It has been quite a journey since July 2012. Much deliberation went in to find what is next. Hours, days and months passed in contemplation and introspection. Finally with the inspiration, grace and blessings of Gurudev Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj the direction is clearer. Hence, it would be most befitting to embark upon a new journey, a new beginning on this new day of the NEW YEAR, 2014.
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Beloved Gurudev Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj is my life s breath and purpose. My day begins with him and ends with him. The earnest wish is to share with others the love and grace He showered upon me. This mission is my humble seva and love-offering at His holy feet.
In 2002 Gurudev Chidanandaji told me something that has stayed with me. He said, When Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji was in His body, I served Him; and when He left the body, I served His mission as Him. I am your Guru and I am giving you this order, that you must take up archiving knowledge as your life s seva. His final directive to me, just before his Mahasamadhi in 2008, yet again was: The Idea and vision with which you have started this seva you must complete it. Since then the seva Gurudev wanted me to do, became the mission of my life. I consider it my sacred duty, in keeping with Gurudev s direct mandate. All my time and energy was dedicated to collecting and preserving any material letters, pictures, video-audio recordings of Him that could be found. This was not just my seva; it was the only way I knew how to express my love and gratitude for all that He has blessed me with. However, in the following years, the task became progressively challenging. Then, there came a time, as in every seeker s life, when I had to make a difficult choice. My choice was now not where to complete the task, but how best to complete it. I prayed to Him for direction. The answer came. Ultimately I felt that I could only fulfil the mandate given to me by my Gurudev, by stepping out of the Divine Life Society headquarters in Rishikesh where I served for 16 years. I know that one thing will never change even if I am not physically in the ashram, the ashram is and always will be in me my heart and soul are rooted there. It is the tree of life that nurtured me. It is here that I was born and where I grew up. It is here that I was blessed to see Gurudev Swami Chidananda Ji Maharaj s unflinching devotion and service to His Guru. For Him, every beat of His heart was a joyful offering to His Master. Day after day, for twelve memorable years, I witnessed a perfect embodiment of true discipleship, humility and surrender. This is how He taught simply by BEING. Those years left an indelible imprint on my life. The remembrance of this dedicated selflessness urges me to share His thoughts, words and actions, His celebration of life with everyone whom I come across. This is the guiding light behind the formation of SWAMI CHIDANANDA SEVASHRAM. Swami Yatidharmananda
VISION SEEK DIVINITY SERVE HUMANITY is a vision which has been handed down to us by our spiritual masters in an unbroken lineage starting with Adi Sankaracharya, through Parama Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda and Gurudev Sri Swami Chidananda to the current generation of saints all serving humanity in pursuit of divinity. All knowledge systems emanating from the Vedas (Vedanta, Yoga, Ayurveda etc.) will be followed to achieve the vision of universal well being or moksha which all our shastras have as their common vision. Swami Chidananda Sevashram is intended to be a monastery for the modern world conforming to Swami Sivananda s YOGA OF SYNTHESIS. It aims to integrate Vedic concepts with modern technology in a harmonious blend of science and spirituality. We believe that this fusion of ancient wisdom with modern science will create the spiritual innovation required to overcome the challenges of day to day life. The objective is also to teach yoga, meditation and other traditional spiritual practices in a holistic way designed to nurture and rejuvenate body, mind and soul. And thus, help people improve their well-being to maintain harmony and joy in today s stressful life and encourage them to ultimately lead towards enlightenement.
Beloved Gurudev Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj lived this perfection every moment of his life, for he taught by his actions as much as with his words. His actions demonstrated how the pursuit of perfection and excellence is an every moment s affair in daily life. He taught by being, leading an exemplary life of surrender, humility and true discipleship. A true embodiment of his Master s spirit of service, he touched millions of lives. To have known such a BEING, to have seen him, served him, interacted with him is the highest blessing. Living life as he taught us to live is the responsibility and duty of all who were blessed to know him. This is not just our Sadhana but also our joyful homage. This vision is also to unite one and all from all over the world, whose lives were in any way touched by Gurudev Swami Chidanandaji. Whether or not they ever met him, read about him or heard of him. It will be our humble offering to celebrate the spirit of discipleship that was reflected by the exemplary life of Gurudev Swami Chidanandaji. Thus, making it possible to provide a forum for all devotees, disciples and lovers of Gurudev Swami Chidanandaji to be able to share their experiences of HIM and HIS impact on their lives for the benefit of the future generation. Gurudev Swami Chidannadaji Maharaj dedicated his life to the service of his Guru, beloved and worshipful Holy Master Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. He attributed everything to him and directed one and all to follow the sublime teachings of his Gurudev. Now, it is our turn to offer our Guru Dakshina by attributing everything to him and keep his exemplary life and teachings alive by imbibing them into our lives and encourage others to do the same.
Swami Chidananda Birth Centenary 1916-2016 Inauguration program 25 th -27 th January 2014 Sivananda Centenary Boys High School Bhubaneshwar ODISHA
Celebration of Swami Chidanandaji s Birthday is in essence, worship of God. During the celebrations of the Birthdays of great men you hear about their actions, their thoughts, their instructions, and the way in which they led their lives. You imbibe several good qualities from their glorious example. You try to emulate them. You put those qualities into practice in your daily life. You have heard so much today about Swami Chidanandaji. He who has made a determination now, to become like Chidannadaji, alone will be benefited. When you closely follow Swami Chidananda s lectures, you will find that all the Upanishadic wisdom is brought out in them, though he has not studied the Upanishads and does not even want to study them. He brings Upanishads from his heart. He is an embodiment of the Brahma Sutras and the Gita. I have found of late that whenever he talks on Bhakti and Nishkama Karma, he always ends in Vedanta. Excerpts from a talk delivered by Worshipful Paramagurudev Swami SIvanandaji Maharaj during the 39 th Birthday Celebrations of Gurudev Swami Chdianandaji Maharaj in 1954.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Radiant Immortal Atman! May the Grace of God and the choicest blessings of worshipful Master Swami Sivananda be upon you at this time of the New Year. May the Peace of God fill you! God Almighty grant that good health may accompany you all through the year, that happiness attend upon you and also success and prosperity accrue to you all the year round. Even as you read these lines, may you feel the nearness to you of God's Divine Presence. May you also be given the knowledge that I am with you in the oneness of the Spirit. My special New Year Greeting to you is Beloved friend, rejoice in the lord always" My special New Year wish for you is May the Divine Presence be felt by you each and every moment of your life throughout this wonderful New Year granted to you by HIM". Swami Chidananda
Let me wish you all a New Year full of steady spiritual progress, unhampered continuous Sadhana, constant remembrance of God, abundant scope for selfless service and constant Paropakara. May the Peace of God and the joy of His Divine Presence be to you throughout this New Year. Let this be a New Year fully rich with goodness, godliness, Grace and Divine guidance. Beloved Atman, abide in God. Dwell in the Divine. Rejoice in the Reality. Live in close companionship with the Universal Being who is your very own. Swami Chidananda
Swami Chidananda Sevashram wishes you a very happy New Year 2014. May the blessings of Gurudev Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj be upon you always. Let Love prevail and banish for ever from the hearts of men all illwill, anger and vengefulness. Let Love abide. Let Peace prevail. Let goodwill knit us all together. Loving good wishes and prayers to all of you and to your families. May they be blessed with the Peace and the Joy. Feel free to contact us for more information at Yatidharmananda@gmail.com Website is coming very soon.