Guru, Spirituality & My Maternal Grandmother

While returning from the  ashram, Hanuman Chalisa was playing in the car. As I was reciting it, my grandmother was constantly in my thoughts. During my childhood, she would put on various spiritual channels on television, which became my primary source of spiritual exposure. She wanted us to grow spiritually, and this was her style of imparting knowledge – to be the change she wanted to see in us. I remember my grandmother’s daily ritual was to wake up at 4:00 am, do the chores, light a lamp at the altar, chant her guru mantra, and then get on with her day.

It has stayed with us ever since. Whatever my sister and I know about our culture is because of her. She used to share stories of her Guru, Shri Sant Dayram Maharaj ji, from Nurmahal, Punjab. Every year on the occasion of Guru Purnima, she would send something to her Guru’s ashram. She would make us visit his ashram too, but I lacked the mental acuity to appreciate His spiritual brilliance since I was young.

I remember in her last moments, I showed her a picture of Swami ji. But clearly, she did not want that instead, she wanted her Guru in front of her eyes. I vividly remember giving her a photo of her Guru, and she held that photo close to her heart. In that critical moment, I couldn’t understand it, but now that I have a guru myself, I can appreciate her devotion. I would never like to see anyone else in place of my Guru, Om swami ji.

Thanks to my grandmother for sowing those spiritual seeds in us. She had a lot to share. So I would suggest you all go and spend some time with your grandparents. Sometimes, I feel guilty for not spending that much time with her, but regardless I feel blessed and grateful for all the wisdom she imparted to us. If you still have your grandparent, I urge you to spend time with them. You will gain much more from that interaction and become a better human being.

Keep smiling,

Thank you,

Riya Om

Image credit: iStock

Editing credit: Mr. Ashish