Swami Chidananda Giri, the spiritual head of Yogada Satsang Society of India and Self Realization Fellowship, was at the Yogada Ashram in Ranchi. His arrival was a matter of great joy for the people of Ranchi and especially for the Yogada devotees. When Swami Chidananda Giri came among the devotees and when Swami Shraddhanand Giri welcomed him with a garland and when the sound of the conch was heard, the eyes of every devotee standing in the auditorium overflowed with tears. Everyone welcomed him in a very emotional manner.
Perhaps this was the reason that when Swami Chidananda Giri was about to deliver a discourse, he said that each and every person present in this auditorium is an extraordinary divine soul, who is being reflected in the form of light. Among those who listened to Swami Chidananda Giri's discourse were people from every corner of India and some foreigners who were witnesses of this moment were also present in Ranchi to attain spiritual bliss.
As soon as Swami Chidanand Giri named the renovated auditorium as 'Shravanalay', thousands of Yogada devotees sitting there got emotional and from here Swami Chidanand Giri started explaining the importance of Shravana and Shravanalay. As his discourses were reaching their end, people were also getting to know the importance of Shravana and Shravanalay, because Swami Chidanand Giri was introducing everyone to the deep secrets of these two words. Swami Chidanand Giri said that no one tried to understand the basic secrets of Shravana as much as the sages and saints of India did. This was the reason that spiritually they were closer to God. He said that Shravana does not mean only listening, but also meditating on it, getting immersed in it, feeling divine experiences. Giving an example, he said that when Rajarshi Jankanand ji once sat down to meditate with Guruji, as soon as he started reciting some words of prayer like Heavenly Father, Mother, Friend, Beloved God, Rajarshi Jankanand ji became unconscious. Some people said that he became unconscious. But Guruji said that he did not become unconscious but he became absorbed in Samadhi. Swami Chidanand Giri ji explained through this example what is the basic meaning of Shravan? He wanted to say that the meaning of Shravan is to become one with those about whom we are listening. As happened with Rajarshi Jankanand ji. He had heard only two-four words and he became absorbed in Samadhi. This is the importance of Shravan.
He said that whenever I am here, I feel transformed. I am inspired by the blessings of my great Guru. You should also try to know and listen to Guruji's teachings, the path shown by him, the Kriya Yoga taught by him, so that you too can reach the highest peak of spirituality in a better direction. This is easy for everyone. Swami Chidanand Giri Ji said that Shravan means that we should remove all the evils inside us and the tensions arising from it forever. By coming to this Shravanalay, try to remember the lessons taught by Guruji. Try to know the basic secrets of the words printed in those lessons, so that you can know and understand spiritual experiences. He said that you should always visualize Guruji, concentrate on him, feel the guidelines given by Guruji and after daily regular meditation, pranayama, kriya, you should definitely study Guruji's Paathmala, believing that Guruji himself is speaking those words in front of you and you are internalizing them. Then you yourself will feel how close you are to Guruji. He also said that God is closer to you than your closest person and dearer than your dearest person.
Before this, Swami Achyutananda Giri poured such a stream of devotion in which all the Yogda devotees took a dip. This stream of devotion flowed in such a way that it seemed as if the drops of nectar situated in Prayagraj were being sprinkled in the form of bhajans among the Yogda devotees in Shravanalay for some time. Especially 'Andhera kaale panchhi saman, door ude aur door ude...' Perhaps this was the reason that a Yogda devotee sitting near us said that India is also an amazing country. Who can enjoy Kumbh bath, where and when, no one can go anywhere?
Before the start of the program, Swami Smranananda Giri, Senior Vice President of Yogda Satsang Society of India, while introducing Swami Chidananda Giri Ji, told that Swami Chidananda Giri has been leading the life of a sanyasi for the last 45 years and is efficiently leading the editorial department of the organization. It is due to the efforts of Swami Chidanand Giri Ji that it has been possible to translate Premavatar Paramahansa Yogananda's books and other texts into other languages of India and the world. Along with this, online courses and meditation etc. have been started.
The writer is a senior journalist and editor of Vidrohi 24.com.
