Pandit Gajanana Joshi, or Joshiji as he was revered, passed away early this year. I was fortunate to have him as one my gurus in life.
On behalf of many many of us in the Bay Area, here are a few of my thoughts expressing our gratitude for his contribution to our lives.
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Dear Guruji,
Our hearts are filled with deep sadness that you are no longer with us. You had guided us on the principles of Sanatana Dharma, the spiritual path that connects us with the Universe.
Our family fondly recalls meeting you many years ago at the Sunnyvale Hindu temple. At that time, it was a converted warehouse with dangling heating ducts and patchy plastered walls. The makeshift platform had a multitude of photographs of Hindu Gods, and a few idols.
But what resonated for us was your pure devotion, along with the richness of your prayer rituals. You always conducted them without taking any shortcuts and with proper rendering in Sanskrit of ancient Vedic chants. Inclusion of everyone from all demographics has always been a key aspect of your service.
It is said that the greatest offering to the Divine is in the form of music, dance and art. Always a patron of the arts, you hosted so many classical music concerts and Yakshagana performances in the temple. We recall with gratitude the opportunity that you provided my wife to begin hosting the Navaratri classical dance festival on a makeshift platform. It was an honor to approach the various classical dance schools in the Bay Area, who were only delighted to participate with their students.
A few years later, you suggested to a few of us that we learn and chant Vedic sUktAs. We formed the Ekalavya group in the Bay Area and learned to chant from the recordings provided by Chellakere brothers. We could never have imagined that we would have a guru in the Bay Area who provided us a platform and opportunity to chant during special occasions, the all night sessions on Shivaratri and during various festivals.
Over the years, we have seen your journey across various temples. In spite of financial hardship, you always managed to keep your temples running with grace by remaining pure in your thought and action. Your pure faith in the almighty finally made it possible with contributions from donors to build the beautiful Sanatana Dharma Kendra temple in its current location in San Jose.
Guruji, many many of us in the Bay Area were truly blessed by your presence, your encouragement, your steadfastness, your love for the fine arts, your knowledge and dedication to following the Vedic scriptures. It has been a divine gift to have the opportunity to learn from you.
By embracing inclusion in every aspect of your life, you have showed us how to practice Sanatana Dharma.
We know that Paramaatma has held you in His arms to take you on your journey to Heaven.
We hope to see you there sometime.
With our Namaskaras and Respects…
the multitude of grateful Bay Area devotees...
