There has been no serious attempt to record Swamiji’s contribution to the teaching tradition and Vedic Dharma after 1990. The earlier volume, published on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, traced his life from the Manjakkudi days through the years in the Chinmaya Mission to the Arsha Vidya period, 1930 to 1990. It dwelt at length on Swami Dayananda as a teacher of Vedanta and his teaching methodology. In particular, the chapter on the Teaching Tradition of Advaita Vedanta brought out his pedagogic skills. The volume concluded with the performance of the bhūmi pūjā for the gurukulam at Anaikatti.
The śatābhiṣekam commemorative volume attempts to present the versatile person that Swami Dayananda is, through his contributions from 1990 to 2011, writings, conversation, and interactions. Opening with a description of the gurukulam at Anaikatti, we see through the students’ eyes the life in an ashram and Swamiji’s thoughtful concern for their welfare. The major initiatives, inter religious dialogues and sevā programs follow in quick succession to conclude with the śatābhiṣekam celebrations at Saylorsburg. They help to understand Swamiji’s thought processes and how he accomplishes his objectives. The articles and editorials, 1957 to 2000, trace his journey through words. It provides another dimension of Swamiji’s personality, the literary dimension. Through the conversations, Swamiji shares his views on śāstra, astrology, dharma, psychology and the role of a teacher, a guru. In the concluding chapter, we see Swamiji through his interactions, assuming different roles, coming across as very human, very approachable.
There has been no serious attempt to record Swamiji’s contribution to the teaching tradition and Vedic Dharma after 1990. The earlier volume, published on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, traced his life from the Manjakkudi days through the years in the Chinmaya Mission to the Arsha Vidya period, 1930 to 1990. It dwelt at length on Swami Dayananda as a teacher of Vedanta and his teaching methodology. In particular, the chapter on the Teaching Tradition of Advaita Vedanta brought out his pedagogic skills. The volume concluded with the performance of the bhūmi pūjā for the gurukulam at Anaikatti.
The śatābhiṣekam commemorative volume attempts to present the versatile person that Swami Dayananda is, through his contributions from 1990 to 2011, writings, conversation, and interactions. Opening with a description of the gurukulam at Anaikatti, we see through the students’ eyes the life in an ashram and Swamiji’s thoughtful concern for their welfare. The major initiatives, inter religious dialogues and sevā programs follow in quick succession to conclude with the śatābhiṣekam celebrations at Saylorsburg. They help to understand Swamiji’s thought processes and how he accomplishes his objectives. The articles and editorials, 1957 to 2000, trace his journey through words. It provides another dimension of Swamiji’s personality, the literary dimension. Through the conversations, Swamiji shares his views on śāstra, astrology, dharma, psychology and the role of a teacher, a guru. In the concluding chapter, we see Swamiji through his interactions, assuming different roles, coming across as very human, very approachable.
Pujya Swamiji wrote about this book:
“Dear Reader,
You have in your hands a book born of sheer inspiration on the part of its author, Smt. Sheela Balaji. The concept, the colour, the words with their flow, the format – all these make this book a piece of art. In your reading the book all the way lies the fruits of her joyous effort.”
Guru-Pūrṇimā, July 15, 2011
Pujya Swamiji wrote about this book:
“Dear Reader,
You have in your hands a book born of sheer inspiration on the part of its author, Smt. Sheela Balaji. The concept, the colour, the words with their flow, the format – all these make this book a piece of art. In your reading the book all the way lies the fruits of her joyous effort.”
Guru-Pūrṇimā, July 15, 2011
