Jnana-yagna-pracharamcabrahmachariprasikshanam |

Shruti-smriti-puranaadivyaakhyaagranthaprakaashanam. ||

 

(The various activities include) Propagation of Jnaana-Yagnas(Talk series), training of Brahmacharis(Dedicated students) and publication of commentaries on Upanishads, Geeta, Puranas etc.

 

Swami Chinmayananda envisioned a 5 step plan of Cultural Revival:

These five steps are:

(1) Reaching the Masses through Jnana yagnas, 

(2) Establishment of Hindu Missionary Institutes - Sandeepany Sadhanalayas, 

(3) Publishing Commentaries on Scriptures, 

(4) Increasing Grass root activities for all age groups and

(5) Serving through Social service projects. 

 

Jnana Yagna (Open Air University) During his interaction with the masses, Swami Chinmayananda explained the reason of one’s temporary state of happiness through the BMI chart and the Ignorance cycle of unfulfilled tendencies. 

 

He explained that our Tendencies lead to Desires that create Thought agitations, which propel us into Actions. The Results of these actions leave us temporarily happy, but eventually lead us back to Tendencies. This is a vicious cycle. The root cause of this cycle is not even known to us. Ignorance of our true nature as Consciousness & Bliss makes us identify with the Body, Mind & Intellect and we feel incomplete. To seek fulfilment, we seek happiness from outside, based on our tendencies. 

 

Through the Jnana Yagnas, Swami Chinmayananda created the awareness in the masses, about the root cause of suffering - ignorance and break out of it by attaining Self-Knowledge. Thus, helping all to discover Permanent Happiness. 

 

sreyan dravya-mayad yajnajjnana-yajnah parantapa|

sarvam karmakhilam parthajnane parisamapyate|| 

 

O Parantapa, Superior is Knowledge-sacrifice to sacrifice with objects.

All actions in their entirety, O Partha, culminate in Knowledge

 

Study of the Scriptures and regular contemplation upon their deep significances kindle the "Fire-of-Knowledge" in us and into this the intelligent seeker offers, as his oblation, his own negative tendencies, false identification & ignorance. 

 

This is the significance of the metaphorical phrase Jnana Yajna.

 

More Info

 

When he started teaching in english language and opened it up to the masses, many orthodox people opposed. They said – you have to see if the listener is a fit student(Adhikari) or not. Swami Chinmayananda gave a nice answer – “Upanishad/Geeta itself will find out if the student is qualified or not. How? He will go to sleep or get up and go away. Like we have a metal detector, one does not need to have a qualification detector.”

 

Design Notes

 

Jnana Yagnas

 

The exhibit is a graphic panel explaining the Ignorance Cycle, how Jnana Yagna destroys Ignorance and the features of Jnana Yagna, forming a curve along the curving ramp from the top, at the BMI installation to its interior below.

 

Starting at the top, the Ignorance Cycle is represented through a graphic of concentric circles. The importance of Self-Knowledge destroying Ignorance and the concept of Jnana Yagna is explained through text. Following this, image-graphic compositions show the features of Jnana Yagna and how one breaks out of the Ignorance Cycle. The visitor walks down the ramp, viewing the graphic to reach the entrance of the interior of the BMI installation below.

This panel can be viewed by visitors standing/sitting on top of the BMI installation as well.