinated that he travelled to Rishikesh to see the Master. He was suspicious of all Swamis and religion in general (and in fact wanted to prove that these spiritual masters were actually frauds!) but this opinion changed when he saw Swami Sivananda. Balan was instantly caught by His dynamism, wisdom and humility. Over the next few months Balan was convinced by Vedanta: its Vision, its Purpose and its Logic. He understood the purpose of life and felt a deep urge within to know it. He asked Swami Sivananda to be initiated and the Master eventually accepted and after his initiation, Balan became Swami Chinmayananda.

Swami Sivananda then sent Swami Chinmayananda to study under H.H. Swami Tapovanam, the best of the Vedantic teachers in the Himalayas. Swami Chinmayananda studied for 12 years under Swami Tapovanams’ guidance, leading a very austere and rigorous life. After directly experiencing Reality, He felt a deep inner urge to share His knowledge and wisdom with the world, which had lost the path of spirituality and was caught in a mire of superstition and fanaticism.

After gaining His Guru’s permission, the young Swami descended to the plains and held his first talks in Pune. His brilliant oration, His humour, logic and erudite English soon made his talks extremely popular and His fame spread quickly to all over India. Gurudev’s fiery speeches on the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads inspired an entire generation to live the ideals put forth by our ancient Rishis. Not only this, but Gurudev also served society tirelessly through creating schools, hospitals and rural upliftment programs to express His love for humanity, whom He saw as His own Self! Gurudev toured the world giving talks, clarifying doubts and shared the spiritual secrets of the Scriptures with his listeners, irrespective of their religion, caste and creed to his last breath.

On 3 August 1993, in San Diego, USA, Swami Chinmayananda attained Mahasamadhi. He worked assiduously to the very last moment and created an international spiritual revolution that is carried on today by the title Chinmaya Mission.

11

Swami Tejomayananda

In a short span of 42 years, Swami Chinmayananda created a huge army of spiritual stalwarts and missionary pillars who, by their sheer brilliance and deep thinking, are carrying the flag of Chinmaya Mission to every nook and corner of the globe. Leading this strong army of seers is Gurudev’s chosen and exemplary disciple, Param Puiya Swami Tejomayananda. Spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission’s 250 centres worldwide, Pujya Guruji, as he is affectionately

known, is fulfilling the vision that Swami Chinmayananda charted. As he puts it “I am not in Swamiji’s shoes, I am at his feet.”

Swami Tejomayananda was born to a humble and religious, middle class family in India. Raised in a spiritually uplifted environment, Sudhakar, as he was named, grew up showing a keen interest in classical music, drama and intense study. As a youngter, Sudhakar attended a gyan yagna held by Swami Chinmayananda in his town. For Sudhakar, this was a turning point in his life. What he heard in the discourses was the call of his own inner voice, the call of his spiritual Guru. In the years to come, this call was to grow into a conviction to dedicate his life for the selfless service of humanity.

At the early age of 19, Sudhakar joined the Mission. He trained as a Brahmachari under the direct guidance of Swami Chinmayananda, at the Sandeepany Ashram in Mumbai. Such was Swami Tejomayananda’s service, devotion and wisdom that, upon Swami Chinmayananda’s Mahasamadhi, he was unanimously appointed as the Head of the Chinmaya Mission worldwide.

As a teacher, he is eloquent, wise and witty, making great Vedantic concepts look simple and within the reach of everyone’s intellect. Thus, through his work and love, he has carved a very special niche in the hearts of his devotees. Through his service, the work of the Mission and its universal message has become truly global.

12

Swami Swaroopananda

Swami Swaroopananda is Regional Head of Asia-Pacific and Far East Centres of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide. A discipline of Swami Chinmayananda, Swamiji left his family’s thriving business in Hong Kong at an early age to seek what he now calls, “Real answers to real problems”.

He was convinced that beyond our everyday, superficial joys and sorrows, there was

something more, something higher. After undergoing intensive monastic training and an exhaustive study of the scripture at the Chinmaya Mission Sandeepany ashram in Bombay, Swamiji returned to Hong Kong to spread the timeless message of Vedanta. In the years since, he has become the Acharya in charge of Australia, New Zealand, the Far East, Africa, UK and other centres around the world.

Swami Swaroopananda exudes warmth and love in a way that only one who sees the unity of all things can possibly give. He has the unique ability to touch everyone that hears him speak. Swamiji has been presiding over and nurturing the growth of Chinmaya Mission. Large yagnas, camps and study classes, are all a tangible results of his inspiration.

“The whole universe is an expression of giving. The sun gloriously burns to give warmth and light, the ocean sacrifices itself to become vapour, the clouds condense into rain and gush into streams to quench the parched earth and the earth in joyful tears open its breast to nourish the world with abundance…Thus the universe revolves in adoration to the universal spirit.”

- Swami Swaroopananda-

13

Swami Shrikarananda

Swami Shrikarananda (Swamiji) is the Acharya Incharge of Chinmaya Mission Australia (NSW, ACT, QLD). Swamiji was a CPA Accountant andStudied 'Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Information Systems (IT))' at Swinburne University (Melbourne). He worked for large Government and Private Sector Companies in Melbourne after his studies.

Swamiji was born in Sri Lanka, howeverlived most of his life overseas. Being spiritually inclined right from a

very young age and inspired by various spiritual masters, Swamiji started to study the scriptures even as a teenager. It was during his University years that he came in contact with Pujya Swami

Tejomayanandaji and Swami Swaroopanandaji. After attending various talks by Swami Swaroopanandaji in 1995, his spiritualcuriosity was further aroused and he became an active member of the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK), the youth wing of Chinmaya Mission. Here he served for seven years in various capacities - right from taking classes for little Bal Vihar children to organizing huge public discourses, camps and workshops.

With Inspiration and guidance from Swami Swaroopanandaji, he was led to Sandeepany Sadhanalaya (Mumbai) in 2002, where he completed a two year intensive Vedanta Course under the able tutelage of Swami Ishwarananda.

His advice for daily sadhana is: “Spirituality is about seeing oneness, start by seeing the similarities and leaving aside the differences. Grow and Be Happy! - Swami Shrikarananda -

14

Prayers

Opening Prayer

OM Shuklaambara-dharam vishnum, shashi-varnam-chatur-bhujam prasanna-vadanam dhyaayet,

sarva-vighnopa-shantaye

OM, I contemplate on that Lord Ganesha, who is dressed in white whose is shining like that of the moon, who has four hands and lustrous face, who removes all obstacles. We mediate upon thee.

Sarasvati namstubhyam varade kaamaroopini

vidyaarambham karishyaami siddhir-bhavatu me sadaa

Oh Goddess Saraswati, my humble prostrations unto Thee, who are the full-filler of all my wishes. I start my studies with the request that Thou will always bestowe Thy blessings on me, (so that I achieve perfection).

OM Sahanaa Vavatu, Sahanau Bhunaktu Saha Veeryam Kara Vaavahai

Tejas Vina Vadhi Tamastu Maa Vid Vishaavahai OM Shantih! Shantih! Shantih!

May the Lord Protect us. May He cause us to enjoy, May our studies be thorough and faithful, May we never quarrel with each other (teacher and the student). May Peace and Harmony prevail when we study and when we teach, this is the only environment that knowledge can get transferred from teacher to taught

15

Guru Stotram

16

17

Closing Prayers

Om Poornamadah Poornamidham Poornaath Poornam-udhach-yathe

Poornasya Poornam-aadhaaya Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi!

That is whole (infinite); this is whole; from the whole the apparent creation becomes manifest. From the whole, when this whole is taken away, what remains again is the whole.

18

Daily Prayers

Before Getting Out of Bed

When Taking a Shower/Bath

Before Starting Our Daily Work

19

Before Meals

Aham Vaishvaanaro Bhootva,

Praaninaam Deham Aasritaha

Praanaapaana-Samaayuktah,

Pacaamyannam Chatur-vidham

Hari Om! Shree Gurubhyo Namaha, Harihi OM!

Having become the vaishvaanarah (that is the latent fire element present in the stomach), I enter the body of all beings, and going with the prana

(incoming) and apana (outgoing), (vital air), I digest the four types of food. Bhagavad Gita 15:14

20

Turning on the Lights at Night

Before Going to Sleep

Tools to Success

Buddhir Bhalam Yaso Dhairyam Nirbhayatvam Arogatha

Ajaadyam Vaak Patutvam Cha Hanumat Smaranaat Bhavet

If one worships Hanuman, he/she will be blessed with intelligence, strength, fame, courage, fearlessness, good health, alertness and power of speech

21

Prayer to Brighten our Intellect

OM Bhoor Bhuvah Swaha Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayaat

"We meditate on that Glory of the Supreme Lord (the Divine Power within the Sun), the source of the entire creation (physical, astral and heavenly spheres of existence). Who is the embodiment of Knowledge and Light; who is the remover of sins & ignorance. May he illuminate our intellects (so that we are able to discriminate between right & wrong, so that we can be bright, alert, vigilant & have good memory. Mainly so that we can realise the Supreme

Birthday Song

janma dinamidam ayi priya sakhe çantanotu te sarvadaa mudam praarthayaamahe bhava shataayusi Ishawarassadaa tvaam ca rakshatu

punya karmanaa kirtimarjaya jeevanaam tava bhavatu saarthakam

O! Friend may this birthday of yours Bring in auspiciousness and happiness. We pray that you enjoy hundred beautiful years of life and May the Lord always protect you. May you earn fame by your virtuous actions and May your life be fulfilling.

22

Wedding Song

vivaaha dinam idam bhavatu harshadam, mangalam tathaa vaam ca kshemadam, prati dinam navam prema vardhatam, shata gunam kulam

sadaa hi modatam, loka sevayaa deva-poojanam, grahastha jeevanam bhavatu mokshadam

May this wedding day bring to both of you happiness, auspiciousness, and well-being. Day by day, may you discover new love for each other. May it grow a hundred-fold and may your family ever rejoice. Through service to people as worship of God, may your household life lead you to liberation.

Graduation Song

abhinandanam abhinandanam | deekshaantakaale abhinandanam || Greetings and congratulations on your graduation and convocation ceremony.

udyamena hi vardhate yashaH | kuru karma tvam sarvadaa tataH || Success and recognition are achieved by diligence alone. Therefore, always remain committed to action.

svasti vaH sadaa shobhane pathi | praarthayaamahe ishvaram prati || We pray to God to bless you so that you always walk on the path of goodness and nobility.

abhinandanam abhinandanam | deekshaatakaale abhinandanam || Greetings and congratulations on your graduation and convocation ceremony.

23

Vedic Aarti Mantra

Om Na Tatra Sooryo Bhaati Na Chandra Taarakam Nemaa Vidyuto Bhaanti Kuto Yam Agnihi

Tameva Bhaantam Anubhaati Sarvam Tasya Bhaasa Sarvam Idam Vibhaati

There, where neither the Sun nor the moon shines, nor lighting nor even this flame (lamp) shines. It is in His light that everything shines. It is by His illumination that all these luminaries (and everything else) shine.

Gurudev Aarti

Arati sri chinmaya sadguruki, divya rupa murati karunaki. Arati sadguruki.

Caranome unake santi samaye, sarangataki bhranti mitaye Papa tapa santapa haranki

Arati sri chinmaya sadguruki...

Veda upanishad gita ko gaya, dharma sanatana phira se jagaya Suddha niti priti Samkaraki.

Arati sri chinmaya sadguruki

Siddhabari ki tapo bhumi me, nitya biraje guru hamre Bhakta hrdaya ananda srota ki.

Arati Sri cinmaya sadguruki

Offering Prayers to Shri Chinmaya Sadguru, in whom divinity and compassion are personified. His feet are the abode of Peace, He removes the misapprehension of those who surrender to him, and loots away their sins sorrows and anxieties. He sang the Vedas, Upanishads and Geeta, rekindled the light of Sanathana Dharma. He expounded the logic of Adi Shankara’s philosophy. Our revered Gurudev resides eternally in the Tapobhumi of Sidhabari. And is the eternal source of Bliss in the hearts of his devotees.

24

Main Arati

Om jaya Jagdisha hare Swāmi jaya Jagadisha hare

Bhakta jano ke sankata Dāsa jano ke sankata

Kshana men dūra kare Om jaya Jagadiśa hare

Oh Lord of the whole Universe. Mighty Lord of the whole Universe the

agonies of devotees, the sorrows of devotees, in an instant, you make

these go away. Oh Lord of the whole Universe

Jo dhyāve phala pāve Dukha bina se mana kā

Swami dukha bina se mana kā

Sukha sampati ghara āve Sukha sampati ghara āve

Kaṣta mite tana kā Om jaya Jagadiśa hare

He who's immersed in devotion with a mind without sadness Lord, with a

mind without sadness, Joy, prosperity enter the home Joy, prosperity

enter the home. A body free of problems Oh Lord of the whole Universe

Mātā pitā tuma mere Śarana karu main kiski

Swāmi śarana karu main kiski

Tuma bina aura na dūjā Tuma bina aura na dūjā

Āśā karūn main jiski Om jaya Jagadiśa hare

You are my Mother and Father, whom should I take refuge with

Lord,whom should I take refuge with, without you, there is no other,

without you, there is no other, for whom I would wish Oh Lord of the

whole Universe

25

Tuma pūrana Paramātmā Tuma Antarayāmi

Swāmi tuma Antarayāmi

Pāra Brahma Parameśwara Pāra Brahma Parameśwara

Tuma saba ke swāmi Om jaya Jagadiśa hare

You are the ancient great soul, you are the indweller Lord, you are the

indweller, Perfect, Absolute, Supreme God Perfect, Absolute, Supreme

God. You are the Lord of everything and everyone, Oh Lord of the whole

Universe

Tuma karunā ke sāgara Tuma pālana kartā

Swāmi tuma pālana kartā

Mai mūrakh khalakhāmi Mai sevaka tuma swāmi

Kripā karo Bhartā Om jaya Jagadiśa hare

You are an ocean of mercy. You are the protector. Lord, you are the protector. I am a simpleton with wrong wishes, I am a servant and you are the Lord. Oh Lord, grant me your divine grace, Oh Lord of the Universe

Tuma ho eka agochara Saba ke prānapati

Swāmi saba ke prānapati

Kisa vidhi milūn dayāmaya Kisa vidhi milūn dayāmaya

Tuma ko main kumati Om jaya Jagadiśa hare

You are the one unseen of all living beings. The Lord of all living beings.

Grant me a glimpse. Grant me a glimpse. Guide me along the path to

thee, Oh Lord of the Universe

26

Dīna bandhu dukha harata Thākura tuma mere

Swāmi thākura tuma mere

Apane hāth uthao Apani sharani lagāo

Dwāra padā hūn tere Om jaya Jagadiśa hare

Friend of the helpless and feeble. Benevolent saviour of all. Lord,

benevolent saviour of all. Lift up your hand. Offer me thy refuge at thy

feet. Oh Lord of the Universe

Vishaya vikāra mitāvo Pāpa haro Devā

Swāmi pāpa haro Devā

Śradhā bhakti badhāo Śradhā Prema badhāo

Santana ki sevā Om jaya Jagadiśa hare

Removing earthly desires. Defeating sin, Supreme Soul, Lord, defeating

sin. With all my Faith and devotion, Oh Lord, with all my faith and

devotion, in Eternal Service Unto Thee, Oh Mighty Lord of the whole

Universe.

Tana mana dhana saba hei tera,

Swāmi saba kucha hei tera,

Teraa tujako arpana, Teraa tujako arpana,

kyaa lage mera, Om jay jagadisha hare

Serve the godly beings, Glory be unto the Lord! Body and riches are yours, O Lord, all these are yours. When offering yours to you, It is no favor at all, Glory be unto the Lord!

Om jaya Jagdisha hare Swāmi jaya Jagadisha hare

Bhakta jano ke sankata Dāsa jano ke sankata

Kshana men dūra kare Om jaya Jagadiśa hare

27

Bhagavad Geeta Dhyanam

Om, O Bhagavad Gita, with which Paartha (Arjuna) was enlightened by Lord Narayana Himself and which was incorporated in the Mahabharata by the ancient sage Vyaasa –the Divine Mother, who is showering the nectarian philosophy of Advaita in the form of eighteen chapters, upon Thee, O! Blessed Mother, I constantly meditate – You are the sure antidote to the rocking experience of change i.e., the destroyer of Samsara (rebirth).

Salutations unto thee, O Vyasa! Of mighty intellect, who has eyes like the petals of a full-blown lotus-tree, by whom was lighted the Lamp of Knowledge, filled with the Mahabharata oil.

Salutations to Krishna: Who is a “tree of fulfillment” (i.e., Parijata or Kapataru- the bestower of all desires to all those who totally surrender to Him, who has milked the Gita-nectar, the holder of Jnana-mudra, the wielder of the cane in one hand with which He drives home the herd of cattle under His protection.

28

All the Upanishad-s are the cows, the son of the cowherd i.e., Krishna, is the milkman, Paartha is the calf, men of purified intellect are the enjoyers, and the supreme nectar of the Gita is the milk.

I salute Lord Krishna, the teacher of the Universe the divine son of Vasudeva, the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanura, the supreme joy of Devaki.

The river of battle, with Bhishma and Drona, as its bankesl with Jayadratha, as its waters; with the King of Gandhara, as the blue water-lilly or a dark blue rock; Shalya as the shark; Krpa as the current; Karna s the breaker; Ashvathama and Vikarna as the terrible crocodiles; Duryodana as the whirlpool in it- was indeed crossed voer by the Pandava-s with Keshava as the ferry-man.

May the spotless lotus of the Mahabarata-born in the waters of the words of the son of Parasara (i.e. Vyasa), having for its sweet and pleasant fragrance the significance of Gita, with many narratives as its inner soft petals, fully blossomed by the stories of Hari, and joyously drunk day after day by the six

29

footed (honey bees) the good men of the world-be productive of the supreme good to us who are egar to destroy and safely come out of the inner imperfections of the Iron Age.

I salute the Supreme Bliss Madhava, whose grace renders the mute eloquent and the cripple cross mountains.

Salutations to that God-head whom the Creator Brahmaji, Lord Varuna, Lord Indra, Lord Rudra and the Lord of the Maruta-s invoked with t heir divine hhymnsl; whom the singers of Saama songs invoke through their correct and appropriate chantings, whom the Yogi-s realize with their minds absorbed in the goal of their contemplation through perfect meditation and whose limits are not known even to the denizens of the heavens or to the Asura-s of the nether Kingdom.

30

Chinmaya Mission Pledge

We stand as one family, Bound to each other with love and respect.

We serve as an army, Courageous and disciplined,

Ever ready to fight against all low tendencies And false values, within and without us.

We live honestly The noble life of sacrifice and service,

Producing more than what we consume And giving more than what we take.

We seek the Lord’s grace To keep us on the path of virtue, courage and wisdom.

May Thy grace and blessings flow through us To the world around us.

We believe that the service of our country, Is the service of the LORD of LORDS

And devotion to the people Is the devotion to the Supreme Self.

We know our responsibilities Give us the ability and courage to fulfill them.

Om Tat Sat.