Guru Day

In an interesting conjunction of seemingly unrelated events, today was the 292nd Pada Puja held each Chittra nakshatra for Gurudeva's Grand Departure, 7,997 days ago. And the Insight for this next issue of Hinduism Today magazine is being printed in the Midwest, the April/May/June 2023 issue, which explores in depth India's genius system of spiritual training, the Guru-Shishya relationship. The art for this feature was done by Maniam Selven of Chennai, in his inimitable South Indian style, inherited from his renowned father.

In shrine rooms all over the world Gurudeva's shishyas are celebrating him, his life and mission and giving offerings in thanks for the light and insight he brought into their lives. Thank you, Gurudeva!

Forest meeting: The artist has idealized the meeting of the illumined satguru and the devoted disciple. They are in a tropical jungle, surrounded by creatures who show no fear but are witness to the rare encounter of one who knows and another who seeks knowing.

Forms of initiation: The artist shows the traditional ways that a guru gives the blessing of diksha to a shishya: by a word, by a silent thought, by a touch. On the right a shishya bows in humble acceptance of the guru\

s gift of discipleship.'

Pre-dawn gathering in Kadavul\

s maha mandapam'

Chanting Sri Rudram

Garlands made by island members

Satguru offering flowers at the conclusion of the puja

Jai to all satgurus and to their noble disciples...

}

];