The Story Behind the Chinmaya Mission Pledge
“We stand as one family…”
It was the early 1960s, and the Chinmaya Mission was growing rapidly under the visionary leadership of Swami Chinmayananda. Centers were springing up across India and abroad. But Swamiji began to notice something: though people were attending satsangs and yagnas, there was a lack of cohesive identity among members. People felt inspired, but they didn’t yet feel they were part of something larger.
Swami Chinmayananda wanted the Chinmaya family to have a shared spiritual commitment that would go beyond rituals—a daily reminder of values and purpose.
One Quiet Evening
One evening, while staying at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai, Swamiji called upon a few close devotees and said:
“We need a mission statement—not just for our centers, but for our lives. A pledge that defines who we are, what we stand for, and how we should live.”
Everyone sat in silence. Then Swamiji picked up a pen and, in a single sitting, wrote out on a piece of paper…
“We stand as one family, bound to each other with love and respect.
We serve as an army, courageous and disciplined, ever ready to fight against all low tendencies and false values, within and without us.
We live honestly the noble life of sacrifice and service, producing more than what we consume and giving more than what we take.
We seek the Lord’s grace to keep us on the path of virtue, courage, and wisdom.
May thy grace and blessings flow through us to the world around us.
We believe that the service of our country is the service of the Lord of Lords, and devotion to the people is devotion to the supreme Self.
We know our responsibilities.
Give us the ability and courage to fulfill them.
Om Tat Sat”
Line by line, he poured into it the essence of Vedanta—translated into simple, practical action.
He read it aloud. A deep silence followed. It was as if the room had suddenly become a temple.
One young sevak, moved to tears, said:
“Swamiji, this is not just a pledge. This is how I want to live my life.”
Swamiji smiled, and quietly said:
“Then let this be our daily sadhana.”
The Living Prayer
From that day onward, the pledge was recited at every Chinmaya gathering, youth camp, Bala Vihar, or satsang. It wasn’t just words—it was a living vow to bring Vedantic ideals into the marketplace of life. It continues to guide Chinmaya Mission members to this day.
Why It’s Special
Unlike a national pledge or religious chant, the Chinmaya Mission Pledge is universal. It speaks of:
- Unity beyond caste or creed
- Discipline without dogma
- Service without selfishness
- And above all, love that transcends boundaries
Swamiji often said:
“When you live the pledge, the Mission lives in you.”