Chinmaya Pradeep is to illumine the timeless vision that Swami Chinmayananda had for the individual, for Chinmaya Mission, for Hindu culture, for India and for the whole world. Chinmaya means Pure Consciousness and Pradeep means a Lamp or to illumine.

 

Built around the Kutia of Swami Chinmayananda in Sandeepany Sadhanalaya Powai, Mumbai, Chinmaya Pradeep is spread over 20,000 sq.ft. It is based on 11 verses of Kritajnataa, a composition of Swami Tejomayananda which expresses gratitude to Swami Chinmayananda.

 

As you enter through the Chinmaya Pradeep Pravesh Dvaar, to your right you will find five questions. Each question relates to one aspect of our life and also connects to the different aspects of Swami Chinmayananda’s life.

 

5 Aspects of Swami Chinmayananda’s Life

 

Opposite the five questions are the 5 aspects of Swami Chinmayananda as described in verse 1 of Kritajnataa Chanting of Verse 1 & Translation

Samasta-Jana-kalyane Niratam Karunamayam|

Namami Chinmayam Devam Satgurum Brahmavidvaram

To The One who is ever engaged in the welfare of all people, full of compassion - Sri Chinmaya, the Spiritual Teacher, the Knower of the Highest Reality, I Salute.

The 5 Aspects are- Samasta jana Kalyane niratam -

A Visionary & A Missionary Karunamayam - A Sannyasi,

Satgurum - A Teacher Brahmavid Varam - A Realized Master Chinmayam Devam - As Swami Chinmayananda. Verse 1 establishes the Vision and objective of Chinmaya Pradeep.

The park is an elaboration of these five aspects through the story of Balan’s transformation into Swami Chinmayananda.

 

Design Notes

 

Swami Chinmayananda was a leading exponent of Advaita Vedanta or Non-Duality. Hence the exhibit area on the floor for this section is in a triangular form, which symbolizes the transformation from Duality to Non-Duality, which is the process of self-unfoldment. The tessellation of triangles used in the flooring pattern is symbolic of this transformation. 3 sides of the triangle also symbolise the 3 yogas – Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga & Jnana Yoga.

 

Connecting with verse 1 from Kritajnata, the visitor sees the five aspects of Swami Chinmayananda through a layered panel - Mountains are depicted in the background with four images of Swami Chinmayananda printed on glass, each representing the first four aspect. The fifth aspect is represented through a hyper-realistic silicon mannequin of Swami Chinmayananda, grafted with real hair, teeth etc. There is a ceramic river flowing between the images, symbolising the Ganges.