Ageless Guru (The Inspirational Life of Swami Chinmayananda)

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This book is an attempt to chronicle in lucid language the life of a great modern sage. Swami Chinmayananda's life was indeed a saga of extraordinary spiritual strength, love, tireless service and metaphysical reach.

When he began his mission, the world's oldest scriptures were taught only in exclusive pockets, shrouded in orthodoxy. Swami Chinmayananda interpreted and opened up this perennial philosophy for millions of people. His was a life which, in less than 50 years, left behind the legacy of a global organization, hundreds of institutions and millions of followers devoted to a single aim, the perpetuity of the nobility in Man.

RADHIKA KRISHNAKUMAR is an educationist and spiritual worker. After an eight-year career in computer software, she went on to make her love of Indian philosophy a full-time honourary career. She is the Deputy Director - Value Education of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, the governing body of 247 Chinmaya Mission Centres worldwide. She is the author of the highly successful Garden of Life series of children's textbooks and parents' / teachers' manuals on Value Education, published and distributed nationwide by Macmillan India Ltd. She writes extensively on the subject and conducts workshops for state education departments, schools, colleges and corporate bodies all Over the country.

Her association with Swami Chinmayananda began in her teens and his powerful' presence was largely responsible for shaping her goals and ideals. Much before she began her writing career, a small article of hers was autographed by Swamiji with the words "Write, write...you will write more!" Significantly, the only gift she ever received from him was a pen set, used by her to flag off the writing of this book which she regards as a rare blessing and a truly spiritual adventure.

The life of Swami Chinmayananda is indeed a saga - of extraordinary spiritual strength, immeasurable love, tireless service and undying metaphysical reach. It is a life which in less than half a century of effort left behind a worldwide organisation, hundreds of institutions and millions of devotees - all aimed at a single thing - the perpetuity of nobility in man.

This book is a humble yet sincere and authentic attempt to trace the life and teachings of the greatest modern sage I have ever known. Neither the written nor the spoken word can ever successfully attempt to describe the Inconceivable or measure the Infinite. And yet there is an inexplicable joy in sharing with others the facts and events in the lives of great masters. This is so because such a sharing fascinates the intellect, inspires the heart and rejuvenates the soul. It reminds man of the glorious being that he can be and gives him the drive to reach beyond human limits to touch divine heights.

Swami Chinmayananda has done more to spread the teachings of the Bhagawad Geeta than any other I know of. On his Mabasamadhi, a devotee remarked, "On this day Lord Krishna (the Teacher of the Geeta) will rise in the heavens to greet Swam* with the words, 'Welcome my son. You have done more for the perpetuation of the Geeta than even I dared to!' "

Today several organisations and teachers have adopted his unique and remarkably effective style of teaching. Yet when he began his life's work, the world's oldest scriptures were being taught in tiny, exclusive pockets, shrouded in orthodoxy. To expand the reach and sacred touch of the perennial philosophy to millions, it needed a spiritual giant - and such a one was Swami Chinmayananda.

Radhika Krishnakumar has done full justice to Swamiji's life and work. I appreciate her devotion to Swamiji. This book will appeal to and inspire people of all ages and from all walks of life. I am certain that Swamiji's elevating thoughts and eternal presence graces and blesses all of humanity and will continue to do so.

I congratulate the publishers for taking up the noble endeavour of helping many more to share in the joy that we, in the Chinmaya Mission, carry in our hearts.

**Contents and Sample Pages**