Pujya Gurudev’s 100th Birth Anniversary was celebrated in San Diego-the land where HE left HIS Jyoti – on May 8th with great devotion and reverence. A beautifully decorated stage with a life size picture of Pujya Gurudev adorned in silk and flowers complete with an umbrella and prabhavalli set the mood for the 400+ mission members and families joining in the Guru paduka puja, and worship of Chinmaya Jyoti at the center of the octagon in front of the stage. 16 Devi-s adorned in colorful silk sarees, ornaments and flowers performed the archana to the Chinmaya Jyoti while the Guru paduka puja was performed on stage. It was as though the aSTalakshmi-s had descended to worship Pujya Gurudev on this most auspicious day which also coincided with Mothers’ Day.
The ceremony commenced with Jyoti Yatra song by our beloved Pujya Guruji and ended with the birthday song sung by him. The upacara-s included Guru Paduka Stotram, Songs in praise of Guru, Guru vandana dance, CMSD band and Matrstavanam. The sixth grade Bala Vihar students presented on few of the 108 names of Pujya Gurudev that inspired them.
All Devi-s and members danced around the Jyoti in great joy to the tune of Cilanga katti odi odi vayo – celebrating the birth of Balakrishna Menon to later bless the world as Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati.
The ceremonies concluded with arati, Chinmaya Mission Pledge in Samskrtam and English and all joining in the prarthana song – tvam hi no neta. All members- BV students and adults – offered their pledge cards- some seva, sadhana or study they will undertake in devotion to HIM.
Two Bala Vihar students who completed the requirements of Chinmaya Slokanjali-all five levels of the self-paced competition initiated on May 8, 2011, received their trophies on this auspicious day.
The mahaprasadam was partaken by all with great joy and enthusiasm to continue to do UNTO HIM OUR BEST.
