This symbol of the Sandeepany Sadhanalaya integrates books, a lit oil lamp, a hamsa bird, and a blossomed lotus.

 

The books represent the prasthana traya, or the three scriptures which are the foundation of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta: the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and Shrimad Bhagawad Gita.

 

The lamp symbolises knowledge that translates into wisdom fuelled by the oil of the ethical, dharmic life, needed for inner spiritual growth.

 

The hamsa, a sacred bird in Hindu mythology that drinks only the milk from a mixture of milk and water, represents the discriminative faculty each spiritual aspirant must develop to see the Reality behind this changing world of names and forms.

 

The blossoming lotus, India's national flower, symbolizes the final goal of human life and the art of living harmoniously in the world. The lotus depicts the flowering and unfolding of one's innate inner beauty, while being in the world but not ‘of’ the world.

 

Design Notes

 

Chinmaya Mission Sails & Swan Fountain

 

The swan fountain is a representation of the symbol of Chinmaya Mission. Chinmaya Mission Lamp was named Chinmaya Pradeep by Swami Chinmayananda. It is cast in FRP it depicts a lamp of knowledge with a hamsa (swan) at its crown. The swan can separate water from milk denoting discrimination. The oil lamp symbolizes the ethical life needed to light the flame of Knowledge within. They together denote the spiritual and social services of Chinmaya Mission. The fountain brings water and fire together in a unique way.

 

The panels behind the swan fountain are in the form of the sails connecting water to the earth and sky; they represent the journey and work of the Chinmaya Mission - its Vision, its Mission, its Motto, Pledge and activities.