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Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Centerhad made altars left them there for all to admire.After the session ended, families came to getSwamiji’s blessing and some Prasad and neivadyam.In the evening, a soothing and divine atmospherewas created with Veda and Stotra parayanams byAVG – Ananth’s Veda Group and the ShlokaChanting by Bala Vihar students from all threechapters that vibrated through the building. It wasfollowed by wonderful performances of dance,stotrams, bhajans, and instrumental music byBalavihar students offering their praise to LordShiva! After Maha Prasad (light dinner), there wereBhajans by Hema Bhatt’s group and Chinmayamembers until midnight when Swamiji blew theconch again. Throughout the day, more than 300devotees attended the Mahashivaratri celebrations.What a blissful feeling in the air at ChinmayaMission that Sunday!{Editor’s Note: Andrea Beri was the lead organizer of thiscelebration and worship, and she contributed to thisarticle.}March 22, 2013Page 11

Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional CenterFriday Night Satsang:Spiritual Sadhana for Rejuvenation, Joy and PeaceVandana BapnaOn November 2nd 2012, the alternate Fridayevening adult satsang has been launched withspiritual offerings for anyone age 18 and above.Non-member family and friends are also welcomeat no charge. The objective has been to facilitatethe practice of spiritual sadhana for inspiration aswell as for recharging the emotional and intellectualenergies in the stress ridden times. Traditionalwisdom and modern research both point to the factthat this type of satsang leads to productive, joyful,and harmonious individuals and communities.Acharya Vilasiniji was utterly convinced that thishad to be done. She conceived and developed theprogram. She received the blessings and supportfrom our Swami Dheerananda, the ExecutiveCommittee, as well as the full commitment ofCMWRC teachers Dr. D.C. Rao and Sri Vijay Kumarfor spiritual offerings on Friday evenings. ArvindBhagwat with support of Medha Bhagwat has comeforward to coordinate the program and manage allthe logistics, programs, and even food offerings.How to Participate?Why?Over the years, as their children graduated fromBala Vihar, more than 200 families who had beenregistered for three years or more, slowly stoppedcoming to the weekend satsang and other activities.Although the weekend program offered awonderful one hour discourse by our Pujya Swamijiand visiting Acharyas, all the other activities wereprimarily geared towards Bala Vihar children. OurAcharyas perceived that the needs of these growingnumbers of adults were not being adequatelyfulfilled. We needed to begin a program dedicatedto Adult and CHYK members (age 18 and above).Although the program is offered to all adults,including non-member family and friends, at nocharge, it has been originally conceived to benefitthose families with unmet needs after their childrengraduated from Bala Vihar. The program is stilldeveloping and fluid to accommodate the needs ofall our community members. All suggestions andcomments are welcome. The idea is to developspiritual programs based on the interest levels andavailability of teachers and resources. If there isenough interest, the alternate Fridays have thepotential to progress to every Friday Satsang withsomething to interest everyone. Memberparticipation is vital to developing this innovativeprogram into a vibrant and uplifting satsang for all!We have been blessed with a large pool of learnedand eloquent Acharyas and veteran members withdeep knowledge and skills who are willing to sharetheir wisdom and love readily. In addition, we havea beautiful facility at Chinmayam that is available onFriday evenings. So, what were we waiting for?March 22, 2013Page 12

Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional CenterWhat is Offered?are welcome to the Premier. These series of52 episodes are the Vedic Wisdom basedstories in Hindi (with English subtitles),produced by Chinmaya Mission and shownon Indian TV. It is the product of PujyaSwami Tejomayananda’s sankalpathat Upanishadic wisdom and Vedic culturecould be taught in modern times throughthe media of TV.Over the past few months, the program hasdeveloped to offer various simultaneous options tosuit a variety of temperaments and moods. 7:00 pm: The Friday Satsang coordinator,Arvind Bhagwat, decided to offer lightdinner at no charge. He wanted to facilitatethe option to join directly from work. Anyfamily is able to sponsor the light dinner aswell.7:30 to 9:00 pm: There is a short aaratitogether, followed by concurrent sessions. Gurudev’s video on Bhagavad Gita followedby guided meditation sessions by AcharyaVilasiniji (when she is not travelling). Study Group with Dr. D.C. Rao: He has justcompleted ‘Sadhana Catushtaya’, thequalifications of a fit student of Vedanta. On22nd March, New! Study of Upadesha Sara, atext composed by Sri Raman Maharshi willcommence.Dr. D.C. Rao has conveyed the importance of StudyGroups: “We learn a lot from pravacans and ourreading texts on Vedanta but these truths are notabsorbed by us unless we engage in "mananam",reflection. Participating in a study group is one ofthe best ways to accomplish this.” Vedic chanting by Sri Gopal Gopinath: Overthe past two satsangs, he has taughtportions from Yajur Veda and Shivopasanamantra. New! On 22nd March, a premier ofUpanishad Ganga TV episodes will be heldamidst the blessings and presence of SwamiDheerananda and discussions led by Sri VijayKumar. Jay and Chandrika Sriram willintroduce the series. Both adults and teensMarch 22, 2013 9:00 to 10:00 pm: Simultaneous options: Bhajans have been led by our melodioussinger members and CHYKs, including UrviMehta and Purvi Nanavaty. During onesatsang, we had a beautiful rendering oflead and follow video of Pujya SwamiTejomayananda’s compositions, sung by himas well. New! On 22nd March, there will becommencement of Tulsi Ramayanapravachan in Hindi by Smt. NeerajaVenkateswaran.Where?Unless specified otherwise, all activities from 7:30pm onwards are held in the Chinmayam building inSilver Spring, MD. The light dinner at 7:00 pm isoffered in Kailas Niwas, ground floor. Devi Niwasmay be used when Chinmayam is not free.Note:My husband and I have been able to join most ofthe satsang events since inception. We tend to joindifferent concurrent sessions and appreciate thechoices offered to suit our individual personalityand moods. We truly enjoy the energizing yetpeaceful experience. We feel blessed and gratefulPage 13

Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Centertowards our teachers and sevaks for their dedicatedefforts and love in offering this opportunity toeveryone.Children:At this time we do not have arrangements forchildren under age 18.Contact:Arvind and Medha Bhagwat at:fridaysatsang@chinmayadc.orgSurvey:Please fill out the survey with your ideas andsuggestions. It will take only a couple of minutes.http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TKBC8HHMarch 22, 2013Page 14

Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional CenterTapovan and Gita Jayanthi CelebrationEditor’s Note: On Sunday, December 23rd, ChinmayaMission Family members gathered together atChinmayam to celebrate birthday of Srimad BhagavadGita and birthday of Swami Tapovan Maharaj, Guru ofour Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda.Six adultmembers and CHYK members took turns to chantTapovan Shatakam verses and recite the meanings. Thiswas followed by Bala Vihar Students, CHYK members andadult members chanting their favorite verse in the Gitaand explain why that verse inspires them.Siri Neerchal, Tapovanam Class at Silver SpringOne of my favorite verses from the Gita is Chapter12, Verse aktāhi gatirduḥkhamdehavadbhiravāpyateThis verse means that those whose minds are set onthe Unmanifest have greater trouble, because theUnmanifest is very hard for the embodied to reach.The term "embodied" refers to those who areattached to their bodies. This is one of my favoriteverses because it shows how personal worship anddevotion are. Also, I have had many frustratingexperiences in which various teachers andclassmates have argued that Hinduism is apolytheistic religion and I have tried to explain tothem that this is not the case. However, I myselfwas never completely certain of exactly whyHinduism is a monotheistic religion. In this verse, Ifound an answer to my own questions as well as tothose of others. However, I have also realized thatbecause I have an answer for myself, I do not needto be frustrated if after my many attempts atexplanations, others still do not understand.* * *March 22, 2013* * *Chetana Neerchal, Bala Vihar Teacher andCoordinator for annual Bala Vihar Tilak GraduationProgramChapter 2 Verse 20Na jayate mriyate vaa kadachitNaayam bhootva bhavita va na bhooyahaPage 15

Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional CenterAjo nityah shasvatoyam puraanahaNa hanyate hanyamane shareere“He is not born, nor does He ever die; afterhaving been, He again ceases not to be;unborn, eternal, changeless and ancient, he isnot killed when the body is killed.”When life's experiences are overwhelming, I chant thissloka to remind myself that despite the experiences, theessence of me does not change. The anger of a momentchanges to a smile with the passage of time and thesmile can change to sadness. My body weight changesbetween seasons, some to my liking, sometimes not.Even societal values change - what was consideredwrong yesterday, may be discriminated as acceptabletoday. In the middle of all these changes, I continue toexist, am conscious of my existence, and always strivefor happiness. Being conscious of my changelessExistence that is always desiring happiness helps me tideover changes. Becoming aware of the constancy ofchange makes me accept the changes.* * *Anita Kulkarni, Bala Vihar TeacherChapter 2, Verse 22:vä-säà-si jér-ëä-ni ya-thä vi-hä-yana-vä-ni gåh-ëä-ti na-ro'pa-rä-ëita-thä ça-ré-rä-ëi vi-hä-ya jér-ëä-nMarch 22, 2013an-yä-ni saà-yä-ti na-vä-ni de-héI have heard this verse from a very young age. Thiswas a favorite verse of my father. I remember whenmy grand uncle died, and he consoled mygrandfather with this. My father was an ardentreader/follower of Bhagavad Geeta, he knew manyshlokas and would quote them time to time. Afterjoining CM about 8 years ago, when I used to tellhim kids are chanting chapter 4,5,9, 12, he wouldalways say that is good but teach them chapter 2.He passed away in Feb of this year and as though atribute to him we did chapter 2 and this verse thisyear. I felt like sharing my father, his favorite versewith all of you to keep him alive in my heart andmemory.* * *Ram Jayaraman, MemberPrior to Chinmaya I too was unsure as to whatHindus label God as. But I also was wonderingwhether the concept of God was identical fromreligion to religion—you know, a manifestation ofall that is good in the world. However, upon closeinspection of the following verse, I had foundotherwise.What you see here is an English translation of verse28 from chapter 13 in the Gita. The verse reads,“Anyone who perceives the Ultimate Consciousnessresiding equally in all living entities ubiquitously asthe imperishable within the perishable, a true Arya,actually perceives.” So basically, Krishna is trying totell Arjuna that God is absolutely everything, good,and bad. This struck me as very different incomparison to all the other faiths I had someknowledge about; they all state that God is amanifestation of everything good.Just as a temporary aside, however, one point mustbe made perfectly clear. In school, at least, mymiddle school, I was taught that Hinduism is apolytheistic faith. However, polytheism denotesmultiple supremacies, which is not what Hinduismespouses. We still believe in one Brahman, and thedifferent deities are just manifestations of thatBrahman. So these different manifestations havedifferent characteristics, but our one Brahman, theirroot, is still the infinite everything—everythingPage 16

Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Centergood, and everything bad. From immediate view, itmay seem that if God is everything, good and bad,then aren’t arsonists and killers manifestations ofthe lord that we worship? Are they God? Accordingto Hinduism, these criminals are God. So it mayseem that this philosophy is backwards. Suffice it tosay, it isn’t.I have here an example that substantiates this:ICBMs, intercontinental ballistic missiles, andnuclear power plants are both manifestations ofnuclear energy. One is used to kill thousands ofindividuals, while the other is used to providemillions with power grids. So then, just because theICBM happens to be a bad thing, as a manifestationof nuclear energy, is nuclear energy itself inherentlyevil? Of course not! A source cannot be held liablefor the actions of its manifestations, just as Godcannot be held liable for the actions of man.attainment of what they have not and security inwhat they have”In this verse, the Lord has revealed to us that inorder to achieve our objectives, both material andspiritual, we need these three qualities: 1) Singleminded purpose 2) Directed action and 3) Selfcontrol. When one acts in this way, then the LordHimself will ensure our success. Generally, we aremost worried about acquiring new possessions andpreserving our existing possessions. The Lord herecompassionately assures us of success if we canfollow the three principles laid out above and thusgives us a pointer to reduce our agitations andworries.* * *In the modern world, however, your boss, your lazyteam member and you—hopefully a diligent andforthright individual—are all manifestations of thecompany. If any one of those individuals presentsthe company in a bad light at a meeting, even thelazy bum on your team, the company takes theblunt, and your boss gives you a verbal beating.Obviously, you are not the one responsible. Youknow this. This happens. But don’t blame God if thishappens, then. As I said, God can’t be heldresponsible for the actions of man, so if you’refeeling down, Use the opportunities that God hasgiven you to push through any adversity you mayface—and that too, with a smile. It’s not he that’smessing with you.* * *Lakshamanan Kodanate, MemberChapter 9 verse 22:Ananyas chinthayantho mamYe janah paryupasateTesam nityabhi yuktanamYogakshemam vahaamy aham“But to those who worship Me, meditating on Mealone, to them whoever preserver, I bringMarch 22, 2013Page 17

Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional CenterMaha Shivaratri CrosswordVishnu DharmarajTapovanam Bala Vihar, Silver SpringMarch 22, 2013Page 18

Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional CenterSankranthi Celebration at Frederick ChapterPriya TandonFredrick Chapter Tapovanam Bala Vihar Student and Smrithi Team MemberHari OM! On January 13, 2013, apart from our usualcommon time activities in the morning at FrederickChapter Chinmaya, we had a wonderful surprise. It wasabout Sankrathi Celebrations In India. Each statecelebrates this holiday in different ways. This holidaymarks the harvest season in India. It was delightful tosee Sundaram class had organized an informativepresentation mixed with traces of humor and culture forthe Chinmayam families. Since many of the children areborn and raised in United States, we were not aware ofthe traditions, and beliefs practiced by the people.student in the Sundaram class chose a state in India, andexplained how Pongal is celebrated there. For example,one of the students chose Andhra Pradesh and explainedhow in that state it is celebrated by exchange ofhomemade sweets and flying kites. Another studentexplained how in Karantaka cows and bulls aredecorated and fed Pongal (sweet dishes made from rice),and then at night they are made to jump over a bonfireto the beat of drums and other instruments. It isinteresting to know that in one part of India this festivalis celebrated by flying kites and eating sweets, and howin another part this festival is celebrated by decoratingcows and having them perform. I also learned that thisfestival is called Pongal in the south part of India, in thenorth part of India it is called Makar Sankranti, and inPunjab it is called Lohri. I believe this informativeprogram has made each and every one learn somethingnew and interesting about this festival. After thiswonderful event, we completed our usual activities andthe students and adults were dispersed to theirrespective classes.The Sundaram students started out theirpresentation by giving us a little insight on what thisholiday is exactly about and how it is celebrated. EachMarch 22, 2013Page 19

Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional CenterBMI RAPSmruti, Simmi, Rohini, Smaraki, Hirsh, Anmol, Ian, BhaswantFrederick Chapter Chinmayam ClassEditor’s Note: Chinmayam Class from Frederick Chapter composed the BMI Rap. The audio version is posted on thewebsite: http://www.chinmayadc.org/Smrithi/BMI RAP.mp3. Please follow the link to listen to the audio as you enjoythe lyrics here.BMI RapChinmayam class studies the BMI to make our minds sore highBody, mind, intellect represent who we areIf we look within each one, our life will go very farThoughts, emotions, and objects are all the three worlds we are dealingLooking up into the True nature we will all go further than the ceilingwe perceive, feel and think because our mind makes the links.We have to remove our bad vasanas, so our minds don't rust cuz of us!Mind is like a river- just the thought flowThen the Intellect comes and tells the bad thoughts to goVasanas express as thoughts that come into our mindHere is a short rap to help you unwindVasanas shape who and what we areLook within and not too farWhen I see Chipotle walking down the streetI get so jelly; I wanna grab it and eatI love you Chipotle, will you marry meMy vasanas corrupt me, oh just set me free!March 22, 2013Page 20

Chinmaya Smrithi – Bi-Monthly News Magazine of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional CenterWait, what’s that I smellMy mom made Pani Puri, she makes it so wellNow I realize that home cooki

Silver Spring Chinmayam Class Summaries CHYK and CORD Hanuman Chalisa-Thon – Rasshmi Shankar Members and Friends Poems – I Learned to Come Home - Aziza . Raju Chidambaram, Acharya Vilasiniji, Acharyas, Chapter Coordinators and Teachers. & BV students – Nishant Carr, Sir