SwamiChinmayananda

Balan was imprisoned by the British and fell ill with typhus. He recovered and went to live with his cousin in Baroda. He started writing articles and became a journalist in Bombay. He wasn't satisfied and went to Rishikesh where he met Swami Sivayananda. He changed his name to Chinmayananda Saraswati and dedicated his life to spirituality. He traveled, faced hardships, and started the Chinmaya Mission. He spread Vedanta teachings globally and established schools and foundations. He passed away in 1993, but his legacy lives on. Balan was confined to a cold, dark cell with poor food and little hygiene. Disease was rampant, and many political prisoners died each day. The British did not want to admit or deal with the increasing prison deaths. Balan, too, fell ill with typhus. Not wanting to deal with another sick prisoner, the British threw him out in the middle of the night. Driver, that boy looks just like my son. He's alive. Not my son, but someone's son. I must help him. After several weeks, Balan recovers. I cannot thank you enough for saving my life, but now I must leave. It's not safe for you. That's why I brought you home and did not let you go to the hospital. Where will you go? I will be okay, but I have to go. Dressed in an old suit of his savior's son, he boarded the train to Baroda. His cousin, Achuta Menon, a forest officer, lived in Baroda. Balan reached his home in a disheveled state. Achuta. Balan, you look like a ghost. Balan narrated all his adventures to his cousin. Of course you can stay here as long as you like. I'm away most of the time on field work, but Narayan here can take care of you. Saheb, I will. Narayan said Balan cared about cuisine, typical of his childhood days. Narayan, your sambar and aviyal will cure me quickly. I will name you Baroda Narayan. With a lot of time on his hands, Balan began to write articles for newspapers. What are you writing all day? Narayan, when I write, I pretend I'm a mochi, so I can write from the viewpoint of a common man. Balan's articles were welcomed and published in national newspapers. Writing fetched him money, but reading gave new meaning to his life. He found some magazines in his cousin's home. Divine Light Magazine. Swami Sivayananda. He reminds me of the sages who visit us in Kuching. As soon as he was fit, Balan went back to Lucknow to complete his master's degree in English with an honors in journalism. Balan joined a newspaper in Bombay and quickly learned the ropes. His ideas were radical. He soon left his job and returned to Delhi, the center of political activity. He worked for the National Herald. He was a man about town. Yet he was dissatisfied. Many evenings found him studying philosophy. There was unrest in his heart. He also noticed many sadhus ignorant about the lofty Hindu ideals. I'm going to Rishikesh to expose these sanyasis. I'm going to find out how they're keeping up their bluff. Really? God help the sadhus. You're going to interview them? Balan was astonished by Swami Sivayananda's ashtam. He was taken aback by Swamiji's dynamic peace, spiritual discourses and hard work. God gave you such intelligence. Why don't you use it for Him? Join us and become a sanyasi. I'm not so sure. But I do like your formula. Serve, love, purify, meditate, realize and be free. It was a changed man who returned to Delhi from Rishikesh. He was invited to edit a souvenir for Swami Sivayananda's 60th birthday. Balan made frequent trips to Rishikesh. One evening... Come on Balan, say a few words. Who, me? What will I talk about? I don't know anything about spirituality. That's why I'm here. Talk about anything. Maybe your trip to Rishikesh. Well, I came from Delhi. Balan found himself at a complete loss for words. What's this? You have a master's degree. You are a successful journalist. Get ready for another try tomorrow. The next evening... Shreyas, the path of the morally good, and prayas, the path of sensual pleasures, is the topic of my talk today. Balan had just taken the first steps towards a lifetime work of delivering spiritual discourses. Back in Delhi, his friend Shroff was terminally ill. Balan realized that his wealth and family could not relieve him of any of his pain. After Shroff passed away, Balan divided his time between Rishikesh and Delhi. By 1948, he had settled in Rishikesh. At around the same time, his cousin, Bhaskara Menon, was initiated into sannyas as Swami Jnanananda. Balan and Swami Jnanananda set out on a pilgrimage in the Himalayas. In Drakashi, Balan met the great master, Swamita Bhovanam. The trek through Uttarakhand was tiring to the body but uplifting for Balan's soul. When he returned to Rishikesh, he knew he was ready for sannyasa. You must write to your father for permission. As you say, Swamiji. He wrote along a letter to his father explaining the events. His father was surprised yet pleased. On 25th February, 1949, on the auspicious day of Shivratri, Balakrishna Menon was initiated into sannyasa. I renounce all desire for wealth, family, name and fame. You will be called Chinmayananda Saraswati. His past life faded like a dream. He gained mastery over the scriptures, but his mind was not satisfied by a mere reading of the holy books. I feel I have not caught the true significance of what our wise sages wrote. Become a disciple of Swamita Bhovanam. He is the master of Jnana Yoga at Swamita Bhovanam's ashram. What a contrast to the activity at Sivananda ashram. He sleeps with a stone for a pillow. It was a tough and demanding life in the ashram. If the student did not understand the first time, he would have to leave the class. With his guru, Chinmayananda, travelled to meet sadhus from different cities and towns. Is this what they are propagating as Hinduism? The masses need to understand the real truth. Can I do it? I want to share my knowledge with people from all walks of life. Travel. Go to many parts of India as a sannyasi before you make a decision. Following his guru's wishes, he travelled across the country. He faced hardships and mockery during his travels. Indians are ignorant of their rich spiritual legacy. I will reintroduce Hinduism to the Hindus. With that thought, in the year 1951, he decided to take the knowledge of the Vedas directly to the people. I will hold a series of lectures in main towns and cities. But what language will you speak in? We have no common language. With English, I can speak across the country. I will conduct Jnana Ilyas all over the nation. It's a huge task. You have my blessings for this glorious mission. With a trunk full of books and notes, he arrived in Pune with only 25 paise in his pocket. His first Jnana Yajna was held in Pune at the Ganesha Temple. Vedic texts which were wrapped in secrecy and Sanskrit were explained by Gurudev in English. The priests were not happy. They relented when Kanchi Shankaracharya approved of it. Through the instruments of body, mind, and intellect, you, the jiva, the perceiver, feeler, thinker, contact the world of objects, thoughts, and emotions. In the old days, Jnanas were held to honor the gods. In our Jnana Yajna, we burn our ignorance in the fire of knowledge. I feel my whole life changing. Krishna advised Arjuna not to run away from troubles, but to fight injustice and evil. Study groups were formed by devotees across the country. In 1953, devotees in Madras came together to form the Chinmaya Mission. Do not name the mission after me. I have not come here to be institutionalized. But Swamiji, Chinmaya means true knowledge. We are seekers of true knowledge. You have my blessings. The youth are not useless. They are useless. Swamiji, what is God? God is the one that enables a black cow that eats green grass to give us white milk. Swamiji, how do we worship God? Pick up a petal. Bring it to your heart. Chant the name of the Lord while offering the flower. But if you chant, you give up all wrong or sad thoughts. To train teachers to spread Vedanta, Swamiji established Sandipani Sadhanaraya. It's a global tour in 1955 brought people of all faiths together. He was invited to speak at MIT, Stanford, and Harvard. In 1975, Chinmaya Mission West was formed here as well. In 1977, Gurudev founded the Chinmaya Kapovanantrust in Siddharavari. As years rolled by, Gurudev's devotees multiplied. Devotees were charmed by his wit and logic. He was extremely punctual and always on time for his lectures. Yet, his health was failing. He was advised to slow down, but he continued his relentless pace. In 1989, the Chinmaya International Foundation was set up in Kerala in the maternal home of Bhagawan Adi Sankaracharya. Swamiji initiated plans for the International Residential School in Coimbatore. He was approachable anywhere, by anyone. Always ready to answer a question with his trademark smile. Swamiji worked tirelessly for 42 years to rebuild India and to bring forward the teachings of the Vedas to everyone across the world. On August 3rd, 1993, at San Diego, California, Gurudev left his mortal frame and attained Mahasamadhi. Even today, he watches over us from the snow-capped peaks of Siddharavari, his final resting place. His legacy continues.