Guru Poornima

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Friday, July 18th is Guru Poornima,Vyasa Poornima and Ashada Purnima

 

The day of full moon - Purnima in the month of Ashada as Guru Purnima, which usually comes in the month of July. Also known as Vyasa Purnima, the day is celebrated in remembrance and veneration of to sage Veda Vyasa. He is the Adi (original) Guru of the Hindu Dharma. Vyasa was the son of the sage Parasara and fisherwoman Satyavati and the grand son of the renowned sage Vasistha. He personified the combination of sagely wisdom and the practical approach of the fisherwoman. It is essential to cultivate both to excel in life.

 

Vyasa was born on the full moon day (Purnima) of Ashada. Purnima denotes illumination and Vyasa Purnima points to spiritual enlightenment. Apart from codifying the Vedas, Vyasa composed the Puranas and Brahma sutras and also dictated the epic Mahabharata consists of almost one-lakh verses and it is considered as the fifth Veda.

 

Guru Purnima day is considered as the most auspicious day on which ones Guru are worshiped. The word Guru stands for the source of light, which dispels the darkness of ignorance. The worship of Guru means a journey from darkness to light. (Tam soma Jyotirgamaya)

 

Only He who removes our ultimate darkness, known as Maya, and who inspires and guides us on the path of God-realisation is the true Guru. A spiritual aspirant, no matter how brilliant, can never attain knowledge by his or her own endeavour. This is stipulated in the Shrimad Bhagawatam in which Jadbharat reveals to king Rahugan:

 

“O Rahugan! One cannot attain knowledge of Atma and Paramatma by performing penance, sacrifices, renunciation, Vedic study or worshipping deities of water, fire or the Sun. But when the dust from the feet of God-realised Guru sprinkles on our heads, then we can surely attain this knowledgeâ€.

 

Adi Shankara echoes a similar injunction: “If a person, despite possessing, a handsome, disease-free body, fame, a mountain of wealth, and even if he has studied the Vedas and all other scriptures, and has himself composed many scriptures, but has not surrendered himself at the feet of a Guru, then he has achieved nothing, nothing, and nothingâ€.

 

A famous verse known by heart by almost all Hindus and their children glorifies the Guru.

 

Gurubrahma Guruvishnu gururdevo Maheshwara IGuruhu Sakshaat Parambrahman tasmi Shrigurave namaha II

 

Meaning: “The Guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva), veneration to the Guru who is Parabrahman manifestâ€.

 

The second line of the couplet does not literally mean that the Guru becomes Parabrahman- God, rather he is venerated as if God is manifesting through him.

 

Therefore on the day of Guru Purnima, disciples introspect, and resolve to offer puja and

reverence to Guru in mind, speech and action; implicitly obey his unvoiced wishes, commands, serving him as one would God and lauding his glory and redemptive attributes.

 

On this very Holy day it is most auspicious to wake up at Brahmamuhurta (at 4 a. m) on this most holy day, to mediate on the lotus feet of ones Guru. Mentally to pray him for his grace, through which alone one can attain self-realisation. To do vigorous japa and meditate in the early morning hours.

 

After bath, to worship the lotus feet of the Guru, or his image or picture with flowers, fruits, incense and camphor. To fast or take only milk and fruits the whole day.

 

Alternatively, one may observe the vow of silence and study the books or writings of Guru.

 

The best form of worship of the Guru is to follow his teaching in ones own life, to shine as the very embodiment of his teachings, and to propagate his glory and his message.

 

Om Sai Ram

 

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