The Guru-Shishya parampara began a long time ago. Without Guru Kripa, no progress can be made, nor can any sort of high achievement be attained. For those seekers who want to realize life’s full potential in a very balanced manner, seek out a Guru who can light the candle of inner wisdom.
A shishya must always perform Guru’s Seva. However, on Asadha Sukla Purnima, when the moon (mind) is at its brightest, and the sun (soul) is on the verge of Karka and Mithun, every Shishya must worship his or her Guru. Mithun is the last phase of the first Charan of this journey, and Karka is the beginning of the second Charan of life from childhood to youth. On this holy day of Guru Purnima, disciples perform Seva and Bhakti of his/her Guru. They wash their Guru’s lotus feet and drink the CharanAmrut which yield infinitely more merit than any number of observances, gifts, sacrifices, pilgrimages, mantra, japa or any other form of sadhna. This is a day where a shishya should re-commit himself or herself with the holy vow of performing seva and assist in fulfilling the vision of their Guru in the current life.
Guru Purnima, like last year was celebrated in a big way in both the NY and Lonavala Ashrams. This year Her Holiness Sri Sri Guru Maa was in India at the Lonavala Ashram after the conclusion of the Kedar/Badri Nath Yatra.
In the New York Ashram, the disciples and devotees planned a great event despite the physical absence of Guru Maa. The disciples led by Annapurna, prepared a delicious Bhog and Prasad. Though it was a working week-day, over 150 staunch devotees assembled for the evening program. Many drove a few hours and came to the Ashram from other states. A few disciples and devotees spoke a few words about the influence of Guru Maa in their lives. NayanMitra mentioned how his life had totally changed for the better after becoming a Shishya of Guru Maa. He has been blessed tremendously by Guru Maa to become a spiritual seeker while progressing in his material life. The miracle of his daughter’s birth, Kuhu was also due to GuruKripa. PragyaMitra mentioned how Guru Maa in Her own style teaches Her disciples on a daily basis, not only through formal pravachans, leading by example and also through daily interactions. A new devotee, Sushmita spoke about the miraculous healing power of Guru Maa which gave Her the strength to face and cure cancer! While Guru Maa was physically not present of scores of devotees made it a memorable evening. Guru Maa’s picture was placed on the altar, and Guru Puja and Guru Aarti was performed by the disciples who were present on this holy day.
In India, it was a life transforming day for Shyam and Sunita Khandelwal, Asha Biyani, Gita Saraff, Kusum Mansariya and Amar Pal. They were initiated by Guru Maa and re-named Kapish Mitra, Kapish Priya, Mukti Priya, Bhakti Priya, Dev Priya and Gyan Mitra respectively.
Guru Maa selects Her disciples very carefully. She observes the potential candidates for years, She tests them occasionally, She understands them and selects the final candidates after much thought. That is the reason, why She has a small but dedicated group of disciples. There is a long waiting list of candidates who have expressed their desire to be initiated.
According to Rudramal,
Ragi Chamatyjyot Dosha,
Patni Papam Cha Barthri Yatha,
Shishyarjitam Papam Gurum Papnoti Nischitam.
This means, that just as a king is responsible for the actions of his ministers, a husband responsible for the actions of his wife, a Guru is responsible for the actions of his disciples. So, Guru Maa takes the initiation process very seriously. She watches the candidates for a long period, sometimes as long as 20 years. Mukti Priya, Bhakti Priya and Dev Priya were on Her candidate list ever since She gave them Her picture in 1990. The Kapish couple was on the horizon since 2000 and Gyan Mitra has been waiting patiently since 1986.
Earlier on the 19th and 20th, guests from all over the world had started pouring into Lonavala. SanghaPriya from USA, Asha Beyani from Dubai, MokshPriya, Gita Saraff, Kusum Mansuriya, Amar Pal from Delhi, ShivKumar Poddar and Meena Dadha from Chennai, Shankarbabu Agarwal and family, Mittals, Jhunjhunwala and family and Rajendra Jain and his troupe from Mumbai had all converged to our Ashram in Lonavala. The Khandelwals, Agarwals and countless devotees and congregants from Lonavala were eagerly awaiting the first celebration of his holy festival in their city. Pawan Kumar Srivastava had made all the necessary arrangements at the Chandralok Hotel Hall in the city. A grand stage with fresh flower decorations was ready. The Hall filled up in no time. Rajendra Jain entertained the assembled congregation in his own imitable style, fusing bhajans and Rajasthani folk songs. His rhythmic songs and stage presence lured young and old to the stage to dance with him. It was truly amazing to see Babuji Agarwalji, MokshPriya, SanghPriya and even Doctorsaheb (Jhunjhunwala) dance with Rajendra Jain. A truly festive environment was created.
However, the solemn-ness and holiness of Sri Guru Purnima celebrations was not far behind. Sri Sri Guru Maa experienced great Bhakti and devotion at the celebration. The current and prospective Shishya’s were given a great Pravachan on the duties and responsibilities of a Shishya towards his or her Guru. Next year, Her next book, the Guru-Shishya Sangita will be published. She asked them again if they still wanted to become Her disciples, and if they would be able to fulfill the responsibility of a Shishya. All the six candidates had tears in their eyes, and said that they were ready. They requested Guru Maa to hold them if they ever strayed from their obligations as a disciple and bring them back on the right course. The initiation ceremony followed with the chanting of GuruMantra in the disciples ears and Guru Maa’s shawl was given to the new Shishya’s as a spiritual protection for the rest of their lives. The new shishyas were in a trance absorbing the significant transformation of their lives with the solemn chanting of GuruMantra in their ears by Guru Maa. Tears of joy were flowing, and the great Guru-Shishya Parampara of our Vedic Heritage continues.
The shishyas and devotees washed the holy lotus feet of Guru Maa, and after GuruAarti reflected upon the great evening while eating the Holy Bhog or Prasad sponsored by the Lonavala devotees. The GuruAarti was performed by all the disciples, old and new and very ably sung by Rajendra Jain, full of emotion and zeal. Guru Maa also declared the names of Mr and Mrs Shiv Poddar as the future disciples for 2006. Immediately after the program, Guru Maa left for the Mumbai International Airport and departed for New York. She had to reach the NY Ashram in time to start the 28 day Akhand Ramayana Path.
VHI has now begun celebrating the holy festivals across two continents divided by number of oceans – a true achievement after only twenty-five years of existence. Sadly, Guru Maa could be physically present on only one of the sites, but Her spirit was alive at both the sites, and hopefully more sites in the future. |
Other past events
|
