Dates- 1st to 3rd Aug, 7pm- 8.30pm
Venue- Jai Hind College,
Chinmaya Uvacha- program to celebrate Gurupoornima and Sadhana Day in South Mumbai in the Centenary year.
Day 1:
Day’s topic- Mind Management for Success
Inauguration lamp was lit by Sw.Swatmananda, Smt.Rajashree Birla (who is the Chairperson, Chinmaya Anand Utsav Committee), Dr.Madhuri Sheth & Vinitaji Asrani.
The program began with Smt. Birla sharing her experiences of her family’s association with Pujya Gurudev, which had begun at the time of her grandfather in law- Shri G D Birla and continues with the Mission until today.
Shri Anandbir Singh shared wonderful memories of Gurudev and how He influences his life even today. Filled with immense respect, reverence and humour, everyone was very happy to have been able to hear his wonderful anecdotes.
The bhajans by the CHYKs were wonderfully received; they played the musical instruments themselves and sang beautifully!
Pujya Gurudev’s video ‘HOW TO WIN’ was shown keeping in mind the day’s topic. One of the important points highlighted by Gurudev was to avoid leakages of the past, future and present; to do our job with excellence as the goal.
Two Prasad pustikas were distributed- How To Win by Gurudev; Success, The Higher Way by Sw.Swatmananda which he released just for this celebration.
Day 2.
Day’s topic-Spirit of Service
Started with bhajans by children from 5 classes of Balavihar, followed by anecdotes by Shri Jagdeesh Moorjani, Trustee, CCMT and Tara Cultural Trust, and Shri Vivek Krishnani, Vice President, Chinmaya Mission, Mumbai. For both, association had begun with Gurudev, even before being born; it was wonderful to hear how they played with Him and other experiences!
The video of Gurudev shown was ‘Service Above Self’ – though just of 20 mins duration, it was packed with the strong message of selfless service which happens only at the altar of love.
Program ended with Swamiji not only sharing his experiences with Gurudev from his childhood, but, a detailed presentation of the forthcoming Chinmaya Pradeep project. This is a major project which has been undertaken in the centenary year, of an elaborate, beautiful outdoor exhibition of not just His life, but also, the Master’s journey, His teachings, His schedule and the BMI chart, amongst other things!
Two Prasad pustikas were again released specially for the occasion- Service Above Self- by Pujya Gurudev; #Karmayoga Matters, by Swami Swatmananda.
Day 3.
Day’s topic- Meditation
This was on Pujya Gurudev’s Mahasamadhi Day- i.e Sadhana Day. We had Brni.Nidhiji and Shri Mukul Patel too in attendance.
Dr.Madhuri Sheth and Smt.Vinita Asrani regaled us with their reminisces with Gurudev; very heartwarming and nice to hear!
Gurudev’s video clip from chp.6 of the Geeta on Meditation was shown, which even had a part wherein He asks everyone to practice sitting in correct posture, without moving. This was done by all attendees.
Sw Swatmananda launched the #42ChinmayaSadhanas in South Mumbai, inspiring members to sign up as our tribute to Pujya Gurudev.
Swamiji, then conducted a 15 mins session of guided meditation.
We, then had Varshaji Dalal conduct the Paduka Puja, the yajmans for which were Shri and Smt.Anandbir Singh and Smt.Aditi and Namrata Agarwalla.
The aarti yajmans were Smt.Neelam Mani and Smt.Meenal Roopchand.
The two Prasad pustikas that were distributed in the Guru dakshina ceremony, were Meditation-Why & How? by Pujya Gurudev; Sandals’ Splendor, Significance of Guru Padukas- by Swami Swatmananda. These both were especially released for the first time too, for this special occasion in the Birth Centenary Year!