Whence the Fragrance of Chinmaya
Daily Meditations 25th Mahasamadhi Year
Our everyday life is devoted to Gurudev, his work, his mission, his Mission and his vision. Yet in this year
2018, when we realise that it is 25 years since Gurudev attained samadhi, it causes us to stop and think.
If we look back at our own evolution, we cannot deny his infallible hand in shaping and moulding us and
lighting the path for us to tread on.
All that we do and work at, are all his endeavours and enterprise for the good of the people; but to
achieve which he enrolled us all, putting into each of our hands and hearts the love and devotion for
greater good.
When we see around us the 300 Mission Centres and the pulsating amount of lok sangraha work going
on, we think of Gurudev who set up all this single-handedly since he came down the hills in 1951.
And yet we cannot remember when he seamlessly drew us into his work and quietly put our hands on
the wheel, as it were.
This teacher who continues to draw thousands to himself, was himself drawn to Swami Tapovan
Maharaj, a strict teacher, with the highest expectations, exacting standards of behaviour, who
demanded supreme focus. At the feet of such a Guru, Swami Chinmayananda trained, living in most
tough conditions. There have been just a handful who received such blessing, and our Gurudev was one
of them.
But we must stop and realise that Gurudev is a gift that Swami Tapovan Maharaj bestowed on us.
Without our asking. Unconditionally.
As if visualising a flood of humanity waiting for succour, he put his all into Swami Chinmayananda and
allowed him to return to the plains and lift up the waiting millions.
"chinmaya guru hamein dekar mahati keenhi kripa..." says the Tapovan Aarti in its concluding line. ‘By
giving us Chinmaya Guru you have conferred on us divine blessing.’ Truly. We owe it to Swami
Tapovanam for this greatest gift of a Guru, who worked relentlessly for 41 years (1952-1993) and finally
merged with the Divine Self on 3rd August 1993 when he had done all that he had intended to do. We
could see all this as ‘his work’ or as ‘work’, or we could see all this as our upbringing, akin to what a
parent does for a child.
Yet Gurudev said to a brahmachari, standing in Sandeepany, “The very air you are breathing is due to
the grace of Swami Tapovan Maharaj.” For Gurudev attributed all the work of Chinmaya Mission to the
grace conferred by his Guru, Swami Tapovanam. We see the same echoed by Pujya Guruji who said that
the tapas of Swami Tapovanam ji forms the very foundation of Chinmaya Mission.
To realise Gurudev we reach his source, our Paramaguru Pujya Sri Swami Tapovanam. Hence, the effort
to mine the pearls of wisdom from the depth of his works.
Please come everyday to read the wisdom for the day.