Today marks the sacred festival of Guru Purnima, and on this significant occasion, I extend my best wishes to all countrymen on this auspicious occasion, and hopefully, the Guru-Shisha relationship flourishes in India and may the Guru's relieve the people from all darkness and ignorance. This doha of Saint Kabir highlights the significance of guru and it states ''Guru, Gobind donu khade kakay lago paye, balhari Guru apno Gobind detyo Batay'' which translates that both Guru and God are standing in front of me and who should I bow, I sacrifice my life for my Guru who showed me the light to reach God. Guru or teacher has always been seen as equal to God in Hindu culture and texts. This Sanskrit word literally means the one who liberates us from ignorance. This Full Moon night in Ashadha is one of the most sacred day in the Hindu religion. Guru Purnima and its auspicious celebrations which originally celebrated in Buddhism are ancient.
Guru Purnima also called Vyasa Purnima is the birth anniversary of shree Vadya Vyasa who is credited with writing many religious scriptures and texts. It also marks the birthday of Ved Vayasa who is responsible for writing some of the most important Hindu Texts of all times such as the Puranas ,Mahabaratha and Vedas .Consequently Guru Purnima serves to honour Ved Vyasa , known as one of the most prominent Gurus in history of ancient India. .Senior Ayurvedic consultant Dr Vishakha Mahindroo says ,’’Veda Vyasa , organized the four Vadas ,wrote the epic of Mahabharata , laid the foundation to many Puranas and massive encyclopedias of Hindu sacred lore. Guru Purnima is an important date for Hinduism, particularly since it marks the date when Lord Shiva as the Adi Guru or original Guru taught the seven Rishis, who were the seers of the Vedas.In yoga Sutras ,Ishvara as Pranava or Om is recognized as the Adi Guru of Voga.
Vishu Sahastranam - the thousand names of Lord Vishnu should also be read on this day to stay in sync with all holy texts that are religioned to Hinduism , the reference to Gurus and the bond we have with our gurus to their shishya should also be remembered. There is an ancient saying in Sanskrit saying, 'Mata Pitah Guru Daivam' gives priority first for mother, second for father. Third for Guru, fourth for God - thus the teacher as Guru has always taken precedence ahead of God in Hindu Tradition. Practical approaches of Guru Purnima is typically to worship and give thanks to the God whom we have taken like that of the Gurus that we have already acknowledged. My disciple at Guru Purnima pray will remember their teachers in monasteries and ashrams. Guru Purnima should also imply that you should dedicate yourself to: Follow the principal /teaching of the Guru and to a certain extent practically follow and channel you energy on the auspicious day. Many fasted or refrained to eat salt , rice ,heavy food even non-vegetarian food - meals made of cereals etc.
Only yoghurts or fruits are permitted. They break after puja in the evening. Temples have prasada and charnamrita, which include fresh fruits and sweetened curd. Most households also allow strict vegetarian on guru purnima which includes the delicacies Khichidi, poori, Halwa and sweets like Soan Papdi, Barfi, Ladoo, Gulab Jamun etc. Guru Purnima also written as Poornima is a religious Hindu festival that honors and respects all spiritual and academic gurus. It is a festival in India and celebrated in India, Nepal and Bhutan by Hindus, Janis and Buddhists. The festival is celebrated traditionally to honor ones chosen spiritual teacher or leaders. The festival was revived by Mahatma Gandhi in honor of his personal spiritual guru, Shrimad Rajchandra. Buddhists celebrate Uposatha, that is to observe eight percepts on this day. The Vipassana meditators perform or practice meditation on this day with their spiritual teachers guidance.
During this period, Buddhist monks stay in one place; which is usually their temples. Many Buddhist lay people use Vassa to revive their spiritual training and more ascetic practices, like going without meat, alcohol or smoking. On this day, the Treenok Guhas are remembered through the remembrance of their life and teachings. The Vyasa Puja occurs at various temples and members of the temples make floral offerings, symbolic gifts are given away. Most pujas have meals for the disciples, or Shishya to follow, where they hand out Prasad and the nectar of the feet, which means Krishna's, or more appropriately intentions and blessings, Kripa. Vyasa puja occurs as a day of remembrance towards the Treenok Guhas, through whom God gives the grace of knowledge to the disciple; so, throughout the day, the special recitations of the Hindu scriptures, especially the Treenok Guha Gita, are their primary focus after the eating. Along with, Bhajans and Hymns singing, along with special Kirtan session and Havan is organised at various places.
Indian academicians, regardless of their religions, celebrate this day by thanking and honouring their teachers. Many schools, colleges, and universities hold events where students express their gratitude to their teachers and also recall past scholars. Alumni will visit their teachers and provide gifts as a gesture of gratitude to their teachers and college or university. There are also opportunities for students to arrange different arts competitions as well. The central tradition amongst guru-shishya (teacher-student) is to offer blessings by reciting a verse, or quote and then the guru offers their blessings for success and overall happiness of an individual. Guru Purnima is in fact India's traditional way to commemorate teachers day in its own unique setting. Guru Purnima is one of the most sacred festivals that a person can celebrate, as it pays tribute and gratitude to spiritual or academic gurus. Guru is seen as that one person's who helps you, guides you and shapes your yatra (life). As the name suggests it is celebrated in one’s reverence of "Guru" or teacher.
Guru Purnima is traditionally held to be the day when Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa –author of Mahabarata was born to sage Parasara and Satyavati . This is why it is also called Vyasa Purnima .On the day of Guru Purnima , devotees take a bath , pray to their gurus . There are celebrations of Guru Purnima seen all across India and devotees will recite shlokas in the remembrance of their Gurus. Guru is the creator Brahma , Guru is the preserver Vishnu, Guru is the destroyer,Shiva. Guru is directly the supreme spirit. I bow down to this Guru. This is said Adi Shankara. Therefore, we see this month of Guru Purnima as an optimal time to receive the Grace of the Guru and make ourselves in a place of receptivity to this process . In conclusion, we can say that Guru Purnima is significant and not something that can be overstated or ignored
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