Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji's Message
On the occasion of the 10th Mahasamadhi Day of
Pujya Gurudev, 3rd August 2003

When an ordinary person dies, then it is called as death. We say, "that person passed away". In the case of an enlightened person, we do not use such a term because there is no such thing as death for him. Therefore, we use the word, Mahasamadhi. The difference is, the ignorant person dies, leaving only his physical body. The Jeeva is still there with the desires or vasanas or karmas.

Therefore, the Jeeva has to take birth again, so the cycle of birth and death has not ended. "Sakaamabhirjaayate tatra tatra". But in the case of a wise person, "na tasya praanaah utkraamanti atraiva sama vileeyante". In his case, Pranas do not depart from here to take another body. Actually, he is Swaroopastha. He is ever in his own Self.

Our Pujya Gurudev was an enlightened person, a realised soul, Swaroopastha. Even while He was living here and working with us, at that time also He was dehatita. He had risen above the body consciousness. Those who have lived with Him know that.

So, His is a Mahasamadhi -- Total abidance in the Self only. If you have read His messages, one or two are very striking. At one place He said, "If you are born, you must die. But do not die while living. Live after you are dead." Even after this death, you still live. You never die. Whenever we hear of a death, we generally ask, "How did the person die? What happened?" Swamiji said, "Do not ask how he died. Ask how he lived."

You also must have heard of somebody dying for an ideal, sacrificing his life, saying, "I will die for it". It is said, "It is easier to die for an ideal than to live for it." Living is very difficult because it is a continuous process. Our Pujya Gurudev lived that life, dedicated to the ideal and that is why this so called death cannot be an end to His life or work or teaching or anything like that.

We are sitting here, offering our worship and this occasion must become a source of inspiration. Inspiration to live that great life is what is going to sustain us, the entire organisation, and the community. So, we all pay our respects through rituals and worship. That is one aspect.

The second aspect is our firm commitment. In the present days, what people lack is commitment, even in their ordinary life and work. Students join schools and colleges, but they are not committed to learning, as such. The whole emphasis is more and more on getting grades, degrees, marks and percentages. Even when they find a job, there is no commitment, as they are looking for some other opportunities, other places; and nowhere are they satisfied. At least committed to their married life ? Even there, there is trouble.
Then they take to spiritual life. Is there commitment there? There also, the shopping mentality continues -- from one centre to another, from one Guru to another, from one Mantra to another, etc. There is no commitment. Unless we have that, we cannot progress.

Now, as we have assembled here today, I take this opportunity to say a few things that are in my mind. Pujya Gurudev gave His best to us. Now it is our duty to give our best. What are we going to give Him? That is a question we all must ask ourselves.

After Pujya Gurudev's Mahasamadhi, our Mission members all over the world remained very united and fully supported the Mission work and, that is why the Mission has grown in all parts of the world. I personally thank one and all for extending their full support to the organisation as such, Pujya Gurudev's work and also personally me. Without everybody's support, work cannot go on.

Now the Chinmaya Mission has already completed 50 years of its existence. The question now is, where are we going? When a great person establishes something with a great vision, then that work goes on, but after that person's departure, what happens to the organisation or work depends very much on the devotees and followers.

Once I was at Sidhbari with Gurudev. Somebody asked Him, "You are building so many centres, Institutions, etc. What will happen to them after You go?"
He said, "I felt like doing all this, so I have done it. After me, if my disciples and devotees want to keep it, they will keep it. I am not bothered. I did what I wanted to do." He was a Karma Yogi. He had no attachment to anything.

The question we have to ask ourselves is, will we allow all these things to wither away, and only keep crying? If we are truly devoted to Him, we must stand up and keep on working. That is what will satisfy Him, because after all, His work was for the benefit of each and every individual. If I do something, it will be for my own betterment. So, the important point is, have we understood his Vision? Have we understood the entire Mission? Are we fully identified with the whole Mission? Then, are we ready to work?

In order to achieve all this, we are now embarking on a great project called Chinmaya Vibhooti. This is not going to be another centre, school, hospital or a social project, but something different. Chinmaya Vibhooti literally means the 'Glory of Chinmaya'. It also means, 'the Glory that is Chinmaya'. We have acquired 50 acres of land in a village called Kolvan, which is between Lonavala and Pune. Some time back we had the Bhoomi Pooja there and I think some of you were present.

What is this project about? One objective of this project is to pay our homage in a concrete form that is visible. All of us are studying Vedanta and working for all our local centres in various capacities. That is one aspect. But something visible is required.

Chinmaya Vibhooti is a tribute to Pujya Gurudev from all the disciples, devotees, members, well wishers and beneficiaries of His work. He does not need it, but we need it. We must express our gratitude.

The second very important objective is, to keep the Vision glowing. If the Vision is lost, we know what happens. If in my day -to - day life I lose my vision -- my eyes, it is so difficult to carry on with life. The Vision is very precious and that must be kept alive and glowing. How are we going to do this?

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