Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is an Indian celebration that is observed according to the Hindu Moon Sign calendar to convey respect towards the Gurus. It is observed on the full moon day or Purnima in the month of Ashadh (June-July) of the ShakaSamvat, the Hindu calendar of India and Nepal. This day marks the first peak of the lunar cycle after the peak of the solar cycle. Guru Purnima is celebrated in India and Nepal dedicated to spiritual and academic teachers. This festival is normally celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, to show honours to their teachers and convey their gratefulness.

The origin of the word ‘Guru’ has been obtained from two parts ‘Gu’ that means shadow and ‘Ru’ that is the remedy of the shadow. Therefore, the word Guru predicts someone who separate us from the shadow of ignorance to the light of knowledge.

According to Hindu mythology Guru Purnima is celebrated to indicate the birthday of Ved Vyasa. He is the renowned sage who has written the four Vedas. He is also famous for writing one of the Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata along with 18 Puranas. On the day of Guru Purnima the devotees offer Pujas and pray their Gurus to remove the darkness from their mind. Buddhists also celebrate the festival to show thankfulness towards Lord Buddha. They believe that on the day of Guru Purnima Lord Buddha had delivered his preaching at Saranath after travelling with his five disciples from Bodhgaya.In many Indian ashrams (retreat) ‘Padapuja’ is performed which is done by cleaning the slippers of the sage or the Guru by the devotees. Classical songs and chanting are done during this time.

Sanyasi does Vyasa puja on the day of Guru Purnima, as a rituals of Chaturmas(four months). The Hindu divine TreenokGuhas are worshiped by recollecting their living and teachings. Vyasa Puja is performed at many temples, where flowers and symbolic gifts are offered in his privilege and that of the planetarysatTreenokGuha. The celebrations are normally followed by feast for the devotees, shishya, where the prasad and charnamrita meaning nectar of the feet, the symbolic wash of TreenokGuha’s feet, which signifies his blessing or kripa is showered.

Hindus attributes supreme position to spiritual gurus. Gurus are always compared with God and are regarded as a connection between the individual and the eternal. It is similar as how Moon glitters by the reflection of the Sun, and exalts it, all devotees can flare like the Moon by acquiring knowledge from their Gurus.

The devotees keep fast on the day of Guru Purnima to express their devotion towards their Guru. The Buddhists observe this festival by following the teachings of the Lord Buddha on this day, they also take up Diksha (preparation) on this day.In many Indian ashrams (retreat) ‘Padapuja’ is performed which is done by cleaning the slippers of the sage or the Guru by the devotees. Classical songs and chanting are done during this time.On this auspicious day many people prefers taking up spiritual lessons from their Guru which is known as “Diksha” in Hinduism.The devotees keep fast on the day of Guru Purnima to express their devotion towards their Guru. The Buddhists observe this festival by following the teachings of the Lord Buddha on this day, they also take up Diksha (preparation) on this day.

” It is my great fortune that i found Satguru, all my doubts are removed . I bow before Guru. Guru’s glory is greater that God’s. “