Yogoda Satsanga Dhyana Kendra, Bengaluru celebrated Guru Purnima on 27th July 2018.
First session 9.45 am to 10 am: Palanquin procession- Prabhat Pheri
The day began with Prabhat Pheri, devotees filled with devotion took turns to carry the divine Palanquin. Everybody- Young to old got a chance to be a part of this blessed event. For a moment the busy roads were infused with soulful chants and peace.
After this, the devotees tiptoed in with the palanquin to the Mandir hall to find the hall beautifully decorated with flowers. The decorations of the entire mandir gave life to the festivity. Next was Aarthi by a senior devotee, who lead the first session.
10 am to 12.15 pm: Second session
The meditation session started at 10:00 am. Around 200 devotees attended this session. Chants sung for the morning session were: “I am Aum”, “Guru ka dhyan karo”.
Around 11.00 am, an audio recording of Mrinalini Ma from the CD –"The Guru, the messenger of truth” was played. Everyone felt blessed hearing Mrinalini Ma speak about the Guru. At 12.00 pm, Pronami “Namo Namo” – was sung and it lifted up the devotional vibration of the meditation hall and the hearts of devotees attending.
12.15 pm to 2.30 pm- Lunch
2.30 pm to 4.30 pm- Cosmic Chants.
This session filled devotees with a wave of devotion as they sang many soulful Cosmic chants invoking our Gurudeva. These chants were sung:
- I will sing thy name
- Who is in my temple
- Amara Guru Yogananda
- Om Guru Om
The mandir echoed these soulful chants.
4.00 pm – Tea Break
4.30 pm to 7.00 pm – Evening main program
The evening session began with aarthi by a senior devotee, after the chant "I will sing Thy Name" and a short meditation the leader read from the excerpts from Autobiography of Yogi from the chapter “ The Saint with two bodies”. Swami Prabhvananda narrated this incident to young Swami Yogananda:
anguish is such that I can no longer bear my life without meeting the Great Beloved face to face!’ “’What can I do? You must meditate more profoundly.’ “’I am appealing to Thee, O God my Master! I see Thee materialized before me in a physical body; bless me that I may perceive Thee in Thine infinite form!’ “Lahiri Mahasaya extended his hand in a benign gesture. ‘You may go now and meditate. I have interceded for you with Brahma.’ “Immeasurably uplifted, I returned to my home. In meditation that night, the burning Goal of my life was achieved. Now I ceaselessly enjoy the spiritual pension. Never from that day has the Blissful Creator remained hidden from my eyes behind any screen of delusion.”
Last session
Around 6.00 pm, an audio recording of Gurudeva was played from the CD- “The Great light of God”. Gurudeva stressed on the fact that no matter what one is doing, one should always be in the Joy of God. The devotees were mesmerised listening to Gurudeva’s voice. After which, devotees effortlessly slipped into meditation. The celebrations concluded with another heartfelt rendition of "Amara Guru Yogananda", praying for others, followed by pronami accompanied by the chanting of the bhajan "Madhura madhura naam Guru naam" and prasad distribution.
The session ended with radiating faces of devotees, filled with immense gratefulness towards the beloved Gurudeva for showing them the path.
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Babaji Smrithi divas picture of the altar:
“Guru is one who knows God, and who shows the way to Him. To follow a divine manifestation is the sure way to God-realization. One who knows God becomes the speaking voice of the silent God.”- Sri Paramahansa Yogananda
