Guru Vandhana Program at Case Western Reserve University
Guru Vandhana, “Reverence to the Teacher,” took place for the first time in the history of one of America’s top universities, Case Western Reserve University. The event honored Professor of Mathematics, Christopher Butler. Guru Vandhana is a concept, an idea that is as old as humanity itself. If looked at from the literal definition, the “Gu” in Guru means Darkness/Ignorance, and “Ru” means Light. The Guru is the One who dispels the darkness of ignorance and bestows upon him or her knowledge. From a spiritual prespective, the word Guru is “one who is beyond attributes and forms.” Gu stands for Gunaatheetha - one who transcends the three Gunas (Satva, Rajas and Thamas); Rustands for Rupavarjitha - one who is formless. The One who is beyond all attributes and forms is none other than the Supreme Self (the Brahmam) who is resident within each of us. Only God can be regarded as One who is beyond attributes and forms. “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devoh, Maheshwarahah. Guru Sakshat Parabrahama, Tasmay Shri Guraveh Namah,” Guru is Brahma, who is the Creator of the universe. Guru is Vishnu who is all pervasive and is also the Doer in the universe. Guru is Maheshvara who commands and ordains everything in the universe in the right manner. Guru is not one who merely teaches. A real Guru is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent, He is God Himself.
With such a beautiful, inspiring, and revered concept of Guru, the Hindu YUVA at Case Western Reserve University chose Guru Vandhana to be one of their Cultural events of the year, a tradition that they hope to continue every year honoring all those Educators and Teachers that impart knowledge on the student. The event took place in Adelbert Hall/College, the Administrative Building of Case Western, which included students, faculty, the local Indian community, as well as members from Undergraduate Indian Student Association, Muslim Students Association, Undergraduate Student Government, Satrang Graduate Students Organization, Art of Living Foundation etc. President Barbara Snyder was also at the event showing her support and appreciation for such an event to take place right across from her office. The event began with an Electric Lamp Invocation by Professor Chris Butler and a Shanti Mantra by Hindu YUVA’s Philanthropic Chair, Apurva Kaushik. The Shanti Mantra was repeated by those present in the room to create a peaceful atmosphere and as invocation of peace among everyone. Priya Singh of the Junior Board of Hindu YUVA, welcomed everybody to the event. The Executive Board of Hindu YUVA which consists of the President, Sai Kolluru, Vice-President, Ricky Patel, Secretary, Rekha Iyer, and Treasurer, Sagnik De spoke about the organization of Hindu YUVA which was created to raise awareness through Hindu Culture, Principles and Values to promote Seva, Selfless Service for the benefit of the community. The event then went on to the Guru Mantra which was repeated by Ph.D student and Hindu YUVA member, Jayant Avva. Dr. Sudesh Agrawal of the Cleveland Clinic was also present with Jayant at the podium representing Hindu Education Foundation, which recognizes events such as Guru Vandhana by Hindu YUVA as not only a cultural event but a educational event. Dr. Sree Sreenath of the EECS Department then introduced Professor Butler and an official Ceremony took place.
The Ceremony consisted of Hindu YUVA students and other students present at the event putting Tilak on Professor Butler, doing Aarti to him, and a Shawl Ceremony with a Bouquet. Mohammed Gazanfer Khan (Gazy Khan), community relations director, next year’s President of Muslim Students Association and a junior, spoke at event talking about the scene in the Great Epic, Mahabharata, between the relationship of Ekalavya and his Guru Donacharya. He then on to point out that events such as Guru Vandhana are “beyond culture, religion, caste and creed”. Such events only create Unity within Diversity among the students and its faculty and the community. He also expressed strong interest in Hindu YUVA and its team to collaborate with the Muslim Students Association next school year to have events such as this to promote Unity among campus life. After Gazy Khan’s mesmerizing speech on Guru Vandhana everyone was amazed and impressed to see a person of different faith knew so much about Hinduism and the specific concept of Guru it entails. Gazy’s presence clearly proved that such a concept is Universal and that the boundaries we create between each other mean very little. After Gazy’s speech, Dr. Adityan spoke about the Guru-Shishya Parampara. Dr. Adityan, named as top 100 NeuroPsychiatrists in America, and currently serves as the Secretary, Board of Directors at the Hindu University of America, Orlando, FL recognized Gazy for his speech and said perhaps Dr. Adityan himself could not have put the event in better words. Dr. Adityan spoke about the Guru-Disciple Relationship and the pivotal and universal role it plays. He pointed out the relationship as something Divine and Transcendental, illustrating stories throughout the history of Hinduism that played a significant role in honoring and showing Reverance to the Guru.
The event concluded with Professor Chris Butler speaking about how humbled he was and honored he was for the event. He said that students usually ask him to sit in Dunk Tanks for student life activities but they have never asked if they can felicitate him through a unique culture and tradition and such as Guru-Vandhana. Dr. Jessica Gerard, the Director of ESL who works with Hindu YUVA in the Sewa Project Vani helping the Bhutanese with ESL Classes, described the event, “I had tears in my eyes the entire time while this was happening, you guys did an absolutely wonderful job and I wish you all the best.” Many distinguished faculty members, intellectuals, and community leaders that were present at the event congratulated the Hindu YUVA organization for having such a unique cultural event “that should become a tradition every year.”
-Report by Sai Kolluru, Case Western Reserve University
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