Guru Purnima at San Jose, Califormia, USA

The Guru Purnima Program of July 21st 2005, took place at Shri Naranjibhai Patel’s (Trustee, Sanskruti Foundation, USA) residence in San Jose California.

The auspicious day started with Guru Pujan performed by Naranjibhai and his family with the religious mantras and puja being performed by local priests from San Jose.

After the ceremonies were completed everyone had the opportunity to offer garlands and flowers to Pujya Bhaishri. Throughout the day there were numerous phone calls from well-wishers all over the world and gifts of flowers and fruits from all over the world were also sent.

With patience and love Pujya Bhaishri received as many phone calls as possible and in each one Pujya Bhaishri responded with pure love and affection and it was our privilege to witness this divine experience.

With deep love and emotion Pujya Bhaishri explained what a Guru is and what a Guru does:

· A Guru always has the best of intentions for the individual. Even if it seems on the outside that the intentions are “harsh” but they are not, the intentions inside are always pure, loving and caring for the soul.
· It is only through a Guru that you can reach the Lord. One can only achieve this through the mercy of a Guru.

· An example of Hanumanji was given:
Hanumanji was directed by Sugreev to go and look at the two persons approaching the mountain. Hanumanji dressed as a Brahmin and proceeded towards the two young persons. When he recognized who Shri Ram was he bowed down immediately and he held on to Shri Ram’s feet and would not let go. (Our human strength is less than a drop in the ocean when compared to the Lord’s strength. We can easily let go but when he (the Lord) holds us we will never fall).Eventually Shri Ram held Hanumanji and lifted him, hence Hanumanji was able to accomplish the extraordinary feats during the Ramayana. When the Lord hold us we never fall!

· An example of Kagbhushandiji was also given:
Once Kagbushandiji was doing his Shiva seva in a temple. He was so engrossed that he forgot to stand up and pay respects to his Guruji when he arrived. His Guruji did not say anything but Shivji was not happy. He cursed Kagbushandiji with the birth of a crow. When Guruji found out he granted Kagbushandiji a boon whereby he would not have to take the form of the crow but Kagbushandiji humbly requests please let me welcome the curse of Shiviji but I only ask that I always remember and chant the Ramayana. His Guruji was very pleased. Here the disciple had followed the path of his Guruji. A Guruji is known by the way his disciple lives and behaves.

All in all, Pujya Bhaishri narrated these and other episodes in a cloud of love and devotion that had everyone perplexed on the special day.