Have you met . . .?

Brahmachari Prabodh Chaitanya

Interview by Padmaja Joshi; Transcribed by Bela Pandya

Who have been some of the most influential persons in your life?

The lives and teachings of saints and sages, as given in their biographies, have affected me a lot. Mahatmas like Swami Vivekananda, Sant Jnaneshvara, Sant Ramdas, and of course, Pujya Gurudev—their life, teachings, and work have been most influential.

The other great influences on why I am where I am right now are the moral, ethical, and spiritual lives that my grandfather, father, and mother have lived. They instilled in me a lot of their values and it is their good work that is expressing through me. My family has always been involved in spiritual and scriptural studies, and with spiritual organizations. They continue to study, reflect, and practice their own upaaasanaaas.

What books inspired you when you were younger?

In my early youth, The Life of Swami Vivekananda and Shrimad Bhagavatam were the two books that inspired me the most. They also led me to Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and other spiritual texts.

When and how did you meet Pujya Gurudev?

I have met Pujya Gurudev through his work, his mission, and the love that the Chinmaya Family expresses in so many ways—this is during the course and also in my earlier days. As far as seeing Pujya Gurudev in physical form, I see his expression in Swami Tejomayanandaji.

What led you to join the brahmachaaariii course and take the yellow cloth?

The work that was carried out in the past by all the missionaries of yore, which was rekindled by Pujya Gurudev, was the biggest inspiration for my taking the Vedanta course and yellow clothes (brahmachaaariii diiikshaaa). My choice for this lifestyle was not based on any particular moment or triggered by a sudden thought. It was a long and deep thinking process for quiet some time, and I had been in contact with various Swamijis of the Mission and other organizations. So I was very much aware of the kind of life that sannyaaasiiis live and wanted to prepare myself for the same. The decision was based primarily on seeking liberation, coming out of limitedness, coming out of the fluctuations of the mind. The outcome of this was dedicating my life to service.

Was it difficult for you to decide to live the life of a renunciate?

This was not a difficult decision. I was in my mid-20s when the decision to live the life of a spiritual monk was made. There were no pulls and pushes in my mind about this decision. It was a smooth one. The blessings of teachers and God alone gave me the strength to even have this thought.

What did you like most about the brahmachaaariii course?

All of it. It is the best thing anyone can go through in life. This brahmachaaariii course is a blessing in our guru-shishya paramparaaa (teacher-student lineage).

Can you highlight a couple of things?

A couple of things that I particularly loved about the course . . . living a life of discipline and service, staying in solitude, and being able to single-pointedly contemplate on Vedantic teachings without any hindrances or other responsibilities.

What about a favorite incident or event?

It would have to be when a group of us did a drama on stage in a big, open area, in the presence of Guruji, Acharyaji, Swamijis, and Mission devotees. It was a mass production with costumes and dialogues. Our confidence level was not that good. We had not acted in or staged any plays for a long time, and everyone in the audience was coming in with great expectations. In the end, when it was highly appreciated by everyone, it was a great joy for us.

During the course, students are not allowed to leave the ashram. Did you feel confined or restricted in any way because of this?

No. All our needs were provided by the ashram. And what was not provided was not necessary.

What are some of the more significant ways in which ashram life has changed you?

I find myself to be more introvert than before. There are so many significant internal changes that resulted, some of which I may not even be aware of at this time. But certain aspects like the daily disciplines, the quiet and spiritual environment of the ashram, and the company of like-minded students for a stretch of two years, affected me a lot.

After completing the course, were you able to resume your relationships with your friends and family in the same way?

Yes, of course. All my relationships are the same. Just as I saw my mother and father and brother before, I see them the same way now, and love them as I did before. I have to say that when they first saw my yellow clothes, they were a little shy about talking too freely. But after a couple of days, they started getting used to the clothes, and their conversations with me became the same as before. Since they were preparing for this change for the last four to five years, it was not too sudden for them.

Were you always vegetarian? Do you think it is helpful for saaadhanaaa?

I was always vegetarian, so I don’t know any other way. But I think eating vegetarian food definitely can help sustain pure thoughts. Vegetarianism, with the understanding of nonviolence and equal rights for all living beings, is a given. The scriptures also state that what we eat affects what and how we think; and what we think is what we become.

What kind of work would you like to be involved in at your center?

CM San Jose already has various programs and has had great aaachaaaryas in the past, including Pujya Guruji. So if I am able to continue that work, that in itself will be more than enough for me. The present focus will be to revive the regular spiritual classes in our ashram and in other areas. Then, eventually, as needed, modifications can be made.

What is your outlet for creativity?

Gardening, singing to myself, and maybe helping people out with work. I like to spend quiet time with Nature and go out for strolls in beautiful environments. I used to do lot of drawing in my earlier days, but haven’t had lot of time recently. Drawing became less frequent for me especially with the computer age.

What are your personal daily spiritual practices?

Listening to the scriptures, contemplating and reflecting on the teachings, and meditating. These are the basic, broad categories.

What is your favorite spiritual text?

Shri Dakshinamurti Stotram is one of my favorites because it is so precise and gives in only eight verses the highest knowledge found in Mandukya Upanishad. I also love Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Kena Upanishad, and Advaita Makaranda.

Is there an inspirational quote or message that you live by?

There isn’t one particular saying as such. The lives of Adi Shankara and Pujya Gurudev are the ideals that I would like to live by. To be able to live the inspiring truth that I am the supreme Self, not this body.

Do you have a personal mission statement that you think would inspire others?

I think Pujya Gurudev’s Mission statement inspires everyone.

What would be your favorite vacation place?

I am on vacation everywhere. As long as I am relaxed in all my activities, I’m always on vacation.

What would be your favorite place to live?

Anywhere is fine.

Yes, but is there any one place that holds a special meaning for you?

Sandeepany, Mumbai. Sandeepany was my home for the past three and half years, and that is where Pujya Gurudev started his work. I feel like it is my true home.

Do you find it difficult to accept that you do not have a permanent home?

I consider our Mumbai ashram to be my permanent home. So, on one hand, I do not find it difficult to accept that I do not have “my own permanent home.” And on the other hand, I really don’t care much about what the mind thinks and accepts or doesn’t accept.

Whose or which style of teaching do you like best when you are teaching or being taught?

I love Pujya Guruji’s style of teaching, so I try to maintain that kind of thought process and thought flow. Gurudev’s mastery in painting pictures through words is most profound and so appealing that almost everyone wants to be able to do the same. I do not know whether I have that kind of inborn talent, but I admire it greatly and strive for that level of perfection.

Do you get butterflies in your stomach before you have to give talks or answer questions?

No, because, I think I have been studying and preparing for this for a long time, and feel that the Guru’s presence is always with all of us.

How do you combat fear, in general?

Fear arises from identification and attachment with the body. Knowledge alone helps in combating all fear. This is the greatest strength of this true knowledge. It alone can make one fearless.

How do you handle someone asking you to do something that you don’t want to do?

It depends on who that someone is. If my mind is rebelling, then I will try to go and do the work, and also spend time observing why the mind was rebelling.

What would you advise to develop mindfulness about not accumulating baggage throughout life?

Mindfulness is the result of study and reflection on the scriptures. Reflecting on what we have heard and learned will enable us to live in the present moment and be aware of every activity and every play of the mind. Lack of the ability to do this will result in being unable to discard thought disturbances of the past and future.

Do you think it is harder for today’s youth to relate and adhere to Hindu culture and the same value systems that their parents went through?

It seems to be harder, but no, I do not think that it should be harder. In fact, many youth are craving and looking for a way to make their lives more harmonious because there is enough evidence of what life is like when values and spirituality are neglected. The disastrous effect of staying away from values and value-based living is clearly seen in many families. In fact, the price we all end up paying, not just this present generation, is enormous. Society as a whole benefits from the value-based living of each individual. If today’s youth make an attempt to see this and the positive results of living such a lifestyle, they will not shy away. We are blessed that modern saints like Swami Vivekananda and Pujya Gurudev have made living a spiritual life easier and more approachable by providing clear explanations of the scriptures in modern-day language, with modern-day examples.

Do you feel the four aaashramas of life in Hindu culture can be effectively lived today? Is it practical and possible?

Yes, I think it is very practical and also very essential to live this life of four aaashramas. I remember that when I first attended the Dharma Sevak Course in Piercy, one of the devotees asked Pujya Guruji what his message was to householders. Guruji’s response was, “Remember that grhastha aaashrama is not the last aaashrama; vaaannnaprastha and sannyaaasa aaashramas are to follow.”

So, it is essential for the householder to go through all the stages, for then alone is there fulfillment of life. The specifics may vary based on each individual’s life, but the essence should remain the same. Our ancestors prescribed the paths of these aaashramas after long reflection on and observation of the world and life in totality. So there is a great value and wisdom in their declarations.

If someone can take sannyaaasa at earlier age, our scriptures have authorized this also. The moment there is enough dispassion in one’s life one may adopt the path of renunciation. The catch is that one’s dispassion is genuine and lasting, not a temporary phase or passing thought where, in the next instance, they would be willing to return to an indulgent life.

But can we reasonably consider a 75-year old well equipped to face the hardships of a renunciate’s life, especially if he has lived indulgently for most of his years?

First of all, if an individual gives enough importance to sannyaaasa even in his younger days, then he can take to this path when he is physically healthy and his mind is ready to listen to and reflect on the scriptures. Also, renunciation at the age of 75 is not the beginning but the culmination of all spiritual practices performed so far. True renunciation is giving up the idea that I am limited, conditioned, transmigrating individual; it is not about undergoing or subjecting oneself to physical hardships.

Do you think short retreats, like the two-week Dharma Sevak Course, can really produce significant changes in an individual? Is there an appropriate age to start?

If an individual is unable to attend the two-year course in Mumbai, then yes, attending at least this two-week course is most helpful. Camps and such courses of two to four weeks help us refocus on our goal and our purpose in life, and prepare us to rightly absorb Vedantic knowledge and live in solitude internally, no matter what duties we are fulfilling externally. And age is not a criterion here. It is all about an individual’s spiritual unfoldment. One could be 15 or 75.