Gurupurnima – one of the most auspicious days in the life of a sadhak was celebrated on 16 July at Chinmaya Mission Delhi, with utmost love and gratitude to the Guru Parampara. The setting could not have been better – after a night of heavy rain the day dawned with a light cloud cover and a gentle breeze.
The puja began with the blowing of the conch , ringing of the bell and ceremonial arrival of the Guru Padukas carried with great reverence by the yajaman A.T.Reghunath. Swami Prakarshananda began the puja with invocation to Lord Ganesh and chanting of Ganapathiathrvashrisha by Brni. Vrinda Chaitanya. After the abhishek Swamiji himself did the alankara with so much love and care. Swamiji ensured that every little aspect, the vastra, the tikka , the mala was all perfect just as Gurudev would have wanted. The result was there for all to see. A resplendent Gurudev smiling at the devotees as aarti was performed by Swamini Gurupriyananda.
The celebration continued in the evening in the auditorium. A beautifully bedecked, multi-tiered altar dedicated to the Guru Parampara awaited the devotees as they came in. Swami Prakarshananda commenced the puja singing one of Pujya Guruji’s bhakti-soaked compositions dedicated to Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. Swamiji advised that we too should live in remembrance of Gurudev who is ever available within our hearts.
He then briefly explained the mahima of Veda Vyas Bhagavan who ‘protected’ the Vedas by systematically compiling them in four parts and then teaching one part each to four of his disciples. Thus, Veda Vyas ji ensured that the knowledge of the Vedas was protected and available for future generations.  He was blessed by the Lord that his birthday would be celebrated as Guru Purnima. Next in the advaita lineage, Swamiji paid rich tribute to Adi Shankaracharya whose commentaries bring out the essence of Vedanta. The next to be venerated in the Guru Parampara that Chinmaya Mission follows is Swami Tapovan Maharaj, the jnana guru of our Gurudev and the very embodiment of sannyas.
After invoking their grace, Pujya Gurudev’s paduka puja was performed with great devotion by the yajmans guided by Swami ji. The programmed concluded with Pujya Gurudev’s aarti. All the devotees got the opportunity to pay homage to the glorious Guru Parampara. Mahaprasad awaited devotees in Tapovan Hall.
