Guru Purnima Reflections - Ode to my Gurus

🌕 Guru Purnima Reflections 🌕

On 10th July, we celebrated Guru Purnima — a sacred day to honour the wisdom and grace of our Gurus.

As an offering of gratitude, I bow first to my Mother and Father, my very first Gurus who shaped my values.

I then offer my heartfelt pranams to all my spiritual Gurus —

Swami Chinmayanandaji, Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji, Avdhoot Shivanand Ji, Brahmakumari Shivaniji, Guru Premanandji Maharaj, Shri Aniruddhacharya Ji Maharaj, and most recently, Guru Satyendranathji of Nasik — each of whom has illuminated my life in unique and profound ways.

But Gurus come in many forms — our friends, strangers, even our children. Life constantly teaches us through every interaction. We only need the humility to learn.

As a humble offering, I wrote this poem 🙏🏻

(Inset Photo - A Guru blessing his disciple created by me on Studio Art Ghibli.)

🕊️ Ode to My Gurus 🕊️

In shadows deep where doubts reside,

A gentle hand, a steady guide.

From “gu” — the darkness, “ru” — the light,

A guru’s touch turns wrong to right.

In silent steps or thunder's roar,

My Gurus came to open doors.

With words or glances, smiles or tears,

They whispered truth beyond the years.

My mother told me tales of God,

My father taught each sacred chant.

From chants and questions, deep and true,

A divine light within me grew.

They taught me not just mantras old,

But how to love, to trust, be bold.

To seek the self in all around,

And stand in peace on shaky ground.

My Gurus, Not just a teacher, but a flame,

That kindles the soul beyond mere name.

With wisdom deep like ancient seas,

They help us shed our fears with ease.

Some wore robes, some walked unseen,

Some were stern, and some serene.

Some were storms, and some the breeze,

But all helped bring my soul to ease.

Through winding paths of spirit’s quest,

They lead us onward, never rest.

A beacon bright when nights grow long,

In their embrace, we find our song.

I bow to them, both near and far,

Each one a guide, a living star.

For in their grace, I found my way —

A heart that learns, each blessed day.

A sacred bond, both strong and true,

Of trust and grace between me and you.

More than knowledge, love imparts,

The key that unlocks restless hearts.

 

In every heart the light does gleam,

Awakened by the guru’s dream.

A guide, a friend, through dark and sun,

Until our journey’s whole and done.

© Sukanya Yogesh (2025)

All rights reserved.
No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.

Ashadhi Ekadashi – A Sacred Day of Devotion and Reflection

Ashadhi Ekadashi, also known as Devshayani Ekadashi, will be observed on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

The day marks the start of Lord Vishnu's four-month celestial rest. 

I wrote this poem today inspired by this holy day. 

Inset Photo - A happy smiling face of our dear Lord Vithoba(Vitthal) created by me on Studio Art Ghibli.

Ashadhi Ekadashi – A Sacred Day of Devotion and Reflection

In Ashadha’s moonlit, sacred sky,

Devotion wakes as spirits fly,

Fasting not just of food, but speech,

Of ego too—what hearts must teach.

A time to turn the gaze within,

To cleanse the soul, repent all sin,

To walk the path of thought and prayer,

And feel the Lord’s still presence there.

For Chaturmas, the holy tide,

Begins today, with faith as guide.

A season deep in thought and song,

Where right and truth to hearts belong.

Through Vithoba’s land, the pilgrims tread,

With saffron flags and hearts outspread.

To Pandharpur, they sing and sway,

In joy and tears, they find their way.

So let us bow and rise anew,

With every breath, with all we do—

On Ekadashi, bright and high,

Where heaven touches earth and sky

On Shayani Ekadashi's moonlit night,

You sing His praises from dusk to light.

With folded hands and hearts so wide,

Devotion flows like an endless tide.

The stars bear witness, calm and bright,

To souls awakened in sacred light.

Lord Vishnu sleeps, the world stands still,

Yet chants arise from vale and hill.

Barefoot paths to Pandharpur gleam,

In every step, a whispered dream.

“Vitthala, Vitthala,” voices rise,

Their love ascending to the skies. 

Our minds grow still, the world fades thin,

As light awakens deep within.

In every breath, His name we say,

On this divine Ekadashi day.

The body tires, but spirits glow,

As bhakti's river starts to flow.

Through tears and hymns, the soul takes flight,

Bathed in the moon’s soft silver light.

In silence loud, the soul takes flight,

On Shayani Ekadashi’s holy night.

No feast we seek, no riches grand,

Just grace to hold His lotus hand.

© Sukanya Yogesh (2025)

All rights reserved.
No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.

To My Sister, on Her 60th Birthday - Poetry

To My Sister, on Her 60th Birthday - Poetry 

Happy 60th Birthday, dearest sister!

Today, as you celebrate six wonderful decades, I just want to say how incredibly blessed I am to have you in my life. You’ve always been my guide, my confidante, and my biggest cheerleader. Your wisdom, grace, and unwavering love have shaped me in more ways than I can count.

Through every season of life, you’ve shown what it means to live with kindness, courage, and a heart full of love. Your laughter lights up every room, and your strength inspires everyone around you. I hope today reflects even a fraction of the joy you've given others over the years.

Here’s to celebrating all that you are and all the beautiful moments still to come. You are cherished beyond words and loved more than you know.

Tonnes of love

Your little baby sister whom you treat as a baby always.

I wrote a poem for you my dearest Mini 💕

Inset Photo - A picture of me and my Sister on Studio Art Ghibli.

To My Sister, on Her 60th Birthday

Sixty years — a life so bright,

Woven with love, with truth, with light.

A heart so big, so deep, so kind,

The rarest soul one hopes to find.

You stand for all, both near and far,

A steady flame, our guiding star.

For every voice that goes unheard,

You lift them up with love and word.

So generous, so richly giving,

You shape the world with selfless living.

You give to charity, hands and heart,

Turning compassion into art.

You care for all — with quiet grace,

Bringing warmth to every space.

You never ask, you simply do,

With strength that’s rare, and spirit true.

Your laughter heals, your wisdom shows,

And in your love, a garden grows.

So on this day, we honour you —

For all you are, and all you do.

May joy be yours in every way,

As you celebrate this special day.

And may the kindness you let shine

Return to you — a thousand times.

Happy 60th, with all my heart,

Sukanya ©

I went to the temple and prayed for her well being. The priest offered prayers to the Lord and gave me a beautiful pink lotus.

May God give her a long, happy & healthy life.

I surprised her 2 days ago with Gifts I ordered online for her Star birthday and I ordered a "vegan" handbag of her choice for her English Birthday 

I want to shower her with so many gifts and give her all the love in this world.

© Sukanya Yogesh (2025)

All rights reserved.
No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.

My Guardian Angels (My Parents)

 I lost both my parents on the same date 2 year's apart. Appa(23rd June 2015), 10 year's today & my Amma (23rd June 2017), 8 year's today

Life has never been the same again. I'm orphaned 😢 and left to fend for myself without their guidance and support. I miss them each day everyday.

I penned my feelings in poetry 

Inset Photo - A picture of My Parents and me and my brother on Studio Art Ghibli. The original picture was taken in a fair conducted at a school, where they had props.

My Guardian Angels (My Parents)

Ten years have flown, Appa, since your celestial flight,

Eight years since Amma joined you, bathed in eternal light.

June twenty-third, a date etched deep within my soul,

Two years apart you left me, leaving such a gaping hole.

Time's relentless passage, blurring months to years,

Leaves me wondering how I function, battling back the tears.

No one, nothing can replace the warmth of your embrace,

Your memory a poignant echo, in time's fleeting space

I long for your embrace, a comforting, healing hand,

Your presence, an absence, across this weary land.

I long for that sure anchor, that haven safe and deep,

Where unconditional love resided, secrets I could keep.

 

Each day, I reach for the phone, a familiar, empty space,

To share life's joys and sorrows, with your loving embrace.

My happiness feels incomplete, unspoken and unknown,

A joy dimmed by your absence, leaving me all alone.

A heart unmoored, adrift at sea, where shadows softly play,

No anchor strong, no guiding star, to light a lonely way.

A vast and empty ocean, where solace cannot bloom,

Lost in the icy silence, consumed by deepest gloom.

My heart yearns to see you, my guiding stars above,

The beauty of your presence, a beacon of unconditional and endless love.

Your wisdom lives on, a legacy bright,

In lessons learned, and values held tight.

My guardian angels, ever near, my constant, watchful guide,

Protecting me from harm and fear, forever by my side.

A tender, poignant memory, a love that will not fade,

A parent's bond, a child's deep love, beyond death's shadowed glade.

 

Though pain remains a whisper, a tender, haunting sting,

Love's melody continues, forever we will sing.

Appa, Amma, forever, etched within our hearts,

In love's eternal embrace, where true devotion starts.

© Sukanya Yogesh (2025)

All rights reserved.
No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.

 

A Symphony of pain (Kashmir Attack - 22nd April 2025)

(Inset - A picture of the Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, Kashmir, India)

Dear Friend's, I was deeply disturbed by the Kashmir incident that happened recently. 

I wrote this poem today. (23rd April, 2025)

A Symphony of pain (Kashmir Attack - 22nd April 2025)

In Kashmir's embrace, a paradise unveiled, 

 Where beauty and peace, a story was hailed. 

 Where sunlight danced, now shadows reside, 

 Innocent dreams, forever denied. 

Terror's cold grip, a sudden, harsh blow, 

Leaving hearts shattered, in grief's silent flow. 

 "Om Shanti" we whisper, a plea for peace, 

For those who are grieving, may solace find release. 

A world torn by violence, a symphony of pain, 

From terror's swift strike, to climate's slow drain. 

Innocent lives claimed, by forces unseen, 

A chilling reminder, of what could have been. 

But hope still remains, a flicker in the night, 

A call to action, to choose what is right. 

Compassion's embrace, a beacon so bright, 

Guiding our steps, towards a world where love takes flight. 

Let's build a future, where peace holds the sway, 

Where every child lives, safe and secure each day. 

A world sustainable, where justice reigns true, 

A legacy of love, for me and for you. 

From Kashmir's tragedy, a lesson profound, 

Peace and compassion, are gifts to be found. 

Let us honor the lost, with a vow we will keep, 

To build a better world, where love runs deep. 

© Sukanya Yogesh (2025)

All rights reserved.
No part of this poetry may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews, articles, or academic work, with proper attribution.