Celebrating Guru Purnima
At the end of their last phase, during the full moon, the monks and much of the Hindu world celebrated Guru Purnima. Guru Purnima is for devotees a day of rededication to all that the guru represents.
Early in the morning, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami was paraded down San Marga to the Swayambhu Lingam where a homa was kindled and a pada puja performed to his feet. The monks began chanting Sri Rudram and Satguru entered into deep meditation for the duration of the puja. The air scintillated with silent shakti, which drew all shishya deeper within themselves. The following passage from Merging With Siva helps to describe why we worship the holy feet of the Satguru:
"But Parasiva has to be experienced time after time for it to impregnate all parts of the body--our big toe has to experience it--because we are still human. From a rotten state of consciousness, feeling totally neglected, that nobody loves us, we have to realize Parasiva. When ill and feeling we may die, we have to realize Parasiva. When concentrating on our knees, we have to bring Parasiva into them. The knees are the center of pride, and this helps in attaining ultimate humility. So it is with every part of our body, not only the pituitary center, the physical corollary of the door of Brahman--that is the first place--but with every part of the body. The pituitary gland has to be stimulated sufficiently to open the door of Brahman. But only the strictest sannyasin disciplines would induce this result. Ears, eyes, nose, throat, all parts of the body have to realize Parasiva, and the siddha has to do this consciously. The calves have to realize Parasiva. All the parts of the lower body have to realize Parasiva, because all of those tala chakras have to come into that realization. Then, finally, we are standing on the muladhara chakra rather than on the talatala chakra. Then, finally, our feet are standing on the svadhishthana chakra, and so on. And this is the true meaning of the holy feet."
From the Kularnava Tantra
"Indeed, it is only when the Satguru gives himself to the sishya that this sishya becomes liberated and free from birth. Directed by the compassionate Satguru who is pleased with pure devotion, the sishya attains Liberation from karma and becomes eligible to both freedom and fulfillment.
Devotion to the Satguru is the one main prescription. Without this, all learning, all austerity, family status and observances are useless. They are only decorations, pleasing to the worldly eye.
The sishya who has complete devotion, steady and constant, what has he to worry about? Moksha is in the hollow of his palm. For him who remembers, "My Satguru is Siva Himself who grants Liberation," fulfillment is not far off. As the steady devotion for the Satguru grows, so grows one's knowledge.
Neither yoga, nor tapas, nor ritual of worship are sufficient for spiritual attainment. Only gurubhakti excels. Service to the guru performed with devotion, according to one's means, holds the same merit whether offered by the wealthy or the impoverished.
Even if you give the whole of your wealth to the guru but without devotion, the fruit will not accrue to you, for indeed devotion is the only cause.
The sacred paduka of the guru are the ornament. Remembrance of his name is japa. Carrying out his command is duty. Service to him is worship."
Jaya Gurunathan! Aum Namah Sivaya!
6 Responses to “Celebrating Guru Purnima”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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August 2nd, 2015 at 7:50 pm
Jai Bodhinatha, its such a bliss and joy to see all the photos.
Om namashivaya.
August 2nd, 2015 at 7:52 pm
Panchamuga Ganapathi Thunnai!
Aum Nama Sivaya!
Jai Yogaswami! Jai Gurudeva! Jai Bodhinatha!
Vanakkam to ALL.!
AUM! Wondeful Celebrations of GURU PURNIMA at the
SAIVA SIDDHANTNA AASHRAMAM at KAUAI.! GREAT!
A very Colourful Holy Event, with the HOLY DHARSHAN of
SATGURU BODHINATHA VEYLAN SWAMIHAL! AUM!
GURU BHAKTHI VAALHA! VALLARHA! (LONG LIVE GURU
BHAKTHI). Aum Siva, Siva!
AUM SHANTHI!
– Sivathondan.
August 3rd, 2015 at 9:25 am
Droplets of inspiration in every photo. Satguru Bodhinatha is simply radiant! Nandri for sharing this delightful affirmation of the path to His Holy Feet. Aum Namah Sivaya.
August 3rd, 2015 at 12:01 pm
We were blissed at Montreal murgan temple do patha pooja when satguru Bodhinatha swami came for a visit.
Aum namah sivaya.
August 4th, 2015 at 8:53 am
Gurubrahma Guruvishnuh Gurudevo Maheswarah Guru-Shaakshaat
Parabrahma Tasmai Shrigurave Namah ll”
August 4th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Jai Satguru Sri Bodhinatha ji.
Vi pray to Lord Ganesha to grant us Gurubhakti.
Aum