Gagana (introducing Asimananda): The following award presentation will be given by the Vice President of the Russian Academy of Security, Defense and Law; Major General of Security; Member of the Journalist Association of the Russian Federation; and Doctor of Psychology – our dear Asimananda Yuri Petrovich Smirnov.
Asimananda (as translated by Gagana): Dear Guru Sri Chinmoy, dear brothers and sisters, I came to the Bulgarian land only to see you all, and to have the great honour of seeing my dear teacher – Guru. For moments like this, it is worth living. Please allow me on behalf of Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union, on behalf of many scientists, sportsmen, public and political figures, luminaries of culture and medicine, cosmonauts and Olympic champions, to wish you a Happy New Year.
This December I had an opportunity to participate in a Counter-Terrorism Forum in China. I was received as a statesman and participated in the six-member Shanghai Convention, and I have given a presentation there. Here I am a simple disciple, and I am proud of it. In this hall, there are brothers and sisters, but none of them is an insignificant person because each one is talented in his own way, and has a great intelligence thanks to the teachings of Sri Chinmoy. Sri Chinmoy said once that his teachings may be forgotten after 200 years, but please allow me not to agree with you, my dear Guru. Your teaching is eternal. Here we are on Bulgarian land, and, I think, the spirit of the famous prophet-woman Vanga is present with us. But Guru has great foreseeing talent.
Guru also differs from Vanga because of his great gift in being a scientist-philosopher, writer, sportsman and artist, and this is, of course, God’s gift, which we see and feel. It has happened that Russians highly value his talents. In the World Harmony Run in Russia, hundreds and thousands of athletes participated. The Run covered more than 27,000 kilometres. For the second time in a row, we have crossed the border with China, where the Harmony Run was welcomed in friendship. The Chinese people liked the Harmony Run very much, and this year they decided to run across the same border the other way around, to Russia, in honour of the year of China-Russia friendship.
We offer Sri Chinmoy our special love. At times of intense political struggle, at times of great changes in the world, we see how the teaching of Sri Chinmoy is truly immortal, how it helps us to struggle and live in these difficult conditions. For his outstanding achievements, Sri Chinmoy has received many great awards from all over the world. On the occasion of his Jubilee, he has become an honorary Professor and Academic of the Academy of Security, Defense and Law. I have the honour to present this diploma today, and also I will present the diploma of honorary Academician.
I also have the honour to tell you that in Moscow last year there were big celebrations, with representatives from many countries, of the 350th birth anniversary of Franz Lefort, a Swiss-born admiral who became a famous adviser of Peter the Great. On this occasion, a special medal was issued by the Government of Moscow City, which is now awarded to our great Guru Sri Chinmoy. Franz Lefort is still remembered after 350 years, but I am confident that Guru will be remembered for thousands of years. The teaching of Sri Chinmoy, as I said during our first meeting in Moscow in 2004, is valued by and known to the Special Security Forces in Russia. Elements of yoga and relaxation are used in the training of Cosmonauts, who know of Sri Chinmoy and value his work, and also by the Special Security Forces of Antiterrorism-Alpha. Let me pass to Guru the plaque of the Special Security Forces of Russia to keep.
When I recently visited Sofia and met with the representatives of local antiterrorism security forces, they asked me to present a special calendar, which I would like to offer to Guru so that our disciple guards can use it to mark their significant days. My heart is peaceful now. I have passed the best wishes of hundreds and perhaps millions of citizens of our planet. Please, dear Guru, allow me to perform this ceremony of the passing of these small awards, which are just an iota of what you deserve.
(Presents awards.)
Sri Chinmoy: My dearest Asimananda, I really do not know how to thank you adequately. You have blessed me with so many awards. These awards are so significant in every way. There are many things in my life that I have received from people that I do not deserve, but this is how God’s Compassion reigns supreme on a human being. We may feel that we have done something for humanity. In reality, it is God alone who does these things in and through us. We are mere instruments.
The soul of the Soviet Union chose you to play a most significant role in the heart of the Soviet Union. I love you from the depths of my heart. I appreciate and admire you, your dedicated service to humanity. You rightly deserve the name that I have offered you: “The Bliss of Infinity – Asimananda.” You are a great soul. You are a good heart. When greatness and goodness go together, there is nothing that you cannot accomplish in your heart of aspiration and in your life of dedication. May God the Author of All Good shower His choicest Blessings upon your devoted head and self-giving life.
Asimananda (translated): Dear Guru, I am touched to tears. My heart is overwhelmed with happiness. And I promise with my heart that I will serve you and all our brother and sister disciples as long as my heart beats. Let’s live in this world longer. May the Lord keep you safe and give you good health for many, many years to come. Thank you very much.From:Sri Chinmoy,Concern: A Reality of the Heart, Agni Press, 2025
Sourced from https://srichinmoylibrary.com/crh