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Chinmayananda Saraswati Quotes

Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati was a Hindu spiritual leader and teacher who inspired the formation of Chinmaya Mission, a worldwide nonprofit organisation, to spread the knowledge of Advaita Vedanta, the non-dual system of thought found in the Upanishads, which epitomise the philosophical teachings of the Vedas.

Chinmayananda is known for teaching Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and other ancient Hindu scriptures. From 1951 onward, he spearheaded a global Hindu spiritual and cultural renaissance that popularised the religion's esoteric scriptural texts, teaching them in English all across India and abroad.

Chinmayananda inspired the formation of Chinmaya Mission in 1953. Founded by his disciples and led by him, it is a spiritual, educational, and charitable nonprofit organization that encompasses more than 300 centres in India and internationally. He authored 95 publications, including commentaries on the major Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. He was a visiting professor of Indian philosophy at several American and Asian universities and he conducted university lecture tours in many countries.

Through his Vedantic teachings, publications, centres, ashrams, temples, and social service projects around the globe, his work continues to provide cultural and spiritual instruction to members of the Hindu diaspora. He died on 3 August 1993.



✵ 8. May 1916 – 3. August 1993
Chinmayananda Saraswati photo
Chinmayananda Saraswati: 118 quotes18 likes

Famous Chinmayananda Saraswati Quotes

“Efficiency is the capacity to bring proficiency into expression.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Disappointment can come only to those who make appointments with the future.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago
Variant: Disappointment can come only to those who make appointments with the future.

“Silently hear everyone. Accept what is good. Reject and forget what is not. This is intelligent living.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Mind can make a hell of heaven. Or a heaven of hell.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“The glory of life is not never falling. The true glory consists in rising each time we fall.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

Chinmayananda Saraswati Quotes about life

“Spiritual unfoldment cannot take place merely because of an intellectual appreciation of the theory of perfection. Evolution takes place only when a corresponding change in the subjective life is accomplished.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Sandalwood perfumes even the axe that hurls it down! The more we rub sandalwood against a stone, the more its fragrance spreads. Burn it, and it wafts its glory through the entire neighbourhood. Such is the enchanting beauty of forgiveness in life.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Man is the roof and crown of creation. He may be tossed about by uncertain storms of life, but the solution to it lies in his own efforts in finding an ideal, and then raising his personality, from the level of petty emotions, to the loftier heights of the chosen ideal.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Love is a consistent passion to give, not a meek persistent hope to receive. The only demand of life is the privilege to love all.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Be strict and intelligently critical about yourself and your own weakness and follies. But, cushion your words and attitudes with Love. Love is the greatest persuasive power we know in life.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“To listen is not merely to hear. We in life, hear but very rarely do we know how to listen. To Listen is to hear, with an intellectual alertness and attention of awareness.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

Chinmayananda Saraswati Quotes about love

“To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Fanatic secularism is as dangerous to the world as fanatic religion. Love is the heart of all religions; the theme of all classical works of art and literature; the song of all devotees. Scientists know only what love does, not what love is. Love is to human hearts what the sun is to flowers.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“We like someone because, we love someone in spite of…”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Faults become thick when love is thin.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Universe is a cosmos and not a chaos. There exists a mental affinity; a scientific law; a rhythm of mental relationship in which the entire living world is held together, in one web of love.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“To give love is true freedom; To demand love is pure slavery.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

Chinmayananda Saraswati: Trending quotes

“The spirit of Advaita is not to keep away from anything, but to keep in tune with everything.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Comfort comes as a guest; lingers to become the host,- and stays to enslave us.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago
Variant: Comfort comes as a guest; lingers to become the host,- and stays to enslave us.

“Surrender inspite of Freedom' is the way of wisemen.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

Chinmayananda Saraswati Quotes

“In all worthwhile undertakings, There will be risks of failure, of disappointments, of even disaster. To face them all with inner poise and firm faith is to discover the glory of final victory.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Introspect daily, detect diligently, negate ruthlessly.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“The success is not in the trophy won but in the race run …”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Know what to Do. And do it Yourself.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“The secret of action is to get established in equanimity, renouncing all egocentric attachments, and forgetting to worry over our successes and failures.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Without devotion, knowledge is tasteless. Without knowledge, devotion is mere empty idol worship.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Out of purity and silence come words of power.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago
Variant: Out of purity and silence come words of power.

“Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“He who depends on chances and situations to be happy, is a Sansari.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“The greatness is not what we do, but, unavoidably it is always in how we do what we do. Our present work may be great or small, Yet, the important is to do it well.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Adversity, on the contrary, sobers him and reminds him of God and his Glory.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“When the time of judgement comes, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“But the boy who left the hall was not the boy who had gone in some ten minutes before. After my college days, my political work, and after my years of stay at Uttarkashi at the feet of my master, Tapovanam I knew that what I gained on the Ganges banks was that which had been given to me years before by the saint of Tiruvannamalai on that hot summer day – by a mere look”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quoted in "Forever is in the Now: The Timeless Message of Sri Ramana Maharshi", p. 192

“History is full of instances, wherein, victory would have been to the vanquished, if only they had battled a little longer! We often fail for lack of perseverance in our efforts. We leave our work half done in our impatience. Every job demands its quota of efforts. Never give up too soon.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“It is sure to be dark if you close your eyes.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“The cultured give happiness wherever they go. The uncultured whenever they go.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Alert and vigilant living itself is a `Sadhana' in the true sense.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“A Conquest, without facing dangers is as dull as Victory without a shining glory. A game without a prize!”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“To be angry is to revenge the faults of others on ourselves.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Brood less, smile more and serve all.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“What you have is all His Gift to you. What you do with what you have is your Gift to Him …”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago
Variant: What you have is His gift to you; what you do with what you have is your gift to Him.

“Grace is only to be found by effort, although it is here and now.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“At the Ashram I was told that the Maharshi was in the hall and anybody was free to walk in and see him. As I entered, I saw on the couch an elderly man, wearing but a loincloth, reclining against a round bolster. I sat down at the very foot of the couch. The Maharshi suddenly opened his eyes and looked straight into mine: I looked into his. A mere look, that was all. I felt that the Maharshi was, in that split moment, looking deep into me – and I was sure that he saw all my shallowness, confusions, faithlessness, imperfections, and fears. I cannot explain what happened in that one split moment. I felt opened, cleaned, healed, and emptied! A whirl of confusions: my atheism dropping away, but scepticism flooding in to question, wonder, and search. My reason gave me strength and I said to myself, ‘It is all mesmerism, my own foolishness.’ Thus assuring myself, I got up and walked away.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quoted in Forever is in the Now: The Timeless Message of Sri Ramana Maharshi http://books.google.co.in/books?id=K1YqAAAAYAAJ, p. 192

“Live morality before you talk of it. Practise meditation before you preach it. Taste goodness before you recommend it. Gain bliss before you offer it to others.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

In Conscious Living http://books.google.co.in/books?id=cUPoxT6C-DYC&amp;pg=PA85, p. 85 <br class="br">Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago <br class="br">Variant: Live morality before you talk to him. Practicing meditation before you preach. Goodness taste before you recommend. Gain bliss before you offer to others.

“Moksha' is not `Freedom from Action' but, `Freedom in Action.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“To remember the ever present Divine at all times, even while acting in the world, is the most positive practice for a seeker who is striving to evolve. He will thereby transform his inner personality from its present condition, to a state of harmony and efficiency.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“The tragedy of human history is decreasing happiness in the midst of increasing comforts.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

in A Treasury Of Inspirational Thoughts http://books.google.co.in/books?id=rdHW86GkUrMC&amp;pg=PA68, p. 58 <br class="br">Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Everybody exists. It is only the few who live. To live, you should have an ideal.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“There is no companion like solitude. One who knows how to tune himself to the inner silence, even in the midst of the din and roar of the marketplace, enjoys a most recreative solitude.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Success or achievement is not the final goal. It is the 'spirit' in which you act that puts the seal of beauty upon your life.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Faith is belief in what I do not know now, so I can come soon enough for what I believe in.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

In The Art of Man-making: Talks on the Bhagavad Geeta http://books.google.co.in/books?id=ssyfCDBzOrYC&amp;pg=PA187, p. 187

“Religion must not be considered true because it is necessary, but necessary because it is true.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“You are successful and creative only when you see an opportunity in every difficulty.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Unless we have a definite faith in the goal of our existence, and unless we believe, work for, and actually come to experience the goal positively as an existent factor, there is no hope of any plan becoming successful.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Prosperity is like wine, which goes to the head, and makes man forget his Creator.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“The secret of success behind all men of achievement, lies in the faculty of applying their intellect in all their activities, without being mislead by any surging emotions or feelings. The secret of success in life lies in keeping the head above the storms of the heart.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Mind alone is maya at play.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“To assume differences in the world, is to belie this great Oneness in life.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Substitute wisely, grow steadily and be free.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“In life to handle yourself, use your head, but to handle others, use your heart.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Charity is an attempt wherein I try to expand and bring into the ambit of my life, all others around me and grow to consider the other man's needs and requirements as important as my own personal needs. To live seeking an identity thus, with at least those who are immediately around me, is to live away from the suffocating selfishness and the throttling grip of my body-consciousness.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“The end of ego is the `Mystic Death' of the mediator”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“To say, `LORD IS' is Gyanam. But `THE LORD IS I' is Vigyanam.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Wisdom is the assimilated knowledge in us, gained from an intelligent estimation and close study of our own direct and indirect experience in the world.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“The guru is nothing but pure consciousness, Bliss and eternal wisdom.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

In Kenopanishad http://books.google.co.in/books?id=Xp3UWxnha7EC&amp;pg=PA56, p. 56

“Some act till they meet obstacles, others act inspite of obstacles and conquer them; but some act not fearing the possibility of some obstacles, that might arise enroute.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Spirituality is neither the privilege of the poor nor the luxury of the rich. It is the choice of the wise man.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“When opportunity knocks, We are either out or sleeping in.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“The God-Man functions as a true 'sportsman' in his playfield, where the very enjoyment is in the sport and not in the score.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

“Do the best and leave the rest.”

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Quotations from Gurudev’s teachings, Chinmya Mission Chicago

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