49th Annual Delhi Jnana Yajna

Arrival

The devotees had begun preparations at the Centre. Everyone enthusiastically participated in the cleaning activities. Inside the CIRD, everything was cleaned and decorated well. Then came 04 April 2025, the day of arrival of our Poojya Gurudev.

Some devotees had already arrived in CIRD. On 4th morning, all of us started decorating the satsang hall with great joy and enthusiasm. When we came to know Poojya Swamiji had already entered Vasundhara and was about to reach the main gate, lamps were lit in the Centre, and some devotees stood at the gate with bells and conch in hand. Some carried flowers in baskets and stood at the gate, chanting “Oṃ namaḥ sadāśivāya”.

Two ladies had filled decorated pots with water, adorned with mango leaves, and stood on either side of the gate with the pots on their heads. This beautiful scene captivated everyone’s heart. As soon as Swamiji’s car arrived in front of the gate, the conch and bells began to sound, and devotees started showering flower petals on the car. They continued to lay flowers along the path as Swamiji’s car entered from the gate. As Swamiji and Ma alighted,flowers were offered at their feet; they were taken to the Satsang hall, and garlanded. Everybody felt joyous.

Annakshetra (kitchen & dining area) renovation

Next day, around 4 pm, Poojya Swamiji and Ma were brought to the Annakshetra to inaugurate the newly done slabs and cabinets in the kitchen, stores and the dining hall. As per the wish of the devotees, the first items were placed in the drawers by Swamiji and Ma. As we handed over each utensil to them, Swamiji placed them in the drawer with great love, while Ma was suggesting, “this should be here, and that should go there.”

Guru Archana (06 April)

The Satsang hall, the Annakshetra, and the gate were decorated once again. Guru Archana with flower petals was performed by Smt. Sarita and Sri Mukesh Kapur on behalf of all the devotees. After the Archana, Poojya Swamiji delivered his benedictory message. Poojya Swamiji emphasized that Knowledge is the supreme goal and fulfilment of life. He said that for a life based on knowledge, all interactions become exhilarating. Swamiji’s thunderous statement, “Never feel defeated, never say ‘I am helpless’; know that God is within you, surrounding you,” reverberated in the hall.

Then everyone received prasada from Swamiji and went towards the Annakshetra for the bhakti-bhoj. About 175 devotees took bhakti-bhoj.

Poojya Swamiji’s Satsangs (8-13 April)

During the Satsangs and Prabhāta-raśmiḥ classes, Poojya Swamiji’s teachings were like nectar to our ears. Swamiji taught us a plethora of verses during the Satsangs – some from Subhashitams, some from Neeti Śatakam of Bhartrhari, while others from Shankara’s works. Most of these verses dwelt on the qualities to be inculcated by us. Patiently and repeatedly Poojya Swamiji taught us to pronounce each and every syllable of Sanskrit. Again and again, he coaxed everyone to chant loudly. All responded with enthusiasm and the hall resounded with the chanting of 100+ devotees, trying to follow Poojya Swamiji’s intonations and the metre. Later a handout of all the verses was prepared and distributed to all.

Explaining the ślokas “Yā matih sā gatir-bhavet”, and “bhāva-vṛttyā hi bhāvatvaṃ śūnya-vṛttyā hi śūnyatā; brahma-vṛttyā tu pūrṇatvaṃ tasmāt pūrṇatvam-abhyaset”, Swamiji said that as we think, so we become. If we think of ‘Poorṇatva’, we shall become Poorṇa (full), and if we think of the qualities of God, so shall we become Godly.

Poojya Swamiji’s Classes on
“Harnessing your Inner Resources”
based on Viveka-cūḍāmaṇi (April 15-19)

Classes on Viveka-cūḍāmaṇi (15-19 April)

Once Poojya Swamiji had said that the scriptural texts act as spears, hammers, bows and such other weapons which pierce, hammer, poke and pound on the unwanted traits of our mind, thus removing them from our personality. Swamiji has been taking Viveka-cūḍāmaṇi classes for more than 25 years now, in an effort to make our mind more introspective and our intelligence clearer and sharper.

Swamiji told us that God resides within us, but we are in the grip of ‘māyā-madirā’, that is, we are intoxicated with the liquor of delusion. What is the way out then? The best way to be spiritual is to see God in everything. Such a spiritual mind can absorb all impacts – disease, death, depression – everything.

Reciting the lofty ślokas of Kaupīna-pañcakam, Swamiji said that in this country, we have been enriched by poverty. ‘When we run after wealth, Goddess Lakshmi eludes us, but when we follow Lord Narayana, then Goddess Lakshmi comes behind us’.

On the 17th, Poojya Swamiji took us through a subtle analysis of the process of perception based on the “Siddha Gita” from Yoga-vāsiṣṭha. Mind makes an imprint of everything outside and interacts with it. That is why the yogi says, “I alone am.” Plurality is a delusion, and the fire of knowledge burns all such delusion and their impacts.

Sublime Satsangs with Ma Gurupriyaji
(April 10-11 & 14-19)

Satsang with Ma

Ma’s Satsangs led us to Dakshinkhanda once again. We bathed in the Ganges of bhakti while listening to Ma. All of us became emotional and tears welled up in our eyes when Ma narrated how Poojya Swamiji would always express himself in his childlike, innocent manner, when their visit to Dakshinkhanda was being planned; how he always addressed Baba as “My Baba”. It portrayed how he is overwhelmingly drenched in Guru-bhakti – a lesson for all of us to learn and imbibe.

Ma shared with us the letters which Baba had written to her. From these, Baba’s message for all of us is: “Just be a Witness to all that happens in life”.

Baba gave the illustration of a dry babul-tree at the river bank, which is only a witness to all that passes by in the river. It never gets involved, or indulges or interferes in any of the activities it perceives. Similarly, we too have to remain afloat and be a witness to whatever happens in life, Ma said. Ma had always felt a deep sense of vairagya, and Baba had guided Ma on her spiritual path. Through her classes we got a glimpse of Ma’s devotional and impartial mind.

At the end of many letters, Baba used to write: “Mā bhaiḥ – have no fear!”.

Ma also shared a lot of her understanding gleaned from her sadhana over a number of years. She said one must see the inherent dosha in the external, as the Bhagavad Gita (13.8)  prescribes. As the focus grows on one’s within, it will happen irresistibly. She said that as we listen about this knowledge more and more, love towards knowledge grows. In all this, practice is essential.

Ma gave us the same message that Poojya Swamiji did in classes on Viveka-cūḍāmaṇi – See God in everything. We must see God in all objects and people, and consider every situation to be an occasion for sadhana.

For what should we pray to God? We should pray to remove our doubts and purify our mind, Ma said. Let us be constantly connected to purity and divinity, let us constantly dwell in them.

Ma also gave several tips on interactional sadhana: One must relinquish the strong attachment to one’s own views, opinions and expectations, while interacting with others. This will purify our mind. As we make more and more efforts to purify ourselves, smaller and subtler imperfections will come to light, just as the imperfections in a piece of wood show up more and more on polishing. Thus, the whole journey becomes more and more of an adventure.

While interacting, often we may have to give feedback to others. In this, Ma said, she had learnt from Poojya Swamiji that one must first own the person, then give the feedback, just as we do to our own children.

An important message in Ma’s talks was that we must eschew possessiveness, expectation and ego if we want to progress on the spiritual path. In fact, the spiritual seeker must have three qualities – humility, the desire to learn and purity of mind. Then the interactions also become facile and smooth.

Participation by youngsters

A prominent feature of the Jñāna Yajña this time has been the attendance and participation in seva by several youngsters. It was so refreshing to see them helping in the Satsang hall as well as the Annakshetra! Some of the regular Sunday Satsang devotees also took up larger roles this time.

The attendance in Ma’s and Poojya Swamiji’s classes this time was significantly more. Quite a few seekers had taken leave from their offices to attend the morning classes. Also, many of the devotees who attended the morning Satsangs by Ma, returned for the evening classes on Viveka-cūḍāmaṇi by Poojya Swamiji.

Poojya Swamiji lighting the Inaugural Lamp
in the presence of Justice M Grover (Chief Guest)
and Sri S Reghunathan (President, FRNV),
while Ma Gurupriyaji looks on.

FRNV Seminar (12th April)

The FRNV (Foundation for Restoration of National Values) seminar based on “National Conference on Electoral Reforms” was an insightful experience. We got a glimpse of the intricacies surrounding criminalization of Indian politics. It was held in India International Centre, New Delhi.

Retired judges, administrative officers, police officers, members of the election commission, media persons, and members of the Association of Democratic Reforms, corporate leaders and businessmen came together to raise their voice against criminalization of politics. The seminar was addressed by eminent speakers like, Justice M Grover (Former Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court), Sri Trilochan Sastry (Founder Member, Association for Democratic Reforms), Sri S M Sahai (IPS – Retd.), Sri Ram Nath Jha (Advocate, Supreme Court of India), Smt. Anubhuti Vishnoi (Senior Journalist), Sri M L Sharma (former Information Commissioner & former Special Director/CBI), Sri Akshay Rout (former Director General, Election Commission of India) and Sri. Aakarshan Aditya (Advocate on Record).

The seminar was inaugurated by Poojya Swamiji, who is the guiding light of the Foundation.

Poojya Swamiji started with reciting the monosyllable Om, explaining its significance. He said that the national values are a part of the Indian culture, a culture that is prehistoric. He stressed that Hinduism is not a religion, an understanding also endorsed by Supreme Court, as evinced in its judgements of 1966 and 1996. The court had said that Hinduism, at best, is a way of life.

Swamiji emphasized the importance of ‘nationalizing’ the minds of children, what he defined as imbuing our hearts and minds with our land’s cultural ethos. Parents need to instill in children a belongingness to the Nation. Our educational system must take up the responsibility of cultivating sound National values in the citizens of this country.

With regard to the subject of the seminar, Poojya Swamiji said: “How can a criminal be allowed the task of leading the people of the country? Can any reasonable man or woman allow it? What do you say about it?” He said very clearly that the verification whether an arrested person has committed a crime or not is a judicial matter, but as long as he is in jail, he should not be allowed to take up any role in administering the country. In making this a public opinion, he wanted FRNV and all the countrymen to come together, and make a public demonstration.

Poojya Swamiji said that eternal values will never change because they always relate to the inner personality of man – to the emotional mind and rational intelligence. Swamiji then showed how the prominent organisations in India have adopted mottos from the Upanishads and other scriptures, all of which articulate these values.

Poojya Swamiji emphasized: “It is not enough if FRNV holds a seminar within a closed room like this. This can be a beginning, at best. The subject concerns the entire people of India. There will be hundreds and thousands of men and women who will come out to voice in the matter. This will be possible only when the meetings are held in the open, where any and all can assemble freely. Gathering public opinion is essential in the functioning of democracy.

“Which parent, including politicians, would like to have their children turn their attention away from the time-tested values of the Nation, governing individual, familial and societal life? FRNV should realize that the subject concerns people in general, and all should support our National objective of eliminating criminality from the operation of the Representation of the People Act 1961, which seeks to hold free and fair elections in the country to elect good, committed and dedicated people to serve the Nation and fulfil the wishes of the people.

“Can elections be fair, when those with criminal record creep in there to be elected? There can be no controversy in the matter at all.”

Poojya Swamiji ended his address with the Om recitation.

Dāna Satram – 13th April

Dāna Satram was held at CIRD Delhi, where about 1000 recipients each received Dāna consisting of a kilogram of dal and a bedsheet, and a box of laddus as prasada. The recipients were welcomed with Arati performed by Brni. Namrata Swaroopa and Sadhika Chandrika, along with Vedic mantras. Dāna continued amidst non-stop nāma-saṅkeertana. Children were given a special packet of biscuits by Ma.

Tulasi-mancha

After a long wait, a “Tulasi-mancha” was made in front of the Satsang hall. Dimensions were taken from the Ashram, the mason worked for 3 days to make the auspicious design. Finally a beautiful red granite slab was laid with a central pit for the plant. On the 19th evening, Poojya Swamiji planted the tulasi, and along with Ma lovingly watered it, amidst nāma-saṅkeertana. Every activity around our Gurudev becomes sublime and auspicious!

Precious Memories

We bore witness to another instance of Poojya Swamiji’s magnanimity during the gifting of new clothes and prasada, consisting of sweets and fruits, to all the present and past workers.

A 4-month-old baby was brought by her parents to receive Poojya Swamiji’s Blessings. Swamiji also made her taste the first prasada in her life, which were a few grains of sugar.

It made us ponder how our Gurudev deals with serious national issues on one hand, and such tender and loving matters on the other.

On the occasion of Vishu festival (April 14, beginning of the Hindu new year), we were given Vishu Kaineettam (a Vishu tradition in Kerala, where the elders bless the younger members of the family with some money, wishing that there is no poverty in the family for the entire year) as blessings by Poojya Swamiji, distributed by Ma. We also received a divine treat of the Vishu-sadya (feast), a special set of Kerala delicacies made for the occasion.

Ma’s compassion finds its course in the minutest of instances – she planned and arranged for a ‘Delhi Darshan’ on Friday 18 April for the devotees and assistants who had not seen Delhi earlier. Our care-free childhood days were revived as Ma took the utmost care to get our individual lunch packed and blessed us for a safe and enjoyable trip.

Conclusion

The devotees of Delhi humbly and patiently worked tirelessly and relentlessly throughout the Jñāna Yajña period to serve Poojya Swamiji and Ma, and look after the needs of all the devotees with great care. Our heartfelt gratitude to the devotees of CIRD Delhi, for the love, warmth and care they showered on us, making our stay unforgettable.

Jai Gurudev!