It# has# been# quite# a# journey# since# July# 2012. · PDF fileIt is here that I was blessed to see Gurudev Swami Chidananda Ji Maharaj’s unflinching devotion and service to His

It   has   been   quite   a   journey   since   July   2012.  Much   deliberation   went   in   to   f ind   “what   is  next” .   Hours,   days   and   months   passed   in  contemplation  and   introspection.        F inally   with   the   inspiration,   grace   and  blessings   of   Gurudev   Swami   Chidanandaji  Maharaj   the  direction   is  c learer.      Hence,   i t   would   be   most   befitt ing   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.

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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

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VISION

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Swami Chidananda

Birth Centenary

1916-2016

Inauguration program

25th-27th January

2014

Sivananda Centenary Boys

High School

Bhubaneshwar

ODISHA

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“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.”

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“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

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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 39th Birthday Celebrations of Gurudev Swami Chdianandaji Maharaj in 1954.

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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

HAPPY NEW YEAR

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

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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 ill-will, 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

[email protected] Website is coming very soon.