CMB hosts Jnana Yajna with focus on Gayatri Mantra

It is said that one is blessed just by having the opportunity of Satsanga - to be in the company of wise and noble people. During the week of August 14th, we had one such rare opportunity when the global head of Chinmaya Mission, Mukhya Swami Swaroopanandaji, graced us with his presence at the Chinmaya Mission Boston center in Andover. Over a period of four days from August 14th through the 17th, he conducted a Jnana Yajna - discourses on the powerful Gayatri Mantra. In a post-Covid world beset with “telecomplacency”, it was indeed thrilling to be able to listen to him live and engage with him as well. Mukhya Swamiji is the global head of an organization with a size and reach that most companies pale in comparison with, and we are extraordinarily fortunate that he chose to visit us as part of his very busy world travel schedule during this special year, the 108th anniversary of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s jayanthi.

The beautiful Chinmaya Mission Boston center in Andover was appropriately festive to mark this occasion and the auditorium was filled on each of the 4 evenings, with people eagerly braving the post-work rush hour traffic to attend. Mukhya Swamiji started with the question that probably was on everyone’s mind - what can be there to talk for four days on the two-line Gayatri Mantra? By the end, it was evident that even four days were not enough - Mukhya Swamiji had opened the doors to the incredible depth and all-encompassing breadth that is the Gayatri Mantra. In the first two days, he covered the basic understanding of the mantra and also revealed the historical significance of the mantra, especially the role it plays in the sacred thread ceremony - the transition of an individual from childhood to (a lifelong) student. In the last two days, he took us deep into the layers of meaning and significance of the elements of the mantra. This mantra is special and most powerful because it was not composed by a human but rather revealed to sage Vishwamitra in the Veda, and the vibrations it induces in the mind are harmonious with the vibrations that is the Universe. So, not only does it focus your mind, it also tunes it to the Universe.[1]  What made it truly hit home was of course Mukhya Swamiji’s unique style of interspersing his talks with humorous jabs at humanity/us that lulled us into comfort, only to be jolted with an occasional thunderous roar, goading us to internalize and act on the great knowledge we had just received.

With the Indian Independence Day - August 15th - landing in the middle of Mukhya Swamiji’s visit, we were treated to a very special celebration of this event. Together with the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), a flag hoisting ceremony was hosted at the center. Mukhya Swamiji and the spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission Boston Dr. Shashi Dwarakanath oversaw the hoisting of the American and Indian flags. Mukhya Swamiji spoke eloquently about the tremendous progress India has made on many fronts in recent years, and the importance of preserving the ancient Indian knowledge systems through initiatives such as the Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth (University).

Kudos to the volunteers (sevaks) of Chinmaya Mission Boston for organizing the event meticulously as always - from the beautiful decorations of the Center, to the parking arrangements, the daily collective (samoohika) chanting of the Gayatri Mantra, the conveniently boxed delicious dinner prasad. They made it so the audience could take full advantage of this unique opportunity to learn the secrets of the amazing Gayatri Mantra from Mukhya Swami Swaroopanandaji.

Aneka Janma Samprapta, Karma Bandha Vidahine

Atmajnana Pradanena, Tasmai Shree Gurave Namah

Salutations to that Guru who liberates us from the bondage of actions accumulated over countless births, by bestowing Atmajnana, the Knowledge of our True Self[2] 

Hari OM!

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