THREE DAYS OF SUNDAR KAND RAMAYAN READING ORGANIZDED BY CHINMAYA MISSION NEW YORK AT VAISHNAV TEMPLE



Swami Shantanandaji of the Chinmaya Vrindavan delivering talks on Sundar Kand

Chinmaya Mission New York organized a three-day series of talks on Sundara Kand of Goswami Tulsidasji’s Ramayan at the Vaishnav Temple, located at 100 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, New York. The Ramayan reading started on the evening of Thursday, October 17 and concluded with the marathon three-sessions of reading on Saturday October 19, with small, intermittent breaks for breakfast and lunch.

Swami Shantanandaji of Chinmaya Vrindavan in New Jersey conducted the three-days event. In his most inimitable style, Swamiji conducted the Sundar Kand study sessions with such ease and in such an effortless manner that it bellies the patience, dedication, endurance and hard work required to perform such a demanding feat.

Sundar Kand, which literally means “beautiful chapter”, is dedicated to Hanuman Swami, who dedicated his life to serving his Lord, Sri Ram. Hanuman Swami is the epitome of selfless service, humility, devotion and love for his Lord.

Dr. Jatin Kapadia, Dr. Lakshmi Kapadia, Dr. Yachana Shah, Runjhun Saklani, along with other members of the Chinmaya Mission of New York, organized this wonderful event at the Vaishnav Temple. The beautifully decorated room was transformed into a peaceful prayer hall that was conducive to spiritual upliftment.

Each session began with half hour of singing bhajans and kirtans by different groups and the singing of the Hanuman Chalisa by everyone. The sacred aarti was performed in the beginning and ending of each session. After all of these rituals, Swamiji would begin his pravachans, which were an hour and a half each, non-stop. 

Swami Ji deep in thought during his pravachan

A Ramayan was lent to everyone for all the sessions so devotees could chant the Hindi chow-paees with Swamiji. The singing of the chow-paees by everyone reverberated in the hall to create a very tranquil and serene atmosphere.

Soon after, Swamij explained the meaning of the Hindi verses in English and then extracted the Vedantic principles from these verses and expounded them in simple terms so everyone could understand the meanings.

The Saturday session was an all-day session, which started sharply at 9:30 am, with the singing of bhajans and kirtans by devotees of the Sanaatan Dharma Mandir of New York, followed by the singing of the Hanuman Chalisa by all devotees.

Soon after, Swamiji starting his pravachan with prayers, like he did at the previous sessions. There was a thirty minutes tea break for all, then everyone made their way back to the prayer hall for another one and a half hour of Sundar Kand reading and lecture.


Swamiji tirelessly delivering the greatness of Shri Hanuman

Lunch break lasted from 1:30pm to 3:00pm and while enjoying the delicious meal and hot tea, devotees took the opportunity to express their total enjoyment of Swamiji’s lectures.

The last session commenced at 3:00pm with the singing of kirtans and the Hanuman Chalisa before Swamiji took the podium for another hour and a half to complete the entire Sundar Kand reading.

Those devotees present throughout the many sessions were blessed to have such a rear chance to read, listen and contemplate on the greatness of Hanuman Swami and his many wonderful exploits as was so beautifully described by Swamiji. It was indeed a great experience.

Swamiji’s talks were educational, inspiring, but most importantly, he took time to break down the sometimes complex ideas into simple terms so that all could understand them. And oh! Ever so often Swamiji sprinkled drops of soothing humor in between serious Vedantic thoughts to help us grasp the deeper meaning embedded in Sundar Kand of the Ramayan.

To conclude the three-day’s sessions, all devotees performed the sacred aarti and received prasadam and a Hanuman Chalisa booklet from Swamiji.