Famed Spiritual Teacher Discusses Hindu Holy Text

More than 90 worshipers turned out Sunday to hear a spiritual educator discuss the Hindu holy text known as the Bhagavad-Gita.

Mohini Kumari, president of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization, came from New York to speak at Valley Hindu Temple, located on Roscoe Boulevard.

Temple leaders said they invited Kumari because of her experience as a spiritual leader and her significance to Hindus around the world.

“It’s a very rare opportunity that all these people get to hear her,” said Kenny Sharma, the temple’s general secretary. “She is very important to us and to the community as a whole.”

Kumari, who has been a spiritual educator for 30 years, heads an organization that provides a number of social services, including helping Indian women become self-sufficient by learning job skills.

During her talk, Kumari, who spoke in Hindi, told attendees that they need to put aside time for spirituality to elevate their lives. She described the body as a “costume” and spoke of the importance of the soul, which she called indestructible, eternal, peaceful and pure.

The spiritual teacher spoke for about an hour at the temple, which was adorned with elaborate representations of Hindu deities. English translators were on hand for those who do not speak Hindi.

“She was very good and very exciting,” said Darshana Syal, of North Hollywood. “She explained how to live life here and still devote yourself to God.”