INTRODUCTION:-
There are many saints and sages in the history of India. There are also many gurus. But visionaries are only a few. Sri Swami Chinmayananda was not only the sage of modern times, not only a guru but also a great visionary, whose work touched not only India but the whole world. From time to time, the world witnesses birth of a Yuga Purusha who comes for the purpose of leading the suffering humanity to the path of Dharma. And we are the blessed ones who have had the great fortune of being under the direct guidance of this Guru Sri Chinmayananda, a great Gnani who carved for us the ideal model of Karma Yogi sweetened with endless Bhakti. Those who met him will never forget the glow of Chinmaya (Pure consciousness) that He carried around everywhere at all times.
EARLY DAYS:- H.H. Swami Chinmayananda was born on 8 May 1916 ,and his original name is Balakrishnan Menon (Balan). Balakrishna Menon, the future Swami Chinmayananda was born to Parakutti and Kuttan Menon in Ernakulam, Kerala in the noble aristocratic family that strictly followed the Kerala traditions He was a great Indian spiritual leader, and teacher.He also founded the great CHINMAYA MISSION in 1953 to spread the message of Vedanta, which has over 300 centers in India and the world over . He was a disciple of SWAMI SIVANANDA at Rishikesh, who founded the Divine Life Society and after that he studied under the guidance of his next guru,SWAMI TAPOVAN MAHARAJ at Uttarkashi in the Himalayas
EARLY DAYS:- H.H. Swami Chinmayananda was born on 8 May 1916 ,and his original name is Balakrishnan Menon (Balan). Balakrishna Menon, the future Swami Chinmayananda was born to Parakutti and Kuttan Menon in Ernakulam, Kerala in the noble aristocratic family that strictly followed the Kerala traditions He was a great Indian spiritual leader, and teacher.He also founded the great CHINMAYA MISSION in 1953 to spread the message of Vedanta, which has over 300 centers in India and the world over . He was a disciple of SWAMI SIVANANDA at Rishikesh, who founded the Divine Life Society and after that he studied under the guidance of his next guru,SWAMI TAPOVAN MAHARAJ at Uttarkashi in the Himalayas
(The Above picture is when SWAMI CHINMAYANANDA initiating his sanyasi under the guidance of SWAMI SIVANANDA).
Involvement in the independence movement:- In 1940 young Balan joined the Luknow university where he studied English literature and law. He was very active in the life on the campus appeared in several dramas in the theater, and became a member of the literary club, the debating club, and was on the university tennis team. Sensitive to the life around him in 1942 Menon joined the Indian independence movement, for independence of his Country was an issue very dear to his heart. He was involved in writing,organizing public strikes and giving speeches. Menon's rare leadership qualities made him visible in the movement and soon a warrant was issued in his name. He had to go into hiding, but soon after returning he was caught and put in prison. He spent several months in the overcrowded prison in terrible conditions. Terror, near-starvation diet, lack of hygiene and lack of ventilation invited disease.In prison he had plenty of time to reflect on his own life, as well as on life in general. He had seen lifeless bodies carried out daily - the reality of death could not be ignored.Weakened by months in jail he fell ill with a dangerous type of fever called typhus fever. There was little hope for his recovery. Consequently, he was carried out into the night and tossed on the side of the road on the outskirts of the city.
(swami when leading the people for independence)
- Swamiji reports the event saying:
- "The British officer threw me out when he realized that I had contracted typhus in his prison. He did not want another body on his record ! but luckily for me, a kindly Christian-Indian lady took me into her home and cared for me like a Son. Later she told me that my nose reminded her on her son who was with the army. Suppose you can say I was......... 'saved by the nose"As soon as Menon regained health he was eager to get on with his life. He finished the university studies, graduated from law and English literature and chose the journalists career. In 1945 he moved to Delhi, the center of political activities, where he joined the editorial staff of the national newspaper of the Indians, The National Herald. Menon's passion for self-expression, the need to participate in the nation's revival gained him reputation of an extremely dynamic and controversial reporter. He was loudly voicing his opinion on every aspect of Indian life history, culture and of course the current topics, such as inevitability of independence, and the social issues. His innate compassion for man was evident through all the writings. His sympathies were with the poor, but at the same time he actively participated in life of the privileged class.Spiritual path:-Finally he permanently joined Sivananda ashram, and on the 25th of February 1949, the auspicious day of Sivaratri Swami Sivananda initiated Menon to the order of sanyas. His name become now SWAMI CHINMAYANANDA SARASWATI, the one who revels in the bliss of pure consciousness.Swamiji studied and worked in the ashram for some time. But for him the only path was GNANA YOGA, therefore Swami Sivananda told him: "You need to master the scriptures! Go to Uttarkashi to study under the renown vedantic master, Swami Tapovan!"Thus Swamiji spent 8 years studying the scriptures at the feet of Sri Swami Tapovan in the high Himalayas in Uttarkashi. It was not easy, for Swami Tapovan was a great disciplinarian and a very demanding teacher. He never repeated his lesson twice. Swamiji lived in the cowshed with the stone for a pillow. However, Chinmaya was the uttama adhikari (the best Student), his burning desire for Self-knowledge knew no obstacles. He was often seen sitting all night in meditation in a quiet forest or on the Ganges banks. days he spent on studies and contemplation and guru seva (service to the guru).
