Kanha Shantivanam 15th March 2024

Great anticipation thrummed through the motley crowds walking towards the meditation hall, while the green leaves of Kanha shimmered in the bright morning sunlight. The fresh breeze carried conversations in hushed whispers as everyone scurried around to get themselves ready for the day. Here and there, one could see monks in red, orange, yellow, and white robes, with different shapes of headgear, some with tilaks on their foreheads, clothes with beads of different colours, scarves of their organisation, and intricate badges pinned to their chests, all smiling and mingling with one another. Some watched apprehensively, while others stayed quiet with peaceful self-assurance emanating from them in ripples as Kanha witnessed one of the largest gatherings of its time. 

Students from schools and colleges had been invited to attend and were ushered in as the buses from Hyderabad city filled the alleys. The President’s security mined around with their sensors and sniffing dogs as uniformed military and police personnel set up security and cordoned off the areas where the President of India would soon be arriving for the afternoon’s celebration. 

Daaji invited a few guests for a morning meditation at his residence, which started at 6.45 am and lasted until 7.10 am. After the meditation, Daaji went up to his room, and everyone left to get ready for the day.

Several spiritual leaders began to arrive in the meditation hall after 8:30 am. Daaji arrived in the meditation hall and, as the host of the event, greeted and respected all the guests. He then took a seat with everyone. After the official introduction to the plenary session, all the keynote speakers for that session were invited on to the stage to occupy the dias. 

The session that followed was mesmerising. 

Daaji’s speech brought tears to many eyes. To Daaji, this event was very special, as he has been deeply marked by Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda in his own life. Swami Vivekananda’s famous address at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago echoed in Daaji’s inspiring talk. It felt as if Daaji continued where Swamiji had left off in Chicago a century ago!

Daaji said that the world had witnessed faith and religion dividing people, but we should not blame faith for that. Problems arise due to faithful ones, not by faith itself. He emphasised that people of all faiths need to reconnect with each other. It is only when we are reunited with each other that we can reunite with God. We need to find answers within our hearts in order to achieve this reunion. Daaji highlighted that there are more than 100 references to the heart in the Bhagavad Gita. He bemoaned that whilst every religion uses the weapons of fear of hell and temptation of heaven to invite people to seek refuge in them, a real spiritual seeker will not fall for this, and he will ideally say that he does not even know whether God is there or not. A true seeker would choose to say that she or he wants to experience God's presence in their own heart. Thus, Daaji said, “My only request is that you believe and develop faith only when you have experienced it for yourself. Pray to God to reveal that.”

Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji said, “We are fortunate to be in the ‘Amrit Kaal’. After 75 long years of independence, we have a government that understands the faiths and cultures of this land and civilization. The inner core of the culture must be brought out by bringing people together. Spirituality has so many facets that we need to respect each one. A theist and an atheist must, ideally, work together for the benefit of society. The ultimate purpose is to find inner peace and world peace.”

Sister Usha Kumari Behnji, Brahmakumaris, said that this festival is a unique celebration that rejuvenates our spirits and empowers us. Despite life's challenges, it's essential to find peace within ourselves. By cultivating inner peace, we develop resilience to life's ups and downs, echoing the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita's perspective on embracing all experiences positively. 

Sh. Gaur Gopal Das ji of ISKCON, said that We must confront life's challenges, whether spiritual or mundane, recognizing those problems that are inherent to existence. Rather than seeking an absence of problems, true peace lies in our ability to navigate and find solace amidst life's tribulations. By embracing our own struggles before attempting to solve broader issues, we can find connection and solace in spirituality or the universe, transcending the divisive boundaries set by religion.

Swami Atmapriyanandaji, of the Rama Krishna Mission, said, “Swami Vivekananda asked, Is God’s book ever finished? It is a continuous evolution going on and on. One page is the Bhagavad Gita, one page is the Quran-e-Sharif, and one page is the Holy Bible. All quarrels begin by saying my perception is better. Nobody can assert that this is the only way to look at divinity. Individual peace and world peace—Swami Vivekananda referred to it as the oneness of the microcosm and macrocosm. If we want to find joy, it is only in the infinite. Without peace, there cannot be joy. Vedanta tells you to realise your infinite true nature. A conditioned mind will always put you in sorrow. Gaining your real individuality is akin to becoming the ocean, thus being at peace with the kingdom of God, which is made up of millions of brothers and sisters in the world.

The proceedings from the morning session can be watched using the below link:

After the session, Daaji took some of them, including Gaur Gopal Das ji, Smt. Ranjana Chopra, additional secretary of the Ministry of Culture of India, and Swami Atmapriyananda ji, Ramakrishna Mission, to his residence with him in his own car. They all had a short discussion in Daaji’s office and then went in for lunch. After lunch, Gaur Gopal Das ji of ISKCON took leave from Daaji as he had to go back. 

Balaji from the accounts team met with Daaji to get a few documents signed by him. Later, Daaji took Smt. Ranjana Chopra and Swami Atmapriyananda ji for a walk around the Gokul Point forest, explaining and showing them all around in his usual fashion. Later, he took leave from all his guests and went to rest, remembering that everyone had to be ready for the big event in the evening with the President of India.

The main program of the evening was incredibly memorable. The Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, arrived at the Kanha campus by 5.30 pm. Daaji, who was eagerly waiting for the arrival of the Hon'ble President, gave a warm welcome and was subsequently guided to the tree plantation in the VIP area. A group of students from ‘The Heartfulness Learning Centre School of Kanha welcomed the Hon'ble President with their welcome song and the Hon'ble President was then taken on a tour to give a brief on the art exhibition that was prepared for the Hon'ble President. 

Meanwhile, all the Spiritual Leaders were seated in a majestic assembly just at the entrance of the meditation hall for a group photo with the Hon'ble President. After meeting them and posing for the group photo, everyone proceeded to the meditation hall for the commencement of the main event.

In her talk, Hon’ble President Murmu called India the hub of spirituality, urging unity among diverse beliefs. She requested that the spiritual gurus of our time bring harmony among the people, irrespective of their beliefs. 

The President said that from Lord Mahavir, Lord Buddha, Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Sant Kabir, Sant Ravidas, and Guru Nanak to Swami Vivekananda, India's spiritual figures have provided the essence of spirituality to the world community. 

The President said that only the good deeds done in the present determine the nature of the good future. Our thinking creates our destiny, and our passions and hostility affect our lives. She emphasised that to create our destiny, we have to control our mind, and for this, we have to take the help of meditation.

The President said that we should bring about change in ourselves and only then try to bring about change in other people. If all people ensure their own improvement and work altruistically, then together we will all be able to take humanity in the right direction.

Speaking before the President, Daaji, as the Guide of Heartfulness and President of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, emphasised the importance of mankind uniting steadfastly in these times. He expressed a sense of urgency to prevent further wars, chaos, and strife. Daaji highlighted that if each individual comprehends the unity of humanity and recognizes the same divine light within everyone, differences can be overcome.

He mentioned that such understanding is attained through meditation and higher consciousness. Daaji concluded by stating that the ultimate aim is to enlighten all individuals, urging collective progress towards the common goal of self-realisation. The proceedings from the main event can be watched using the below link

After the Hon'ble President left, Daaji met a few guests in his office, backstage. He spoke with some young influencers, such as Devi Chitralekha and Upasna Kamineni, as well as with a few others who trickled in one by one while a stunning musical program was being performed on the main stage. Daaji requested a Brighter Minds demonstration to take place for the guests.

Upasana Kamineni had brought her tiny daughter, Klin Kaara, to take blessings from Daaji. Mangali requested that Daaji come back to the meditation hall to listen to her song, which she was going to perform then. Daaji went and stayed till she finished singing. Then he invited her and her brother Shiva home for dinner. The young singer was rather amazed at Daaji’s simplicity and felicity. 

After dinner, Daaji called Sameer Anjan ji on FaceTime to introduce Mangali to him. After a short discussion, Daaji then presented the Spiritual Anatomy books to them before bidding them goodbye.