The Art of Man Making – 79 Short Talks on the Bhagavad-Gita (Part II) (Compiled works of Swami Chinmayananda)

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Swami Chinmayananda made it a priority to inspire the youth of India and give them a clear vision and direction for life. He believed that it was through the youth that national progress could best be achieved. In order to inspire the youngsters of India and show them the possibilities of the higher life, Swami Chinmayananda explained the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita in modem scientific terms. His contemporary style of teaching, full of humour and examples from our everyday life, brings these sublime teachings within our reach. These teachings are as relevant, fresh and inspiring today as they were in His time.

The Bhagavad-gita is a life transforming book. It is important to study the Gita at an early age. Pujya Gurudev inspired youth to study the Gita through his 10-minute talks on All India Radio. These talks were very popular and Gurudev covered the first nine chapters. At that time, for various reasons, these talks were stopped abruptly. Later, these talks were brought out as a beautiful book called the Art of Man Making. This book became very popular among youngsters and it is an important part of the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra study syllabus. Gurudev did not complete the rest of the chapters due to his tight schedule.

Many people have been asking us for the rest of the chapters, and now we have compiled part two of Art of Man Making, covering chapters 10 to 18. Material for the Art of Man Making part II has been put together from Gurudev’s talks on the Gita.

I have gone through this book and I congratulate Swami Mitrananda and Mini Mohan for compiling and accomplishing this commendable task. I’m sure readers will benefit by reading whole GEM through these small essays.

The ‘Art of Man Making’ by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, which details the art and technique of self-mastery and right living, is a life-transforming book, that has inspired millions of readers, especially the youth across the world.

At the heart of self-culture or ‘man making’ lies the awakening to one’s true identity or essential nature, which is divine, immortal and infinite. Such an empowering awareness of oneself instills untold courage, confidence and hope in the individual, helping him to rise above the turbulences of life. It is to that inmate spiritual strength that Gurudev gently awakens us through instructions and impassionate exhortations. The awesome power of his compelling language is reassuring and reaches out with a message of hope, to even the dullest weakling amongst us, as he unravels the secrets of sure success and abiding joy.

A challenge cannot be met if one feels weaker than what is confronted. Often, we are simply overwhelmed by the might and gravity of a situation. The ability to answer these challenges lies in a fundamental shift in perspective from a misconception of being limited and small, to that of abiding in one’s true nature of inconceivable might and power.

This unparalleled manual of life, which contains the quintessence of the Bhagavad-gita, is a masterpiece with excellent techniques to unify God and creation. It ennobles one’s vision to see life as something sublimely superior to a mere journey from womb to tomb. It thereby imparts a great purpose to life and bestows man with a grand destiny. In short, it is a ready reckoner for all seekers of Truth, and above all serves as a peerless guide to the youth.

These 114 talks in the ‘Art of Man Making’ were first broadcast on ‘All India Radio’ in the early sixties. While chapters 1 to 9 of the Gita have been completed therein, the text has also covered verses I to 7 of the 1 0th chapter. We now make a humble attempt to compile the remaining chapters, basing it exclusively on Gurudev’s discourses, during the marathon camps held in Sidhabari and Piercy, California during the years 1986 and 1992 respectively. Gurudev’s written commentary on the Bhagavad-gita has also been referred.

We seek our Master’s grace and blessings as we dedicate this work—’Art of Man Making’ Part II—at his lotus feet.