Tokyo, Sunday, July 25, 2010

Amma’s Japan program started today in Tokyo. Amma’s darshan was supposed to be from 11 AM to 5 PM, but due to the large crowd, the program lasted until 10:15 PM.

Today is Guru Purnima . Guru Poornima is a day for celebration and worship – a day on which the disciples remember and express their gratitude to the lineage of Gurus. The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a ‘puja’ of their respective spiritual preceptor or ‘Guru’.

Amma gave darshan until about 9:30 PM. The Guru Poornima celebrations started after that. Swami Amritaswarupananda read Amma’s Guru Purnima Message, which was also translated in Japanese. Then, Swamiji performed Pada Puja to Amma’s Lotus feet, which was followed by chanting of Amma’s 108 names. All the Swamis offered a garland and salutations to Amma.

Then, Amma sang two bhajans: Hari Narayana Jai Narayana & Kota Tumi Jonani. At the end of ‘Kota Tumi Jonani’, there was a lot of energy when Amma called out ‘Maha Kali Ki…’, ‘Bhadra Kali Ki…’ and ‘Mata Rani Ki…’ which was followed by a loud ‘Jai’ response from all those who were present in the hall.
Before getting up from Her chair, Amma conveyed a brief message on the occasion of Guru Poornima – She said “Do not hurt anyone with your thoughts, words or deeds. Listen to your conscience and act accordingly. Pray for world peace.”
Sweet rice pudding was distributed as Prasad to all devotees. Devotees from Amma’s ashrams around the world watched this great celebration through webcast.
On this most auspicious occasion let us offer our gratitude and love at the Lotus Feet of our beloved Mother, Father, Guru and God – all-in-one: Amma.

– Sudhakar