‘Stuti’ in sanskrit means glorification. Stotras are hymns which seekers use to glorify god, to fill the mind with divine vibrations.If one praises god who is beyond all expectations, one becomes completely free from pride, arrogance and attains godhead. ‘Stuti Vandana’ is a collection of famous stotras put together by our mission members, for instilling the idea of humility in our children’s mind.   Children will receive a medal for each stotra that they have memorized. When the child correctly completes the current year’s Bagavad Geeta chapter, he or she will automatically be awarded the Stuti Vandana medal for that chapter.   When the child has memorized all the stotras, he or she is awarded the final plaque with Pujya Gurudev’s signature on it. In this program every child is a winner for life.

Our Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda worked tirelessly for 40 years to propagate the message of the Bhagavad Geeta.  Pujya Gurudev said that the Bhagavad Geeta is the “handbook for everyday living”. In order to bring this philosophy into children’s lives, the Bhagavad Geeta Chanting competition was created.   Geeta Chanting Yajna 2024 NY Regional competition shall be held at Vaishnav Temple on May 4th, 2024. This event is open to all. Please details below for verse assignment for grades.   Chapter 4 Lyrics:     Sanskrit      English      Sanskrit & English side-by-side   A participant can only participate in one of the Regionals competitions. Participants are requested to register in the center where they attend Balavihar. Please select the center that is close to your residence, if you are not a Chinmaya Mission member.   Please note last day to register for NY Regionals is Sunday, 28th April, 2024. Further details will be communicated to registered participants, when they sign up for the competition.   This one-of-kind event is conducted every year by Chinmaya Mission Centers all over the world, open to each and every ardent student of Bhagavad Gītā as envisioned by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. Participation is free and every participant will be awarded a custom designed medal recognizing their hard work and efforts to participate in this event. An electronic report card will be sent to each participant and the results will be published online after the event.

  Chinmaya Mission New York presents Harikatha Seva in English on Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.   Followed by Aarti, Prasad and Dinner   Harikatha is an art form composed of storytelling, music, drama, dance, poetry, and philosophy.  It is a popular medium of entertainment to transmit cultural, educational, and religious values to the masses. In Harikatha, (also called katha kalashepa or katha kirtan) the life of the saint or a story from an Indian epic is chosen as a subject.   This Harikatha will feature the life of Swami Chinmayananda - (born as P Balakrishnan Menon) as a naughty child, rebellious youth, patriotic freedom-fighter, inquisitive journalist, yearning seeker to a great spiritual Master of all time. A Visionary and Missionary who has touched all of our hearts and continuously inspires us to attain the highest goal which is Self-Realization.   Harikatha Seva will be conducted by Smt. Veena Mohan and accompanied by:  Vocal: Vanishree Deepak & Uma Shankar Tabla: Kannan Raghavan  Harmonium: Jeevan Kulkarni    

Gurudev Jayanti

The goal of this curriculum is to inspire a healthy reverence and understanding of why India is referred to as a sacred land, her glorious heritage and the goal of human  life as revealed by our Scriptures and lived by our saints. Children will gain clarity through the lives and spiritual journeys  of selected saints of India and Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.

Self Unfoldment by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda is a text that helps the seeker to develop a strong foundation in the most basic concepts in Vedanta. Discussions and interactive activities ensure these concepts remain embedded in the experience of the student. With this foundation, the student is well prepared to study Prakarana Granthas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. 

The goal of this curriculum is to inspire a healthy reverence and understanding of why India is referred to as a sacred land, her glorious heritage and the goal of human  life as revealed by our Scriptures and lived by our saints. Children will gain clarity through the lives and spiritual journeys  of selected saints of India and Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.

Self Unfoldment by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda is a text that helps the seeker to develop a strong foundation in the most basic concepts in Vedanta. Discussions and interactive activities ensure these concepts remain embedded in the experience of the student. With this foundation, the student is well prepared to study Prakarana Granthas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. 

Adult Study Group Attendees:  Open only to registered Balavihar families or Parivaar/Sevak members Time:  7:00 - 8:45 pm Fridays on Balavihar weekends   Kathopanishad is a unique Upanishad which starts with a katha (a story) of a young boy who is ready to face the Lord of Death in his quest for Truth to know what lies beyond death. He asks the very pertinent and philosophical question, ‘Is there or is there not, and if it is what is it?’In short, this teaching is an extravaganza of spiritual knowledge and meditation that guides a student step by step to the glorious state of immortality, peace and bliss. The format of our class will be to watch video of Guruj’s  discourses for about 30 minutes and continue our Satsangha reading out Gurudev’s Book on Kathopanishad followed by Q&A . The class will have active participation with a quest to prime our precious moments to unfold the mystery beyond Death.

Through this text children learn how a life lived as prescribed by the Hindu Samskaras can reduce stress and tension in life, easily setting and accomplishing lofty goals.Our Pledge: Discuss this beautiful work by Gurudev and how it provides a roadmap for responsible citizenship, engagement and upliftment of ourselves as well as society.

Adult Study Group Attendees:  Open only to registered Balavihar families or Parivaar/Sevak members Time:  7:00 - 8:45 pm Fridays on Balavihar weekends   Learn to chant and reflect on - Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, discussion based on Gurudev’s commentary, watch gurudev’s talks - Shloka-s/stotra-s:  LalitA pancakam, toTakAShTakam, shiva-mAnasa pUjA, lakshmI-nRsimha-karAvalamba-stotram, [gopI gitam and gangA stuti if time permits] - Guided Meditation

Adult Study Group Attendees:  Open only to registered Balavihar families or Parivaar/Sevak members Time: 9:15 - 11:00 AM Sundays on Balavihar weekends   A preliminary text of Vedantic studies, this work lays a very good foundation for all advanced studies. Full of guidance for right living, the book inspires every reader to pursue true spirituality. The language here is simple, yet forceful. Avoiding Technical jargon, Pujya Gurudev initiates us into the essentials of a higher, value-based life. Organized into over thirty lessons or essays, the material here is ideal for a novice.

Through this text children learn how a life lived as prescribed by the Hindu Samskaras can reduce stress and tension in life, easily setting and accomplishing lofty goals.Our Pledge: Discuss this beautiful work by Gurudev and how it provides a roadmap for responsible citizenship, engagement and upliftment of ourselves as well as society.

Through this text children learn how a life lived as prescribed by the Hindu Samskaras can reduce stress and tension in life, easily setting and accomplishing lofty goals.Our Pledge: Discuss this beautiful work by Gurudev and how it provides a roadmap for responsible citizenship, engagement and upliftment of ourselves as well as society.