Gurupoornima Celebrations at Narayanashrama Tapovanam (21-July-2024)

The Ashram was filled with devotees and seekers from across the globe, who gathered to seek the blessings of Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji, and Ma on the special occasion of Gurupoornima. Some arrived a week in advance to help with the planning for the big day. The Gurupoornima day at the ashram began with Bhajans followed by Guru Archana, and Poojya Swamiji’s message in English, Bengali, and Malayalam.

Poojya Swamiji shared his association with Baba, highlighting the importance of a confiding relationship between a Guru and Shishya. He described how the feeling of fullness crept his heart with the loving association of Baba. Swamiji explained the unique role of a Guru, which differs from that of God, in guiding and nurturing a seeker and quoted a doha by Kabir to further explain this:

Guru Govind dau khade, kake lagun payen
Balihari Guru apne, Govind diyo milay.

In this doha, Kabir says that if a Guru and God are both standing before you, the Guru deserves the first honour because it is through the Guru’s teachings that one comes to know God. This underscores the immense importance of a Guru in our life. 

Swamiji concluded by emphasizing that to truly benefit from the association with a Guru, one must confide in the Guru completely. He quoted, “nānyaḥ panthā vidyate ‘yanāya” highlighting that there is no other way.

The celebrations continued with devotees paying their respects and receiving Prasadam from Poojya Swamiji and then proceeding to partake the delicious Bhakti Bhojan. 

The day reached its peak with an electrifying Nama Sankeerthana dance led by Poojya Swamiji, leaving everyone in high spirits and filled with divine joy.