CHENNAI: A baton relay that was flagged off on May 8, the birth centenary celebrations of Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda — a legend whose sole life work of over 42 years was to spread the knowledge and understanding of the Bhagavad Geeta. Chinmaya Mission, Chennai, organised a Geeta Marathon where 18 Acharyas began a discourse-relay on the 18 chapters from May 8 (the Jayanthi day), which will end on August 3, the Samadhi day of Swami Chinmayananda.
Why should we study the Geeta? Says Swami Mitrananda, acharya, Chinmaya Mission, Chennai and national advisor for All India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, “The mind is of two types, pure and impure. An impure mind is that which has desires while a pure mind has none. If
we seek divinity, a pure mind is mandatory. How to make the mind pure? It is through the right understanding of knowledge and selflessly serving in the world in the spirit of Karma Yoga.” It was Swami Chinmayananda’s compassion for humanity that he served this book for 42 years. Understanding Geeta is our offering to him. The first chapter is called the Yoga of Arjuna’s grief. He wanted to run away from battle and take the easy way out for convenience. Some of them on the opposite side were very dear to him. His anxiety can be imagined as he had to kill his loved ones. In the midst of all this was Sri Krishna, sporting a smile.
Yudhishtira considered Dhritarashtra as his own father while the latter was attached to his own sons. Ownership is an illusion. To have and not to possess is a challenge for a spiritual seeker. Our culture is based on duty and not rights. The beauty of duty is that the other person’s rights are taken care of.
Duryodhana was agitated was because the Pandavas had a very high cause — Dharma, while his army had none. If there is a noble cause, we will find that energy.
Life will throw many challenges at us and we must be ready to respond. Face any difficult situation with strength. Bitterness and prejudices will only destroy us.
Chyuta means one who has fallen down to the level of objects, emotions and thoughts. Achyuta, as Krishna was called, is one who has not fallen from the highest state of Om.