Gurudev’s Glory Remembered on Mahasamadhi Day
By Padmashree Rao
HOUSTON: On August 3, 2012, the devotees of Pujya Gurudeva Swami Chinmayananda gathered in the Smriti Hall at Chinmaya Prabha, to offer their reverential gratitude on the 19thanniversary of his Mahasamadhi.
In memory of Gurudeva’s selfless spiritual service, the Mahasamadhi Day is honored as a ‘Sadhana day’ in all Chinmaya Mission centers worldwide. Gurudeva transformed his life to offer the world a timeless gift of his scriptural teachings, giving everything and expecting nothing. To make that spirituality taught by him as the highest practice of life is the goal of the Mahasamadhi prayers.
The sacred day of remembrance began with bhajanas about the glory of a Guru. Then, Priti Parikh, a Balavihar sevika, outlined the program of the evening, sharing Gurudeva’s words on the silence that inspired his global, spiritual mission. With those words and memories of Gurudeva filling all hearts, everyone walked into the foyer of the Smriti Hall where the life-sized Pratima (idol) of Gurudev seemed more life-like than ever.
The Pratima Puja was performed by a couple of devotees on behalf of Äcäryas Gaurangbhai Nanavaty and Darshanaben Nanavaty and all others present there. As the foyer resounded with the continuous chanting of stotras, the puja was unique in worship. Gurudeva’s Pratima was gently wiped from head to foot, with devotional care. Even Gurudeva’s eyeglasses were cleaned with such love that moved devotees to tears. Singing the Chinmayastakam evoked the presence of the Gurudev in each heart. The Gurupaduka Stotram, which extols the glory of the Padukas and symbolizes every ideal that the Guru stands for, stirred memories of prostrating at Gurudeva’s holy feet. And, the stotra of Krtajnata tried to convey the overwhelming gratitude to Gurudeva.
The Chinmaya Arati done in front of the glowing Pratima was then followed by a Paduka Puja in the Smriti Hall where all devotees chanted the Chinmaya Astottarasata Namavali, remembering, in 108 ways and more, the timeless qualities of Pujya Gurudeva Swami Chinmayananda. The prayerful homage concluded with every devotee finding a moment of silence as he or she touched Gurudeva’s Padukas in deep respect and with a resolve to live by His message.
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