Guru Purnima

“Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnuhu, Guru Devo Maheswaraha

Guru Saakshaat Parabrahma, Tasmai Sri Gurve Namah”

This verse says it all, guru is the only person with the help of whom one can cross the ocean of darkness to the light without getting stuck or facing any obstacles. Apart from family, guru is the only person who has received the designation of parabrahma (most respectable place in anyone’s life). One might ponder on who to be considered as guru. Is it your teacher or rishi or priest or kuladaivem (family worshipped God)?

The answer is simple “anyone who has impacted or enlightened your life with wisdom, guided you and helped you gain the peace of mind etc. is your guru.”

Guru Purnima, if said simply, is the traditional “Teachers Day” which is reserved to do Guru Pooja (honor one’s guru).

Importance of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is the Indian festival that is celebrated on the full moon day of Ashada month. It is also believed that the maharishi Veda Vyasa (author of the epic Mahabharatha) is born on this day, so Guru Purnima is also called as Vyasa Purnima.

Guru Purnima is one of the few festivals in India that is not restricted to a particular religion/caste/creed. All unite on this day to shower their love to their respective gurus.

Peeking into the History

This festival is not restricted to but celebrated widely by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains:

• Hindus
  • It is believed that the Lord Shiva has taken a guru avataram as “Adi Guru”(first guru) to pass on the knowledge of yoga to the selected 7 rishis widely known as “Saptha Rishis” in Hinduism.
  • Vyasa Maharshi: The great rishi Vyasa was born on this day. He is also known as Veda Vyasa due his contribution to the Hindu dharma by the writing of the epic Mahabharata and his contribution to Vedas. He is the one who divided the Vedas into 4 (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva).
• Buddhists
  • As they follow the Guru Buddha, they celebrate this day by paying respect to Lord Buddha. It’s also believed that Lord Buddha, after attaining enlightenment, delivered his first sermon at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh (State in India).
• Sikhs
  • Sikhs celebrate this day by honoring their Spiritual Gurus.
• Jains
  • Widely celebrated as the “Treenok Guha Purnima” to pay the respects to most famous 24^th Tirthankara (savior and spiritual teacher of dharma) in Jainism “Mahavira”, it is believed that Mahavira made his first disciple (Gautham Swami) this day.

How to Celebrate Guru Purnima at Home

• Wake up early this day, take shower and do your Nitya Pooja (daily Pooja).
• Do offer your Pooja to your guru (recite Sai Leelamrut etc.), try to read the Guru Charitra (like Sai charitra, etc.) The sole purpose is to remember your guru and do the smaran of his priceless wisdom shared by them and remember their preaching’s.
•  Offer your guru’s favorite Nayivedya.
• Take the blessing of the elders in your family (As the elders in the family are the first gurus in anyone’s life).

Note: Above mentioned Sai Charitra or Sai Leelamrut are merely examples, one can follow any form of prayer/remembrance to their Gurus.

Let me know how you celebrated Guru Purnima in the comment section below.

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Stay Blessed and Have a Happy Guru Purnima!!!!