Pujya Gurudev’s Jayanti was celebrated on 8th May 2016 on this centenary in a true yagna spirit. Preparations began for this day about two weeks, immediately after Hanuman Jayanti. The Chinmaya Mission family sevaks and devotees were allocated different duties and roles to fulfill for the celebrations of the Pujya Gurudev’s jayanti. It was evident that there was much enthusiasm from all the devotees to ensure that the Pujya Gurudev’s Jayanti celebrations be enlivening and stimulating. No doubt everyone’s vision for the mission became more energized.
When the day came, even the weather favored the occasion by not raining as it had been for the past few days. The Chinmaya family members, all dressed appropriately in traditional and cultural attire, gathered at the Chinmaya Center of Learning to celebrate Pujya Gurudev’s centenary birthday. Greetings were being exchanged and one could feel the excitement that the occasion had brought. It was as if Pujya Gurudev was actually present at his jayanti celebrations. Pujya Gurudev was already seated at the altar and garlanded with a beautiful red and white garland, for the fervent celebrations.
The program included Paduka Puja, bhajans including Gurudev Jayanti song, video presentations on Pujya Gurudev’s work, cake cutting ceremony and testimonials of how devotees have been inspired by Pujya Gurudev.
Devotees started to find their place at the appropriate Paduka Puja thalis (trays). Each thali had a Paduka set that was to be gifted to each devotee so that the devotees can perform Paduka Pujas at home on a regular basis.
The function began with lighting of the auspicious divyas. The blessings and grace of the almighty was sought through the mudras and chants. Having purified the environment and atmosphere, the padukas were washed in the customary manner with devotion as if Pujya Gurudev was about to wear them. Then followed the offering of the panchamrut, incense and divya lamps.
Hymns from Shree Gurustotram, Guru Paduka stotram and Guru ashtakam were chanted by all devotees creating an environment where even the Deities would feel welcomed. Recalling the meanings of the hymns, it felt that Pujya Gurudev is a most extraordinary icon and that He is all about goodness and Godliness. All devotees recited the chants in harmony and with full devotion.
Having convinced the mind that we are indeed blessed to be somehow associated with Pujya Gurudev, the devotees began to sing the Sri Chinmaya Ashtottaranaamaavali, the 108 names of Pujya Gurudev that were chanted with such dedication and love. Each name unfolds the greatness that Pujya Gurudev Chinmayananda represents and became and how every sincere devotee can strive to become too! Pujya Gurudev did say that he awaits the arrival of devotees at the gates of Moksha. As hands flowed from the heart to the Paduka with each chant of the great names, it was as if devotees were also being uplifted into another sphere of true bhakti and total admiration for true greatness. What a majestically magnanimous and honorable Pujya Gurudev do we have!
Having honored Pujya Gurudev and appreciated all that he has done for all the devotees, illumined the path to live our lives and enlightened the Truth for us, the Paduka Puja concluded with the Sri Chinmaya Aarti.
This was followed by bhajans that elevated devotees to a realm of devoutness and sanctified the Chinmaya Center of learning. Thereafter, videos on Pujya Gurudev’s life, ‘Tribute to Gurudev’ and the ‘Chinmaya Pradeep’ were screened to broaden the devotees knowledge on Pujya Gurudev’s and Chinmaya Mission’s work. The photos of Pujya Gurudev of the earlier days when Chinmaya Mission began, were enthralling and absolutely inspiring – as if His very presence was there and he would emerge from the video and begin delivering his enchanting discourse.
The special two Chinmaya Jayanti songs composed by Guruji Tejomayananda were sung by the devotees. While the songs were being sung the excited baalavihar children joyfully cut the cake in honor of Gurudeva followed by the recitation of the Chinmaya Family pledge led by the Yuvakendra.
In an informal session, several devotees began narrating their experiences with Pujya Gurudev, others described how they were inspired to join the Mission and their experiences of ‘walking the path’ and some narrated how their special prayers to Gurudeva have been answered in trying and difficult times with extraordinary happenings.
No doubt Pujya Gurudev created opportunity and chances for many – no doubt this was the grace of Pujya Gurudev and the Lord, but we salute such devotees who enliven Pujya Gurudev. As devotees expressed their love for Pujya Gurudev, words flowed from the heart and tears flowed as nectar further sanctifying the Padukas. Today, Pujya Gurudev’s presence cannot be avoided by all the doings – His presence has been felt as He has touched each heart of every devotee. This can only be the divinity at work that Pujya Gurudeva kept talking of. We have experienced that divinity on Gurudeva’s Jayanti.
Being the centenary birth celebration of Pujya Gurudeva Chinmayananda, this was a very special occasion…….nay an extraordinary celebration, to express the devotees homage to Pujya Gurudev. In this regard the Paduka Puja is perhaps the best traditional and cultural manner to express one’s devotion and commitment to the philosophies and principles prescribed by Gurudeva. There would be no better gift to Pujya Gurudev on his centenary birthday, then to pledge to follow the ideology and tenets of the scriptures as elaborated upon by Pujya Gurudev throughout his life.
To a devotee worshiping the Guru’s paduka represents the humble surrender, steadfast faith and devout reverence that the devotee has for the highest knowledge and wisdom, transmitted by the Lord, through the Guru. Such love and devotion of the Paduka, illustrates the praise and honor for the Guru, and demonstrates the grace of God that inspired and galvanized the student, to become a disciple of not only the Guru, but also of the Supreme Truth which is Brahman (Supreme Entity).
Thus, for a true devotee, the Paduka are sacred. They are looked upon with endearment and adornment, expressing deep gratitude for illuminating the spiritual path and enlightenment of the Truth, by the Guru and thereby reordering the disciple’s vision and abilities along the path of righteousness and goodness that the Guru also walked, with his Paduka.
In conclusion therefore, on Pujya Gurudev’s 100th Jayanti, we remember not just Gurudev, but even more so, the ideals and principles that he was faithfully committed to, the sacrifices that he underwent selflessly to safeguard the worldly and spiritual welfare of others, through which he inspired so many devotees that gained in principles and godliness; that we too commit ourselves to achieving that divine nature whereby our egos and self identifications become cinders in the fire of sacrifice and illumination of the Supreme Truth.