Eagle's Eye: Consider God as your Guru

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July 11, 2006: Guru Poornima, one of India's most sacred festivals, is

celebrated on the poornima (full moon) day in the month of Ashada

(July-August). As Sri Veda Vyasa was born on the full moon day in the

month of Aashaada, this day is celebrated as Vyasa-poornima. He

completed the codification of the four Vedas on this day and also

completed the writing of the eighteen puranas on this day.

 

Owing to the passage of time Vyasa Purnima came to be called Guru

Purnima. The real purpose of the celebration of Sri Guru Purnima or

Sri Vyasa Purnima is to express our gratitude to the great Master Sri

Veda Vyasa along with the one's own Guru.

 

Who is a true Guru? What is the truth underlying the Guru principle?

Is he the one that teaches worldly education? Is he the one that

explores the properties of matter, a Guru? Is he the one that

describes in detail Natural Sciences, a Guru? No, they are only mere

teachers, not gurus. In another sense, the term "Guru" means one who

dispels ignorance i.e. the Guru is the teacher who removes the

fundamental ignorance, which hides the knowledge of this truth from us.

 

In fact, a true Guru is the embodiment of Brahmaanandha

(Transcendental Bliss). A true Guru is one who enjoys and confers

changeless supreme happiness. Thus a true Guru is necessary to make us

understand the formless and attributeless Divinity.

 

Since it is difficult to get such true Gurus, [let us] consider God as

our Guru.

 

"Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Guru Devo Maheswara; Gurur Sakshat Para

Brahma Thasmai Sri Gurave Namaha" -- Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu,

and Guru is Maheswara.

 

In this world, everything is a manifestation of Divinity. All are the

embodiments of Divinity. In fact, all that we see is nothing but the

Divine Cosmic Form (Viswa Virat Swarupa).

 

The poornima or the full moon day has been fixed for revering him [or

her], for the effect of the knowledge is to put an end to scorching

agony and to shed cool comfort on the mind of man. Mahatmas and Sadhus

are also honoured and entertained, and acts of charity done by all

Grihastis with deep faith and sincerity. Mark fully the deep

significance of this great day. Ashada Purnima heralds the Chaturmasa,

or the setting in of the eagerly awaited rains. The water, drawn up

and stored as clouds in the hot summer, now manifests in plentiful

showers that usher in the advent of fresh life everywhere. Sadhus,

Rishis and Sanyasis have to stay at one place and do all their rites

i.e. religious ceremonies for four months commencing from "Guru Poornima".

 

During these for four months, Sannyasins stay in one place and study

the Brahma Sutras, and also practise meditation. What is real Guru

Poornima day? Is it simply the full moon day in the month of Ashada?

This is the common view. But the great ones have given other meanings

to it. One meaning is that it was on this day Vyasa began writing the

Brahma Sutra. It was also on this day that the Buddha attained

enlightenment and taught his disciples. For these reasons, the day is

known as Guru poornima. On this day, one should try to transform his

heart making it pure and sacred. The realisation of that wholeness is

the real guru poornima not the offering of paada pooja to some guru

and obtaining a mantra from him. One should resolve today to turn his

thoughts to God; to strive for the purification of his heart and to

seek self-realisation. The real significance of Guru poornima does not

consist in worshipping the guru (preceptor) with some offerings, but

in getting rid of the darkness of ignorance. "Poornima" refers to the

full moon, but the full symbolises the mind filled with delight. There

is a close association between the mind and the moon.

 

Guru poornima signifies the elimination of all darkness and evil from

the mind. Thus Guru poornima is an occasion for cleaning the mind to

make it absolutely pure. As long as the mind is filled with darkness

(ignorance; evil thoughts) there is no meaning in celebrating Guru

Poornima. Get rid of this darkness. Remember that nothing is

impossible, what is required is sincere effort in right direction in

right time. Om Shanti!

 

 

SOURCE: Central Chronicle, Bhopal, India

URL: http://www.centralchronicle.com/20060711/1107304.htm