Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India President Brother Chidananda recently embarked on his first trip abroad as spiritual head of Paramahansa Yogananda’s society. He departed October 28 from the SRF Mother Center in Los Angeles and made a brief stop in London before reaching Paramahansaji’s homeland, where he will stay until November 18. During this time he will visit YSS ashrams and preside at some of the key events during the 2017 Sharad Sangam (Convocation). His visit is made even more special by the fact that YSS is celebrating its centennial this year.
Brother Chidananda was accompanied by Brother Vishwananda, a longtime monk and member of the SRF/YSS Board of Directors, and Brahmachari Shekhar.
Following are some highlights of their trip. Please check back in upcoming weeks for more coverage on this same web page.
Departure From SRF Mother Center, October 28
As they departed the SRF International Headquarters in Los Angeles, the monks were showered with rose petals during a heartfelt farewell from the monks and nuns who reside at the Mother Center.
Video Highlights
Visit to SRF London Center, October 29
An eight-hour stopover in London afforded an opportunity for a brief visit at the London Center of SRF. Brother Chidananda gave a short talk and led a meditation for several hundred SRF members from throughout the U.K. The monastics then donned Indian garb in preparation for the next leg of their journey.
Arrival in India, October 30
Brother Chidananda and party arrived in New Delhi and were welcomed at Indira Gandhi International Airport by senior YSS monks, including Swamis Smaranananda and Suddhananda, and members from the YSS Delhi Kendra (Center). He and his monastic companions were then driven to the center, where they were joyfully received by a large gathering of YSS devotees.
Satsanga at Noida Ashram, November 1
From the Delhi Kendra, Brother Chidananda and his monastic companions made the twelve-mile trip to the YSS Noida Ashram, where more than 100 devotees were on hand to greet them. That evening, some 1,500 devotees gathered for a satsanga with Brother Chidananda. The program began with an hour of meditation and kirtan, followed by an inspired talk, during which Brother Chidananda mentioned the strong desire he felt to visit India after becoming SRF/YSS president, and his deep appreciation for the overwhelming welcome he had received in India.
First Sharad Sangam at Ranchi, November 2–5
Brother Chidananda arrived at the YSS Ranchi Ashram on November 2, where he addressed the YSS Sharad Sangam for the first time on the morning of November 3. (The Sharad Sangam is YSS’s annual convocation, held this year October 31–November 5 and November 12–17.) At the gathering, he introduced the YSS edition of Visiting the Saints of India With Sri Daya Mata by Sri Mrinalini Mata.
On November 5 Brother Chidananda gave the closing satsanga of the first week of the Sharad Sangam, where he was accompanied by senior YSS monastics on the stage. Again he gave a soul-stirring and practical talk on applying Paramahansaji’s how-to-live principles in daily life.
Afterwards, the approximately 1,700 devotees in attendance came forward to receive from him prasad and a memento of the occasion, a laminated picture of the YSS centenary logo with a rose petal on the back blessed by Sri Mrinalini Mata. “His is a remarkable, glowing presence that inspires everyone,” one devotee wrote of Brother Chidananda, expressing the sentiment of so many in attendance.
Arrival at Dakshineswar Ashram, November 6
Brother Chidananda’s next destination was the Dakshineswar Ashram, where he arrived on the morning of November 6 to a rose petal reception from the YSS monks, sevaks (volunteers), and lay disciples. After the performance of aarti and words of gratitude, Brother Chidananda was taken on a tour of the ashram, beautifully decorated to honor his arrival.
A Visit to Paramahansa Yogananda’s Childhood Home, November 6
That evening Brother Chidananda and his party visited the YSS Garpar Kendra (center) in Kolkata, and also Paramahansaji’s childhood home at 4 Garpar Road, a short walking distance from the Garpar Kendra. Sri Somnath Ghosh (grandson of Paramahansa Yogananda’s brother Sananda Lal Ghosh) and his wife Srimati Sarita Ghosh received the monks with utmost hospitality.
Serampore and Dakshineswar, November 7
Brother Chidananda and party visited the Sri Yukteswar Smriti Mandir in Serampore, built on part of the grounds where Sri Yukteswar’s ashram once stood. This Mandir was dedicated in 1977 by Sri Mrinalini Mata as part of the YSS Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Second Sharad Sangam at Ranchi, November 14
Brother Chidananda returned to the Ranchi Ashram to participate in the second YSS Sharad Sangam, held November 12–17. More than 2,000 devotees and friends attended, the largest number in the event’s forty-year history. Brother Chidananda addressed the assemblage on the morning of November 14 and afterwards distributed prasad.
President of India Releases New YSS Book, November 15
On November 15 at the Ranchi Ashram, the President of India, Sri Ram Nath Kovind, officially released the Hindi translation of God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita, Paramahansa Yogananda’s masterful commentary on this beloved scripture of India. Accompanying President Kovind at this special event were the Chief Minister and the Governor of the State of Jharkhand.
The government dignitaries are welcomed to Ranchi with the presentation of flowers and shawls.
The government dignitaries are welcomed to Ranchi with the presentation of flowers and shawls.
Brother Chidananda spoke about the genesis of Paramahansa Yogananda’s God Talks With Arjuna and how a scripture of this magnitude can spiritually uplift the world.
Sri Kovind addressed the audience in Hindi, speaking about Paramahansa Yogananda’s immense contribution in spreading India’s Raja Yoga science to the West. He also praised YSS for its role in the dissemination of Yogananda’s teachings and its many charitable activities.
Return to SRF International Headquarters, November 18
Brother Chidananda and his companions returned to their home at SRF International Headquarters to a warm and joyous reception by their fellow monastics.
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