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Brahmachari Uddhav Chaitanya |
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Brahmachari Uddhav Chaitanya hails from a cultured and orthodox Brahmin family from Andhra Pradesh, India.
He was born in Madanapalle, the birthplace of Shri J. Krishnamurti, and grew up in different cities across India. Accordingly, he is fluent in English, Sanskrit, and several regional languages of India.
As a youth, his first meeting with Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda was by accident: "Galti se mistake ho gayaa." Inspired by Gurudev, he joined CHYK (Chinmaya Yuva Kendra) in 1989 and was the founder vice-president of the CHYK chapter in Serilingampally, a suburb of Hyderabad. As a CHYK, he initiated and headed many service projects, and never missed an opportunity to attend spiritual camps conducted by Pujya Gurudev.
Pujya Gurudev's powerful influence and teachings inspired him to join the mIssion's two-year, residential Vedanta course at 'Sandeepany Sadhanalaya' in Mumbai, in 1993. He says, "Those two years at the ashram are the most memorable years of my life. I am still chewing the cud in an effort to digest everything I learned there."
After completing the course in 1995, he was initiated as Brahmachari Uddhav Chaitanya and posted as the resident acharya of CM Vijayawada, where he served until June 2002.
During his tenure in CM Vijayawada, Uddhavji's regular schedule included conducting 6-7 yajnas per month, managing 35-40 Bala Vihars, 14 Devi groups, 7 study groups, and a CHYK group of 200-300. Under his leadership, CHYK Vijayawada was recognized as All-India CHYK's "#1 CHYK Group" for three years. In addition to all these activities, Uddhavji also opened a Mission center in rural Manikonda (40 km. from Vijayawada) and was active in several social service projects, including relief efforts for Orissa's cyclone victims.
Brahmachari Uddhavji says one of his most memorable experiences to date is his 45-day pada yatra in South India, in 1998. "This was an eyeopening experience that helped me feel the pulse of India, to see the love offered by people in spite of their poverty. It was truly an experience that displayed the grace of the Almighty and Pujya Gurudev."
In June 2002, Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda posted Brahmachari Uddhavji as the resident acharya of Chinmaya Mission Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas. To date, he conducts Vedanta classes and activities for all age groups, and has been instrumental in the center's exponential growth, including the classes at the Fort Worth and Flower Mound locations, the expansion of the current ashram, and the purchase of new property in Melissa, Texas.
Uddhavji is also an advisor for CHYK West. He initiated the construction of a Mission center in rural Andhra Pradesh.
Uddhavji's ever-flowing love, infectious laugh, and genuine interest in people have endeared him to young and old alike throughout North America. He is an accomplished speaker who can make complex subjects simple. He enjoys painting, sports, gardening, cooking, and music. |
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