The spirit of Advaita is not to keep away from anything, but to keep in tune with everything
Swami Chinmayananda
Swami Chinmayananda
Sceptic to Saint
Swami Chinmayananda was born Balakrishna Menon on the 8 May, 1916, into a well-established traditional Hindu family in Ernakulam, Kerala. He was a dynamic, bright, and playful student, famously eschewing study for tennis with his large circle of cousins and friends. Graduating with a degree in English Literature he was headed for a brilliant writing career, when he plunged into activism as a journalist in India’s freedom movement.
Surviving imprisonment and grave illness, in 1942 he returned to journalism, but now his scepticism and penetrating vision were turned on the hollowness and failures of politics, ambition, and mere material life.
He travelled to Rishikesh, ostensibly to critique the place of swamis in India’s unfolding future, but found a truth for which his heart and mind had really been searching…
read more of his remarkable story in the Chinmaya Archives.
Spiritual Journey
1951
His studies complete, Gurudev expressed an urge to share his knowledge with people in the plains. In compliance with His Guru’s wishes, for six months he wandered on foot, as a renunciate through India. Begging his food, he slept in ashrams and under wayside trees. His conviction fortified, he returned to seek his Guru’s blessings.
1947
In September 1947, the young sceptic Balakrishnan Menon, visited the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh and met its head, Swami Sivananda. This changed his life’s trajectory and from then on, he regularly visited the ashram. A striking inner transformation unfolded; instead of questioning and confronting the outer, his focus turned within, questioning his thoughts and ideas.
1948
In further pursuit of an inner quest, in 1948, Balakrishna Menon the ascetic, toured the upper reaches of Uttarakhand. Following the pilgrim trail, He undertook a pilgrimage – the Char Dham yatra. Braving the freezing cold and inclement weather, sleeping out in the open, he paid his respects at the shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamnotri and Gangotri.
1949
On Mahashivaratri, 25 February, 1949, Swami Sivananda initiated Balakrishnan into sannyasa, naming him ‘Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati’. For more intensive study and greater austerity, encouraged by Swami Sivananda, he moved to Uttarkashi as a disciple of Swami Tapovanam the most renowned Vedanta master of the times. Gurudev accepted unconditionally the strict conditions laid down, by the Master and became his ardent disciple.
1949-1950
Living in a cowshed, with a stone for a pillow, Swami Chinmayananda spent over two years in intense study to master the Scriptures – the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras. His burning desire knew no obstacles. His Guru was demanding and a great disciplinarian and at the same time was filled with unconditional love for his students.
1951
His studies complete, Gurudev expressed an urge to share his knowledge with people in the plains. In compliance with His Guru’s wishes, for six months he wandered on foot, as a renunciate through India. Begging his food, he slept in ashrams and under wayside trees. His conviction fortified, he returned to seek his Guru’s blessings.
1947
In September 1947, the young sceptic Balakrishnan Menon, visited the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh and met its head, Swami Sivananda. This changed his life’s trajectory and from then on, he regularly visited the ashram. A striking inner transformation unfolded; instead of questioning and confronting the outer, his focus turned within, questioning his thoughts and ideas.
1948
In further pursuit of an inner quest, in 1948, Balakrishna Menon the ascetic, toured the upper reaches of Uttarakhand. Following the pilgrim trail, He undertook a pilgrimage – the Char Dham yatra. Braving the freezing cold and inclement weather, sleeping out in the open, he paid his respects at the shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamnotri and Gangotri.
1949
On Mahashivaratri, 25 February, 1949, Swami Sivananda initiated Balakrishnan into sannyasa, naming him ‘Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati’. For more intensive study and greater austerity, encouraged by Swami Sivananda, he moved to Uttarkashi as a disciple of Swami Tapovanam the most renowned Vedanta master of the times. Gurudev accepted unconditionally the strict conditions laid down, by the Master and became his ardent disciple.
1949-1950
Living in a cowshed, with a stone for a pillow, Swami Chinmayananda spent over two years in intense study to master the Scriptures – the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras. His burning desire knew no obstacles. His Guru was demanding and a great disciplinarian and at the same time was filled with unconditional love for his students.
1951
His studies complete, Gurudev expressed an urge to share his knowledge with people in the plains. In compliance with His Guru’s wishes, for six months he wandered on foot, as a renunciate through India. Begging his food, he slept in ashrams and under wayside trees. His conviction fortified, he returned to seek his Guru’s blessings.
A Modern Master
The Leader
Swami Chinmayananda, a born leader, and deeply compassionate, had an in-depth understanding of humanity’s post-partition, post-war dilemma – the loss of a spiritual and moral compass, the decline in family cohesion and a suicidal rush for material comfort and prosperity.
He recognised the pivotal role a renaissance of the perennial Hindu philosophy of sanatana dharma could play. Others also recognised the problem, but few had the vision, dynamism and courage to lift the knowledge and traditions into 20th century climate and conditions. Gurudev embarked on transformation through a set of bold initiatives, underpinned by the wisdom and authority of the scriptures:
• Public talks on Vedanta in English
• Training an army of Vedanta teachers to go out across India
• Establishing local children’s and parents’ spiritual classes
• Dynamic youth programmes to instil spirituality, values and pride in traditions
• Restoration of temples and explaining the deeper import and power of rituals
• Glorification of the role of women in maintaining family and community culture
• Talks on value-based management and responsible organisational leadership
• Patronage of classical and devotional music and dance
The Visionary
Inspired by this unique vision, Chinmaya Mission was established – a grassroots organisation based on knowledge, love and service, that grows and adapts with time but stays true to its scriptural roots. To keep ever fresh the tenets of Advaita Vedanta, Swami Chinmayananda envisioned the Sandeepany Sadhanalaya intensive course system to train acharyas (teachers). He set up a Research Foundation – Chinmaya International Foundation – a bridge between East and West, between pundit and public, committed to keeping alive and accessible Indian knowledge traditions. He traversed the world to propagate the Bhagavad Gita as a manual for living through 576 Jnana Yajnas, lectures and countless family spiritual camps before he attained Mahasamadhi on 3 August 1993.
The Educator
A keen observer, Swami Chinmayananda recognised the accelerating degeneration in values and family systems in India and worldwide. He knew that the way to resurrection was through a comprehensive revival of spiritual wisdom. To have real societal effect this revival would need to permeate every aspect and stage of life and it would need to embrace the best aspects of modernity.
Swami Chinmayananda single-pointedly worked towards strengthening value-based education, and energising schools. In addition to Balvihar Children’s spiritual classes, the Chinmaya Vision Program (CVP), has delivered a remarkable system for holistic education followed in more than 80 Chinmaya Vidyalayas as well as in other educational institutions throughout the country. Importantly, CVP is aligned to India’s National Education Policy.
Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) – the youth wing of the Mission - has become a dynamic force for change. Many Chinmaya youth have grown upo to become leaders in their fields bringing with them a wholesome and positive outlook and dedication to serve and achieve.
Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth university in Kerala is the crowning glory of this vision where Indian Knowledge Systems are integrated with disciplinary knowledge systems to infuse artistic and professional studies with traditional knowledge.
Mahasamadhi Shrine
Final resting place
Swami Chinmayananda’s shrine is located in the rose garden behind his kutir at Sidhbari in Himachal Pradesh. The elegant Kerala-style Samadhi Sthala sits serenely against the backdrop of the majestic Dhauladhar Mountains. Like the mountains, it is a refuge and a destination of profound, undisturbed peace.
Gallery
Central Chinmaya Mission Trust
Saki Vihar Road, Powai, Mumbai - 400 072.
Tel : +91-22-2803 4900
E-mail : ccmt@chinmayamission.com
