On the sacred day of Guru Purnima, Pujya Swamiji Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawatiji offered a beautiful program at the Hindu Temple in Louisville, Kentucy. This special event followed the spiritual retreat at Dale Hollow Lake State Park that had been held earlier in the week and many of those present at the retreat joined local temple members for satsang, prasad, and a delicious vegetarian meal.
The temple priests welcomed Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Sadhviji with divine vedic chanting and prayers. This was followed by an inspiring talk by Sadhviji who spoke on the significance of the Guru, as well as what we can offer our Guru or God on this auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima. She emphasized purity of heart and spoke of how Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita beautifully says, that whatever is offered to Him, that which is sattvic and dharmic, such as a leaf, fruit, flower, water, whatever is offered with love and devotion, the Divine accepts it with Love and delight.
In a similar way, Pujya Swamiji reminded attendees that one garland is enough. That he would prefer the beautiful flowers, so many flowers that were offered, stay on the plants and trees to be admired and appreciated and that the funds used to buy so many flowers be donated to help the poor. He also spoke about the qualities and values to cultivate on Guru Purnima, including the importance of staying anchored and grounded with faith to the Divine. He highlighted the laws of karma, and the importance of performing our karmas in such a way that we have faith in ourselves and in the Divine, in such a way that no one is harmed or cheated. He emphasized that each day, we should practice introspection, offering whatever we have done, good and bad, to the Divine.
