The Words to the Wordless: Living Legacy of Swami Chinmayananda

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Chinmaya Publications are a class apart. The wide range of books cater to all age groups and a variety of subjects compilations of colorful stories for children to books that address the issues related to senior citizens, guidance for parents to practical tips for serious spiritual seekers. However, the core of the publications consists of the invaluable commentaries on scriptural texts that bring the essence of Hindu scriptures within the reach of the common man.

This book traces the fascinating evolution of Chinmaya Publications from small booklets carrying the transcriptions of Pujya Swami Chinmayananda's talks to the most advanced e-books and forays into the digital media. It shows how brilliantly Pujya Gurudev guided the devotees through a maze of details related to publications, creating an efficient team of workers who could carry the work forward. His handwritten letters and interesting anecdotes recounted by devotees enliven the narrative.

Through the flow of the book, we are taken from the world of words to a wordless state of wonder by the magnitude of the work initiated by Pujya Gurudev and his towering presence, which empowers the entire Chinmaya movement.

In today's world of modern technology, information is available in many forms. And yet, the printed word has a special place. Whether it be a flight manual or a railway timetable, an itinerary or a telephone book, a recipe or a road map, the printed version is still sought after. One of my tech-savvy friends found out one day that his complete schedule of appointments and his entire list of business contacts were deleted, because something went wrong with his computer. Now he makes it a point to have a printed copy on hand.

Books can be read even in digital version using e-readers. Whatever may be the equipment used to read them, the power of the written word cannot be denied. And, of course, printed books have their own special charm. The touch and feel of a book still has its unique attraction.

Study of any subject depends on books. Physics or chemistry, archaeology or fashion design, we find innumerable books that enable new areas of study. We need books at our jnana yajnas and spiritual camps also; we cannot proceed with a study of the scriptures without the relevant texts in hand. Pujya Gurudev insisted that everyone should have a copy of the Bhagavad-gita and should try chanting the verses studied during the discourses. Study Groups have their own syllabus based on a graded set of selected books.

Books are our companions on the spiritual path. When we listen to lectures, we feel very inspired. But the effect of mere listening does not last very long. When the same topic is presented in the form of a book, we can read it whenever we want, and at our own pace. Sometimes we may read a single line which opens up a new line of thought, and we may want to think about it before we proceed further.

This reminds me of an incident with Pajya Gurudev. I had composed some verses and, as usual, I gave my composition to Gurudev to read. After some days, when he did not mention anything about it, I brought up the topic and asked if he had read it. "Not yet," he replied. In those days he had some trouble with his eyes; so I requested him not to strain himself and offered to read the work to him. He gently shook his head and said, "I like to read it slowly, so that I can pause and think." I was taken aback that Gurudev said such a thing about my humble effort at writing. How much more earnest thinking and reflection should go into our reading of spiritual texts!

Books are wonderful gifts for all occasions. Whether they are for children, friends, elders, or even strangers, books make appropriate gifts. And sometimes a book can mark the turning point in your life. A word or a sentence can have a major impact and trigger a new direction in your life. I remember reading a small booklet of Swami Vivekananda's writings, which influenced me very strongly in my youth. Acarya Vinoba Bhave, another inspiring personality, recalls that when he was a child, his father came home one day with a gift that he called 'imperishable.' The boy thought it must be an unbreakable toy. But it turned out to be the Bhagavad-gita. He did not know then that his whole life would be guided by the Gita and that he would later write a commentary on it.

Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, while teaching the Daksinamurti Stotram to the brahmacaris of the Vedanta Course, pointed out: "We may admire the power of silence, but never underestimate the power of the word. All teaching has to begin with words." His words echoed his Guru Swami Chinmayananda's powerful statement that puts the process of spiritual growth in a nutshell: "From Words to the Wordless, and so Worldless." This crisp phrase indicates the entire process of listening to the words of the teaching; reading and reflecting on what has been heard; and immersing oneself in the silence that arises when the teaching is internalized what the scriptures term as sravana, manana, and nididhyasana. Where the words end, the world ends, too, for one reaches the realm beyond words.

Indeed, where would we be without the powerful call of our Pujya Gurudev, who spent his lifetime discoursing upon the Gita and the Upanisads? Gurudev would invariably follow up the evening lectures bristling with dynamic spiritual energy, with the unforgettable morning meditation sessions that brought us to the still center of our being.

His words continue to ring in our ears and echo in our hearts. Mother Sarasvati danced on his tongue, flowing out in powerful oratory, bringing forth the rich meanings and the innumerable subtle nuances embedded in the scriptures of Vedanta. His irrefutable logic was laced with examples from everyday life, which resonated powerfully with his listeners. Oh yes, the words were stinging at times, whipping up the listeners from their spiritual slumber; while, at other times, they tickled the listeners to laugh at their own follies.

Pujya Gurudev was fully aware of the power of the word to reach out through the corridors of time to the future generations of seekers who may never see him in person. In his own time, he reached out through the printed word to people across the world. He left behind a legacy of many volumes of books and recorded talks that inspire people even today.

This book is an attempt to look at his legacy of words that takes us, if not to the world-less, at least to a word-less state of wonder.

Note: The image of the tree, with its roots, trunk, and branches, is used to bring out the genesis, structure, and development of the publication division of Chinmaya Mission. It does not, in any way, reflect on the relative importance or value of the scriptural texts.

Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda was known as 'Swamiji' in the earlier years. It was only later that many other Swamis were initiated in Chinmaya Mission, and he began to be addressed as 'Gurudev,' especially so after his Mahasamadhi. The old devotees still use the word 'Swamiji' to refer to him in their reminiscences. Hence, to maintain authenticity, we refer to him as 'Swamiji' in the earlier parts of this book.