Category: Jharna Kala & Art Exhibitions

Video #362: Invitation to Jharna-Kala Fountain Art Exhibition in Prague

Posted on by Yatkara

Introduction to the Invitation

This video is a warm official invitation to the exhibition Jharna-Kala Fountain Art by Sri Chinmoy, taking place from 1 to 30 September 2026 in one of Prague’s most beautiful Baroque gardens. Step into the UNESCO-listed Vrtba Garden (Vrtbovská zahrada) at Karmelitská 25, Prague 1 – Malá Strana, and discover art that speaks directly to the heart. The exhibition offers a quiet oasis of peace in the middle of the city and a chance to pause, slow down and enjoy beauty born of meditation.

What Is Jharna-Kala – Fountain Art?

Sri Chinmoy (1931–2007) was a globally respected humanitarian, philosopher, musician and artist who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his lifelong dedication to peace. He called his artwork Jharna-Kala, meaning “Fountain Art.” This art does not arise from intellectual self-expression, nor does it belong to any particular artistic movement. Instead, it flows spontaneously from the profound inner silence of meditation. Each work carries a living quality of peace, light and upliftment that can be felt by the viewer.

Exhibition Details

  • Dates: 1–30 September 2026
  • Venue: Sala Terrena Gallery Exhibition | Vrtba Garden (UNESCO)
  • Address: Karmelitská 25, Prague 1 – Malá Strana
  • Official website: artforpeace.cz/en

Highlights of the Exhibition

The exhibition features several rare and meaningful collections:

  • The World Harmony series, originally shown at the United Nations
  • A new selection of Messages for Humanity
  • A rare set of Chinese Scrolls displayed to the public for the very first time
  • An exclusive outdoor presentation of originals from the Dream-Freedom-Peace-Birds collection, previously exhibited at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris

These Peace Birds, placed in the garden itself, beautifully symbolise the soul and carry an uplifting feeling of inner freedom.

Under the Patronage of Maestro Debashish Chaudhuri

The exhibition is held under the gracious honorary patronage of the distinguished Indian conductor Maestro Debashish Chaudhuri. In today’s turbulent times, the organisers wish to build a bridge of inner peace and unity, echoing the timeless universal message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — “The World Is One Family.”

A Unique Artistic Voice

Martin Kemp, Professor of the History of Art at the University of Oxford and a leading international expert on Leonardo da Vinci, has said of Sri Chinmoy’s work:

“His art is extraordinary and unique. It is unlike anything I have ever seen.”

This recognition from one of the world’s foremost art historians underlines the special quality of Jharna-Kala Fountain Art. It stands outside conventional categories and speaks directly to the heart.

Why Visit This Exhibition

In a busy city, an exhibition that invites visitors to slow down and experience peace is a precious gift. The combination of Sri Chinmoy’s spontaneously created artworks and the serene Baroque setting of the Vrtba Garden creates a rare atmosphere. Whether you come for the beauty of the garden, the uniqueness of the art, or simply to find a quiet moment, the exhibition offers something deeply nourishing.

Previous Presentations of Jharna-Kala

Sri Chinmoy’s artwork has been exhibited in many prestigious venues around the world, including the United Nations, the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, and galleries across Europe, Asia and America. Each exhibition carries the same core message: that art born of meditation can become a silent ambassador of peace and oneness.

Final Invitation

We warmly invite you to visit the Jharna-Kala Fountain Art exhibition in Prague this September. Let the video invitation inspire you, and then come and experience the art in person. In the quiet of the Vrtba Garden, surrounded by works that flow from inner silence, you may discover a moment of real peace.

Explore More

For more information about Sri Chinmoy Art, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyart.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

Inspiring News #135: Unlock Inner Peace with 48 Divine Qualities Cards

Posted on by Yatkara

48 Divine Qualities Cards by Sri Chinmoy

Introduction to the 48 Divine Qualities Cards

The 48 Divine Qualities card set by Sri Chinmoy is a simple yet profound gift box designed to help anyone find greater inner peace and happiness. Instead of ordinary motivational quotes, each of the 48 cards focuses on a specific inner virtue such as Love, Patience, Happiness, Humility, or more specialised spiritual qualities like Self-Transcendence and Divine Pride. Every card includes a short contemplative text and is paired with a unique spiritual song that can be listened to online or learned and sung. This combination of reading, reflection and music makes the set an exceptionally practical and uplifting tool for daily spiritual life.

What Makes the 48 Divine Qualities Special

The selection of the 48 Divine Qualities is exceptionally broad and thoughtfully balanced. Universal concepts such as Love, Peace and Humility sit alongside more specialised spiritual milestones, including Divine Pride, Self-Transcendence and Speed. This wide range ensures that no matter what inner barrier or challenge a person is facing, there is a card specifically tailored to help dissolve it. The cards are completely in English, clean and elegant in design, and come in a sturdy, attractive box that fits perfectly on a desk, nightstand or meditation space.

How to Use the Cards in Daily Life

Using the 48 Divine Qualities cards is extremely easy and flexible. Many people simply pull one card each morning to set a positive and focused mood for the day. Others keep the box nearby and choose a specific quality — for example, Peace when feeling stressed, or Patience when facing a difficult situation. The short text on each card invites quiet reflection, while the accompanying spiritual song deepens the experience through sound and vibration. Over time, this simple daily practice can gently train the mind and heart to rest more often in higher qualities.

The Power of Combining Text and Song

One of the most unique and valuable features of this set is that every single card is linked to a special spiritual song composed by Sri Chinmoy. Music has a remarkable ability to bypass the mind and speak directly to the heart. Listening to or singing the song connected with a particular quality can quickly shift one’s inner atmosphere. This dual approach — reading the aphorism and engaging with the song — creates a more complete and lasting impression than words alone.

Ideal for Beginners and Experienced Seekers

The 48 Divine Qualities cards are perfect for people who are just beginning to explore meditation and inner peace. The practice requires no complicated technique — only the willingness to pause, read, reflect and listen. At the same time, long-time spiritual practitioners will appreciate the depth and precision of the qualities chosen and the opportunity to focus consciously on specific virtues they wish to cultivate. The set works equally well as a personal practice tool or as a meaningful gift for friends and family.

Cultivating Inner Peace Through Daily Virtues

Modern life often pulls our attention outward, leaving little time for the cultivation of inner qualities. The 48 Divine Qualities offer a gentle and consistent way to reverse this tendency. By regularly bringing qualities such as Gratitude, Sincerity, Joy or Compassion into conscious awareness, we gradually strengthen these capacities within ourselves. Over weeks and months, this simple habit can lead to greater emotional balance, clearer thinking and a more positive outlook on life.

The Design and Presentation of the Gift Box

The physical presentation of the set matches the beauty of its content. The cards are cleanly designed and easy to read. The sturdy box protects them while looking attractive on any surface. This careful attention to form makes the set a pleasure to use every day and also makes it an excellent gift for birthdays, holidays or moments when someone needs encouragement and inspiration.

Where to Buy the 48 Divine Qualities Cards

A closely related set of 48 picture cards by Sri Chinmoy (Medituj na…48 obrazových karet) is currently available from several online retailers. This set focuses on developing positive qualities through images and short texts:

For the English-language version of the 48 Divine Qualities cards the best approach is to contact your local Sri Chinmoy Centre or check the official websites:

Local centres and official Sri Chinmoy bookstores often carry a range of gift cards, aphorism sets and related spiritual materials. Availability can vary by country.

Sri Chinmoy’s Approach to Divine Qualities

Sri Chinmoy wrote extensively about the importance of developing divine qualities. He taught that these virtues are not merely moral ideals but living forces that can transform human nature. By consciously invoking and practising qualities such as Love, Peace, Humility and Self-Transcendence, the seeker gradually becomes a clearer instrument of the Divine. The 48 Divine Qualities card set is a practical expression of this teaching, making the vast range of spiritual virtues accessible and usable in everyday life.

Why This Set Is a Valuable Spiritual Companion

In a world full of distractions and stress, the 48 Divine Qualities offer a simple, beautiful and effective way to return to the heart. The combination of short contemplative texts and dedicated spiritual songs creates a complete practice that supports both the mind and the feelings. Whether used for a few quiet moments each morning or as a focused response to a particular challenge, the cards gently remind us of the higher possibilities that live within every human being.

Final Reflections

The 48 Divine Qualities card set is more than a collection of inspirational messages. It is a practical spiritual tool that invites daily contact with the best qualities of the human heart. Through regular use it can help cultivate greater peace, joy, patience and self-awareness. For anyone seeking a simple yet profound way to deepen their inner life, this gift box is a wonderful companion on the path.

Explore More 

For more information about events, visit the official website: www.srichinmoycentre.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #101: Jharna-Kala Art Exhibition at Kiskunfélegyháza Elementary School

Posted on by Yatkara

Jharna-Kala Art Exhibition Kiskunfélegyháza – children celebrate Sri Chinmoy paintings

On 28 November 2025, an elementary school in Kiskunfélegyháza, Hungary, welcomed seven original Jharna-Kala paintings by Sri Chinmoy. The children had personally chosen these works from an earlier exhibition. Around 200 pupils participated in the welcoming programme and greeted the visiting disciples with beautiful performances. The atmosphere was warm, joyful and deeply heartfelt.

The paintings are now permanently displayed in the school corridors and classrooms, offering daily inspiration to students and teachers alike.

Who Was Sri Chinmoy?

Sri Chinmoy (1931–2007) was known as a spiritual teacher, poet, musician and artist. He lectured at universities such as Harvard, Yale, Oxford and Cambridge, and served the United Nations for nearly forty years through meditation programmes and cultural events. He founded the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run (1987), now the world’s longest peace-torch relay, covering more than 150 countries.

The Birth of Jharna-Kala – Fountain-Art

Sri Chinmoy began painting on 19 November 1974 in Ottawa, Canada. He named his spontaneous style “Jharna-Kala” – Bengali for “fountain-art”. Without any formal training, he created over 140,000 acrylic paintings and nearly 16 million bird drawings, often at incredible speed (up to 1,000 drawings in a single sitting). He described the process as meditation in motion: the brush simply flowed from inner silence.

Global Reach of Jharna-Kala Art Exhibition

His works have been exhibited in major venues worldwide:

  • Carrousel du Louvre, Paris
  • United Nations Headquarters, New York and Geneva
  • Parliament buildings in Australia, Canada, Ukraine and many other countries
  • UNESCO headquarters, Paris

Permanent collections exist in museums and schools across continents.

Why Children Love Jharna-Kala Paintings

Sri Chinmoy believed that children naturally feel the soul’s joy in art. The bright colours, flowing lines and peaceful energy of Jharna-Kala speak directly to young hearts. In Kiskunfélegyháza, the students themselves selected the seven paintings that now adorn their school – a beautiful example of how Sri Chinmoy’s art continues to inspire the next generation.

A Permanent Gift to the School

The seven paintings will remain at the school indefinitely. They serve as daily reminders of beauty, peace and inner possibility for hundreds of children and their teachers.

A quiet, heartfelt event – seven paintings now light up a Hungarian school every day. Thank you, Kiskunfélegyháza!

Explore More

For more information about Sri Chinmoy Art, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyart.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #90: Discover Sri Chinmoy and the Legendary 3,100-Mile Race

Posted on by Yatkara

A recent feature article in Marathon Runner magazine, Russia’s leading publication for running enthusiasts with a readership of 40,000, delves into the life and philosophy of Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team (SCMT), and the inspiration behind the world’s longest certified footrace – the Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race.

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English Translation:

Sri Chinmoy: The Story and Philosophy of the Founder of the 3,100-Mile Race

By Irina Kebo – 10/31/2025

The name of Sri Chinmoy, the 20th-century philosopher and humanist, has appeared often in Marathoner magazine. Many of his students call him “Teacher” and proudly belong to the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.

Nikolai Duzhiy runs the astonishing Self-Transcendence Race in New York every year – a nearly 5,000 km (3,100 miles) race over 51 days. He has won it three times (2013, 2017, 2018) and is a consistent finisher.

Svetlana Khisamutdinova ran her first marathon at age 50. Now over 80, she amazes thousands with her energy and ability to run not just tens, but hundreds of kilometers. Her track record includes countless marathons, ultramarathons, and multi-day races.

These athletes are students of Sri Chinmoy, but who was their mentor? Let’s get to know him and his philosophy – not just about running, but about life itself.

Who is Sri Chinmoy?

Born on August 27, 1931, in East Bengal (now Bangladesh), he was the youngest of seven children and named Chinmoy Kumar Ghose. “Sri” is an honorific, showing respect to a spiritual teacher.

Chinmoy lost his parents as a teenager. From an early age, he showed talent in sports and creativity, which later flourished in many areas:

• Music: He composed over 23,000 songs in languages including Sanskrit, Bengali, English, and French. Some are short mantras; others honor countries, landmarks, and individuals who contributed to humanity. He mastered dozens of instruments, including piano, organ, flute, cello, and the Indian bowed esraj, and gave hundreds of free concerts worldwide –sometimes playing 15 to 20 instruments in a single performance. His largest audience was over 19,000 in Montreal, 2000.

• Painting: Chinmoy created millions of drawings and paintings, often abstract, vibrant, and harmonious. He called his style Jharna Kala (“Fountain of Art”). Birds often appear in his work, symbolizing peace, freedom, and the soul’s aspirations. His artwork has been exhibited globally, from JFK Airport to the UN Secretariat and the Museum of Contemporary History in Russia.

• Literature: A prolific writer, Chinmoy wrote poems, essays, short stories, plays, and commentaries on Plato, Mozart, and Dostoevsky. Over 1,600 works have been published. His main themes include self-knowledge, harmony, and human values. He lectured at universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Harvard, and Moscow State University. He received awards such as the UN Society of Writers’ Award for Excellence and the Gandhi Peace Prize.

Despite his artistic and literary achievements, Chinmoy is best remembered as a humanist, philosopher, and advocate for peace and unity, admired by figures like Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and Princess Diana. He passed away in October 2007, leaving behind a rich legacy in art, music, literature, and human inspiration.

Sri Chinmoy’s Philosophy

Sri Chinmoy taught that everyone has the right to life, freedom, happiness, and the development of spiritual and physical potential. His works express love for the world and for each individual.

Don’t try to change the world. You will fail. Try to love the world. And look! The world has changed forever.
– Sri Chinmoy

He encouraged overcoming the ego, cultivating compassion, and seeking harmony within oneself. True happiness comes from love and inner balance, which exists in everyone, though not all find it.

Athletic Achievements

Chinmoy led an active life: he was a competitive athlete, weightlifter, tennis enthusiast, and long-distance runner. He completed 22 marathons and 5 ultramarathons. He also organized the Harmony Run, a global torch relay symbolizing unity and peace. Since 1987, participants have covered over 650,000 km across 155 countries. The torch has even reached space, the North Pole, and Mount Elbrus.

The Self-Transcendence Race

Known as the “Everest of ultramarathons,” this race is 3,100 miles (4,988 km) long. Participants run an 883-meter loop in Queens, New York, daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, with 51 days to finish. Daily distances range from 70 to 100 km, supported with food, massages, and medical care.

The race tests mental resilience as much as physical stamina. In 2025, Andrea Marcato of Italy won in 46 days, 16 hours, 19 minutes, and 8 seconds, while Nikolai Duzhiy, at age 59, finished second in 48 days, 4 hours, 57 minutes, 52 seconds – his 13th participation. Only a few runners have ever finished; the race embodies the human spirit’s limitless potential.

Just as a bird needs two wings to fly, a person needs harmony between body and spirit.
– Sri Chinmoy

Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team

Although Sri Chinmoy is no longer alive, the team he founded in 1977 continues organizing ultra-distance races worldwide. Team members pursue ambitious goals in running, swimming, mountaineering, and other challenges, striving for progress in both the outer and inner worlds.

Run to achieve success in the outer world. Reach to make progress in the inner world.
– Sri Chinmoy

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For those interested in exploring the profound connection between running and spiritual growth, the full article offers an in-depth perspective. While currently available in Russian, its insights transcend language barriers, resonating with readers worldwide.

Learn More and Explore Resources

To find out more, visit the official website: www.3100.srichinmoyraces.org. 
For more information about races, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #76: “Sri Chinmoy’s World of Peace” Exhibition Opens at Shilpakala Academy, Chittagong

Posted on by Yatkara

Sri Chinmoy’s World of Peace exhibition opening ceremony

On October 10, 2025, the “Sri Chinmoy’s World of Peace” art exhibition opened at Shilpakala Academy, Chittagong. Mayor Shahadat Hossain (second from right) cut the ribbon to start the event. He was assisted by Dr. Jajeev Ranjan, Assistant High Commissioner of India (left), and Ven. Jinabodhi Bikkhu, a Buddhist monk and Pali scholar (right).

The exhibition showcases the art and spiritual legacy of Sri Chinmoy, born in Chittagong. Visitors will see works of Jharna‑Kala, with his soul-bird drawings that symbolize inner peace and spiritual growth. The show invites attendees to reflect on harmony, meditation, and inner transformation, and reminds us of Sri Chinmoy’s message of oneness and universal love.

By hosting the exhibition in his birthplace, the event connects Sri Chinmoy’s global teachings with his roots in Bangladesh. The Shilpakala Academy hosts this exhibition, providing local and international visitors a chance to experience Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy through visual art. For more on his art, see Sri Chinmoy Art.

The exhibition also celebrates meditation, harmony, and universal love, core elements of Sri Chinmoy’s work. Attendees can enjoy guided tours, talks, and interactive sessions that explore the deeper meaning behind each artwork.

For more information about Sri Chinmoy Art, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyart.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.