After a gap of 2 years, Jamshedpur devotees finally had the blessed opportunity to be in the company of Nutan Swamiji. From Dakshinkhanda (after the Poornashram Programme), Nutan Swamiji set off by road to CIRD-Jamshedpur on Feb 21. Swamiji was accompanied by Aravindan, Brni. Prashanta Swaroopa and Ela Trivediji.

The focus of this visit was less on programmes, and more on organizing the Centre. Over the past more than a year, CIRD-Jamshedpur has been passing through a lot of crises. Lack of a stable coordinator and a caretaker family had created quite a disturbing situation. Above all, the serious illness and then passing away of beloved Neera Nandwaniji (Back to Eternity, Vicharasethu Feb 2026) obviously had a significant impact. Appointing a new Coordinator, stabilizing the new caretaker family, and then, strengthening the core group – were the major aspects to be taken care of.

With these in mind, Nutan Swamiji decided that this year, for the first time, there would be no Residential Retreat during the Jamshedpur Sadhana Shibiram. The time and energy that would have gone into conducting a Retreat was to be channeled into running and stabilizing the Centre.

Getting straight to work

The day after arrival, Nutan Swamiji conducted an interactive Satsang (Feb 22), in which he discussed matters pertaining to the Supreme Knowledge of our Real Identity, answered many questions from devotees on sadhana and interactional difficulties, and emphasized the importance of working together harmoniously to help the Centre grow. Ultimately the take-home message was to sublimate our ego and to do – and experience – everything, whatever comes, joyfully.

Over the course of the first week, Nutan Swamiji went around CIRD, inspected many areas, identified what needed to be changed according to priority and appointed the relevant people to take charge. More than anything else, Swamiji spent time speaking to people – devotees both old and new, the new caretaker family with young children, permanent as well as temporary workers. The vacant post of coordinator also was filled during this visit. Nutan Swamiji took great care in explaining the vision of Poojya Swamiji and the fundamental goal of our Centre to all.

In the evenings, after dinner, Nutan Swamiji would sit with the few core members, exploring their difficulties and understanding the interpersonal dynamics within the Centre. These sessions brought about a greater feeling of closeness between the group and Swamiji, as well as within themselves. Repeatedly Swamiji emphasized the importance of openness, friendliness and inclusiveness.

Prabhāta-raśmiḥ recordings which were played after the daily Pushpa-samarpanam were also carefully selected based on themes of mutuality, openness, austerity and inculcating right qualities.

By the end of the first week, began the series of public programmes:

Morning and evening classes on Sadhana Chatushtaya

Morning and Evening Classes on Sādhanacatushtaya
(28 Feb, 01 Mar, 05-06 Mar, 12-15 Mar)

Speaking in a mix of English and Hindi, Nutan Swamiji took the devotees through the fundamental qualities of a seeker – the qualities a seeker must grow to become a fit recipient of the supreme knowledge. He explained threadbare how to grow these qualities as we proceed along our spiritual journey, and how the knowledge becomes our own as we grow these four-fold qualities.

It was a topic that Nutan Swamiji has discussed numerous times in different Centres during various programmes. But as one devotee remarked at the end, no matter how many times you hear, there will always be something new that strikes you – some aspect you never focused on before and new insights into where you stand as a seeker.

Most importantly, in discussing every quality Nutan Swamiji used examples and illustrations to hammer home where we are failing as seekers and what we have to do to improve – all with the intention of making our minds expand to be all-inclusive, and our hearts be more open and loving.

Writing Session on how they would apply
what they had learnt

‘Be Master of Yourself’ – Workshop for MBA students of Srinath University (07 Mar)

Through one of the devotees, a one-day workshop was organized for about 80 selected students from Srinath University’s MBA programme. A few days before the event, the Dean of the University and the HOD (Head of Department) were invited to CIRD for a discussion. From the conversation it was understood that the students, who were all in their early twenties, mostly suffered from low confidence resulting in lack of clarity, anxiety and stress. Nutan Swamiji requested that the students submit questions beforehand to help us develop a structure for the programme.

Nutan Swamiji personally looked into every aspect of the planning – not just the content and structure of the programme, but everything from the volunteers required, to the menu, feeding arrangements in Annakshetra for the large group, feedback forms and choice of prasaada.

The students arrived looking smart in their uniforms. Two faculty members also participated. After brief introductory announcements, Nutan Swamiji went straight into teaching them to chant “ākāśa-val-lepa- vidūrago’ham…” explaining the meaning and the feeling to be generated by this self-addressed prayer. This was the first step in making them aware of the vast powerhouse they carry within themselves. The students reported feeling peaceful after chanting.

Nutan Swamiji then delivered a discourse on what makes the mind strong and what makes it weak. Using various illustrations and examples from his own life, Swamiji spoke to the students about looking within, not being slave to circumstances, and always living with togetherness and feeling for others.

Students were then given some time to reflect and write on what they understood from the discourse, and how they would apply it to a particular situation happening in their lives.

Lunch was appreciated by all. Volunteers felt fulfilled that the 80 students could be satisfactorily fed in a span of 20 minutes with no fuss or chaos, in a smooth and orderly manner. Post-lunch, participants were divided into groups of 8-10 members, and each group reflected upon and discussed what they had written in the morning. Then, the groups put forth questions for Nutan Swamiji, which Swamiji answered in the concluding part of the programme.

The students all responded positively in their feedback forms, sharing the new insights they had gained from the programme. The Dean and the HOD later requested we hold similar sessions for their faculty members and teaching staff, something to be kept in mind for the future.

Patriotic dance performance by CHC children (Mar 08).

Cultural Heritage Class (CHC) Children’s Programme (Mar 08)

The day after the MBA Students event, devotees were treated to a delightful and inspiring programme conducted by CIRD’s CHC children. After reciting initial ślokas, groups of children sang songs, performed dance and skit – all based on patriotic themes, under the guidance of Manoj Dubeyji.

Group song was about awakening the countrymen to be active and make the country great. The dance performed by 6 girls whose dresses represented the tiranga (National flag), was based on a patriotic song describing the specialty of ancient India – prosperity, truthfulness, non-violence and dharma. Finally, a skit performed by two young boys was based on the brave freedom fighter Sardar Bhagat Singh.

In between and after the performances Nutan Swamiji interacted lovingly with the children, getting to know more about their background and difficulties, planting the seed for future CHC activities.

After receiving prasada the children were joyfully served lunch in Annakshetra by enthusiastic CIRD volunteers.

Q&A with B.Ed. students of DBMS college (Mar 11).

Q&A Session for DBMS B.Ed. students (Mar 11)

Talks on having a programme for the future teachers began long before the Sadhana Shibiram. The value given to this spiritual knowledge by DBMS chairman Sri B. Chandrashekarji, and principal Dr. Joohi Samarpita, was evident. Their entire committee along with several faculty members also came and listened attentively through the whole duration of the session.

The students had been requested to submit questions a few days earlier. Questions were then grouped into categories – About the teacher, teaching children, imparting values, etc. Nutan Swamiji answered them one by one. Most of the students were able to understand English, but to make it more effective Swamiji conducted the session in a mix of English and Hindi.

To help with some of the questions on stress management and practical tips on being anchored within, Nutan Swamiji did a brief “Silent Sitting” session, guiding participants to begin the practice of simply being still and at ease. All of them found the session to be beneficial, some even expressed that they felt emotional simply being in the Satsang Hall.

Wheel keeps on turning

On departure day (Mar 20), one of the devotees remarked first thing in the morning: “Already one month has passed! Where has the time gone?” It was true, everything seemed to have passed by in a whiz. Some things had been accomplished and as hoped, others still in progress. The core group of CIRD, was apparently more enthused and inspired after being in the Sannidhi of Nutan Swamiji.

The new caretaker family appeared to be more settled, their children awaiting admission to the local school. Nutan Swamiji had presented the little boy with a building toy, to stimulate his interest and creativity. The child started working on it independently right away.

Sorting out the teething problems with new staff, interactional difficulties amongst devotees and staff, trying to inculcate an open heart and inclusive mind in all through humorous criticism, and making the Centre more vibrant – all of this Nutan Swamiji did in a relaxed manner, always at ease, even during times when his health was not good. During every visit programme there is an opportunity for seekers to study the Saints more closely, to understand the noble qualities we should aspire towards, see clearly where we lack and make earnest efforts to improve ourselves. Small steps perhaps, but with Guru’s grace, progress will be made.

Jai Gurudev!