Ashad sud poonam is the auspicious Gurupoornima, one of the 3 main annual festivals of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. On this day, devotees gather and pay homage to our beloved Gurudev Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa.
Jeevanpran Swamibapa explains the precise meaning of the Sanskrit word “Guru.”
“Gu” means andhkaar (darkness).
“Ru” means prakash (light).
Thus, he who enlightens the ignorant, i.e. shines light to those in darkness, is called a Guru. It is only Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa that can enlighten us ignorant souls to the supreme bliss of eternal happiness, the endless peace of the supreme Lord. Thus, our supreme Guru can only be Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa. Jeevanpran Swamibapa says, "Guru veenaa gnaan nahi." Without a Guru, knowledge cannot be attained. Lord Shree Swaminarayan Himself showed the importance of a Guru in one’s life by taking Shree Ramanand Swami as His Guru.
This year, the auspicious day of Gurupoornima fell on Wednesday 13 July, 2022. Acharya Swamiji Maharaj and sants led the celebrations of Gurupoonam at the Tennessee Mandal as part of their North America 2022 Vicharan.
The celebrations commenced with a swagat yatra to honor our Gurudev Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa. Upon arriving inside the celebration hall, Acharya Swamiji Maharaj performed the Guru-poojan ceremony to Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa. Disciples also carried in chaabs with abundant offerings for Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and presented the various offerings. All disciples then had the chance to perform Guru-poojan.
The congregation then listened to Acharya Swamiji Maharaj's ashirwad and performed darshan of sandhya aarti. All disciples in attedance were also offered prasad.
Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj is the current spiritual leader of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. He is the heir to Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj, and sixth in the lineage of ascetic Acharyas, which descends directly from Lord Shree Swaminarayan.
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