April 19, 2026

In third phase of Bhakti time, we are tuned into Who of Bhakti, who is a Bhakta, how do we know. That’s why in the final phase, Bhaktas are invited to come and share. Ideal expression of this is Shashikala ji. Shashikala ji went for two-year Vedanta course and she is instrumental in what Chinmaya Mission Boston was and even more so now. What Vivek ji found in Shashikala ji is she doesn’t get annoyed by others’ expectations. Always whenever Vivek ji’s asks Shashikala ji do something whether giving a lecture, her opinion on a subject she immediately takes care of it with so much cheer.

Shashikala ji shares that the acceptance has come as a journey in her life, and Shashikala ji is grateful for that. Shashikala ji knows only love flows through all of Vivek ji’s actions which is most important to her. Today Shashikala ji is going to talk about bhakti as a journey for her. How did this bhakti start for Shashikala ji? And then how has it developed and matured into what it is right now, as our scriptures talk about it? Is there something of that that is manifesting for Shashikala ji now? And so, what it means to Shashikala ji?  When Shashikala ji was a child, starting from my toddler days, she remembers Shashikala ji was a severe asthmatic. There were no inhalers and all. So, every time Shashikala ji felt sick, her parents would have to take her to the doctor and they tried everything Ayurvedic, Allopathic, Homeopathic. Shashikala ji was allergic to everything. Shashikala ji was not allowed to play with most of the kids, was not allowed to eat so many things. Shashikala ji could pick a guava off my tree and then just eat it, that would be the end of it. Shashikala ji’s parents would know if Shashikala ji went to a friend’s house and did something unusual in the sense that ate something or some running sports or anything like that, Shashikala ji would fall sick and come home. So, Shashikala ji’s parents would not send her anywhere. Shashikala ji remembered her childhood days as constant sickness. At that time, Shashikala ji knew her parents were there for her. They would immediately detect that Shashikala ji was not well and they would take her to get the necessary help. Shashikala ji knows the doctors, whoever they might be, whatever practices they were following, they would all try to help Shashikala ji as well with the medicines and everything. But in Shashikala ji’s childlike head, nobody could prevent it, nobody could allow her to be a child. Shashikala ji would longingly look at her friends running around in the yard and sort of want that for herself or just want to eat an ice cream sometime. So, there was that feeling of helplessness and Shashikala ji doesn’t know that there was some, now when Shashikala ji looks back it’s that loss of control she felt. Everybody tried to help, but there was a total loss of control. Shashikala ji had no control over it. Shashikala ji’s parents had no control over it. The doctors could not really prevent it for her. So, Shashikala ji thinks her love for Krishna developed at that time. Shashikala ji loved him. We all immediately connect with his childhood pranks, want to be like him, want to have friends like him, want to do fun things like him. The other thing that captured Shashikala ji’s attention was also the impossible things which he made it possible. He could lift mountains. He could kill demons even when he was a child. Shashikala ji’s thought process was maybe he can help her with this asthma so that she wouldn’t get it again. In this way, Shashikala ji’s connection or love for God developed, for the form of God.  This was during Shashikala ji’s childhood.

Back in India, we always have a prayer room. And the practice of this worship, the prayer was something that Shashikala ji saw growing up all the time. Shashikala ji’s parents would, offer fresh flowers, light lamps and offer some food. Shashikala ji watched that and liked that practice. This sort of brought so much of comfort to Shashikala Ji and a sense of strength as well, in a way. Shashikala ji felt like there was some peace there and this brought her closer to her family members and closer to this entity. At that time Shashikala ji enjoyed her Krishna, still her Rama, etc. Shashikala ji would go to Harikatha type of outings. Shashikala ji just loved to go because they would talk about God, all His glories and his feats, they would sing as well. That music and that stories and everything just, slowly became deeper and deeper in Shashikala ji to connect her with this form of the God. The devotion which is commonly understood everywhere as worshipping a form of God. Shashikala ji would do her prayers every day. There were so many festivals celebrated, prayer was always a central thing. You had fun, you had friends and family coming, a lot of good food. But central to that would be a prayer service as well. So, it was a very natural thing for Shashikala ji to have love for God, who is so much larger, who can do all kinds of things for people who love him. This was the type of devotion, Bhava Shashikala ji had, when growing up.

Shashikala ji noted, as they moved on between countries, getting married, having children, life’s uncertainty still kept going. That uncertainty of when Shashikala ji’s childhood asthma attack and feeling helpless at that time, now had translated into life’s anxieties and worries and usual things. Children, moving countries, passing exams between, various countries, being able to work in different environments Shashikala ji didn’t realize, in the long run, when thinking back, it’s uncertainty. Not knowing how it’s going to work out, but with some faith we jump into it. Shashikala ji definitely went back to her puja and her prayers, whatever Shashikala ji had held on to during childhood, as a form of giving strength during that time. Being a working mother, even at work, life isn’t smooth all the time, we have colleagues the we have to get along. Certain situations where we really have to pull out our strength to overcome difficulties at the workplace as well. So, challenges were always there. One underlying thing which seemed stable for Shashikala ji at that time was her prayers and puja, that gave her strength. That gave some connecting to a larger thing as well as some peace and quiet. When we look at it, it’s all sort of conservation of energy when you do these things. Then you can redirect it to face those challenges of life, which keep coming back.

In 1992, Pujya Gurudev came into Shashikala ji’s life, Swamiji Chinmayananda ji. In Gurudev’s presence, Shashikala ji felt that enormous peace, though he was so busy. Yet Shashikala ji felt that incredible peace in his presence. Shashikala ji just watched him nonstop, karma yogi, meeting people and being with people. In that three days, Shashikala ji was just mesmerized. How can a person be like this, physically being not well at all, yet total energy into what all he wanted to do and unconditional love for us. And it seemed to be a lot of fun as well. How could this be possible? What is the secret? And that opened the doors of Vedanta. Shashikala ji can’t say she understood anything about Vedanta at that time. But where Shashikala ji was going with all this is, she started to understand what this love for God, which she had since a child. It was taking Shashikala ji on a path now, which she was going to open up this Bhakti into so much more than what she had thought.

Shashikala ji had thought it was for this form of God that she loved so much. And this God who is somewhere, that was Shashikala ji’s understanding at that time, would help her in many ways and had that faith. What Shashikala ji had understood, in the back of her mind is, she doesn’t have control over things. Shashikala ji knew that deep inside her, there’s only so much she could do. Then there is a feeling of loss of control. Here she was was, without actually understanding in so many ways, that Shashikala ji was surrendering to God, surrendering to a higher power when this journey was going on.

Life’s challenges will never end. It’ll come with a new face now. Shashikala ji’s son-in-law who was in the Special Forces and went to Iraq for nine months, six weeks after getting married. What could Shashikala ji have held on to was only her prayers and her puja. At the same time, Shashikala ji had started Bal Vihar Seva, as soon as Gurudev had left. About 20 years of this Seva had almost gone in place by the time Shashikala ji’s son-in-law went to Iraq and that incident happened. Shashikala ji knew that to derive strength was only through connection with Bhagawan. Shashikala ji now wanted to know who is this God she is praying to? What is this? Shashikala ji had studied so much about God’s symbolism that her act of just this puja, wanted this to be more meaningful. Shashikala ji cannot thank Chinmaya Mission enough because what happened was what Shashikala ji had studied as love for Bhagawan for a form, now was expanding, now was expanding into everything.

Shashikala was amazed that this Seva that she was doing, which Shashikala ji thought this seva was to help her quieten herself, what you call in our scriptures as purifying yourself. We go do this service joyfully, be with children, and then you feel so quiet inside. Along with this, Pujya Gurudev had made sure that Shashikala ji was learning as well. So, there it was such a beautiful thing that Shashikala ji’s mind was becoming quiet, more at ease with itself, and also all misconceptions about a faraway God were going away as well. So now bhakti was taking a new meaning in Shashikala ji’s life.

Shashikala ji thinks her profession as a pathologist even drew me deeper into this, because disease and death are what we deal with, not death every day, but disease for sure. Shashikala ji’s questions were like, she was not satisfied with her just being this human body, which is subjected to diseases and whatever it might be, at some point it’s gone. Shashikala ji could not understand that, what is gone, what is leaving this body? Because this entity, this physical body would have been somebody, such a close person to somebody. A doctor would have been, many doctors would have been trying to save this person’s life. So, what went away from this body, which is right here? When that again started becoming Shashikala ji’s forefront question, she is bringing this all back to Bhakti. Shashikala ji wanted to go to the Vedanta course, because Shashikala ji felt like there was the answer. All my medical training had never given satisfactory answers for this. Shashikala ji felt like it is not just when the heart stops beating, or the lung, stops breathing, or there are no brainwaves, electrical activity that we are dead. There had to be something more. Shashikala ji felt like Vedanta would give her the answer. So now what had happened was, this path of Bhakti that had developed in Shashikala ji as a child, connecting to a form, getting this deeper understanding as Shashikala ji went along with, with the Bal-Vihar Seva understanding symbolism and various topics that Shashikala ji taught the children, was now developing into a clear understanding of who God is, what is Shashikala ji’s relationship with this God. Then what is this world around her. Shashikala ji thinks Vedanta provided that answers that, which Shashikala ji is, even to this day, very sincerely, and she hopes, striving to settle and abide with that wisdom as Shashikala ji deals with life, even at this age.

Shashikala ji thinks all of that has truly helped understand what Bhakti is, the study of Vedanta, then now with Hanuman ji in their mandir, that has really, the greatest example of devotee, who stands there in the mission all the time. When Shashikala ji stands in front of him, Shashikala ji truly feels that Shashikala ji is getting deeper understanding. He was a true bhakta, a true karma yogi. We’re all, steeped in actions from day to night. And this is what Hanuman ji shows us, how to be the best karma yogi and how to be the best bhakta yogi as well. Through that, come to the understanding of who Shashikala ji truly is. You might have all have heard of this sloka of Hanuman ji, to Shri Ramchandra ji, when they both are sitting quietly in Ayodhya after the return from Lanka, where Shri Ram ji asks him, “Hanuman, what do you think of me?” Hanuman ji says,” Looking at you as a body, Lord, I am your servant and you’re my master. But when I look at you as a Jiva and I as a Jiva, then you are the totality and I’m part of it. And then when I truly look at your essence and my essence, there’s no difference. Atma buddhya tu tvamevaham, I and you, there’s no difference.” Shashikala ji thinks this journey of bhakti has taken her to, to this clear understanding that while Shashikala ji looks at herself as this person right now, physically as a Shashikala ji she is an instrument. Shashikala ji is thankful that Gurudev came into Shashikala ji’s life to use her as an instrument. There is Shashikala ji’s totality, universal truth that God and Shashikala ji are here to, serve to the best of her ability. That’s the reason, the purpose of this, this body, this physical embodiment being here. Then when Shashikala ji looks at herself as a Jiva, that she is not going to, when this physical body drops, that’s not the end. Shashikala ji as a Jiva will move on when Shashikala ji thinks of its Shashikala ji is always with the Lord then. Because a Jiva cannot exist without consciousness at all as an entity. So, Shashikala ji is with consciousness at all times. And that gives Shashikala ji great strength. That gives Shashikala ji that, she is ever in the lap of God, that she is never away from that Paramatma. So that strength is there to draw whenever, life, whatever it brings in this present situation. The final understanding that in essence, I’, that truth alone. Shashikala ji thinks that’s what will give strength to deal with whatever comes in this life. At some point, to be one with that totality as well. Shashikala has seen and understood that bhakti as well as this Vedantic knowledge, they’re just two sides of the same coin where surrender is the starting point in Bhakti. And that surely will lead Shashikala ji as it’s, bringing her to this understanding of her true nature. Vedanta, when we assert our true nature, this is me, not all these things, when we study and understand, then what it will lead is to expression that Bhakti only, that love for everything. Because what starts as an effort at the beginning, developing this love to the higher putting forth effort will become a spontaneous manifestation when we finally understand who truly we are that love becomes unconditional as Shashikala ji has seen in all these great people. It is just spontaneous and that will be the most beautiful thing that we can live with. Then where is the boundary? When I understand that everywhere is Bhagavan’s manifestation alone everywhere is me, I am in all is what Vedanta says. In Bhakta everywhere is God alone.  So, it will all come to total fruition then. Shashikala ji is grateful because she had Asthma as a child. That made Shashikala ji deeply understand that when any sufferings come, she should not look at it as bad thing, it could be looked at an opportunity to deepen this connection with love for God, Bhakti. Some of the best definitions of Bhakti come in Narada Bhakti Sutra, 2^nd Sutra says sā tv asmin parama-prema-rūpā and amrita swarūpā and it is a good definition. In 12^th chapter of Bhagavad Gita mayy āveśhya mano ye māṁ nitya-yuktā upāsate śhraddhayā parayopetās te me yuktatamā matāḥ devotion when that love for God is unconditional it’s single pointed and expresses as love for everything. That will lead us to this unconditional surrender to Bhagavan and so much better than us wanting to control every situation, makes Shashikala ji live with ease with herself.

Question: We all are more oriented towards Karma Yoga. How can we move our teams, our friends our colleges move towards Bhakti orientated focused mindset?

Ans: Shashikala ji went to addressed a group of American Advaitins in Boston area. They are immersed in the study of text. They told Shashikala ji that it’s easy for people coming from Bharat to have devotion, it comes so natural to you. But for us, Advaitins it is very hard. Now co-seekers, students are feeling the same way. I am immersed in Karma Yoga. Bhakti Yoga as I envision in my mind as devotion or practice of Pooja, Japa that doesn’t come naturally to me. There is beautiful answer in Narada Bhakti Sutra to this. Narad ji says whether it is Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga or Jnana Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga superior among these is Bhakti Yoga. Love is the essential ingredient. If you say you are doing Karma Yoga you can not do Karma Yoga without having love for it. This devotion is towards something higher than yourself. It is selfless love towards higher Altor. Your higher Altor Karma Yogis is to whatever you are serving. Because one is not doing traditional ringing of the bells, doing Arti, Pooja, offering flowers connecting to form of one God one is missing out. No, follow what you are doing it with love. Let it be sustained by that love. That love itself lead to the ultimate culmination which is love for everything. Then the doors will open to understand who God is. When we say Bhakti, we think of form of God. But Sri Krishna clearly says in 12^th chapter not just the form, even the formless so, when you are doing the Karma Yoga the person in front of you is manifestation of that Lord. When we have that Bhava with Karma Yoga, Bhagavan will open all the doors for you. This Bhakti or love for the higher would be spontaneous. Don’t ever feel that by doing Karma Yoga you are missing out on something. Love is this creaky ingredient to being the practice of Karma Yoga, love is the key ingredient to sustain you on this practice. Love is the result of you following the Karma Yoga as well. Bhagavan doesn’t leave you behind.

Question: As I am doing any effort work there could be an underlying current of Japa. That could be there. However, I find myself so much focused on the task, conservation of energy in there feels like multitasking or I just lost everything else around me and I am on that task. Trying to seek clarity between how can keep Japa going while remaining engaged in life happenings?

Ans: You are doing the right thing. You are being presence of that presence. Bhagavan says bring your mind to the task at hand and you are trying to do that right. You are being totally integrated and giving your best to the task at hand. That itself is what Krishna prescribes for us. That is being in the presence of the Lord because you are giving 100% to the task at hand. Whether it is surrender or whether it is in being at the now, whether it is keeping your mind at the task in your hand or whether being an instrument to the Lord all these things mean the same thing. Meaning you are being single pointed to the task at hand means you are totally integrated in your mind, your intellect so that the light of consciousness in you is completely beaming through your instruments to the task at hand. So, you are totally integrated. You can’t do Japa while you are doing something else. Gurudev said if you have this Bhava in you that whatever you are doing the task in front of you is coming is Bhagavan is coming in front of you in some form. With that feeling if you start your work the way you are doing you are doing 100%. There is no need to worry, Japa I am not remembering God. You are in the presence of God. In fact, you are 100% in the presence of God.

Question: The story of Shashikala ji is amazing. How Shashikala ji could remember Bhagavan during struggles as a child, how is one able to do that. When we tell this to children just be patient with themselves, or have prayers done its all utility based. They want results overnight; it is so hard to tell them to be patient and not compare their lifestyle to any other’s lifestyle. What can we do to help them understand this better as in not to think about others lives and just focus on their life?

Ans: Prayer should be part of our lives which they watch in us. We can become the examples for them. No amount of telling them will truly help. Shashikala Ji does these devour practices now Shashikala ji’s grandson amazingly recited few slokas by himself quickly.  They like that sitting together and doing that prayer without expectations. If we can bring this pooja service into their lives its way of bonding together that comfort and security come. They draw up on it as they grow older. We telling them don’t do this, do this they learn. They will do this when they face tough times. Let’s be an example it will be there. It will not go anywhere.

Question: One of the pitfalls I found myself in, Vedanta has lot of secular benefits. We get trapped in secular benefits meaning like as a person who is very Rajasic it will make my mind more; quieter I will be able to do more my work. I realized that the Bhakti starts to disappear but it becomes almost like self-help book. How do we ensure that the love stays and we just don’t fall off and get the convenience of the secular benefits?

Ans: Shashikala ji is confirmed that the question is about Secular benefits from Vedanta is where you are able to conserve your energy because of the practices and then you are redirecting it to something in the world. You should do well at work, what’s wrong? It is beautiful that you are able to conserve your energy to do your job. Then what you get out of it, like financial benefits or whatever you expand your love to share it with others. It will all balance out. Shashikala ji did this too; meditation, Pooja, quietening became so important so that she can be 100% in taking care of the job that Shashikala ji had to do in the hospital work. It was secular in that sense but this will not go, it will deepen as you go along change your Rajasic to Sattvic in a way. At some point Sattvic will be more predominant nature than Rajasic. It will find its way to more teachings, more in a way to share with people all these things will happen. You are not just using this for secular; you are not giving yourself enough credit.

Vivek ji shared Vivek ji’s authentic and deep gratitude towards Shashikala ji though Shashikala ji has a lot to tend to in Boston and beyond.

RAW:  Tonight we have Devi Ganga celebration, part of the calm the body movement. We are studying meaning Ganga Stotram. Join it.

Ideal function of the society is the leaders/Kshatriyas would continue support the work of thinkers/Brahmanas back in the day of the society. In Kaliyuga that’s not the case where every demographic has to fend for themselves. For our community to operate the way it does there are significant of amount of expenses. This why Vivek ji asks for Dana. This Dana is to facilitate this community and to grow this community. This is not a donation. We use that word but it is responsibility. Dana is our Dharma. Those are some pre-sentiments as Raji shares her reflections.

Seeker’s reflections: Raji shared her reflections. She was so much inspired from our scriptures and living Bhaktas to help us learn more about understanding divine love in ourselves, in our own hearts and in everything outside of us as well which is us. Raji would like to shout out our discussion groups. She felt she was connected through discussion groups to our community. She felt that people have done their best listening to each other and sharing with so much courage and honesty. She feels that is an authentic way to build a community. She wants to thank so much from her heart Soumya ji for teaching about Pooja and how to make it personal and meaningful. Your joyfulness and your feelings, excitement about Pooja is so contagious. She wants to share gratitude towards Shashikala ji coming and show us living Bhakta and sharing with us Shashikala ji’s journey and life’s work. Gratitude to Vivek ji to making all of this accessible and inclusive for so many seekers all over the world making the content online as well as emotionally and mentally accessible for all of us try to make part of our daily life. Appreciate your living example of how you follow your responsibilities and your work on self-development and your service in the world as an example for all of us. If everyone has their own feeling of gratitude, please contribute to Guru Dakshina and to show our appreciation towards all the effort that goes into our classes.