Guru Purnima (10th July) is a Hindu festival dedicated to honoring teachers and spiritual guides, and is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha. It’s also known as Vyasa Purnima, as it marks the birth anniversary of the sage Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata. The term Purnima tells us that this festival is celebrated on a Full Moon Day. The Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists all over the world celebrate this day to pay respect to their teachers and Gurus.
These Gurus teach their disciples all about wisdom and knowledge and ask for minimal or no fees. Their selfless services are honoured on this day. Guru Purnima is an opportunity to acknowledge the role of gurus in shaping our lives, fostering spiritual growth, and promoting self-awareness. Guru Purnima represents the date on which Lord Shiva as the Adi Guru or original guru taught the Seven Rishis and seers of the Vedas. This reflects the fact that Shiva is Omkara and all the higher teachings arise out of Om as the Divine Word and cosmic sound vibration and its Yoga Shakti.
Remember OM and all the mantras that arise from it as the connection to the guru within you, including all the mantras your gurus have taught you. The day emphasizes the importance of knowledge, wisdom, and the guidance gurus provide in spiritual and personal growth. Guru Purnima is traditionally celebrated to mark the significance of spiritual teachers in our lives and their role in removing darkness, ignorance for a better evolvement at the soul level. Besides religious importance, it is also a practice among the Indian students across many schools, colleges and universities to honour the academicians, teachers as a mark of respect and gratitude, on this day.
On Guru Purnima, devotees primarily worship Ved Vyasa, the sage who compiled the Vedas and Puranas. Additionally, some traditions also revere Lord Shiva as the Adi Guru (first Guru) and Lord Vishnu. Furthermore, the elephant-headed god Ganesha, who was Vyasa’s scribe, is also honored, particularly as the god of knowledge and wisdom. The term Vyasa is derived from the name of Guru Ved Vyas. He was the courtroom advisor of the Kauravs. They fought in the battle of Mahabharata against the Pandavas. On these days, several rituals are adhered to by the people who pay homage to their Gurus.The true guru is a position of spiritual guidance, the illuminating presence of a higher awareness connected to cosmic intelligence. The guru is not limited to any single person but shows how that cosmic intelligence can guide us in the human realm and beyond.
The guru is the spiritual master as the cosmic guru. On this day, one should dedicate oneself to following the guru’s instruction and putting it into practice for the year ahead. The guru principle is most active at this time, and we can more easily connect with notable gurus past or present. We should deepen our relationship with our gurus on this auspicious occasion.
A guru has the power to ignite a thirst for knowledge and a love for continuous learning. They cultivate a growth mindset, encouraging students to embrace curiosity, explore new ideas, and pursue their passions without any hindrance. By adapting teaching methods to cater to diverse learning styles, teachers unlock the potential of each child, encouraging them to explore, question, and discover their unique interests and talents.
Let us dedicate Guru Purnima day to honor and express our gratitude to spiritual gurus, teachers, and mentors who guide us on our path to self-realization and spiritual growth.
(Wrriten by Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit)
