Page 2 - Tapovan Prasad_October_2024

and the world around us. Hence, we are also students – even
while teaching.
During my time at the gurukula, we were given an exercise by
Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda to reflect on what we
had learnt about ourselves while fulfilling various roles in the
ashram. This exercise emphasized the idea that learning is a
lifelong journey, occurring in every aspect of our lives – whether
outside, in the school, in the staff room, in the classroom,
with students, with fellow teachers, organizing events, sitting
and listening, or delivering talks. Whatever they may be, these
places and experiences allow us to learn – mostly about ourselves.
May we always recognize the äcäryas all around us, in all
aspects of our lives, who teach us about ourselves. May we
continue to learn and grow through our interactions with others. In
every instance, the teacher can only be God. He/she may appear
in front of us in various guises – as students in the classroom,
fellow educators, or even individuals encountered while
travelling. It could be anybody in any form, but all these forms
are the Lord Himself who has provided such situations so that we
may learn about ourselves. Hence, the instruction ‘äcärya devo bhava’
can directly apply to us.
Be Brilliant!

This is one aspect of it. However, the beauty of the Sanskrit
language is that it also allows for a different interpretation – as
an instruction to the teacher. By breaking down the words äcärya,
devo, and bhava, a new perspective emerges. Bhava means ‘be’, äcärya
is an address or a form of salutation. Therefore, the instruction can
be understood as ‘O äcärya, devaù bhava’ – you be devaù.

CHINMAYA MISSION OF
COLUMBUS Shri Saraswati – She who gives
Chinmaya Archana the essence (sara) of our own
Self (sva).
5302 Liberty Road North
Powell, Ohio 43065 Swami Chinmayananda
U.S.A.

Tapovan Prasad 27 October 2024