Vedic Graduation Pooja at Shirdi Sai Parivar Mandir in Groton, MA

Sixteen Hindu-American high school and college students and their families, along with some members of the community, gathered together on June 15, 2019, in New England Shirdi Sai Parivar Mandir, Groton, MA, to celebrate their graduation from High School and College in a traditional Vedic service. The graduates, their proud parents, friends, scholars, pujaris, and several Temple committee members assembled early on Saturday morning to participate in this unique Samskara, held in the United States for the eleventh time. This event is organized every year in a family setting and it is hoped that the children will represent the Hindu community in US with confidence and stay together as a community when they grow up and would make significant contributions economically and also culture-wise. The Eleventh Annual Graduation Pooja was cosponsored by Shirdi Sai Parivar Mandir and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America.

Unlike other graduation ceremonies, Ashirwaad Divas has a very unique style which is liked by the children, their parents and grandparents because the Indian culture has laid emphasis on the importance of a ‘Guru’ who imparts knowledge, Goddess Saraswari who is the epitome of knowledge and the Vedic rituals which were performed by Satish Sharma ji and Ravi Shreedhar ji.

The service began with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, Dr. Naimish Patel, followed by the Ekta Mantra, flawlessly recited by Sharada, Avani, Asha, Alok and Kriti. This mantra reminds us all of the underlying unity among all Hindus, regardless of their background or social standing. The Emcee, Alok Shetty, a high school junior, conducted the entire ceremony and guided everyone through the morning. After a soulful recitation of the Saraswati Vandana by Sharada Vishwanath and a bhajan in praise of Lord Ganesh, beautifully sung by Avani Kashalikar, the Emcee introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Naimish Patel, who addressed the graduates and their families, and inspired them to do their best. He urged them to remember the core Hindu values that provide the inner strength to keep going in the face of all odds, to look beyond the obvious and never feel complacent in this competitive and fast changing world.

The Vandana of the Devi of Learning had a calming effect on the audience, with the graduates prepared to participate in the ensuing pooja and absorb the messages from Pandit Satish Sharma ji and the various speakers.  The temple pujari, Pandit Satish Sharma ji, conducted the service beginning with Sri Ganesha Pooja followed by Ma Saraswati Pooja. He emphasized that everyone should respect his/her parents, teachers and Ishwar. By respecting your parents and teachers, you are respecting Ishwar as well. Each graduate participated individually and collectively in the Pooja seeking success in college and future educational efforts.

The next and very popular item was recital of Shikshavali in Sanskrit by Ravi Shreedhar followed by its interpretation in English. It is from the Taittiriya-Upanishad and describes the beautiful bond between a teacher and his/her pupils and lays emphasis on learning as an ongoing journey of life rather than a destination. It also exemplifies the reverence of the parents and teachers who are projected as living Gods in our scriptures and epics.

All students were called individually, their accomplishments acknowledged, and awarded a graduation certificate with a bag of gifts. The awards were presented to each graduate by Ravi Shreedhar ji. They all had a chance to talk for 2-3 minutes about their accomplishments, goals, and aspirations as they accepted their awards.

The final remarks and blessings were given by Dr. Abhaya Asthana. He inspired the students to continue on their quest for higher learning, and always leave room for Ishwar and self-development. He reminded everyone that the Hindu culture is a culture of gratitude, respect, acceptance, self-discipline and service. The students are fortunate to have their education, their families, and their supportive community.

The ceremony was followed by a delicious lunch which was lovingly prepared by the families of the graduating students. All the students agreed that this was an event that will live forever in their memory, as a motivation to continue to excel. A samskara ceremony creates a positive imprint or channel in the mind of the recipient akin to a little path. The purpose is to guide future thoughts and resulting actions to travel along this familiar path assisting the individual to think and act in an appropriate manner conducive to living in accordance with dharma.

All students were asked to bow to Sri Ganesha, Ma Saraswati, their mothers, their fathers, and all others present in the congregation. They were further asked to go out fearlessly in the world and to be proud to call themselves Hindu Americans.

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