Ahmedabad
Sri Swaminarayan Mandir, Delaware, USA celebrated Gurupurnima with 9th Patotsav of Ghanshyam Maharaj…..
Delaware is the second smallest state in the United States and one of the most densely populated. The ninth Patotsav of the Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan managed Shree Swaminarayan Temple was celebrated in First State – Delaware State which is famously known as The Diamond State, Bluhenstatt, Small Wonder. In the presence of his divine holiness Gnanmahodadhi Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swami Maharaj, the Ninth Patotsav of Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj and Gurupurnima were celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. On these two auspicious occasions, Kirtan Bhakti, Santwani, mass recitation of Shree jeevanpran Abjibapani Vato, Puja, Archan, the Patotsav ceremony, Dhawaja Rohan, Annakut Darshan, a cake cutting ceremony, Mahaprasad and other various religious programs were completed.
The glory of a Guru is very important in Indian culture and especially among Hindus. The word Guru is made up of two words. ‘Gu’ is the union of darkness and ‘Ru’ of light. Thus, Guru is the power that leads one from the darkness of ignorance, towards the light of spiritual enlightenment. In the presence of a guru, one not only acquires great knowledge, but also gains strength in preparation for later, important times in life and how to spend these times wisely. One’s Guru gives courage which eliminates any fear of the future tests faced in life, teaching that these tests are for one’s own good. The contribution of Gurus has been and will continue to be very important in maintaining the high position of our Indian culture. Guru is knowledge – a Charu bursting with wisdom. You should take as much treasure as you are able to from that Charu. Because such a glorious benefit of Guru is such that those who do not endure these benefits soon regret it when it is far too late..
Gurupurnima is a Hindu festival dedicated to spiritual and educational teachers. Hindus traditionally seek the blessings of their Guruji and express their gratitude on the day of Gurupurnima. Gurupurnima is celebrated on the Ashad Purnima day of the Gujarati month. Gujaratis reach out to seek the blessings of their Guruji on this day, now this tradition has also been seen among Gujaratis settled abroad. In America, Gurupurnima was also celebrated at Shree Swaminarayan Temple at Delaware. In which Haribhaktas from the younger generation to the older generations participated in this celebration with devotion.
Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, Shree swaminarayan Temple, Delaware Swaminarayanabapa Swamibapa, Vedaratna Acharya Purushottampriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj, and the present Acharya Gyanamahoddhi Param Pujya Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamishree presided over this festival. In the temples of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan all over the world, Shantipatha of Vedic mantras were called to engage in the sadhana of Guru Poojan, Guru Stuti, Guru Importance, and the glory of a Guru’s gravitas.
On such a divine consecrated occasion, Param Pujya Acharya Swamishree Maharaj said in the divine blessing that the promise of Samarth Gurudev Shree Muktajivan Swamibapa is our mantra. It will work only if you believe in that promise. He who has the mercy of God, believes in the promise, only if he believes in the goods. By spending crores of rupees, our Gurudev Shree Muktajivan Swamibapa has made us attain that which cannot be attained by God. That is called the epitome of mercy.
This is the reason why Swamibapa has given us birth in the Satsang, so we have to take care that we never feel Kusang in our life. Most of all, the evil of one’s mind destroys their life. If one puts aside the mind’s preconceived notions and behave according to what God and the Elder have pointed out and commanded, that is called true Bhakti. Gurudev Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa has said, “Be as God keeps you; see as He shows you; and do as He says” If this sutra is properly implemented, there will be no suffering of any kind. Also, if we continue to affirm that Gurudev Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa has given us Shree Swaminarayan Gadi, then it can be said that we consider this Satsang to be our home and only then can we say that we know God manifestly and directly, only then can we truly worship the Guru. Devotees from all over the country took advantage of such a divine consecration opportunity by performing great devotion.