A Blessed Year of Yagnas and Spiritual Enrichment – Subha Varma Pathial

For a Vedantic organization like ours, few things are more valuable than the opportunity to learn directly from our gurus and engage with them in person. These moments not only deepen our scriptural understanding but also uplift our daily spiritual practice and strengthen our sense of community. This academic year, we were truly blessed to host four distinguished acharyas, each of whom enriched us with their teachings, presence, and guidance.

While the yagnas offered profound insights into Vedantic wisdom, the time we spent with the visiting acharyas during bhikshas and informal gatherings was equally special. We made it a priority to ensure new families had the chance to host and connect personally with these revered teachers—a cherished tradition that continues to bring our community closer together.

October: Shatpadi Stotram with Brahmacharini Stuti Chaitanya

We began the year with the uplifting visit of Brahmacharini Stuti Chaitanya from Chinmaya Mission Columbus. She took us through Shatpadi Stotram, a beautiful hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Lord Vishnu. Filled with heartfelt devotion and spiritual depth, the verses seek divine grace and reflect the core tenet of Advaita Vedanta—the oneness of the individual soul with the Supreme.

During her visit, Brahmacharini-ji also kindly offered to help coordinate our upcoming Trinidad yatra, fostering collaboration between Chinmaya Mission Portland and Columbus. Her presence was deeply appreciated across generations, as she connected meaningfully with our Balavihar children and Sunday satsang attendees, leaving a lasting impression on all.

December: Mukundamala with Swami Ishwarananda

In December, we had the privilege of welcoming Swami Ishwarananda of Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles. He guided us through the Mukundamala, a devotional hymn composed by Kulaśekhara Ālvār, the saint-king of Kerala. The hymn is an outpouring of love and surrender to Lord Krishna and beautifully embodies the essence of bhakti.

Through his insightful exposition, Swamiji illuminated the spiritual power of poetic devotion and demonstrated how such heartfelt expressions can lead us toward profound inner transformation.

February: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 with Brahmachari Soham Chaitanya

Over Presidents’ Day weekend, Soham Chaitanya from Chinmaya Mission San Jose joined us to explore Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad Gita. This chapter unveils the journey toward divine knowledge and introduces Krishna as the ultimate reality. It highlights the power of faith, the illusion of maya, and the nature of the four types of devotees.

Soham-ji’s engaging style brought clarity to these deep concepts, guiding us to understand how devotion and discernment together can lead to spiritual wisdom. He also spent quality time with our Balavihar children and Sunday class attendees, continuing the tradition of acharyas who connect deeply across age groups.

March: Upadesha Sara with Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya

In March, we were honored to host Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya of Chinmaya Mission New York. Even though it was spring break, her talks on Upadesha Sara, the profound work by Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi, drew a full house—a testament to her inspirational presence.

She led us through the essence of the four main yogic paths—Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Jnana Yoga—each offering a distinct yet harmonious approach to Self-realization. Her engaging sessions with both the adult audience and our younger students made a meaningful impact across our entire community.

Awaiting the Grand Finale

As we near the close of this remarkable academic year, we are filled with anticipation for its crowning moment: the upcoming visit of Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, the global head of Chinmaya Mission. He will be speaking on Navadha Bhakti, the ninefold path of devotion—a topic sure to resonate deeply with seekers of all backgrounds.

We look forward to welcoming Swamiji with open hearts and immense gratitude. His visit promises to be a spiritual highlight for our center and a fitting culmination to a truly blessed year of learning, devotion, and community.