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“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”

Guru Purnima is a celebration of the spiritual and academic Gurus or teachers.

Guru is a Sanskrit word that refers to the remover of darkness or ignorance, and Purnima is a full moon day.

People in India, Bhutan, and Nepal celebrate Guru Purnima.

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism give great prominence to Guru Purnima.

On this auspicious occasion, disciples conduct pujas to attain the blessings of their Gurus.

Here, in this article, we will look into the different stories, significance, and celebrations associated with Guru Purnima.

We celebrate Guru Purnima in the Hindu month of Ashadha, which is either in June or July.

Guru Purnima is also commonly known as Vyasa Purnima.

It is because it is on that day Veda Vyasa was born.

As per Karma Yoga, Guru Purnima is a day of worshipping our Gurus for sharing their knowledge and wisdom by not considering the monetary benefits.

Stories associated with Guru Purnima:

There are different stories associated with the celebration of Guru Purnima.

As per the Yogic tradition, it was the day Lord Shiva became the first Guru.

Around 15000 years back, a yogi came to the Himalayas with extraordinary abilities.

He continued to stay there, and people came to visit him.

When he opened his eyes, seven men asked him to teach them to experience what he was undergoing. However, the yogi did not reply, and he closed his eyes again.

When he opened them 84 years later, the seven disciples were still there.

Understanding their need for wisdom, on a full moon day, he became the first Guru.

He imparted his knowledge to the seven men who became the Sapta Rishis.

They traveled across the world to spread his wisdom or the seven aspects of Yoga.

Each one of them explained one feature of Yoga. Based on the day when Lord Shiva ascended as the first Guru, we celebrate Guru Purnima.

Another story associated with Guru Purnima is that it was the day Krisha Dwaipayana Vyasa was born. His parents are Parashara and Satyavati.

Vyasa, as a young man, collected the Vedas and divided its hymns into four parts. They became Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.

He taught portions of the Vedas to his four main disciples. They are Paila, Jaimini, Sumantu, and Vaisampayana.

We celebrate the birth of Vyasa based on the contributions he has made to the world as a teacher.

In Buddhism and Jainism, we can find similar stories that we can associate with Guru Purnima.

The primary focus of celebrating Guru Purnima is to worship and pay respect to our teachers.

How do we celebrate Guru Purnima?:

There are different ways to celebrate Guru Purnima.

On the day of Guru Purnima, you can hold on to a fast.

Along with that, you can organize special pujas and rituals to receive blessings from your spiritual Gurus. You can also visit temples and offer your prayers to the divine entities.

Several schools and colleges conduct programs to celebrate Guru Purnima and pay homage to the Gurus.

We can organize Bhajans and also chant hymns on this auspicious occasion.

Significance of Guru Purnima:

Guru Purnima is a festival of immense importance in Hinduism.

On that day, the Guru principle is around 1000 times more than others.

On the day of Guru Purnima, you can express the gratitude you possess to your teachers.

We can see that Indian classical dancing and music classes continue to follow the Guru Shishya Parampara.

This further increases the need for practicing Guru Purnima.

On the day of Guru Purnima, Adi Yogi imparted the knowledge that helped create a bridge between the creator and creations.

The ultimate focus is on formulating scientific ways that can assist you in overcoming the various boundaries.

We have been creating different physical and other barriers in our lives.

Through Guru Purnima, we are trying to transcend beyond them and move towards an eternal realm.

It was on the day of Guru Purnima, Adi Yogi shared the wisdom that made people realize that everything in life is temporal.

Another significance of Guru Purnima is that it prioritizes our desire to evolve beyond our present dimension.

Guru Purnima is a day of gratitude. On this auspicious day, we can be thankful for the knowledge and wisdom shared by our Gurus.

However, we cannot provide anything in return that equals what our Gurus have given us.

The only way to enhance what we have attained or learned from our Gurus is to share the light of knowledge with others.

It is always about passing on wisdom to others and keeping it alive. For Guru Purnima, we are not celebrating an individual teacher or Guru.

Here, we are trying to pay our respects to all the spiritual and academic Gurus who have helped us grow.

Guru Purnima, thus, is a festival of immense importance in India and Hinduism.

It plays a pivotal role in Buddhism and Jainism, as well.

At Guru Purnima, we can focus on moving beyond the boundaries of our lives and liberating ourselves. Most importantly, we show our respect to our Gurus, who have removed darkness and ignorance from our lives.

GURU PURNIMA – Importance And Celebrations

Guru Purnima is a popular Hindu festival celebrated to honour the relationship between teachers and disciples .

On this day, people worship their teachers, gurus and mentors.

They pay gratitude to their Gurus for guiding them through their childhood and formative years, and for carrying them to the light of knowledge. 

Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima and is observed as the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa, a great sage and author of Hindu epic, Mahabharata.

This festival is also celebrated as Gyaan Purnima owing to its association with knowledge and teachings.

Apart from Hindus, the Budddhists, Jains and Sikhs also celebrate Guru Purnima.

The Sikhs observe this day to honor their Ten Spiritual Gurus. Whereas Jains mark it as a “Treenok Guru Purnima”, a day when Lord Mahavira made his first disciple.

In buddhism culture, it is believed that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath on the day of Guru Purnima. They celebrate this day as Buddha Purnima. 

When is Guru Purnima observed?

As per Hindu Calendar, Guru Purnima is observed all across India on Ashadha Purnima (full moon day in Ashadha Month).

To find out Guru Purnima Puja Auspicious Time and Date please visit the Choghadiya link.

Significance of Guru Purnima Festival

The word Guru is made up of two words – ‘Gur’ meaning darkness and ‘Ru’ that is opposite of darkness. So, the word Guru refers to someone who extricates us from the darkness of ignorance and enlightens us with knowledge and awareness.

The importance of this festival lies in the very meaning of this word.

In Indian culture, Guru is a person or a mentor who drives out all fear and ignorance from a person.

In the words of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, “He alone is the genuine teacher who is illumined by the light of true knowledge”.

It is believed that our Guru resides in our Vishuddha Chakra in the throat and awakens when we deliver ourselves to our higher self.

The purpose of celebrating the festival of Guru Purnima is to abide by the teachings of our Gurus and to pay tribute to them.

This day is dedicated to those Gurus and teachers who made our life valuable and worth living for.

Moreover, as per Hindu texts, Lord Shiva transmitted the knowledge of Yoga to Saptarishis on this day. Lord Shiva is considered as the first Guru or Adi Guru of the world. 

In Buddhism, Guru Purnima is also considered as the birth anniversary, death anniversary and day of enlightenment of Lord Buddha.

It is believed that the day of delivering the first Sermon and the birth, death and attaining Bodha or enlightenment is the same.

Thus, the Guru Purnima is also known as Buddha Purnima. 

Guru Purnima Festival – Rituals and Celebrations

Guru Purnima is celebrated in India and other countries like Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

To observe Guru Purnima, various rituals are prevalent in Hindus and Bhuddhists. Here is the glimpse of it. 

• On Guru Purnima, devotees take a bath and put on new clothes before they offer their prayers and tribute to their Gurus. They also offer “Deeksha” to their mentors and teachers. Check your Astrology Sign Chart Online
• They recite Guru Shloka while remembering their teachers.

“|| Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara

Guru Saakshaat Parabrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah ||”

• On this day, devotees worship Maharishi Vyas and also pay offerings to Sri Madhvacharya, Adi Shankara, and Sri Ramanuja Acharya, revered as Maha Gurus in Hindu culture. People perform “Vyas Puja” and recite Mantras and hymns. The Guru Gita, a holy text is also read in the memory of Maha Guru.
• If one’s Guru is not alive, his picture or portrait is worshiped as per the rituals. Recital of Mantras is also done as per norms in the Guru’s remembrance.
• Guru Purnima Puja and Yajna are performed at temples and homes to seek the blessings of Gurus. Some people also observe fast and perform Yogic Sadhana and meditation on the day of Guru Purnima. 
• On this day, Buddhists honor Lord Buddha and pay homage by visiting his shrines. They conduct a ritual called “Uposatha” and listen to the eight teachings of Buddha. Many monks consider this auspicious day to start their journey of meditation and ascetic practices.
• Flowers, incense, candles, Prasad, Milk, Earthen clay or Diyas and Holy water are offered to idols of Lord Buddha by priests, monks and nuns. Devotees dress up in white clothes and prepare “Kheer” to serve as Prasad.

Guru Purnima

What does Guru Purnima mean?

Guru Purnima is a traditional Hindu celebration, dedicated to enlightened spiritual masters otherwise known as gurus.

This auspicious day falls on the first full moon after the summer solstice, in the Hindu month of Ashad (July to August).

It is celebrated in India, Nepal and Bhutan by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.

On this day, seekers offer gratitude and devotion to their guru, and receive his or her blessings.

Explains Guru Purnima

Since gurus are often regarded as a link between seekers and the divine, Guru Purnima is seen as a sacred day, in which gurus are revered like Gods.

The tradition originated as a celebration of the great sage Maharshi Veda Vyasa, who is believed not only to have been born on this day, but also to have begun writing the Brahma Sutras on Guru Purnima. Vyasa also edited the four Vedas and wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata, and the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Whilst Hindu’s celebrate Vyasa on this day, Buddhists mark Guru Purnima as the day that the Buddha gave his first sermon.

In the yogic tradition, Guru Purnima celebrates the day that Shiva became the first guru and began transmitting yoga to the Saptarishis.

The celebration is marked by spiritual activities and rituals such as puja or satsang, and it is thought to be a particularly special day for sadhana.

Traditionally on this day, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples stop in one place to study the Brahma Sutras and conduct Vedantic discussions.

Guru Purnima

Gurus are always regarded as someone who enlightens us with knowledge and guides us in the journey of life. To celebrate their importance, people observe Guru Purnima to express their heartfelt gratitude to their mentors.

Guru Purnima also marks the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa, the author as well as a character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, as per the Panchang.

It falls on a full moon day during Ashadha month, as per the Hindu Calendar. This year, Guru Purnima will be celebrated on July 3.

Guru Purnima Guru Purnima also known as ‘Vyas Purnima’ is derived from the Sanskrit words, gu and ru. Gu means ‘darkness’ or ‘ignorance’, and ru means ‘dispeller’, which means Guru is the dispeller of darkness or ignorance.

The day is observed on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadha, which usually falls in the Gregorian month of June to July, as per the Hindu Calendar.

his year, Guru Purnima will be celebrated on July 3 and Purnima Tithi will begin on July 2 at 08:21 PM and will end at 05:08 PM on July 3.

History and Significance

On this day, the founder of the Buddhist faith, Gautam Buddha, gave his first sermon after five weeks of achieving enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

Gautam Buddha went from Bodhgaya to Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, and there he gave a sermon on the full moon day.

 

Guru Purnima What is it and how is it celebrated?

In many Indian cultures, the guru or mentor is regarded with the utmost respect.

The festival of Guru Purnima (or Guru Poornima) came about as way to pay tribute to one’s teachers.

The day serves as a reminder of the importance of learning and honouring those who have served as guides.

In Hindu culture, the day is also observed as the birth anniversary of the revered sage Vyasa, traditionally regarded as the author of the epic Mahabharata. Some therefore refer to the day as Vyasa Purnima.

Hindus, Jains and Buddhists all celebrate the festival in India, Nepal and Bhutan.

When is it celebrated?

Guru Purnima falls on the full moon day or purnima in the month of Ashadha in the Hindu Calendar, which corresponds to June/July in the Gregorian calendar.

This year, it falls on Monday.

How is it celebrated?

On Guru Purnima, students pay their respects to their teachers and mentors by performing rituals in their honour. Many head to temples and other places of worship for the occasion, singing religious hymns and commit themselves to the teachings of their gurus.

Guru Purnima History 

On this day, the founder of the Buddhist faith, Gautam Buddha provided his first sermon post five weeks after accomplishing enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. To give a sermon on the full moon day, Gautam Buddha travelled from Bodhgaya to Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh.

Guru Purnima is observed on the full moon day or Purnima in the Hindu calendar’s Ashadha month. It falls in the period of June-August on the English calendar. Guru Purnima  date is July 03, Monday. Guru Purnima 2024 will be observed on Sunday, July 21.

Guru Purnima Importance

Guru Purnima is observed in Hinduism to commemorate the birth of Ved Vyasa, a well-known sage who is said to have divided the Vedas into four parts by editing them; he likewise composed the Puranas which is viewed as the ‘fifth Veda’ and the Mahabharata. It is accepted that on this day, prayers arrive at the Mahaguru directly and his blessings eliminate darkness and ignorance from a disciple’s life. 

As per Buddhism, on this day, Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon or lesson to his initial five disciples after he relocated from Bodhgaya to Sarnath. The “Sangha,” or community of his disciples, then emerged. 

On this day, according to Jainism, Lord Mahavira became ‘Guru’, the first disciple of Gautam Swami. Accordingly, this day is in respect to adore Mahavira. As per old Indian history, this day is of most extreme significance to farmers as they pray to God for giving them great rainfall for the following harvest.

Guru Purnima : Rituals 

This day is dedicated to worshipping one’s guru, who serves as one’s life’s light, among Hindus. Vyasa puja is held in many spots where mantras are chanted to respect the ‘Guru’. Fans offer roses and gifts to pay respect and ‘prasad’ and ‘charanamrita’ are circulated. The entire day is spent singing recitals, hymns, and devotional songs. The holy text of Guru Gita is presented in the guru’s memory. 

‘Padapuja’ or the worship of the sage’s sandals are organized by supporters in the different ashrams and individuals assemble where the seat of their guru lies, rededicating themselves to his lessons and standards. On this day, Buddhists mark the eight teachings of Buddha. This custom is known as ‘Uposatha’. Buddhist monks are known to begin meditating and engaging in other ascetic practices on this day, when the rainy season begins. 

Guru Purnima

The Sanskrit term for “guru,” which is a combination of two words, is where the word came from. The word “gu” means darkness or ignorance and “ru” means dispeller. A spiritual leader, teacher, or mentor who directs you towards enlightenment is called a guru which signifies dispeller of darkness or ignorance. 

Gurudev Shrie Kashyap, Chairman and Founder of All India Institute of Occult Science and True Vastu shares what to do and what to avoid this Guru Purnima and reap maximum benefits from this auspicious day. 

When is Guru Purnima ?

Guru Purnima  takes place on Monday, July 3 this year. In the month of Ashadh, Guru Purnima happens on the day of the full moon. Additionally, it is known as Vyas Purnima. 

Guru Purnima : Date,  Muhurat And Tithi

Date: Monday, July 3,

Muhurat Starts At: 8:23 pm

Muhurat Ends At: 5:09 pm

Vrishti Karna (Bhadra Nakshatra); Moon will enter in Sagittarius (zodiac sign)

Do’s and Don’ts of Guru Purnima

Do’s-

✿ Express gratitude: Show genuine appreciation and gratitude to your teachers, mentors, and gurus for their guidance and support.

✿ Offer prayers and blessings: Take time to offer prayers and seek blessings from your gurus, acknowledging their wisdom and impact on your life.

✿ Practice self-reflection: Use the occasion to reflect on your spiritual journey and growth, and set intentions for further progress.

✿ Perform acts of service: Engage in acts of service or Seva as a gesture of respect towards your teachers and as a way to contribute positively to society.

✿ Observe fast or moderation: Some may choose to observe a fast or practice moderation as a form of self-discipline and devotion on this day.

✿ Participate in spiritual activities: Attend satsangs, discourses, or any spiritual gatherings to immerse yourself in the teachings and wisdom of your guru.

Don’ts- 

✿ Don’t be disrespectful: Show respect and humility towards your gurus and fellow seekers, maintaining a harmonious and inclusive atmosphere.

✿ Avoid ego-driven behaviour: Cultivate humility and let go of any ego-driven behaviour that may hinder your spiritual progress.

✿ Don’t disregard past teachings: Remember and honour the teachings and wisdom passed down by your gurus and ancestors.

Puja Vidhi and rituals

On the day of Guru Purnima, according to Gurudev Shrie Kashyap, one should get up early, take a bath, and do pujas.

“After that offer flowers to the deities and then offer prasad. Chant the Guru Mantra and give thanks to your masters for their invaluable life advice, he advises”

Guru Purnima

The day of full moon, Purnima, in the month of Ashadh is traditionally celebrated as Guru Purnima by Hindus. Also known as Vyas Purnima, the day is celebrated in remembrance and veneration to sage Ved Vyas. He is the Adi (original) Guru of the Hindu Dharma, who classified the Vedas, wrote the eighteen Puranas and the Mahabharat. On this day, the Guru is offered Pujan (worship)by the disciples. First we shall consider the role of a Guru in life. 

The Need of a Guru

The Sanskrit root “Gu” means darkness or ignorance. “Ru” denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore one who removes darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. Only he who removes our ultimate darkness, known as Maya, and who inspires and guides us on to the path of God-realization is the true Guru. Students also refer to their school teacher or college lecturer as guru. The connotation of the word guru in this case is one who imparts temporal knowledge (Apara Vidya) and is thus accordingly offered respect.

A spiritual aspirant, no matter how brilliant, can never attain such knowledge by his own endeavor. This is stipulated in the Shrimad Bhagwatam 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 a satpurush (God-realized Guru) sprinkles on our heads, then we can surely attain this knowledge.”

In essence, one can only attain salvation by serving the satpurush. Treading the path to God-realization by one’s own efforts is likened by the Katha Upanishad as walking on a razor’s edge. Adi Shankaracharya 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, nothing, nothing.”

The Guru plays a vital role in boosting the aspirant frequently, when he loses track, becomes despondent or simply runs out of steam. The aspirant is thus better able to obey the Guru if he understands the Guru’s glory.

Glory of the Guru

The Hindu shastras have hailed such a Guru immeasurably:

Skanda Purana – Guru Gita

A famous verse known by heart by all Hindu children glorifies the Guru:

Gurubrahma Guruvishnu Gururdevo Maheshwaraha |

Guruhu sakshaat Parambrahman tasmai Shrigurave namaha ||

“The guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva), veneration to the Guru who is Parabrahman manifest.”

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.

This is subtly illustrated by another famous verse known to all Hindus:

Guru Govind donu khade, kisko laagu paay,

Balihari Gurudevaki jinhe Govind diyo bataay.

The Guru and Govind -God, are present before me, to whom shall I bow down first? Glory to the Guru since he showed me Govind.

Apart from guiding the aspirant on the path to God-realization, the Guru throws light on the profound meanings of the vast array of scriptural knowledge. Hence the Mundaka Upanishad calls such a Guru “Shrotriya” – knower of the true meanings of the scriptures. Adi Shankaracharya forbids an aspirant in endeavoring to decipher the meanings without a Guru. In his commentary on a Mantra (1/2/13) of the Mundaka Upanishad, he says: “Even if one possesses knowledge of the scriptures, he should not attempt to delve into their meanings by himself. He should obtain the knowledge of Brahman only through the Guru.”

In their treatises, other Acharyas, such as Ramanuj and Nimbark have considered the Guru mandatory in God-realization.

The Guru in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya

In accordance with the injunctions from shastras of Hindu Dharma cited above, Bhagwan Swaminarayan too considers the Guru as foremost; to be venerated as one venerates God. In His Vachanamrutam He uses the terms Sadhu and Satpurush synonymously for the true Guru.

Gadhada III.27:

“The scriptures advocate five attributes of: Nishkam, Nirlobh, Nirman, Niswad and Nisneha for a sadhu. The sadhu in whom one observes such attributes has a constant rapport with God. Therefore one should have immutable faith in his words, and by his words should realize the knowledge of God.”

Gadhada III.26:

“The sadhu who lives in a way in which he subdues his indriyas and antahkaran, but is not subdued by them, who engages in God-related activities only, strictly observes the Panch Vartamans, believes himself as being Brahman and worships Lord Purushottam, can be known neither as a human being nor a deva, since neither man nor deva possess such attributes. Therefore such a sadhu, though a human being, deserves to be worshipped at par with God.”

Finally, how should an aspirant serve such a Guru?

Serving the Guru Again the scriptures guide the aspirant:

(1) Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6/23) :

Advocates worship to the Guru in the same manner as the deity – God, to attain all there is to attain on the path of God-realization:

Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau |

Tasyaite kathitaa hi arthaaha prakashante mahatmanaha ||

(2) Bhagavad Gita (4/34) :

The disciple should humbly pose questions to the Guru and please him by serving him. He will then impart the knowledge of God, so ordain the wise sages.

(3) Shrimad Bhagvatam :

Bhagwan Rushabhdeva advocates his sons: Obeying the Anuvrutti – unvoiced wishes – of God and Guru is devotion.

(4 ) Vachanamrutam (Vadtal 5) :

The aspirant should offer equal and intensely loving service to God and His sadhu. Then, despite being the lowest type of devotee who is destined to become a great-devotee after either two births or four births or ten births or even a hundred births, he can become a great devotee in this birth. Such is the fruit of serving God and His sadhu equally.”

The phrase “great devotee” signifies moksha-salvation.

Therefore on the day of Guru Purnima, disciples introspect, and resolve to offer pujan and reverence to the Guru in mind, action and speech; implicitly obey his unvoiced wishes, commands, serving him as one would God and lauding his glory and redemptive attributes.

Every year, the Guru Purnima Festival, in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm at Bochasan Mandir. An assembly from 8.30 am to 12.00 noon is held wherein bhajans and discourses by senior sadhus emphasize and sing the glory of the Guru. The festival is finally crowned with Swamishri’s blessings and darshan – where thousands offer their reverence by filing past Swamishri.

Guru Purnima – All You Need to Know about its Auspicious Celebration

In India, a Guru or a teacher holds an immense place, and hence they are worshipped like God. A guru is a person who throws the light of vast knowledge into the ocean of humanity. In Sanskrit, the word ‘Guru’ translates literally to ‘dispeller of darkness’. Thus, a Guru is revered across the world and is capable of eliminating a seeker’s ignorance, allowing them to experience the true source of creation from within.

Guru Purnima celebration is commonly the day when seekers offer great gratitude to their Gurus and receive their blessings. The auspicious day is also known as Vyasa Purnima and celebrated in honor of the renowned sage Veda Vyasa. This author of Epic Mahabharata is considered as one of the notable Gurus of India. Now, we know the power of Guru in our life, let’s find out why we celebrate Guru Purnima and what are rituals to be followed. Also, we shall have insights into the legendary Gurus of India.

Guru Purnima Celebration – Why it is celebrated

Guru Purnima festival is celebrated customarily by people belonging to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism to honour their spiritual Gurus and academic teachers of any field by expressing gratitude. The festival is celebrated mainly in India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Guru Purnima is also regarded as a special day of exercising yogic sadhanas and various meditations. A Guru is a teacher, a guide, a friend, and a protector. The great St. Kabir has mentioned in one of his songs that if you see God and Guru standing beside each other, you should offer your first worship to the Guru and then to God. With the help of a Guru, one can recognize the real power and importance of God

Guru Purnima – Legend about Veda Vyasa

Maharshi Veda Vyasa – who is said to be one of the seven immortals – descended to earth in the month of Ashadha on a full moon day. Hence, this day is observed as Vyasa Purnima or Guru Purnima. He is called the Guru of all Gurus because he not only wrote Mahabharata but also collated all the Vedas. He also gave them systematic divisions, namely Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. Besides, he also composed 18 Puranas, Upapuranas, Vyasa Samhita, and so on. These contain teachings and guidelines on leading lives.

He was a gifted genius matching no other in the chronicles of mankind’s literary history. Thus every religious Hindu worships their Guru by honoring them as Vyasa Dev on this day. This tradition has been running since the ancient time of the Vanaasram period when the disciples staying in their Guru’s home learned Shastras.

Other Legends

Lord Shiva is considered the first Guru as per the Yogic culture. He presented the skills of Yoga to Saptarishis. Appearing as a Yogi in the Himalayas, he bestowed the knowledge of Yogic learnings to these seven sages. Thus, Lord Shiva came to be known as Adiyogi.

Gautam Buddha gave his first discourse at Sarnath on the day of Ashadha Purnima after attaining enlightenment. Therefore, Buddhists also celebrate Guru Purnima in honor of the teachings given by Gautam Buddha.

Astrological importance of Guru Purnima

The planet Jupiter in Astrology is also referred to as Guru because it gives immense knowledge and wisdom, and so, on this day, people worship and offer reverence to Lord Jupiter in order to gain this warm-hearted teacher’s blessings. By establishing a Guru Yantra on this Guru Purnima, you may please Lord Jupiter to gain its blessings and those of your Gurus.

Rituals followed on the day of Guru Purnima celebration

The disciples wake up early in the morning, take a bath and get dressed in new clothes. They pay homage to their revered Guru or teacher’s feet and give them clothes, food, money, ornaments, etc. After honoring their Guru, the disciples seek their blessings to progress in life. Disciples belonging to all Hindu orders like Vaishnavas, Shaivas, and Shaktas celebrate this day as they see Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara and the Parabrahma (the supreme soul) in their Gurus. The below shloka from Guruvandana shows the same:

Gururbrahmaa Gururvishnuh
Gurudevo Maheswara;
Gurursaakshaat Parambrahma
Tasmai Sree Gurave Namah

It is said that a Guru who can illuminate one’s life with wisdom and guidance is a Guru in the true sense. Wish you all a very Happy Guru Purnima.

Guru Purnima Know date, time, rituals and significance

People observe various ceremonies and customs to mark Guru Purnima. They congregate at temples and ashrams to sing hymns and offer prayers in remembrance of their gurus.

Guru Purnima is one of the important days in Sanatan Dharma and holds great significance in the Hindu religion. The purpose of the day is to recognise and honour gurus or teachers. Guru Purnima  is being observed on Monday i.e July 3. In India, Nepal, and Bhutan, Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists celebrate Guru Purnima, also known as Vyasa Purnima.

Guru Purnima : Rituals

People observe various ceremonies and customs to mark Guru Purnima. They congregate at temples and ashrams to sing hymns and offer prayers in remembrance of their gurus. They do meditation as a way to respect their gurus.

Guru Purnima : History

According to Hindu mythology, it is said that on this auspicious day, Vyasa – author of the Mahabharata – was born to sage Parashara and a fisherman’s daughter Satyavati; thus, this day is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima. He was a divine child who knew all three kaals—Bhoot Kaal, Vartamaa Kaal, and Bhiavishya Kaal (Past, Present, and Future), according to the Vedas.

Knowing that people would prefer the Vedas in four sections, he divided them. Since he anticipated that people would become spiritually and religiously inert, he divided the Vedas into four parts to make it easier to disseminate the information. Because of this, he is regarded as an early Guru.

Guru Purnima : Shloka

1. Guru Gobind Dau Khade Kake Laagu Paye,

Balihari Guru Aapno Govind Diyo Bataye..!!

2. Guru’r Brhama Guru’r Vishnu Guru’r Devo Maheshwara,

Guru’s Sakshaat Par Brahma Tasmaye Shri Guruve Namah..!!

Guru Purnima

Historical background and importance

Originally, Guru Purnima was a celebration of spiritual and academic teachers. The name “Guru Purnima” is derived from two sources: ‘guru,’ meaning a remover of darkness, and ‘purnima,’ referring to the full moon night on which the festival falls. In ancient times, teachers were considered to be the ones who illuminated their disciples’ lives by dispelling darkness.

Guru Purnima is observed during Ashadha in the Hindu calendar, which usually falls in June or July according to the Gregorian calendar. Traditionally, disciples would perform pujas (rituals) for their teachers and even observe fasting in their honour on this day.

Legends of Guru Purnima

The practice of Guru Purnima is associated with several legends. In the Yogic tradition, it is believed that Lord Shiva imparted his wisdom to people on this day, becoming the first recognized guru. Another popular story is the birth of Ved Vyasa, who shared the knowledge of the Vedas with his four disciples. In Buddhism, it is believed that Buddha delivered his first sermon to his followers in Sarnath on Guru Purnima. Additionally, Jains believe that Mahavira, one of the prominent Tirthankaras, found his first follower on this auspicious day.

Guru Purnima celebrates the profound role of a teacher in dispelling ignorance and guiding students towards higher realms of knowledge. It is a tribute to the wisdom and knowledge that teachers possess and impart. The festival emphasises the importance of sharing knowledge as the path to transcendence.

Guru Purnima 

Guru Purnima: The word ‘guru’ is derived from Sanskrit words “Gu” and “Ru”, which mean the one who dispels darkness and engenders light.

Guru Purnima, a day for the worship of teachers and mentors, will be observed on Saturday, July 24, the full moon day of the Ashadha month. On this day, people pay respect to their gurus, who can be a spiritual guide or anyone else who has enlightened others with their knowledge and teachings. Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima, after the author and legendary sage who featured in the epic Mahabharata. On this day, people celebrate the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa.

Guru Purnima is also celebrated by Buddhists to commemorate the day when Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. The word ‘guru’ is derived from Sanskrit and it means the one who dispels darkness and engenders light.

Date and Timing

People across India observe Guru Purnima on Ashadha Purnima (a full moon day in the month of Ashadha). Based on the Georgian calendar, it falls in the months of June and July. This year, it will be observed on July 24.

Tithi

Hindu festivals and ceremonies are based on the Tithi Calendar (for auspicious timings). The Guru Purnima Tithi this year begins at 10:43 AM on July 23 and ends at 08:06 AM on July 24.

How it’s celebrated

In Hinduism, the role of a teacher in shaping a person’s life and philosophies has always been placed at the top since ancient times. On this day, Hindu scriptures say, Lord Shiva, the first or Adi Guru of the world, gave the knowledge of Yoga to Saptarishis (the Seven Sages) for the benefit of humanity. Hence, many people observe a fast in honour of their guru and also visit a temple or their teacher to seek their blessings.

Sanskrit shlokas dedicated to gurus

“Guru Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwarah,

Guru Sakshat Para Brahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha”

Meaning: I pay my respects to the guru, who is the creator, the preservor, and the destroyer for me. I bow before him, who is the personification of the trinity to me.

Guru Purnima

Guru Govind dou khade, kaake laagoon paye

Balihari guru aapki, Govind diyo milaye.”

Meaning:

I face both God and my Guru. Who should I bow to first?

I first bow to my guru because he’s the one who showed me the path to God.

Gurus are equated with God and always regarded as a link between the individual and the divine. Just as the moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun, and glorifies it, all disciples can dazzle like the moon by gaining from their Gurus.

What is Guru Purnima?

The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who detailed the four Vedas (Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva), wrote the 18 Puranas, the 108 Upanishads, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus.

Significance of Guru Purnima

On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a ‘puja’ of their respective spiritual preceptor or ‘Gurudevs’.

It is a good time to begin your spiritual lessons. Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual ‘sadhana’ from this day.

The period ‘Chaturmas’ (“four months”) begins from this day. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.

The Role of the Guru

Swami Sivananda asks: “Do you realize now the sacred significance and the supreme importance of the Guru’s role in the evolution of man? It was not without reason that the India of the past carefully tended and kept alive the lamp of Guru-Tattva. It is therefore not without reason that India, year after year, age after age, commemorates anew this ancient concept of the Guru, adores it and pays homage to it again and again, and thereby re-affirms its belief and allegiance to it.

Jainism

According to Jain traditions, it was on this day, falling at the beginning of CHAUMASAAS” , the four month rainy season retreat, Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, after attaining Kaivalya, made Indrabhuti Gautam, later known as Gautam Swami, a Ganadhara, his first disciple, thus becoming a Guru himself, therefore it is observed in Jainism as Guru Purnima, and is marked special veneration to one’s Gurus and teachers

Buddhism

Traditionally the festival is celebrated by Buddhists in honour of the lord Buddha who gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India.

In addition to having religious importance, this festival has great importance for Indian academics and scholars. Indian academics celebrate this day by thanking their teachers as well as remembering past teachers and scholars.

Your Inner Guru resides in the throat chakra. It attracts different Gurus in your lifetime to evolve you and show you the path ahead and you get ready for your Higher purpose in life. There is no need to Value any particular Guru but Value his lessons. The Gemstone Yellow Sapphire, 11 mukhi Ekadash Rudra Rudraksha, Trijuti Dattatreya rudraksha and Gauri Shankar Gayatri rudraksha help awaken the Inner Guru to banish the light of darkness in your life.

Yoga

In yogic lore, it is said that on Guru Purnima, Shiva became the Adi Guru. The story says that over 15,000 years ago a Yogi appeared in the Himalayas. People gathered around Him but He showed no movement except ocaasional tears of ecstasy. In time people drifted away and only 7 men stayed on. Days rolled into weeks and the weeks into months, months into years, but the Yogi’s eyes did not fall upon them again.

After 84 years of sadhana, on the summer solstice that marks the advent of Dakshinayana, the earth’s southern run, the yogi looked at them again. These 7 men had become shining receptacles and wonderfully receptive. On the very next full moon day, the yogi turned south and sat as a Guru to these seven men in the form of Lord Dakshinamoorthy. Shiva, became the Adi Guru and expounded the mechanics of life into these seven men. The seven disciples became celebrated as the Saptarishis and took His knowledge across the world.

Thus Guru Purnima holds importance as it opened the possibility for a human being to evolve consciously.

Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima, also known as Vyasa Purnima, is a significant festival that celebrates the relationship between gurus (spiritual teachers) and disciples

Guru Purnima is a sacred festival celebrated in India to honor and express gratitude towards their gurus (spiritual teachers) and mentors. The word “Guru” refers to a person who enlightens us, guides us, and imparts knowledge and wisdom. The festival holds great significance as it symbolises the bond between the teacher and the disciple.

Guru Purnima is a revered festival that holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. It is a time when people express their reverence for their gurus and acknowledge the role they play in their lives. The festival celebrates the ancient tradition of transmitting knowledge and wisdom from teacher to disciple. It reminds individuals of the importance of seeking guidance and learning from those who have mastered a particular field or spiritual path. Guru Purnima serves as a reminder to be grateful for the wisdom and guidance received and to continue the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth under the guidance of a guru.

Guru Purnima also holds significance in Buddhist traditions. It is believed that on this day, Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, to his five disciples. This sermon marked the beginning of the Buddhist community, or the Sangha, and the dissemination of Buddha’s teachings.

The festival is observed with various rituals and customs. Disciples pay homage to their gurus by offering flowers, fruits, and other offerings. They seek blessings and express gratitude for the knowledge and guidance received. Satsangs (spiritual gatherings) are organized, where disciples listen to teachings, sing devotional songs, and engage in prayers.

Guru Purnima serves as a reminder of the importance of learning, seeking wisdom, and showing respect to those who have illuminated our path. It emphasises the significance of the teacher-student relationship and the transmission of knowledge from generation to generation.

Guru Purnima serves as a reminder to honor and appreciate the wisdom and guidance bestowed by gurus. It encourages individuals to reflect on the importance of spiritual growth and seek blessings for progress on the path of righteousness.

Guru Purnima is a joyous celebration that honors the contribution of gurus in shaping individuals’ lives, fostering spiritual growth, and spreading the light of wisdom and enlightenment. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to the path of knowledge and self-realisation.

Guru Purnima

The full moon date is considered very important among the followers of Hinduism. When this full moon date occurs in the shukla of ashadh month, this full moon is called Guru Purnima. It is a religious belief that worshiping Lord Vishnu on the full moon date fulfills all the wishes of the devotees. The festival of Guru Purnima is to bow down to the Gurus and express gratitude towards the knowledge given by them. On this day, devotees pay respect to their guru and show their gratitude by offering them, Guru Dakshina.

It is a religious belief that Ved Vyas Ji was born on the full moon of Ashadh month. That is why it is also called Vyas Purnima.  This further adds to the importance of the full moon date of the month of Ashadh. In the year , Guru Purnima i.e. Vyas Purnima is on 24th July. It is believed that Ved Vyas Ji had given the knowledge of the four Vedas for the first time. For this reason, Maharishi Vyas Ji has been given the title of the first Guru.

Follow these remedies to fill your home with happiness and –prosperity  

It is a religious belief that doing this small remedy on the day of Guru Purnima brings happiness and prosperity to the house. Wishes are fulfilled. The arrival of wealth persists.

1. On Guru Purnima, the Guru should be respected.
2. Donate yellow grains, yellow clothes, and yellow sweets to the needy people on the day of Guru Purnima. You will get relief from the financial crisis.
3. On the day of Guru Purnima, by worshiping Lord Vishnu with a sincere heart and donating food to the needy people, the Guru Dosha of the horoscope ends.
4. After bathing in the morning on Guru Purnima makes a swastika mark on the left and right sides of the temple with the solution of kumkum and light lamps in the temple. This will remove domestic troubles from your house, and happiness and prosperity will remain. 

Guru Purnima

Introduction to Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is the day of Gurus or the teachers that have enlightened human beings in history and the modern era. It is true that without the teachers from ancient times till now, we would be nothing but still figuring out struggling with our doubts.

So this is the day to celebrate our educators that wrote all those Vedas, Epics, and the courses in this new age. This is a significant festival in India, Nepal, and Bhutan that is rejoiced by many religions like Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Everyone who celebrates this festivity pays respect to their teachers and express gratitude. The day falls in Ashadha (June–July) on the day of Poornima or full moon day as per the Hindu calendar.

New Time Celebration

As the time is changing, the practice of celebrating this day has been changed too. In colleges and schools, the day is celebrated by thanking all the teachers and presenting them with some gifts or a note to show gratitude. 

Many competitions are arranged too in which students, as well as teachers, participate. Many students write a quote or poem for their teachers and recite it during the function; in return, the teachers bless their students for a bright future and prosperous life.

However, as there are new practices of celebrating this day, the old ones are still applied when it comes to celebrating the day traditionally. Let’s start with knowing the history of Guru Purnima-

History of Guru Purnima

There are various reasons why Guru Purnima is celebrated; however, the motive is the same, worshipping the Gurus. Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa or Ved Vyasa was born on this day. Vyasa was the writer of the epic Mahabharata and the creator of the four Vedas. His writings then became the reason to produce many Puranas and uncovered the knowledge about Hinduism.

This makes him a major contributor to Hinduism that the young generation now knows about all the Epics, Puranas, and the traditions. Hence to pay gratitude to him, we celebrate the day Guru Purnima.

There is another major reason behind the celebration of this day. Lord Shiva , who was also known as Adi Guru, decided to open his eyes and teach the Seven Rishis who were waiting for years for enlightenment. These Seven Rishis, we also know as “Saptarishis.”

Buddhist History

After getting the enlightenment, Gautama Buddha went from Bodhgaya to Sarnath. He then went to his former comrades or friends to enlighten them. Using his spiritual powers, he understood that the Pancavargika would be able to understand the sermon.

On the day when he met his companions, he taught them the “Dharmacakrapravartana Sutra.” After which those people became enlightened, and this day was marked as Guru Poornima as it was a full-moon day of Asadha. From here, “Mendicant Sangha” also began in the Buddha community that soon involved other Buddhist Bhikshus (Beggars), and they went to teach Dharma in all directions.

Observances by Buddhist Monks

Several Buddhist monks practice Vipassana on this day. The day also signifies the beginning of the monsoon or rainy season that remains for three months from July to October. During this period, all the monks remain in their temples or monasteries, where they also dedicate this rainy season to their intensive medication to attain higher spiritual goals.

Many Buddhist people also utilize this timeframe to bring ascetic practices into their life, such as quit smoking, give up on alcohol and non-veg food. These people become a part of spirituality, and to gain mental peace, they adjoin themselves with meditation.

Celebration in Hindu and Jain community

In Hinduism, the day is celebrated as the birth date of Vyasa and his writings about the Epic Mahabharata. On this day, the Treenok Guhas are respected for their teachings dedicated to humankind. They celebrate Vyasa by conducting the Pujas in various temples, offering him flowers and several other gifts as an honor.

The feast is arranged for the disciples and shishyas. The Prasad and Charnamrita is prepared that is the nectar of feet wash of Treenok Guha. Accepting this prasadam is said to have the grace of Guha on the devotees that the person gets bestowed with knowledge and wisdom.

Other than worshipping Guha and saying Artis, the recitation of Treenok Guha Gita takes place too. Special hymns and bhajans are sung all day while reading the 216 verse Gita written by the sage Vyasa himself. There is a significance of worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day. Hence reciting “Vishnu Sahatranam” brings positive effects to one’s family.

On this day, disciples dedicate themselves to the service of their teachers and remember their teachings. Some also recite the mantra “guru brahma guru Vishnu guru devo maheshwara, guru sakshat parabrahma tasmai shree gurave namah.” The mantra means that Guru is the creator, he is the protector, destroyer of the evil, and Guru is the supreme God above all, so I bow upon him and show my gratitude.

In Jainism, it is believed that Mahavira, who was a very well-known Tirthankara, got his first disciple on this day of Guru Purnima. After that, all other Gurus started following him, and thus the day is celebrated significantly in the Jain community.

The Celebration in Nepal

Other than India, Nepal, too, celebrates Guru Purnima to show respect and gratitude toward the teachers. In schools, it is a big day where the students honor their teachers by offering them garlands and Topis that are special hats of Nepal.

They also prepare delicacies and offer to their teachers. Several fares are organized by the students, where they take the opportunity to admire their teachers by recognizing their hard work.

Observing Fast on Guru Purnima

People also observe fast on this day to get blessed with immense knowledge and decision-making ability. Those who keep Vrat should refrain from eating salt, grains, and non-veg food. Only fruits, milk, and Vrat-friendly food should be consumed, such as Sabudana Khichdi, Halwa, and sweets like Soan Papdi, Barfi, Laddoo, or Gulab Jamun.

The Puja happens in the evening, after which people break the fast by having dinner. In temples, Prasada and Charnamrita are distributed that contain several fruits and sweetened curd that taste delicious.

Guru Purnima – A Special Day For Gurus

What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine you create – Gautam Buddha

According to Hindu calendar, Guru Purnima is celebrated every year on the full moon day of Ashada month to recognize and honor the teachers and gurus that have guided us throughout our lives, according to Hindu customs. Mostly, Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists have observed Guru Purnima to honor their gurus.

It is also known as Vyasa Purnima because Ved Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, was born on this day. Guru Purnima, this year, is being celebrated today, on July 13. Purnima Tithi is predicted to be in effect from 4:00 am of July 13 to 12:06 am of July 14.

After five weeks of achieving enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, Buddha went to Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. There he gave a sermon on the full moon day to his first five disciples. This is why Gautam Buddha’s followers or disciples celebrate this day as Guru Purnima to worship him and the Ashadha Purnima Tithi is significant for Buddhists. 

Guru Purnima is celebrated to honor the gurus or teachers for their dedication and selflessness. On this day, a special bond between teachers and students is celebrated. Nowadays, teachers are the ones who have the greatest impact on the lives and future of students. Along with teaching co-curricular abilities and transferring knowledge to students, they also foster morality and life skills that prepare kids for life after school. 

Guru is the one who removes darkness from the lives of his students. This day is also dedicated to the Guru Bhai or the fellow disciple and devotees express their solidarity towards each other in their journey. People commemorate this day to show their gratitude to the respected Gurus and to show their dedication towards them. Guru Purnima is regarded as an auspicious occasion for Buddhists. It is believed that on this day Lord Buddha gave a sermon to his disciple. 

On this day, People must wake up early and take a bath. One must offer prayers to their Guru’s and light a diya for them. Offer flowers, sweets and food to Gurus. People must visit temples, Gurudwaras and other holy places to pray for them. Students must wish their teachers on this day. People must take blessings from their elders. 

Purnima is the symbol of fullness, abundance and prosperity. Pujas done on Purnima day are said to confer great merits to the observers and devotees. Mostly, people eat the most common dishes on this day that include khichdi, kheer, halwa, puri and fruits. People also do fast on this day to attain the blessings of their Guru. They break their fast after performing Guru puja in the evening. The temples distribute Prasada and Charnamrita, containing fresh fruits and sweetened curd. Hindus, Buddhists and Jains celebrate it with full joy and cheer. 

Today, in every field, there is a guru, spiritual, education, literature, knowledge, etc. The great men have said that if you want to achieve success, then firstly, you should find a good guru because a good guru gives you a good education. It is difficult to achieve success without education which is a waste and education can’t be achieved without a guru. “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo,” are enough to describe the glory of the Guru, but the reality is that Guru’s glory and grace are infinite for our lives. 

According to the Hindus, Lord Shiva was the first guru, while the Jains believe that Lord Mahavir was the first guru, and according to the Buddhists, Lord Buddha was the first guru. Many schools, colleges, and organizations conduct several programs and cultural performances on this day to celebrate Guru Purnima. Students are encouraged to follow the teachings and moral values from the life of their gurus. Students should not only give respect to their teacher on this day but they should respect and love them the 365 days of the year. They not only deserve one day but the respect and love for the whole life. 

On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, I hope and pray that you are always there to guide me, shower me with your unconditional love Swami ji 

Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is a revered Hindu festival celebrated to honour and express gratitude to our gurus, teachers, and mentors. It falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadha. The day holds deep spiritual significance as disciples pay homage to their gurus, seeking blessings and guidance. It is a time to reflect on the importance of knowledge, learning, and the transformative power of a guru-disciple relationship.

 Short Speech

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we are here to celebrate Guru Purnima, a sacred occasion that holds immense significance in the hearts of millions worldwide. Guru Purnima is a day dedicated to expressing our deepest gratitude and reverence to the guiding light in our lives, our teachers and gurus.

In the Hindu tradition, a guru is not merely a teacher but a spiritual guide, a mentor, and a source of wisdom. They illuminate our path, impart knowledge, and shape our character. On this auspicious day, we pay homage to all the incredible individuals who have selflessly dedicated their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of society.

Guru Purnima is a reminder of the invaluable role that teachers play in our lives. They instil in us the virtues of discipline, perseverance, and compassion. They encourage us to dream big and believe in ourselves. Through their teachings, they empower us to navigate the complexities of life and equip us with the tools to face its challenges head-on.

Today, let us reflect on the profound impact our gurus have had on our personal and professional growth. They have shaped our minds, broadened our horizons, and nurtured our talents. Their unwavering support and guidance have helped us overcome obstacles and realise our true potential. They have imparted knowledge and fostered a love for learning, igniting a flame within us that will continue to burn bright throughout our lives.

Guru Purnima also reminds us of the importance of gratitude. It is a time to express our heartfelt appreciation to our teachers for their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe to those who have selflessly shared their wisdom and experiences with us.

Let us use this day as a catalyst for growth and self-reflection. May we honour our gurus by imbibing their teachings in our daily lives, by becoming lifelong learners, and by passing on the light of knowledge to future generations.

On this Guru Purnima, let us stand united in our reverence for our teachers and express our deepest gratitude for their immeasurable contributions. May their blessings continue to guide us on our journey towards enlightenment and may their teachings inspire us to create a brighter and more compassionate world.

Guru Purnima : Instagram Status & Stories

• “Infinite gratitude, eternal blessings.”
• “Honoring the guiding light.”
• “Guru’s wisdom, heart’s treasure.”
• “Embracing knowledge, embracing life.”
• “Grateful for Guru’s Grace” 
• “Infinite Wisdom, Eternal Gratitude.”
• “Guided by Guru’s Light”
• “Bowing to the Teacher”
• Honouring the Guiding Light within.
• Celebrating the Wisdom of our Gurus.

Guru Purnima: Wishes For WhatsApp & Facebook

• May the blessings of your guru illuminate your path and guide you towards success and enlightenment. Happy Guru Purnima!
• On this auspicious day of Guru Purnima, I extend my heartfelt wishes to you. May you always find inspiration and wisdom in the teachings of your guru.
• Wishing you a blessed Guru Purnima filled with gratitude, reverence, and deep respect for your guiding light.
• May the divine grace of your guru shower upon you and lead you to a life of wisdom, peace, and fulfilment. Happy Guru Purnima!
• Sending my warmest wishes to Guru Purnima. May you continue to learn, grow, and be guided by the teachings of your guru.
• On this special day, I express my gratitude to my guru for their invaluable teachings and guidance. Happy Guru Purnima!
• May the blessings of your guru inspire you to reach new heights and achieve greatness in all your endeavours. Happy Guru Purnima!
• As we celebrate Guru Purnima, let us remember and honour the profound impact of our gurus in shaping our lives. Wishing you a blessed day filled with reverence and gratitude.
• On this auspicious day, let us bow down to our gurus with deep respect and gratitude for their selfless dedication to imparting knowledge and wisdom. Happy Guru Purnima!
• May the blessings of your guru fill your life with love, happiness, and spiritual growth. Happy Guru Purnima!

Guru Purnima : Famous Quotes

• “Teaching is more than imparting knowledge; it is inspiring change. Learning is more than absorbing facts; it is acquiring understanding.”- William Arthur Ward
• “Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.”- Bob Talbert
• “Teachers have three loves: love of learning, love of learners, and the love of bringing the first two loves together.”- Scott Hayden
• “A teacher’s job is to take a bunch of live wires and see that they are well-grounded.”- Darwin D. Martin
• “Good teachers are the ones who can challenge young minds without losing their own.”- Unknown
• “Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.”- Colleen Wilcox
• “Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system.”- Sidney Hook
• “Teachers can change lives with just the right mix of chalk and challenges.”- Joyce Meyer
• “If you have to put someone on a pedestal, put teachers. They are society’s heroes.”- Guy Kawasaki

Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima Has Its Roots in Buddhism and Jainism, Not Hinduism

Hindus have been rather adept in adapting the best practices of the other two better-organised religions.

Though gurus have been an integral part of the ancient Hindu tradition, the celebration of a specific day purnima in their honour in the month of Ashadha has its roots in Buddhism and Jainism. Gurus no doubt got respectful mentions in the Rig Veda (hymn 4.5.6) and in the Upanishads (chapter 4.4 of the Chhandogya) and in chapter 3 of the Taittiriya or in chapter 6 of the Shvetashvatara. Even so, there was no mandate under ‘Hinduism’ to set aside any particular date for guru-worship. Ashramas or pathshalas were the ‘boarding schools’ usually for the entire period of a student’s childhood and early youth, i.e the brahmacharyya phase.

There is no evidence of any fixed date or month on which the student joined – and the only criterion was that they had to be Brahmans. There were, of course, some gurus like Dronacharya, who taught specific skills to other select upper-caste boys from Kshatriya families such as the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The sheer caste bias of education in ancient India is best exemplified by the story of Eklavya, a tribal youth, who had to chop off his right thumb for mastering mastered archery, which was considered ‘illicit’ as he did not belong to the upper caste.

Buddhists, however, considered Guru Purnima the beginning of the season of Varsha, or Vassa as it is called in Pali, when monks, both young and old, had to leave human habitations and seek refuge in distant caves and monasteries. Popularly known as the ‘rains retreat’, this full moon was the definitive day for the monsoons to have reached all parts of India, even though the coastal areas surely receive their rains much earlier. This small but significant practice indicates that the entire subcontinent followed certain common protocols and that there was a definite recognition of the ‘idea of one India’. It also speaks of the principles of ‘adjustment’ and ‘accommodation’ that united far-flung people, separated by vastly differing agro-climatic zones. Where Buddhism and Jainism were concerned, some of the courses were open to other devotees who were interested in pursuing religious studies or select scholastic disciplines or were just keen to meditate.

In a manner of speaking, Guru Purnima marked the beginning of the mandatory 36-week ‘trimester courses’ under the guidance of Buddhist experts. Contemporary Jainism also began their Chaturmaas or four-month period of piety, which some strict Jains continue even today. Jains believe that it was on this very purnima that Tirthankara Mahavira ordained Gautama Swami of Gandhara as his first discipline. There is an equally strong Buddhist belief that a month after receiving his ‘enlightenment’, Buddha delivered his first sermon – called the Dhamma-Cakkappavattana Sutta – to his five former companions on the full moon day of Ashadh at Sarnath and that he spent the first four-month Vassa at Mulagandhakuti. The Sinhalese Buddhists still practise Vas or ‘rains retreat’ though their calendar is adjusted to their monsoons, while the Thais call the period from July to October as Phansa and observe it rather religiously. Other Theravada Buddhists like the Burmese also observe Vassa, and Mahayana Buddhists like the Vietnamese Thiens and the Korean Seons fix themselves to one location, just as the Tibetans are supposed to.

Hindus have been rather adept in adapting the best practices of the other two better-organised religions. After all, these two monastic religions had the benefit of subsided, resident intellectuals – to debate regularly on sacred texts and on social issues. Hinduism was less organised as a religion and lacked a proper definitive structure before Shankaracharya and other great acharyas arrived more than a millennium later. The story of Vyasa Muni came in much later, along with the Guru Gita, a 216-verse ode to gurus. We also have Adi Shankara’s Upadeshas, but historians date it to almost a millennium and a half after Buddha and Mahavira. Other texts that glorify Guru Purnima, like the Varaha Purana, seem to have come even later. But even if Hinduism caught up later, there is enough evidence that Guru Purnima as a festival was in vogue at least three centuries before the arrival of the Christian or present era.

Monastic Buddhism and Jainism realised that it was best that non-producing classes and peripatetic monks stay away from unnecessarily venturing into wet, snake-infested fields and forests during monsoons. The four months of Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashvina and Kartika could even be trimmed to three months depending on the regional character of the rains and local needs.

The gurus also required economic sustenance for their very existence; the emphasis on the practice of daana or gifts was, therefore, essential. Notably, the Bhakti movement, which was at its peak in north India between the 14th and the 16th centuries, was also led by gurus of all castes. The gurus helped in endearing popular ‘non-Brahmanical’ Hinduism to the masses, and this also led to reinforcing Guru Purnima as a universal festival.

Another utility of the gurukul system was that it nurtured music and dance to a degree that no other educational arrangement could ever achieve. There is no doubt that for almost eight centuries, the differences between Hinduism and Islam were narrowed down as far as dance and music were concerned. Sufi silsilas in India followed systems akin to gurukuls, and their khanqahs, where teachers (Murshids or Sheikhs) taught generations of Mureeds in theology and culture, were often better-organised than gurukuls and less personalised structures. In culture, as distinct from education, the term Ustad is usually the Muslim counterpart of the Hindu Guru or Pandit. This guru-shishya tradition was really instrumental in sustaining and nourishing our musical and performing art traditions – through the vagaries of political and social upheavals. The democratisation of culture that took place in the 20th century after the patronage of nawabs and kings ceased could also never have been achieved without the highly personalised system of gurukuls. It is, therefore, not surprising that while educational institutions have switched to ‘Teachers’ Day’ to honour the teaching community, Guru Purnima is celebrated with greater enthusiasm in gurukuls.

We need to understand the real India that is personified by these gurukuls when on Guru Purnima no difference is made between Muslim Ustads and Hindu Pandits. Both are deeply revered and respected with equal sincerity by their students, who consider them as almost divine.

Another interesting fact to note in the context of gurus is that Indian history is replete with examples of how rakshasas and asuras have periodically disturbed the tapovanas and gurukuls of sages and their students, prompting brave Arya-putras to kill them and, of course, expand their civilisation. Why they needed to court danger is not the point; what is fascinating is how the indigenous people were systematically dominated through such conflicts that usually resulted in the victory of so-called Aryandom. Without gurus and sages venturing deeper into unknown terrains, the kshetras of Sanskritic way of life could not replace the vana-based cultures, in such a determined manner, over several centuries and millennia.

Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima, also known as Vyas Purnima, is celebrated on Ashadh Sud Poonam, the day of the full moon in the month of Ashadh. On this day, Hindus remember Ved Vyas, the eternal Guru of Hindu Sanatan Dharma, for he classified the 4 Vedas, Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva, and wrote the Mahabharata and 18 Puranas. Guru, a Sanskrit word, comes from the root words ‘gu’ meaning darkness or ignorance and ‘ru’ meaning remover of that darkness. Hence, a Guru is one who removes our darkness in the form of ignorance, helps us overcome maya, and guides us on the path to realizing Bhagwan. On Guru Purnima, devotees sing praises of their Guru and perform Guru-puja. At BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs around the world, devotees lovingly celebrate Guru Purnima, while remembering their Guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Annually, this festival is celebrated in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Bochasan, where close to 65,000 people gather to perform their Guru’s puja.

Why do we need a Guru?

The Shrimad Bhagavata elaborates on a conversation Jadbharat had with King Rahugan in which Jadbharat explained the necessity of a Guru:

 “Oh 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 a Satpurush (a true God-realized Guru) sprinkles on our heads, then we can surely attain this knowledge.”

The only way to attain moksha is by whole-heartedly serving and obeying the commands of the Guru. The Guru reminds the aspirant of his or her ultimate goal and motivates the aspirant to progress on the spiritual path.

Glory of the Guru

Several Hindu scriptures explain the glory of the Guru:

Skand Purana – Guru Gita

“Gurubrahma Guruvishnu Gurudevo Maheshwaraha; Guruhu sakshaat Parambrahma tasmai Shrigurave namaha.”

“The guru is Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva); worship the Guru for he is the manifest form of Parabrahma.”

“Guru Govind donu khade, kisko laagu paay, Balihari Gurudevaki jinhe Govind diyo bataay.”

“The Guru and Govind, Bhagwan, are both present before me. Whom should I bow down to first? I bow down to the Guru, because he brought me to Bhagwan.”

Mundak Upanishad

This Upanishad calls a Guru “Shrotriya,” one who knows the true meaning of the scriptures.

Adi Shankaracharya

In his commentary on a mantra (12/13) from the Mundak Upanishad, Adi Shankaracharya explains, “Even if one possesses the knowledge of the scriptures, he should not attempt to delve into their meanings by himself. He should obtain the knowledge of Brahma through the Guru.”

In their treatises, other Acharyas, such as Ramanuj and Nimbark have considered the Guru mandatory in God-realization.

Vachanamrut Gadhada III-27:

“The scriptures advocate five attributes of nishkam, nirlobh, nirman, nisswad and nissneh for a sadhu. The sadhu in whom one observes such attributes has a constant rapport with God. Therefore one should have immutable faith in his words, and by his words should realize the knowledge of God.”

Vachanamrut Gadhada III-26:

“The sadhu who lives in a way in which he subdues his indriyas and antahkaran, but is not subdued by them, who engages in God-related activities only, strictly observes the panch vartamans, believes himself as being Brahman, and worships Purushottam, can be known neither as a human being nor a deva, since neither man nor deva possess such attributes. Therefore such a sadhu, though a human being, deserves to be worshipped on par with God.”

Rituals:

Hindus pray to their Guru for the strength to progress on the spiritual path and to gain prosperity in life.

Devotees perform a special Guru-puja to honor their Guru on this day.

Guru Purnima is a holiday dedicated to paying respect and expressing gratitude to one’s spiritual and academic teachers predominantly celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal and India. Considering that “Purnima” is the Indian and Nepali word for full moon, the festival always falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadha (typically occurring between June and July). Many Hindus celebrate Guru Purnima in honor Vyasa — one of the most revered gurus in Hinduism — believing that he was born on this day. Buddhists most commonly celebrate the holiday in honor of Buddha, as this was the day that He delivered his first sermon. Observances of the holiday often include visiting a temple, special recitations of the Hindu scriptures, meditating on guru’s teachings, and floral offerings and other symbolic gifts.

Guru Purnima

The Guru or instructor has always been equated with God in Hindu tradition. Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima is a day to honour and thank our Gurus. This Sanskrit term translates precisely as ‘the one who liberates us from ignorance.’

Hindus consider this full moon day in the month of Ashada to be one of the most fortunate days of the year. On July 13, , India will commemorate Guru Purnima. It also honours Ved Vyasa’s birthday, who is credited with authoring some of the most influential Hindu writings of all time, including the Puranas, Mahabharata, and Vedas.

Guru Purnima’s History

Guru Purnima commemorates Ved Vyasa, one of ancient India’s most revered Gurus. Dr Vishakha Mahindroo, a senior Ayurvedic consultant, explains, “Veda Vyasa constructed the four Vedas, penned the epic Mahabharata, and laid the groundwork for the many Puranas and enormous encyclopaedias of Hindu holy wisdom.” Teacher Purnima commemorates Lord Shiva’s day and instructs the seven rishis of Vedic seers as the Adi Guru or first guru. Ishvara as Pranava or Om is described in the Yoga Sutras as the Adi Guru of Yoga. On this day, Lord Buddha is claimed to have given his first speech at Sarnath, demonstrating the sacredness of this period.”

Guru Purnima’s Significance

Guru Purnima is observed to honour our teachers, who illuminate our thoughts. Since ancient times, they have had a particular place in the lives of their adherents. All of Hinduism’s sacred writings emphasise the significance of Gurus and the remarkable link that exists between a Guru and his Shishya (disciple). According to an ancient Sanskrit proverb, ‘Mata Pitah Guru Daivam,’ the mother is; first, the father is second, the Guru is third, and God is fourth. Thus, teachers have been elevated to a greater status in Hindu tradition than Gods.

How Should Guru Purnima Be Celebrated?

It is associated with Vishnu worship. Traditionally, it is observed by worshipping and expressing appreciation to the Gods who resemble our Gurus. Disciples offer prayers in honour of their instructors at monasteries and ashrams. Dr Vishakha proposes what to do on Guru Purnima: “On this day, one should commit to practising the guru’s principles and teachings.” On this day, recite ‘Vishnu Sahatranam,’ commonly known as the thousand names of Lord Vishnu. On this blessed day, be in tune with yourself and harness your energy.”

Feasts And Fasts During Guru Purnima

Many individuals observe a day-long fast, abstaining from salt, rice, and heavies foods, including non-vegetarian meals and other cereal-based meals. They end their fast after evening puja. Consumption of yoghurt or fruits is prohibited. The temples provide Prasada and Charnamrita, which are sweetened curds and fresh fruits. On Guru Purnima, the majority of homes also observe a strict vegetarian diet, eating delicacies such as Khichdi, Poori, Choley, Halwa, and sweets such as Soan Papdi, Barfi, Laddoo, and Gulab Jamun.

FAQs About Guru Purnima

Which God is worshipped on Guru Purnima?

Historically, Buddhists have observed the festival in honour of the Buddha, who delivered his first speech on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. The day is commemorated in the yogic tradition as the day Shiva becomes the first Guru, initiating the teaching of Yoga to the Saptarishis.

What is special about Guru Purnima?

It (Poornima) is a Karma Yoga-based custom devoted to all spiritual and academic Gurus who are developed or enlightened beings willing to impart their learning. Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists commemorate it as a holiday in India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Who started Guru Purnima?

Lord Shiva is said to be the first guru in Yogic tradition. It is said to be the day on which he emerged as a Yogi to the sapta-rishis, or seven sages, in the Himalayas.

How do we celebrate Guru Purnima?

Traditionally, it is observed by adoring and expressing appreciation to the Gods who resemble our Gurus. Followers offer prayers in honour of their instructors at monasteries and ashrams.



Significance of Guru Purnima

A teacher is our friend, philosopher and guide. In India, since ancient times teachers have been revered for their dedication to learning. A teacher plays an important role in shaping young minds. The word “guru” is derived from the term gu (गु) ru (रु), which stands for “darkness” symbolic of GU and “light that dispels it” symbolic of RU. In earlier times, a teacher or a master was the only source of knowledge.

Guru Purnima honours one of the most cherished Guru of ancient Bharat or India, Ved Vyasa.

The four popular Indian vedas namely the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Ayurveda and Samveda along with Mahabharata and Puranas were structured by him.

According to many age-old beliefs, Guru Purnima was celebrated to pay tribute to Ved Vyasa.

Back in the day it was a ritual to honour your teacher or Guru by promising to be sincere with your learning process.

This tradition goes on till date.

How can we celebrate Guru Purnima?

The mark of Guru Purnima is simplicity, showering your teacher with gratitude and being sincere towards your studies in the best way to truly celebrate this day.

Besides, you can also showcase thoughtful gestures, like the ones mentioned below :

Greet Your Teachers

Wishing them cheerfully may seem cliche but it will instantly make your teacher feel appreciated.

It will leave them with a wide smile, feeling loved and cherished.

Make Them A Thank You Note

Gratitude is often underrated in our day to day lives. A small gesture of making a ‘Thank You’ note will go a long way in expressing your innermost thoughts and feelings.

Take Active Interest In Learning

The best gift a student can offer a teacher is to become sincere at your classwork and grow up to be responsible citizens of the country.

There are simple yet worthwhile tips that will make a huge difference in deepening your bond with your teacher or your guru.

While schools and institutions are traditionally a place where we find our teachers, a mentor can be found anywhere through the course of your life.

Practically wishes you a very Happy Guru Purnima!

At Practically, we have created immersive and engaging content that will empower teachers to bring learning alive.

We have created a vast library of simulations that will help every learner and educator to retain concepts better

Guru Purnima – All You Need to Know about its Auspicious Celebration

In India, a Guru or a teacher holds an immense place, and hence they are worshipped like God.

A guru is a person who throws the light of vast knowledge into the ocean of humanity.

n Sanskrit, the word ‘Guru’ translates literally to ‘dispeller of darkness’.

Thus, a Guru is revered across the world and is capable of eliminating a seeker’s ignorance, allowing them to experience the true source of creation from within.

Guru Purnima celebration is commonly the day when seekers offer great gratitude to their Gurus and receive their blessings.

The auspicious day is also known as Vyasa Purnima and celebrated in honor of the renowned sage Veda Vyasa.

This author of Epic Mahabharata is considered as one of the notable Gurus of India.

Now, we know the power of Guru in our life, let’s find out why we celebrate Guru Purnima and what are rituals to be followed. Also, we shall have insights into the legendary Gurus of India.

Guru Purnima Celebration – Why it is celebrated

Guru Purnima festival is celebrated customarily by people belonging to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism to honour their spiritual Gurus and academic teachers of any field by expressing gratitude.

The festival is celebrated mainly in India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Guru Purnima is also regarded as a special day of exercising yogic sadhanas and various meditations.

A Guru is a teacher, a guide, a friend, and a protector.

The great St. Kabir has mentioned in one of his songs that if you see God and Guru standing beside each other, you should offer your first worship to the Guru and then to God.

With the help of a Guru, one can recognize the real power and importance of God

Guru Purnima – Legend about Veda Vyasa

Maharshi Veda Vyasa – who is said to be one of the seven immortals – descended to earth in the month of Ashadha on a full moon day.

Hence, this day is observed as Vyasa Purnima or Guru Purnima.

He is called the Guru of all Gurus because he not only wrote Mahabharata but also collated all the Vedas.

He also gave them systematic divisions, namely Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. Besides, he also composed 18 Puranas, Upapuranas, Vyasa Samhita, and so on.

These contain teachings and guidelines on leading lives.

He was a gifted genius matching no other in the chronicles of mankind’s literary history.

Thus every religious Hindu worships their Guru by honoring them as Vyasa Dev on this day.

This tradition has been running since the ancient time of the Vanaasram period when the disciples staying in their Guru’s home learned Shastras.

Other Legends

Lord Shiva is considered the first Guru as per the Yogic culture.

He presented the skills of Yoga to Saptarishis. Appearing as a Yogi in the Himalayas, he bestowed the knowledge of Yogic learnings to these seven sages.

Thus, Lord Shiva came to be known as Adiyogi.

Gautam Buddha gave his first discourse at Sarnath on the day of Ashadha Purnima after attaining enlightenment.

Therefore, Buddhists also celebrate Guru Purnima in honor of the teachings given by Gautam Buddha.

Importance of Guru Purnima

The planet Jupiter in Astrology is also referred to as Guru because it gives immense knowledge and wisdom, and so, on this day, people worship and offer reverence to Lord Jupiter in order to gain this warm-hearted teacher’s blessings.

By establishing a Guru Yantra on this Guru Purnima, you may please Lord Jupiter to gain its blessings and those of your Gurus.

Rituals followed on the day of Guru Purnima celebration

The disciples wake up early in the morning, take a bath and get dressed in new clothes.

They pay homage to their revered Guru or teacher’s feet and give them clothes, food, money, ornaments, etc.

After honoring their Guru, the disciples seek their blessings to progress in life.

Disciples belonging to all Hindu orders like Vaishnavas, Shaivas, and Shaktas celebrate this day as they see Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara and the Parabrahma (the supreme soul) in their Gurus.

The below shloka from Guruvandana shows the same:

Gururbrahmaa Gururvishnuh
Gurudevo Maheswara;
Gurursaakshaat Parambrahma
Tasmai Sree Gurave Namah

It is said that a Guru who can illuminate one’s life with wisdom and guidance is a Guru in the true sense. Wish you all a very Happy Guru Purnima.

Guru Purnima

Guru Govind dou khade, kaake laagoon paye

Balihari guru aapki, Govind diyo milaye.”

Meaning:

I face both God and my Guru. Who should I bow to first?

I first bow to my guru because he’s the one who showed me the path to God.

Gurus are equated with God and always regarded as a link between the individual and the divine. Just as the moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun, and glorifies it, all disciples can dazzle like the moon by gaining from their Gurus.

What is Guru Purnima?

The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa.

All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who detailed the four Vedas (Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva), wrote the 18 Puranas, the 108 Upanishads, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata.

Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus.

Significance of Guru Purnima

On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a ‘puja’ of their respective spiritual preceptor or ‘Gurudevs’.

It is a good time to begin your spiritual lessons.

Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual ‘sadhana’ from this day.

The period ‘Chaturmas’ (“four months”) begins from this day.

In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.

The Role of the Guru

Swami Sivananda asks: “Do you realize now the sacred significance and the supreme importance of the Guru’s role in the evolution of man? It was not without reason that the India of the past carefully tended and kept alive the lamp of Guru-Tattva.

It is therefore not without reason that India, year after year, age after age, commemorates anew this ancient concept of the Guru, adores it and pays homage to it again and again, and thereby re-affirms its belief and allegiance to it.

Jainism

According to Jain traditions, it was on this day, falling at the beginning of CHAUMASAAS” , the four month rainy season retreat, Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, after attaining Kaivalya, made Indrabhuti Gautam, later known as Gautam Swami, a Ganadhara, his first disciple, thus becoming a Guru himself, therefore it is observed in Jainism as Guru Purnima, and is marked special veneration to one’s Gurus and teachers

Buddhism

Traditionally the festival is celebrated by Buddhists in honour of the lord Buddha who gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India.

In addition to having religious importance, this festival has great importance for Indian academics and scholars.

Indian academics celebrate this day by thanking their teachers as well as remembering past teachers and scholars.

Your Inner Guru resides in the throat chakra. It attracts different Gurus in your lifetime to evolve you and show you the path ahead and you get ready for your Higher purpose in life.

There is no need to Value any particular Guru but Value his lessons.

The Gemstone Yellow Sapphire, 11 mukhi Ekadash Rudra Rudraksha, Trijuti Dattatreya rudraksha and Gauri Shankar Gayatri rudraksha help awaken the Inner Guru to banish the light of darkness in your life.

Yoga

In yogic lore, it is said that on Guru Purnima, Shiva became the Adi Guru.

The story says that over 15,000 years ago a Yogi appeared in the Himalayas.

People gathered around Him but He showed no movement except ocaasional tears of ecstasy.

In time people drifted away and only 7 men stayed on. Days rolled into weeks and the weeks into months, months into years, but the Yogi’s eyes did not fall upon them again.

After 84 years of sadhana, on the summer solstice that marks the advent of Dakshinayana, the earth’s southern run, the yogi looked at them again.

These 7 men had become shining receptacles and wonderfully receptive.

On the very next full moon day, the yogi turned south and sat as a Guru to these seven men in the form of Lord Dakshinamoorthy.

Shiva, became the Adi Guru and expounded the mechanics of life into these seven men.

The seven disciples became celebrated as the Saptarishis and took His knowledge across the world.

Thus Guru Purnima holds importance as it opened the possibility for a human being to evolve consciously.

Significance of Guru Purnima

The festival of Guru Purnima is celebrated in India to honour spiritual gurus and teachers. Read on and learn more about the significance of Guru Purnima.

The term “Guru” is derived from two Sanskrit words, “gu” meaning darkness and “ru” meaning the person who removes such darkness.

This darkness also includes ignorance.

Guru is the teacher who helps in removing such ignorance of mankind.

This day is marked as paying tribute and respect to our Guru or teachers.

As in the name this day is celebrated on a full moon day or “Purnima”.

This is mainly the festival of the Hindus, Jain and the Buddhists.

The role of the Guru is equated to the powers of the Sun.

Just as the Sun dazzles the moon by its light even during darkness, the disciples also like the moon, cannot shine without the light of knowledge from their Guru.

The Guru is believed to be the connection between man and God.

It is through the Guru that one can attain the blessings of God. So Guru is worshipped as the living God.

Importance of Guru Purnima

As the festival is celebrated by the Hindus, Jain and the Buddhists, there are various legends behind the celebration of this auspicious day.

Significance of Guru Purnima According to Buddhism

According to the Buddhist folklore, on this day, Gautam Buddha, after attaining enlightenment, delivered His sermon for the first time to his five companions in Sarnath.

After hearing the sermons His five companions also achieved the enlightenment.

Then  Lord Buddha asked them to go to different directions of the world and start preaching the principles of “Dharma”.

On this day, Gautam Buddha as the Guru taught his disciples the principles of “Dharma”, so this day is celebrated by the Buddhist is showing honour and respect to Lord Buddha.

Significance of Guru Purnima According to Hinduism

According to the Hindu legends, on this day, the great sage and the writer of Mahabharata, Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, was born.

He had done legendary works of collecting all the hymns of Vedas and dividing the Veda into four major parts, namely Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. He taught this Vedic hymns to his four disciples, and so on this day he is honoured as a Guru and paid homage by people all over. Therefore, the day of Guru Purnima is also referred as Vyas Purnima.

Yogic Legend on Guru Purnima

The Yogic legend goes like this. On this day the Adi Guru or Shiva, began with the transmission of Yoga to his seven disciples, who later were honoured as Saptrishis. The Hindus consider Lord Shiva to be the earliest of all Gods. He has been immortal from time immemorial. Later on the Saptrishis spread this knowledge across the whole world. This knowledge helps mankind to learn how to evolve consciously. This knowledge is the foundation of the basic postures of Yoga which has become popular with time.

Significance of Guru Purnima According to Jainism

The Jains pay veneration to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara who became Guru to his first disciple, Gautam Swami.

So this day is celebrated to pay respect to the teachers and Gurus of the individuals.

Celebration of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is celebrated on a full moon day. It falls on the month of “Asadh” that is June or July. Because it is the month of shower, it is of great significance to the farmers who pay homage to the Rain Gods.

To mark this day more special, various cultural as well as spiritual programmes are held by the organisations. They also arrange for Kirtans and Bhajans in reverence to the various spiritual teachers.

This day is considered as the most auspicious day to start up with the spiritual lessons from the spiritual Gurus. It is believed to be the best day when the spiritual teachers possess the divine power. So everyone seeks these divine blessings from their respective teachers on this day. In return they worship and offer sweets to their spiritual Gurus on this day.

Importance and Meaning of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is the day meant for the Gurus. This day is in fact considered as the day of the advent of the great sage Vyasa or Veda Vyasa on earth. As he was regarded as a great Guru, the day has come to be observed as an occasion for honoring all the Gurus, the teachers, and preceptors. A full Moon day is called as Purnima, and it is believed that all such Purnimas are meant for Guru reverence. Of these, the one that falls on the Hindu month of Ashada holds special importance and is celebrated as Guru Purnima, the day meant exclusively for the Gurus. The month corresponds to the Tamil month of Aani and in the English calendar, to the period June–July.

Greatness of Vyasa

Vyasa was not only a pre-eminent Guru but also a saint-poet of extraordinary caliber. He was a teacher par excellence and is regarded even as a Guru of Dattatreya, who is considered as the Guru of Gurus and also as the incarnation of the supreme trinity of Gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. It is not for nothing that the word Veda remains as a prefix to Vyasa’s name, for it was he who compiled the ancient Vedas and classified them into four parts. He also composed Mahabharata, the monumental epic, while also authoring 18 Puranas, including the highly sacred Bhagavata Purana.

Importance of Gurus

‘Acharya Devo Bhava’ – this one saying is enough to show the exalted position that a Guru holds in the ancient Indian civilization and culture. This adage equates the Guru to Deva, the God and that is how they were treated as, in our tradition. There is another hymn that reinforces this aspect, terming the supreme Gods themselves as great Gurus and hailing the teachers as their combined representatives. Gurus are considered as apostles of knowledge and wisdom, who can guide people on the path of virtue, peace and spiritual advancement, and lead them ultimately to liberation. These can amply demonstrate the importance of the occasion of Guru Purnima.

Guru Purnima – What the day means?

It is not only for the religious people, and this day means a lot to the farmers too. After the scorching summer which leaves the land dry and parched, it is natural for the farmers to await the rains eagerly so that their fields can become fertile and they can get sufficient water for starting their agricultural activities. It is on the Guru Purnima that the much-awaited monsoon season begins and hence the farming community celebrates this day with hope and enthusiasm.

Guru Purnima is closely associated with spirituality and is considered a very auspicious time to start endeavors towards spiritual progress. Religious studies are begun on this day, while the devout start observing many important practices too.

This also marks the beginning of Chaturmas, the holy period of four months, when monks, ascetics, and saints devote their time almost entirely for religious activities when they undertake special studies and observe various austerities.
Guru Purnima is a day of illumination, as the Guru illuminates a mind with his imparting of knowledge. To highlight this aspect, people decorate their houses by lighting traditional lamps.

Lord Dakshinamurthy, the aspect of Shiva is known as the divine teacher and Adi Guru. Also planet Jupiter is called as Guru and is considered as Deva Guru, the preceptor of the celestial beings. People worship Dakshinamurthy and planetary Lord Guru on Guru Purnima day and seek their blessings for better knowledge and wisdom.

Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima, also called Vyasa Purnima, is a huge celebration celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. Guru Purnima this year falls on July 3, and it takes place on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Ashadha (June or July). This special day is a chance to honour and thank the guru or spiritual mentor who gives you knowledge, direction, and enlightenment. 

It is a chance to recognize the huge role of these educators in our lives and show our profound appreciation for their wisdom and lessons. Find meaningful ways to honour and show appreciation to your guru on this special day, from writing a heartfelt note to saying thanks.

Guru Purnima : History 

On this day, the founder of the Buddhist faith, Gautam Buddha provided his first sermon post five weeks after accomplishing enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. To give a sermon on the full moon day, Gautam Buddha travelled from Bodhgaya to Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh.

Guru Purnima is observed on the full moon day or Purnima in the Hindu calendar’s Ashadha month. It falls in the period of June-August on the English calendar. Guru Purnima  date is July 03, Monday. Guru Purnima 2024 will be observed on Sunday, July 21.

Guru Purnima : Importance

Guru Purnima is observed in Hinduism to commemorate the birth of Ved Vyasa, a well-known sage who is said to have divided the Vedas into four parts by editing them; he likewise composed the Puranas which is viewed as the ‘fifth Veda’ and the Mahabharata. It is accepted that on this day, prayers arrive at the Mahaguru directly and his blessings eliminate darkness and ignorance from a disciple’s life. 

As per Buddhism, on this day, Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon or lesson to his initial five disciples after he relocated from Bodhgaya to Sarnath. The “Sangha,” or community of his disciples, then emerged. 

On this day, according to Jainism, Lord Mahavira became ‘Guru’, the first disciple of Gautam Swami. Accordingly, this day is in respect to adore Mahavira. As per old Indian history, this day is of most extreme significance to farmers as they pray to God for giving them great rainfall for the following harvest.

Guru Purnima : Rituals 

This day is dedicated to worshipping one’s guru, who serves as one’s life’s light, among Hindus. Vyasa puja is held in many spots where mantras are chanted to respect the ‘Guru’. Fans offer roses and gifts to pay respect and ‘prasad’ and ‘charanamrita’ are circulated. The entire day is spent singing recitals, hymns, and devotional songs. The holy text of Guru Gita is presented in the guru’s memory. 

‘Padapuja’ or the worship of the sage’s sandals are organized by supporters in the different ashrams and individuals assemble where the seat of their guru lies, rededicating themselves to his lessons and standards. On this day, Buddhists mark the eight teachings of Buddha. This custom is known as ‘Uposatha’. Buddhist monks are known to begin meditating and engaging in other ascetic practices on this day, when the rainy season begins. 

Celebrating Hinduism’s Guru Purnima

Hindus attach paramount importance to spiritual gurus—their teachers on matters of religion and spiritual growth. Gurus are regarded as a link between the individual and the immortal, to such an extent that they are sometimes equated with God. It’s no surprise, then, that Hinduism offers a sacred day devoted to honoring the guru. It is called Guru Purnima.

When Is Guru Purnima?

The full moon day (purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashad (July–August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Maharshi Veda Vyasa. This ancient saint edited the four Vedas and wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata, and the Srimad Bhagavatam. Dattatreya, regarded as the guru of gurus, was himself educated by Vyasa. 

The Significance of the Guru Purnima Celebration

On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa, and all disciples perform a puja (a ritual) of their respective spiritual preceptor, or gurudevs.

This day is also of deep significance to farmers, for it heralds the beginning of the much-needed seasonal rains, when the advent of cool showers ushers in fresh life in the fields. Symbolically, this is a good time to begin spiritual lessons; thus spiritual seekers traditionally begin intensifying their spiritual sadhana—pursuit of spiritual goals—on this day.

The period of Chaturmas (“four months”) begins on this day. Traditionally, this was the time when wandering spiritual masters and their disciples settled down in a single place to study the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa—a time to conduct Vedantic discussions.

Traditional Ways of Celebrating Guru Purnima

How Guru Purnima is celebrated varies by tradition and region. At the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the Guru Purnima is celebrated every year on a grand scale:

• All aspirants awaken at brahmamuhurta, at 4 a.m. They meditate on the guru and chant his prayers.
• Later in the day, the sacred worship of the guru’s feet is performed. Devotees meditate on the guru’s form. His words are used as a sacred mantra, and the faithful believe his grace ensures final liberation.
• Sadhus and sannyasins (religious ascetics) are then worshiped and fed at noon.
• There is a continuous spiritual discussion—called satsang—during which discourses are held on devotion to the guru in particular and on spiritual topics in general.
• Deserving aspirants are initiated into the Holy Order of Sannyas.
• Devout disciples fast and spend the whole day in prayer. They also make fresh resolves for spiritual progress.

A Guru’s Advice on How to Observe the Holy Day

Swami Sivananda was a 20th-century Hindu spiritual leader, yogi, and guru who encouraged devotees to use Guru Purnima to reconnect with their own gurus and carry that inner spiritual connection into Chaturmas.

“The best form of worship of the guru is to follow his teachings, to shine as the very embodiment of his teachings, and to propagate his glory and his message.”

Sivananda recommended sitting with other devotees of your guru in the afternoon and discussing with them the glories and teachings of that guru. He suggested reassembling at night to sing the names of the Lord and the glories of the guru. 

“Alternatively, you may observe the vow of silence and study the books or writings of your guru, or mentally reflect upon his teachings. Take fresh resolves on this holy day, to tread the spiritual path in accordance with the precepts of your guru.”

Significance of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima, otherwise called Vyasa Purnima, is celebrating the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa, the legendary author of Mahabharata. Full moon day in the month of June-July is the witness of celebrating Guru Purnima.

Hindus, Buddhists and Jains are celebrating this day in various forms.

As part of our culture, Hindus are honouring Veda Vyasa on that day.

Disciples are expressing their love, gratitude and devotion to their teachers.

Among Buddhists, disciples are worshipping and honouring Lord Buddha during Guru Purnima day.

As per the part of Jain religious custom, people are celebrating Guru Purnima as Treenok Guha Purnima in the name of Ganadhara becoming Treenok Guha.

 As in the terms of the basics of oldest Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is denoted as first Guru and he had two disciples Shani and Parashurama.

He introduced civilization and religion on earth.

 That is the story behind the name of Adidev and Adiguru to Lord Shiva.

He provided seven people with Shani and Parasurama and after that, they began to be known as Saptarishis and they distributed knowledge of Shiva to the whole world.

Purnima ritual is started by waking up in the early morning and taking a bath.

Wearing white or yellow clothes is necessary. After that, praying to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Guru Brihaspati, Saint Ved Vyas along with our own Guru.

On that occasion, students are worshipping the picture of these Gods by setting on a white cloth.

Yet, people are using flowers, lamps, naivedya, sandalwood etc to honour Guru.

Washing the feet of Guru by chanting the mantra and offering flowers to show their respect.

Guru Purnima is considered as auspicious for the person who wants to become saints and give their life to Guru can join Ashram.

The traditional perspective of Guru Purnima is entirely different from the modern view.

 As per the traditional Hindu mythology, disciples are worshipping their Guru based on rituals and customs. But today, all the academic institutions’ students are celebrating Guru Purnima as Teachers day by thanking their teachers.

Devotees are remembering saint Vyasa through some facts. First of all, Vyasa is known as the author of Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita.

He was the legend who wrote eighteen Puranas. Vyasa is represented as the guru of Dattatreya.

Yet, he was known as the guru of all gurus.

Guru Purnima

What Does Guru Purnima  Mean?

Guru Purnima is a traditional Hindu celebration, dedicated to enlightened spiritual masters otherwise known as gurus.

This auspicious day falls on the first full moon after the summer solstice, in the Hindu month of Ashad (July to August).

It is celebrated in India, Nepal and Bhutan by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.

On this day, seekers offer gratitude and devotion to their guru, and receive his or her blessings.

Explains Guru Purnima

Since gurus are often regarded as a link between seekers and the divine, Guru Purnima is seen as a sacred day, in which gurus are revered like Gods.

The tradition originated as a celebration of the great sage Maharshi Veda Vyasa, who is believed not only to have been born on this day, but also to have begun writing the Brahma Sutras on Guru Purnima. Vyasa also edited the four Vedas and wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata, and the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Whilst Hindu’s celebrate Vyasa on this day, Buddhists mark Guru Purnima as the day that the Buddha gave his first sermon.

In the yogic tradition, Guru Purnima celebrates the day that Shiva became the first guru and began transmitting yoga to the Saptarishis.

The celebration is marked by spiritual activities and rituals such as puja or satsang, and it is thought to be a particularly special day for sadhana.

Traditionally on this day, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples stop in one place to study the Brahma Sutras and conduct Vedantic discussions.

Guru Purnima – Significance and Celebration

Guru Purnima is one of the most important festivals in celebrated in India. This is the day when people worship guru or a teacher who teaches us to follow the right path. Read on to learn about the significance of Guru Purnima and how to celebrate it.

For Hindus spiritual gurus are very important. They often consider Gurus even greater than god because according to them Guru shows the way to reach to God. They are considered as the greatest link between the person and God. The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadha which usually falls in July-August is celebrated as Guru Purnima. A guru is said to dispel darkness of ignorance and leads the individual to the path of virtues and enlightenment.

What is Guru Purnima?

All Hindus observe the full moon day of Ashadha as Guru Purnima, which is dedicated to great sage Vyasa. He took the great task of classifying the Vedas and divided it into four divisions which are being followed till date. He also wrote the 18 Puranas, Mahabharat and the Srimad Bhagavata. He is known as the original guru of Hindu religion.

Significance of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is of great importance to all spiritual aspirants and their devotees who worship Sage Vyasa in honour of his divine personality. The disciples perform a Pooja and show their gratitude towards their respective spiritual Gurudevs. This day is also of great significance for farmers because the cool showers of the much awaited rains set in and usher fresh life in fields. In many schools in India kids celebrate this day by paying respect to their teachers by touching their feet and giving them some gift as a token of respect.

Guru Purnima was one of the most important festivals in the nation many years back. People used to dedicate this day to the guru and his preaching irrespective of religion and caste. Today, this is still alive in some of the ashrams. But very few people are aware of this festival and its significance in life and living.

How to Celebrate Guru Purnima

1. Get up early in the morning i.e.; in Brahmamuhurta – 3.30 – 4 o’clock in the morning. Mediate in the early hours.
2. After bath you should worship the feet of your Guru or worship his image offering fruits, flowers, incense and camphor.
3. Some prefer observing fast the whole day while some just keep silence the entire day which is called “Maun Vrat”. Some take only milk and fruits that day.
4. Study or listen to the teachings of your Guru.
5. Offer food to Sadhus and Sanyasis and seek their blessings.
6. You can also arrange Satsang at your house or in your society so that you can sing and spread the glory of Guru and his messages.
7. Devotes spend the entire day in prayer and take fresh resolves for spiritual progress.

In Hinduism there is great significance given to gurus because they believe that guru played a vital role in the evolution of man. By celebrating Guru Purnima they reaffirm their beliefs and allegiance towards the first guru.

Buddhists celebrate this day in the honour of Lord Buddha and they believe that Lord Buddha gave his first sermon that day. During this day Buddhist monks gather in one place especially in Buddha Vihaars and recall their Guru’s life and teachings.

A mantra that is specifically enchanted during the prayer session of this day is:

Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwara

Guru Sakshat Param Brahma

Tasmai Shree Guruvey Namah!

Guru helps to gain knowledge of who we are, how to relate with the world and how to achieve true success. Total surrender to the Guru is one of the most important qualifications looked for in students since time immemorial. You can pay your homage to Guru by celebrating Guru Purnima from this year onwards.

Guru Purnima

Students today do not realise the value of their teachers and gurus. The word Guru denotes one who dispels the darkness of our ignorance. Because the Guru guides us on the path of God-realisation, he is accorded the same respect as God himself. Guru Purnima is a day where students show allegiance to the ancient yet fundamental concept of the Guru.

The word ‘Guru’ is obtained from the Sanskrit root ‘Gu’ which stands for darkness and ignorance, and the Sanskrit root ‘Ru’ which indicates the remover of that darkness and ignorance. Hence the word ‘Guru’ denotes one who is a dispeller of the darkness of our ignorance.

Vyasa Purnima

Guru Purnima is dedicated to the renowned Sage Vyasa who is said to have codified the Vedas around 1500 BC. The Vedas themselves signify wisdom, knowledge and vision. They are the most sacred texts of India which educate and guide humans with spiritual knowledge for all aspects of life. Vyasa Krishna Dwaipayana was son to sage Parashara and his wife, fisherwoman Satyavati and grandson to great sage Vasishta. The sagely philosophy and wisdom of his father and grandfather, combined with the practicality and level-headedness of his fisherwoman mother ensured that he was well-equipped to excel in life and create the bedrock of a universal religion, which regulates the religious direction of Hindus in particular and humankind in general.

Guru Purnima is celebrated on the birthday of Great Sage Vyasa and is also known as Vyasa Purnima. Purnima indicates ‘illumination’ and therefore, Vyasa Purnima denotes ‘spiritual enlightenment’. Sage Vyasa is also credited with writing the Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata.

Teachers imparting Vedic or spiritual education pay obeisance to Sage Vyasa, even today, the seats from where these learned men will give their directives, are termed as ‘Vyaspeeth’ to recognise Sage Vyasa’s stellar contribution to education.

Teacher – Student Relationship

Students today do not realise the value of their teachers and gurus. Where would athlete Milka Singh be today without the dedication of his coaches Gurudev and Ranveer Singh? Would Steve Jobs have been able to pioneer Apple without the mentoring of the co-founder of Intel – Andy Grove? A Guru, a Mentor, or a Teacher, whatever you may call them…you cannot deny their importance in every walk of life! The relationship between teacher-student, guru-shishya, or mentor-protegee is said to be the lifeline of India. This day celebrates all Gurus and reminds disciples of their value.

On Guru Purnima, one must pay homage to the ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’ or the traditional teacher-student relationship which is the bedrock of Indian civilization. Year after year, age after age, Guru Purnima is a day where students salute and show allegiance to the ancient yet fundamental concept of the Guru. Hindu scripture reveals that without the spiritual wisdom of the Gurus and the energy and thirst that students harbour for gaining knowledge, society would be colourless, dull, rigid and conservative.

One of the foremost conditions for a student is complete surrender, or ‘Pranipata’, to the Guru. Disciples are encouraged to question, analyse and mull over the directives taught by their Gurus in order to understand, accept and transform oneself spiritually on the path shown.

Observing Guru Purnima

Because the Guru removes our ignorance, imparts knowledge for leading our day-to-day lives and guides us on the path of infinite bliss and God-realisation, he is accorded the same respect and importance as God himself.

As a mark of gratitude for showing students the path to a spiritual higher way of life, students offer themselves as ‘Guru Dakshina’ to compensate and thank their Gurus or teachers. Service or ‘Seva’ to Gurus or teachers is said to be the highest form of repayment and reciprocity that students can give their teachers.

Hindu Tradition of Celebrating Guru Purnima

Vyasa Pujas are held at Hindu temples where flowers are offered, and gifts are distributed to commemorate Sage Vyasa and other cosmic Gurus. Bhajans and Hymns are sung in Kirtan sessions and Guru Gita, a tribute to Gurus penned by Sage Vyasa himself is recited along with other Hindu Scriptures. Disciples wash their Gurus’ feet as a symbolic gesture and the water, known as ‘Charanamrit’ or nectar of the feet, is distributed amongst the students. Feasts are organised for the Shishyas, where Prasad and devotional literature is shared with everyone. Padapuja, or the holy ritual of worshipping the Guru’s feet and sandals, is carried out as a way of showing respect and committing oneself to the teachings of one’s Gurus.

Buddhist Tradition of Celebrating Guru Purnima

Because the first sermon that Lord Gautam Buddha gave his five monks, who were part of the Sangha (or community of enlightened ones), was held on the auspicious day of the full moon in the month of Ashad, Buddhists, too, celebrate this day. Buddhists observe Uposatha, for cleansing their minds and regaining inner peace. Disciples and Monks make a conscious effort to practice more, gain more knowledge and show commitment to their community by following either 5 or 8 precepts. Buddhist teachings and discourses go on all day and monks and disciples meditate all day long as per the millennia – old teachings of Lord Buddha and his Sangha of the enlightened ones.

Jain Tradition of Celebrating Guru Purnima

On this day, Lord Mahavir initiated a Gandhara, now known as Gautam Swami, as his first disciple after gaining Kevalgyan or omniscience. According to the Jain Calendar, this day is said to be the beginning of the four month long rainy season known as Chaumassa which are the four holiest months for Jains. They celebrate this day by showing obeisance to the Jain monks and Gurus through “Guru Vandan” and by observing strict penance in the form of fasts. They attend special discourses on the importance of Guru Purnima held by the highest ascetics and Monks in Jain temples and meditation halls. Sermons are also held to retell stories of Lord Mahavira and the day he truly became a Guru. Jains are urged to hold just one thought in their minds, “I should be spiritually uplifted.” The Gurus, too, have just one aim: “To uplift their disciples spiritually.”

FAQs Related to Guru Purnima

Take a quick look at the FAQs related to Guru Purnima.

Why is Guru Purnima Celebrated?

Guru Purnima is celebrated by the Shishyas or students to honour their Gurus or teachers for the spiritual enlightenment or for imparting spiritual knowledge or knowledge from other walks of life.

Guru Purnima is celebrated in which communities?

Guru Purnima is one of the important festivals celebrated by Jains, Buddhists and Hindus in their respective communities by following the customs and traditions that are prevalent in their communities.

What is usually done on Guru Purnima?

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, homage is paid to all the Gurus. Gifts or Guru Dakshina is given. Special programmes are organised. The disciples of spiritual gurus also observe fast for the well-being of their Gurus. Some disciples also pray, sing Bhajans or meditate throughout the day.

Why is Guru Purnima considered as one of the auspicious days?

Guru Purnima is considered as one of the auspicious days as it falls on the full-moon day of Ashadha month.

What is Guru Puja?

Guru Puja is nothing but an invitation to the divinity to enter one’s own self. It is an invitation by the soul. A soul invites divine energy to enlighten it. It is a powerful way to invite divinity to enter one’s soul.

What is the right way to do Puja on the occasion of Guru Purnima?

On the day of Guru Purnima, you need to take a bath from the head and wear clean clothes. If you do Puja every day at home, you must do that as usual. You must do the Puja and pray to the photo of your Gurus. If you are with your Gurus, you must wash their feet. After that you must offer them Tilk and flowers. You must offer them sweets and food. At the end you must offer Dakshina in form of gifts to them and then bid a good-bye to them after praying for their well-being and happiness.

How to fast on the occasion of Guru Purnima?

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, one can fast the whole day without drinking or eating anything. Another way to fast is to just eat fruits and drink milk throughout the day. Some devotees also observe fast the whole day and break the fast in the evening by having one meal.

Is it alright to have a Sattvic diet on the occasion of Guru Purnima?

It is alright to consume Sattvic diet on the occasion of Guru Purnima. Such a diet includes foods made-up of Sabudana, Singada, Peanuts, Sweet-Potatoes, Potatoes etc.

What is the importance of Purnima?

Purnima or full-moon day is considered to be the most auspicious day according to Hindu culture. On this day if Shree SatyaNarayan Puja is observed, it is sure to bring prosperity, happiness and good luck in one’s life. This Puja is done after one achieves important milestones in life like marriage, purchase of property, success in business or any other achievement.

Which other festivals fall on the full-moon day or Purnima?

Other festivals like Raksha-Bandhan, Buddha Purnima, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Vat Purnima, Narali Purnima and Holi are some of the festivals that are celebrated on full-moon day or Purnima.

Which are the ancient spiritual Gurus that are worshipped in India?

Spiritual Gurus like Buddha, Mahavir, Guru Nanak, Swami Vivekanand are worshipped in India. Apart from the ancient spiritual Gurus there are many other Gurus who are worshipped across India. Adi Shankara, Sri Ramanuja Acharya and Sri Madhvacharya are some of the Gurus who have done notable work in Hinduism.

How is Guru Purnima celebrated in schools and colleges?

Guru Purnima is celebrated in schools and colleges by greeting and giving gifts and flowers to teachers and professors. Students also express their gratefulness towards their teachers and professors on this day. In schools, stories on Guru Purnima and significance of Gurus in everyone’s life is told to students. Children also learn how to pay homage to Gurus, teachers, professors and faculties on this auspicious day.

What is the significance of spiritual Gurus in our life?

Spiritual Gurus teach us the right way to walk the path of truth and honesty and obtain salvation from the soul. By following the teachings of Gurus, we can learn to accept the fact that the main objective of human life is to obtain the salvation of the soul. The teachings of Gurus help us to increase our soul power. With the help of Gurus, we can start our life with new hope, courage and confidence. They give us strength to face tragic as well tough situations in life.

At what age can one start following the teachings of spiritual Gurus?

There is no specific age to start following the teachings of spiritual Gurus. The early we start the better it is. The teachings of Gurus help us to make our lives less complicated and happier. It helps us to get detached with the world and attached to ourselves. If parents are following any spiritual Gurus, they must encourage their children too to follow their teachings right from early age. Following the spiritual path right from early age can help children to grow-up into well-balanced and successful individuals.

What are the auspicious timings or Shubh Muhurat on the day of Guru Purnima this year?

Guru Purnima will fall on 13th of July in the year . Guru Purnima Tithi will start on 13th July at 11:33 am and end on 13th July at 10:13 am.

According to Hinduism, life is meaningless without a Guru. A Guru is the one who helps his or her disciples lead a happy and a fruitful life as well as attain salvation of soul. So, if you haven’t found the right Guru for yourself, do so on the occasion of Guru Purnima. Follow the path of truth (Satya) and honesty and live a happy and prosperous life under the guidance of your Guru.

Guru Purnima

The day of full moon, Purnima, in the month of Ashadh is traditionally celebrated as Guru Purnima by Hindus. Also known as Vyas Purnima, the day is celebrated in remembrance and veneration to sage Ved Vyas. He is the Adi (original) Guru of the Hindu Dharma, who classified the Vedas, wrote the eighteen Puranas and the Mahabharat. On this day, the Guru is offered Pujan (worship)by the disciples. First we shall consider the role of a Guru in life. 

The Need of a Guru

The Sanskrit root “Gu” means darkness or ignorance. “Ru” denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore one who removes darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. Only he who removes our ultimate darkness, known as Maya, and who inspires and guides us on to the path of God-realization is the true Guru. Students also refer to their school teacher or college lecturer as guru. The connotation of the word guru in this case is one who imparts temporal knowledge (Apara Vidya) and is thus accordingly offered respect.

A spiritual aspirant, no matter how brilliant, can never attain such knowledge by his own endeavor. This is stipulated in the Shrimad Bhagwatam 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 a satpurush (God-realized Guru) sprinkles on our heads, then we can surely attain this knowledge.”

In essence, one can only attain salvation by serving the satpurush. Treading the path to God-realization by one’s own efforts is likened by the Katha Upanishad as walking on a razor’s edge. Adi Shankaracharya 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, nothing, nothing.”

The Guru plays a vital role in boosting the aspirant frequently, when he loses track, becomes despondent or simply runs out of steam. The aspirant is thus better able to obey the Guru if he understands the Guru’s glory.

Glory of the Guru

The Hindu shastras have hailed such a Guru immeasurably:

Skanda Purana – Guru Gita

A famous verse known by heart by all Hindu children glorifies the Guru:

Gurubrahma Guruvishnu Gururdevo Maheshwaraha |

Guruhu sakshaat Parambrahman tasmai Shrigurave namaha ||

“The guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva), veneration to the Guru who is Parabrahman manifest.”

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.

This is subtly illustrated by another famous verse known to all Hindus:

Guru Govind donu khade, kisko laagu paay,

Balihari Gurudevaki jinhe Govind diyo bataay.

The Guru and Govind -God, are present before me, to whom shall I bow down first? Glory to the Guru since he showed me Govind.

Apart from guiding the aspirant on the path to God-realization, the Guru throws light on the profound meanings of the vast array of scriptural knowledge. Hence the Mundaka Upanishad calls such a Guru “Shrotriya” – knower of the true meanings of the scriptures. Adi Shankaracharya forbids an aspirant in endeavoring to decipher the meanings without a Guru. In his commentary on a Mantra (1/2/13) of the Mundaka Upanishad, he says: “Even if one possesses knowledge of the scriptures, he should not attempt to delve into their meanings by himself. He should obtain the knowledge of Brahman only through the Guru.”

In their treatises, other Acharyas, such as Ramanuj and Nimbark have considered the Guru mandatory in God-realization.

The Guru in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya

In accordance with the injunctions from shastras of Hindu Dharma cited above, Bhagwan Swaminarayan too considers the Guru as foremost; to be venerated as one venerates God. In His Vachanamrutam He uses the terms Sadhu and Satpurush synonymously for the true Guru.

Gadhada III.27:

“The scriptures advocate five attributes of: Nishkam, Nirlobh, Nirman, Niswad and Nisneha for a sadhu. The sadhu in whom one observes such attributes has a constant rapport with God. Therefore one should have immutable faith in his words, and by his words should realize the knowledge of God.”

Gadhada III.26:

“The sadhu who lives in a way in which he subdues his indriyas and antahkaran, but is not subdued by them, who engages in God-related activities only, strictly observes the Panch Vartamans, believes himself as being Brahman and worships Lord Purushottam, can be known neither as a human being nor a deva, since neither man nor deva possess such attributes. Therefore such a sadhu, though a human being, deserves to be worshipped at par with God.”

Finally, how should an aspirant serve such a Guru?

Serving the Guru

Again the scriptures guide the aspirant:

(1) Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6/23) :

Advocates worship to the Guru in the same manner as the deity – God, to attain all there is to attain on the path of God-realization:

Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau |

Tasyaite kathitaa hi arthaaha prakashante mahatmanaha ||

(2) Bhagavad Gita (4/34) :

The disciple should humbly pose questions to the Guru and please him by serving him. He will then impart the knowledge of God, so ordain the wise sages.

(3) Shrimad Bhagvatam :

Bhagwan Rushabhdeva advocates his sons: Obeying the Anuvrutti – unvoiced wishes – of God and Guru is devotion.

(4 ) Vachanamrutam (Vadtal 5) :

The aspirant should offer equal and intensely loving service to God and His sadhu. Then, despite being the lowest type of devotee who is destined to become a great-devotee after either two births or four births or ten births or even a hundred births, he can become a great devotee in this birth. Such is the fruit of serving God and His sadhu equally.”

The phrase “great devotee” signifies moksha-salvation.

Therefore on the day of Guru Purnima, disciples introspect, and resolve to offer pujan and reverence to the Guru in mind, action and speech; implicitly obey his unvoiced wishes, commands, serving him as one would God and lauding his glory and redemptive attributes.

Every year, the Guru Purnima Festival, in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm at Bochasan Mandir. An assembly from 8.30 am to 12.00 noon is held wherein bhajans and discourses by senior sadhus emphasize and sing the glory of the Guru. The festival is finally crowned with Swamishri’s blessings and darshan – where thousands offer their reverence by filing past Swamishri.

Guru Purnima- its significance and places of celebration

Guru Purnima means the master’s day. It is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of July-August by the religious community of India. This traditional festival is mainly followed by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists. It is celebrated in honour of the spiritual gurus and academic gurus to pay them a privilege. The culture of these religions makes us aware that on this day the disciples worship their masters who are similar to God to them. The Buddhists pay respect to their guru Lord Buddha, the Jains worship Lord Mahavira and the Hindus worship Maharshi Ved Vyasa, the great ancient sage.

History of Guru Purnima

History says in the ancient time there was only one religion, which is known as the Sanatan dharma. From their many branches of other religion took place. Gurus are the founders of the religions and the followers show gratitude to them on this day. The guru or masters are the teachers of the disciples’ life. Apart of this anybody who we think is our ideal person and from whom we learn anything positive can be our guru. So there are many people who show respect to their masters on this favourable day.

Hindu teachings

According to the Hindu mythology the sages used to worship their one and only guru Ved Vyas who wrote the four Vedas, Rig veda, Sama veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. These scriptures are of great religious importance. It is also believed that a devotee could worship any of the gods of their choice, Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu on this auspicious day. Previously there were certain rituals held on this day, such as touching the master’s feet, worshiping him or holding festivals on his name. In the modern era, many schools and colleges celebrate special events showing gratitude to the teachers.

Varanasi – Guru Purnima

The day of guru Purnima is celebrated across the nation with great enthusiasm. Long queses can be seen outside the temple and other places related to God. 

Sai temple in Maharashtra

Lots of devotes around the state come to offer prayers on this grand occasion at the Sai temple in Nagpur. Sai Baba is known to hold a prominent place to show a path of light to the common people and therefore a huge rush are seen in the temple.

Buddha teachings

The Buddhist religion does not believe in any worship. They welcome any people from any religious background to follow their way of teachings. This does not involve any idol worship or celebrating festivals with great pomp. There are certain Mediation centres across India where they teach people their technique of Meditation. The centres are known as Vipassana.

Vipassana meditation centre

People across the world come to India to experience this unique process in various centres. For the beginners, there are 10 days course. The course includes food and lodging for free. At the end of the course if you are happy with it then you may pay something as per your wish. You need to give a call at these centres to know the availability prior to your arrival and confirm your booking. You need to stay confined here for these 10 days and live a life of a monk. On the day of Guru Purnima, the whole day is spent in doing special meditation. This is how the day is celebrated on this occasion. The Marwaris, Buddhists, Hindus and even foreigners find it a suitable technique for spiritual growth.

Significance of the Guru Purnima

Guru is the most important person who helps in shaping our life. Definitely, parents are our first guru, to teach us to grow, but the guru is the one who takes us from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. So they play a major role in making us grow spiritually. The first thing to follow the spiritual path is total surrendering our life to the Guru. He is the link between the seeker and the supreme power. This sacred day is to show our gratefulness to the supreme person, known as Guru.

Celebration

Guru Purnima is celebrated in different ways across India and other parts of the world. Some common celebrations include:

1. Puja (Worship) – People perform puja to their guru, offer flowers, fruits, and sweets, and recite prayers to seek their blessings.
2. Veneration of the Guru – Students pay their respects to their teacher by touching their feet and seeking their blessings.
3. Meditation and Reflection – Many people observe a day-long fast and participate in meditation and reflection to honor their guru and deepen their spiritual connection.
4. Discourses and Lectures – Spiritual leaders and teachers deliver discourses and lectures on the significance of Guru Purnima and the role of the guru in one’s life.
5. Social Gatherings – People organize social gatherings and cultural programs to celebrate the day and express their gratitude towards their teachers.

Guru Purnima is a time to reflect on the guidance and knowledge that one has received from their teachers and to express gratitude for their role in shaping their life.

Guru Purnima: It’s origins and a concise background

The honing of a person’s skill, be it in any field is always led to fruition by the skills taught to be an individual, by a teacher. Among Hindus, the word “Guru” embodies this persona of a wise and learned teacher to the fullest extent. The word “Guru” is derived from the amalgamation of the Sanskrit words “Gu” and “Ru”. “Gu” meaning darkness or ignorance and “Ru” meaning the extinguisher of darkness or ignorance.

The sacred texts of many religions emphasize on the importance of being one with the supreme God or creator. The prime purpose of our lives, envisioned as, choosing the path to break free from the cycle of life and death. To detach oneself from “maya” or the illusion of the world. This life that we have is considered temporary, or at least our physical form which will turn to dust eventually. Hence the holy books, scriptures and Vedas usually emphasize on the essential need of liberating the spirit, from this cycle.

Many chapters in these books are dedicated in fulfilling the idea of “moksha”, primarily meaning, the liberation of the soul. It further solidifies the idea of not being born again, consequentially, not having to die again too.

This is not as easy as it may sound and one of the most important aspects of the journey to a person’s enlightenment is considered the “Guru”. The person who leads us away from the darkness and shows us the light. It has been mentioned in the Holy Scriptures and books that to come to a full circle in life, from darkness to light, a “Guru” is indispensable.

Among the Hindus, the disciple offers “Arpana” to his or her “Guru”. This “Arpana” is the offering of a student for the selfless love and wisdom a disciple receives from the “Guru”. This act of offering “Arpana” to the “Guru” is the paying of homage to a great teacher without asking for anything in return, with a single pure intention.

In the Hindu texts such as the Bhagvad Gita specific chapters and lines are mentioned, so as to let us comprehend and follow the procedures in offering “Arpana”, to the “Guru”. This “Arpana” with the purest of intentions are believed to bring us closer to the Supreme Being in our quest for breaking the rigmarole of life and death.

Today, we still chant these “slokas” or verses in Guru Purnima and pay our respects to the great teachers or “gurus” who have helped us conquer our darkness and see the light. Hindus, chant the “Guru Gayatri Mantra” a specific “mantra” or incantation for the “Guru”.

During this day people also offer garlands and flowers to their “Guru”- living or dead and offer “Naivedyam”, which is basically yellow coloured food, such as saffron rice or any other preparation with yellow dal, pumpkins, oranges or yellow sweets.

Among the Hindus, the place of the “Guru” in our physical form is said to be in between the forehead. This area, where we also apply the “tika” or “tilak” is called “Ajnachakra”. During Guru Purnima this area or “Ajnachakra”is believed to be more powerful, hence some people also concentrate and meditate on this. They contemplate the form of their “Guru” or “Guru Tattva” on this area twice a day for about fifteen minutes each. “Guru Tattva here means the ability of a person to differentiate between right and wrong, or to understand the importance of the light disambiguating the darkness.

A person contemplates their “Guru” or “Guru Tattva” especially on Guru Purnima as a reverence and oddity to the great teachers who have left an undeniable mark on humanity, and shown the path and light to many souls who are lost, wandering in the dark.

Guru Purnima also known as “Vyasa Purnima”

Guru Purnima  or in the yogic circles, known as “Vyasa Purnima” is celebrated around the month of June and July, on a full moon night, which is also known as “Purnima”. This period in a year is also known as “Ashadha” in the Hindu calendar of India. This timeline or the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima also celebrates the birthday of “Ved Vyasa”, hence the term “Vyasa Purnima”.

Celebrated by the Hindus, Jains and the Buddhists alike, Guru Purnima celebrates the wise men and women, the teachers who help to make this world a better place to live in.

Vyasa Purnima or Guru Purnima in the context of the sage Vyasa is not just a celebration of his birthday, but, it is also said to be the day he started his works on “Brahma Sutras” on, “Ashada Sudha Padiami”, which ends on Guru Purnima. “Ashada Sudha Padiami” is thus recited on this day, celebrating the great sage on his timeless works and teachings.

Humanity or Mankind, would be nothing more than mere savages scavenging for their next meal, had it not been for these wise teachers or “gurus” contemplating life and its mysteries and imparting this knowledge to the rest of the world, without asking for anything in return. Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima, therefore, celebrates these men and women who have given so much to humanity and made the world a better place. Due credit could also be given to Mahatma Gandhi for reviving this tradition, in honor of his “Guru” Shrimad Raj Chandra.

Spiritualism and its place in Guru Purnima

This auspicious day of Guru Purnima is believed to be the day when the spiritual principle of the “Gurus” is more potent. Since time immemorial, a human being’s stepping stone to being an enlightened individual is considered their “Guru”. Hence, we could imagine the weight of this festival among the scholars, academics and anyone looking to thanks their mentors and people who have influenced or taught them, in more ways than one.

Celebration by the Buddhists

The teachings of Lord Buddha, the “Enlightened One”, his advocacy of the middle path, inculcated by his followers and disciples have led them to celebrate and honor him on this special day.

The Eight Precepts of the Buddhists

The Buddhists have eight precepts which generally include:

1. Refrain from taking lives
2. Refrain from stealing
3. Avoiding speech which might directly or indirectly hurt another being or beings
4. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs
5. Abstinence from sexual pleasure
6. Avoidance at eating at the wrong time or overeating
7. Keeping oneself away from entertainment in any form; and
8. Staying simple and low key, thereby keeping oneself away from wearing luxurious and fancy adornments or belongings

These eight precepts are religiously adhered to by the monks and disciples on Guru Purnima as a tribute to their Guru, Lord Buddha. This adherence to the eight precepts is called “Uposatha”. Since this occasion is also said to mark the beginning of the rainy season, the Buddhist monks usually stay in the same place or a monastery, meditating and offering reverences to their Guru Lord Buddha. Many Buddhist followers also refrain from luxuries and habits such as smoking, drinking, gambling or eating meat during this festival and follow a pious routine. It is also on this day that Lord Buddha is said to have given his first sermon in Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh.

However, the Hindus, follow the yogic path or tradition. According to them this day primarily marks the celebration of the first Guru or “Adi Guru” Lord Shiva. But, no matter what the connotation of this day, among the Hindus and Buddhists, the core ideology remains the same. Guru Purnima is the celebration of the “Guru-Shishya” tradition prevalent in the human society, since times way before we could imagine.

Lord Shiva or “Adi Guru”

Guru Purnima as mentioned before marks the day Lord Shiva became the first Guru or “Adi Guru”. On closer inspection it is mentioned that Lord Shiva appeared on the upper regions of the Himalayas, some fifteen thousand years ago. There, a large number of people gathered to see this extraordinary presence. Lord Shiva, is not said to have exhibited any signs of life in his incarnation here, but only tears of ecstasy streaming down his eyes, intermittently.

The people stood in awe, but gradually the crowd started getting thinner, eventually leaving only seven men behind. These seven men, awestruck and enchanted, wanted to know, what joy this immense being felt? And what caused him this state of calm and enlightenment? It is said, that on being asked for his guidance in attaining enlightenment, Lord Shiva gradually opened his eyes and gave them the preparatory lessons and closed his eyes.

These seven individuals eager to attain the knowledge and wisdom of this mystical being practised the initial words of wisdom and stayed there, waiting to learn more from the Lord. They stayed there for years and decades until after eighty four years of “Sadhana” or deep meditation and perseverance, Lord Shiva, finally gave into their persuasion and offered his teachings. The seven yogis, as they came to be known later, inculcated Shiva’s teachings and hence they proved that, with “Guru” a human being could evolve mentally, physically and spiritually.

It was on this full moon day, that the first Guru or Lord Shiva decided to turn mere mortals into the “Saptarishi” and it is also on a full moon night when we celebrate Guru Purnima, in reverence of the “Adi Guru” or the first teacher- Lord Shiva. To put this lore into perspective, these “Saptarishis” became the seven foundation stones of yoga which is still prevalent and widely practised today.

Although the yogic practice of celebrating Guru Purnima is quite the tale of a bygone era , saints, monks and ascetics offer their prayers, gratitude and respect to their Guru or teacher, still to this day. This celebration is also ingrained in the ancient “Guru-Shishya parampara” or the teacher and student traditions of the old world.

Guru Purnima among the “Sadhus”

The “sadhus” or the monks who have given up on all worldly comforts, usually celebrate this auspicious occasion for more than a month, sometimes extending up to four months. During this time, they usually stay in an isolated place, sometimes, even involving in diffusing wisdom and enlightenment to the people who are interested and gather around them.

Jainism and Guru Purnima

The Jains following this tradition of Guru Purnima mark this time as the day Mahavira made Indrabhuti Gautam his first disciple. Mahavira is said to be the twenty fourth “tirthankara”, a Sanskrit word meaning the Saviour or the spiritual teacher of the righteous path. The Jains consider a “tirthankara” to be, someone, who is beyond the control of life and death.  Mahavira the twenty fourth “tirthankara” was also said to have attained “Kaivalya”. “Kaivalya” meaning the detachment from this World and its illusions.

In other words, breaking free from the Life and Death of a mortal being and attaining “moksha” or nirvana. It is after attaining, “kaivalya”, Mahavira made Indrabhuti Gautam his chief disciple, also known as “Ganadhara”. Once he was the Guru of Indrabhuti Gautam, later known as Gutam Swami, Mahavira became a “Treenok Guha” . Guru Purnima is therefore referred to as “Guha Purnima” among the Jains which they celebrate in reverence to their “Treenok Guha” or Mahavira.

Vyasa Purnima as celebrated in Nepal

Guru Purnima is widely celebrated in India, Bhutan and Nepal, especially among the Jains, Hindus and Buddhists. In Nepal, this day is celebrated as teacher’s day. It is usually observed along the lines of a normal teacher’s day celebration. The students garland their teachers, showering them with much fanfare and gifts. Among the citizens of Nepal, Guru Purnima marks an important day where they take the opportunity to thank their teachers and express their gratitude and reverence, in the form of accolades, gifts and verbal appreciation.

Indian students and the importance of this festival

Among the Indian academics, regardless of their fields of expertise or their religion, this day is observed by organizing programmes aimed at expressing gratitude for their teachers, past and present. Students organize musical programmes, recitation of poems and offer their teachers, gifts, as a token of appreciation for their teachers or “gurus”. Guru Purnima, thus is a day for the students to make their teachers feel special and loved. Not just the teachers, children usually give gifts to their parents or spend quality time with them. Hence we can say that this day is observed as an occasion of respect and appreciation not just for our teachers and “gurus”, but also for our parents, from whom a child imbibes, numerous essential characteristics in life.

Guru Purnima according to the Yogic Tradition

Unlike many of the festivals and occasions, where a devotee or disciple prays and offers his services expecting some monetary or health gains, Guru Purnima is celebrated only as a token of reverence and gratitude, to ones teachers or “gurus” without expecting anything in return.

According to the yogic tradition in Hinduism, there are three types of Yoga, namely;

1. Janana Yoga
2. Bhakti Yoga; and
3. Karma Yoga

These three paths are considered the corner stone for the spiritual liberation of a being, in other words the freedom of the human spirit from the cycle of life and death. “Janana Yoga” basically implies the path of knowledge for an individual, whereas, “Bhakti Yoga” refers to the devotion or love of an individual towards their Gods or Goddesses. Lastly “Karma Yoga” is the commitment of doing good deeds without expecting anything in return and it is this yoga or virtue that Guru Purnima is solely based upon. The act of showing gratitude to ones “Guru” without asking or praying for anything in return.

“Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo  Maheshwara, Guru Sakshat Para Brahma, Tasmai Shree Guru Dev Namaha” . A “mantra” most commonly chanted on this occasion aptly sums up this day. In this, the first line “Guru Brahma” implying that Guru is the sole creator. As in Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma, the oldest of the three siblings, is considered the creator of the world.

“Guru Vishnu” means that Guru or the teacher is the preserver and protector, like Lord Vishnu. “Guru Devo Maheshwara” referring to Guru as “Maheshwara” commonly known as Lord Shiva and like him, Guru is also seen as the destroyer.

Finally Guru is seen as “Para Brahma”. “Para Brahma” according to the Hindus is considered to be the supreme being and Guru in this context, is said to be the Supreme Being, Himself.

“Tasmai Shree Guru Dev Namaha” eventually paying our respects and tribute to the Supreme Being, Guru, who is also considered above and beyond everyone.

Long before the modern society or the civilizations before us, the “Guru-Shishya” tradition was an intrinsic part of the Hindu society. A “shishya” or the student, not just met the Guru for a few hours  to get education, but, practically lived with his or her Guru for extensive periods of time, until the Guru deemed it fit for the student and erudite man or woman, ready to face the world. After all the knowledge and wisdom was imparted to the “shishya” the Guru received, “Guru Dakshina” from the student as a thanksgiving.

“Guru Dakshina” in other words, was anything that a Guru would ask his “shishya” as a token of reverence and acceptance of the fact that the education of the student was complete. There are tales, myths and folklores of students going to any extent while fulfilling this tradition of “Guru Dakshina”. It also highlights the importance of “Guru-Shishya” relationship and rightfully so. All the great men and women of our times and long before us have always credited their Guru, or people who have influenced them directly or indirectly. Hence, Guru Purnima as a tradition and celebration helps us, humbly place our respects and gratitude to these figures of knowledge and wisdom. Thereby, keeping the culture of “Guru-Shishya” alive, as well as still maintaining the bond between the “Guru” and “Shishya”.

Guru Purnima : Origin/Story

The story behind Guru Purnima is associated with the birth of the sage Vyasa, who is considered one of the greatest gurus in Hindu mythology. According to legends, Vyasa was born on this auspicious day. He is revered as the compiler of the Mahabharata, a sacred Hindu epic, and is believed to have divided the Vedas into four parts. Guru Purnima is a day to honour Vyasa’s wisdom and the contributions he made to spiritual and literary knowledge. It is also a time to express gratitude to all gurus and teachers who impart knowledge and guide their disciples on the path of enlightenment. Some other reasons to celebrate Guru Purnima are: 

• Buddhists observe the event in remembrance of the Buddha, who delivered his first sermon on this day in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India.
• According to the yogic tradition, this day marks the moment when Shiva started teaching yoga to the Saptarishis and officially became the first guru.
• On this day, Hindu ascetics and wandering sanyasis perform puja for their teacher.
• This sacred holiday is observed worldwide by followers of the Guru Shishya Parampara who study Indian classical music and dance.
• In Jain tradition, Guru Purnima is also known as Treenok Guha Purnima, during which one offers special adoration to their instructors and Treenok Guhas. 

Guru Purnima : Importance

Guru Purnima holds great importance as a day dedicated to honouring and expressing gratitude to spiritual gurus and teachers. It serves as a reminder of the vital role they play in guiding and enlightening their disciples. Guru Purnima emphasizes the significance of knowledge, wisdom, and the transmission of spiritual teachings from guru to student. It is a time for disciples to reflect on their own spiritual journeys, seek blessings and guidance from their gurus, and recommit themselves to the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment. The festival promotes a deep sense of reverence, humility, and gratitude towards the enlightened beings who illuminate the path of spiritual growth.

Guru Purnima : Rituals

The day is marked by various rituals and customs. Devotees gather at temples, ashrams, and educational institutions to honour their gurus through prayers, chanting, and meditation. Disciples express their gratitude by offering flowers, fruits, and other symbolic gifts to their teachers. It is a day of introspection, self-reflection, and a renewed commitment to the path of knowledge and enlightenment.

In conclusion, Guru Purnima is a sacred festival that celebrates the importance of spiritual gurus and teachers. It is a day of gratitude, reverence, and renewed commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment. The festival serves as a reminder of the profound impact of gurus in shaping individuals and society.

Significance & History of Guru Purnima

India is a country that prides itself on its culture and traditions. A culture that teaches us to respect and obey our elders and, in particular, our teachers, the ones who impart knowledge and learning which enables us to face life and its challenges.

Significance of Guru Purnima

While the teachers must educate their students with utmost dedication and devotion, the students, in turn, are taught to accord respect and regard to their teachers and their gurus. As per the Hindu culture, a guru or a teacher is someone equal to God and, therefore, must be accorded the same kind of respect and reverence.

The Guru spreads enlightenment and removes darkness from our lives. He shows the path that we must follow, and without his guidance, we would be lost. Therefore as the student or the disciple, we must feel indebted to our teachers and hold them in high regard. We are who we are because of them.

An ancient Sanskrit phrase says’ Mata Pitah Guru Daivam’; as per this, the first place in a person’s life is reserved for the mother, second for the father, third for the Guru, and fourth for God. This means that the teacher/ guru has been accorded a higher place than God. This is because it is believed that a guru or a teacher has an exceptional place in an individual’s life. God gives us life, but the way to lead this life comes from the Guru.

History of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is a festival that is not restricted to just one community. Not only the Hindus but the Buddhists and the Jains also celebrate it. They all have a history of their own for doing that.

Guru Purnima Hindu History

All holy books of Hinduism talk about the bond between the Guru and his Shishya. Our mythology is brimming with Guru-Shishya tales and stories. And they all depict the same thing: no matter what; a Shishya must have utmost respect and regard for the Guru. Therefore, a Shishya should be there to do whatever the Guru asks of him, as it is his duty to do that. This is steeped in our culture and our values.

This is a tradition that celebrates all gurus, both spiritual and academic.

Though this feeling of respect and regard must be ongoing and continuous, there is a specific day when this bond is celebrated. It is the day when teachers are honoured and acknowledged, and the students express their gratitude and thankfulness to them in various ways.

The day marked for this purpose is the day of Guru Purnima. The name has two parts to it; Guru and Purnima. Guru refers to the teacher, and Purnima refers to the day on which the festival is celebrated. It is celebrated on the Full Moon day, which is the day o f Purnima in the Hindu month of Ashadha ( June-July).

So the day chosen for the celebration is the day when the moon lights up the earth. This is pretty much the way the Guru or the teacher lights up the life of his shishya. The light of the moon lights up the world. In the same manner, the light emanating from the Guru’s persona lights up the life of the shishya, that is Guru Purnima. How beautiful is that!

The day is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima, for it also marks the birthday of Veda Vyasa, the sage who compiled the Vedas and authored the Mahabharata.

Guru Purnima Buddhist History

Guru Purnima is celebrated not only by the Hindus but also by Buddhists. They celebrate the day in honour of Lord Buddha, who gave his first sermon on this day at Sarnath in India, sharing his learnings with his disciples. It was a full-moon day of the Asadha month when he did that.

Guru Purnima Jain History

The Jains also celebrate this day to venerate Lord Mahavira, who became the Guru to Gautam Swami, his first disciple on this day.

Guru Purnima Celebration

Irrespective of their religious affiliations in India, people celebrate this festival by thanking and paying tributes to their teachers. Many people observe a fast in honour of their Guru and also visit a temple or their teacher to seek their blessings. They dedicate themselves to following the Guru’s principles and teachings and putting them into practice.

They refrain from eating heavy foods during the fast, particularly non-vegetarian dishes, salt, and cereals.

In schools and colleges across the country, students both past and present visit their teachers and greet them with words and tokens of respect and gratitude.

Though different people may adopt different ways to celebrate the day, the underlying sentiment is the same; a feeling of immense gratitude and thankfulness towards the Guru.

Guru Purnima is the Indian way of celebrating Teacher’s day.

Guru Purnima All About The Festival And The Story Behind The Day

Guru Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day or Purnima in the month of Ashadha according to the Hindu calendar. According to the English calendar, this year Guru Purnima 

Do you know why this day is celebrated every year? Read on to know about its significance, celebrations, and a lot more.

Significance

The importance of Guru Purnima is not just restricted to one but three most widely practiced religions of India; Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. As the name suggests, the festival is to honour our gurus or teachers.

However, the day is not restricted to literal teachers as anybody can be a teacher from our mothers to our friends. Well, it’s safe to say that this is the original teacher’s day.

Stories Of Guru Purnima

Although the celebrations are common across all religions but the original stories are different from each other. Read on to know about the original stories behind the festival from each religion.

Story Of Guru Purnima In Hinduism

According to Hindu mythology, Guru Purnima is the day when Lord Shiva transferred his knowledge to seven followers or “sapatarishis”. Due to this, Lord Shiva came to be known as a Guru. Since this day, Guru Purnima is celebrated to honour Lord Shiva, his valuable teachings, and his seven followers.

Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima because it is believed that Ved Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata was born on this auspicious day. Therefore, the name Vyasa Purnima came into existence.

Story Of Guru Purnima In Jainism

According to the Jainism mythology, it is believed that Mahavira, one of the most famous Tirthakaras in Jainism got his first follower on this day and officially became a guru. Since that day, Guru Purnima is celebrated by people following Jainism in honour of Mahavira and all the other gurus who followed after him.

Guru Purnima  What’s History.

Guru Purnima (Poornima), a religious Hindu holiday, honors all gurus, academic and spiritual. In India, Nepal, and Bhutan, it is observed as a holiday by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists alike. Usually, the goal of this celebration is to pay tribute to one’s own spiritual teachers or mentors.

It is observed on Purnima, the day of the full moon, which falls in the Ashadha month (June–July) of the Hindu calendar. Mahatma Gandhi reintroduced the ceremony as an homage to his spiritual mentor Shrimad Rajchandra. Because Veda Vyasa, the sage who penned the Mahabharata and collected the Vedas, celebrates his birthday on this day, it is also known as Vyasa Purnima.

The Sanskrit roots “gu” and “ru” are used to create the English word “guru”. Both ru and gu denote, respectively, ignorance or darkness. So a guru is someone who dispels ignorance or darkness.

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, religious rituals are carried out in homage to the guru or teacher, such as Guru puja. Many people believe that gurus are the most significant aspect of life. Disciples worship or honor their gurus on this day. This event is important from a religious standpoint as well as for Indian academics and scholars. On this day, academics in India pay tribute to the teachers and scholars who came before them as well as their professors.

Buddhists traditionally commemorate this day as the day the Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. According to yogic tradition, this day honors Shiva’s official emergence as the first guru and the start of his yoga instruction to the Saptarishis. The sage Vyasa, who is revered as one of Hinduism’s greatest gurus and a symbol of the guru-shishya relationship, is honored by Hindus on this day.

On Ashadha sudha padyami, Vyasa is said to have been born and is also credited with beginning the Brahma Sutras. On this day, also known as Vyasa Purnima, they hold recitations in his honor. The celebration, which is practiced by all Hindu spiritual systems, is a sign of the students’ gratitude to the teacher.

During Chaturmas, a four-month period during the rainy season when they choose seclusion and reside at one particular area, Hindu ascetics and roaming sanyasis mark this day by performing puja to their guru; some also deliver lectures to the local populace.  This sacred holiday is observed worldwide by followers of the guru shishya parampara who study Indian classical music and dance.

GURU PURNIMA: EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT THE FESTIVAL OF TEACHERS

The Guru or instructor has always been equated with God in Hindu tradition. Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima is a day to honour and thank our Gurus. This Sanskrit term translates precisely as ‘the one who liberates us from ignorance.’

Hindus consider this full moon day in the month of Ashada to be one of the most fortunate days of the year. On July 13, , India will commemorate Guru Purnima. It also honours Ved Vyasa’s birthday, who is credited with authoring some of the most influential Hindu writings of all time, including the Puranas, Mahabharata, and Vedas.

Guru Purnima’s History

Guru Purnima commemorates Ved Vyasa, one of ancient India’s most revered Gurus. Dr Vishakha Mahindroo, a senior Ayurvedic consultant, explains, “Veda Vyasa constructed the four Vedas, penned the epic Mahabharata, and laid the groundwork for the many Puranas and enormous encyclopaedias of Hindu holy wisdom.” Teacher Purnima commemorates Lord Shiva’s day and instructs the seven rishis of Vedic seers as the Adi Guru or first guru. Ishvara as Pranava or Om is described in the Yoga Sutras as the Adi Guru of Yoga. On this day, Lord Buddha is claimed to have given his first speech at Sarnath, demonstrating the sacredness of this period.”

Guru Purnima’s Significance

Guru Purnima is observed to honour our teachers, who illuminate our thoughts. Since ancient times, they have had a particular place in the lives of their adherents. All of Hinduism’s sacred writings emphasise the significance of Gurus and the remarkable link that exists between a Guru and his Shishya (disciple). According to an ancient Sanskrit proverb, ‘Mata Pitah Guru Daivam,’ the mother is; first, the father is second, the Guru is third, and God is fourth. Thus, teachers have been elevated to a greater status in Hindu tradition than Gods.

How Should Guru Purnima Be Celebrated?

It is associated with Vishnu worship. Traditionally, it is observed by worshipping and expressing appreciation to the Gods who resemble our Gurus. Disciples offer prayers in honour of their instructors at monasteries and ashrams. Dr Vishakha proposes what to do on Guru Purnima: “On this day, one should commit to practising the guru’s principles and teachings.” On this day, recite ‘Vishnu Sahatranam,’ commonly known as the thousand names of Lord Vishnu. On this blessed day, be in tune with yourself and harness your energy.”

Feasts And Fasts During Guru Purnima

Many individuals observe a day-long fast, abstaining from salt, rice, and heavies foods, including non-vegetarian meals and other cereal-based meals. They end their fast after evening puja. Consumption of yoghurt or fruits is prohibited. The temples provide Prasada and Charnamrita, which are sweetened curds and fresh fruits. On Guru Purnima, the majority of homes also observe a strict vegetarian diet, eating delicacies such as Khichdi, Poori, Choley, Halwa, and sweets such as Soan Papdi, Barfi, Laddoo, and Gulab Jamun.

FAQs About Guru Purnima

Which God is worshipped on Guru Purnima?

Historically, Buddhists have observed the festival in honour of the Buddha, who delivered his first speech on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. The day is commemorated in the yogic tradition as the day Shiva becomes the first Guru, initiating the teaching of Yoga to the Saptarishis.

What is special about Guru Purnima?

It (Poornima) is a Karma Yoga-based custom devoted to all spiritual and academic Gurus who are developed or enlightened beings willing to impart their learning. Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists commemorate it as a holiday in India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Who started Guru Purnima?

Lord Shiva is said to be the first guru in Yogic tradition. It is said to be the day on which he emerged as a Yogi to the sapta-rishis, or seven sages, in the Himalayas.

How do we celebrate Guru Purnima?

Traditionally, it is observed by adoring and expressing appreciation to the Gods who resemble our Gurus. Followers offer prayers in honour of their instructors at monasteries and ashrams.

 GURU PURNIMA

Guru or Teacher has always been considered as GOD in the HINDU culture. GURU PURNIMA is the day to pay gratitude to our gurus. This is a Sanskrit word that translates to “the one who frees us of ignorance and darkness.” This day is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Ashada in the Hindu calendar which is the most auspicious day.

The term “Guru Purnima” is derived from the Sanskrit words “guru” (teacher or spiritual guide) and “purnima” (full moon). Guru Purnima is dedicated to honouring and expressing gratitude towards one’s spiritual teachers, mentors, and guides. In Hinduism, the guru holds a revered position as a source of knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual guidance. It is believed that the guru is instrumental in an individual’s spiritual and intellectual growth.

History of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima honours Ved Vyasa, known as one of the most honoured Gurus of ancient India. Ved Vyasa structured the four Vedas, composed the epic of the Mahabharata, and created the foundation for the many Puranas and the vast encyclopedias of Hindu sacred lore. Guru Purnima represents the date on which Lord Shiva as the Adi Guru or original guru taught the seven rishis who were the seers of the Vedas. In the Yoga Sutras, Ishvara as Pranava or Om is said to be the Adi Guru of Yoga. Lord Buddha was said to have delivered his first sermon on this day at Sarnath, reflecting the power of this sacred time.

Importance of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is celebrated to honour our teachers, who remove the darkness from our minds. They have a special place in the lives of their followers since ancient times. All the holy books of Hinduism dictate the importance of Gurus and the extraordinary bond between a Guru and his Shishya (disciple). An age-old Sanskrit phrase ‘Mata Pitah Guru Daivam‘, says that the first place is reserved for the mother, second for the father, third for Guru, and fourth for God. Thus, teachers have been given a higher place than Gods in Hindu tradition.

Guru Purnima marks the relationship between students and teachers. In today’s time, it has been said that teachers play the most important role in the lives of students. Apart from imparting education and teaching other co-curricular and non-curricular skills, teachers also familiarise students with values and life skills that help them deal with the outside world once they become adults.

Gautam Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist faith, is believed to have given his first sermon on this day. After five weeks of achieving enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, Buddha went from Bodhgaya to Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. There he gave a sermon on the full moon day.

Overall, Guru Purnima is a joyous occasion that fosters reverence, gratitude, and respect toward teachers and their contributions to shaping the lives of individuals. It serves as a reminder of the pivotal role played by mentors in our personal and spiritual development.

Guru Purnima: Honor Your Guiding Light on this Auspicious Day!

Guru Purnima is an auspicious occasion celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadha (July-August). This day celebrates the revered relationship between a guru and his disciples. It is a day to pay tribute and express gratitude to one’s guru, who has imparted knowledge and provided guidance on the path of spiritual and academic enlightenment.

The word Guru is a Sanskrit word that means “dispeller of darkness”. A guru is a spiritual teacher who dispels the darkness of ignorance and leads his disciples towards the light of knowledge. In ancient times, a guru was considered to be equal to God and was revered as the source of all knowledge and wisdom.

The celebration of Guru Purnima dates back to the time of the ancient sage Vyasa, who is believed to have compiled the epic Mahabharata. He is also regarded as the Adi Guru, the first guru, who passed on the knowledge and wisdom of the Vedas to humanity. On this day, disciples offer their gratitude and respect to their gurus, who have transformed their lives and inspired them to walk the path of righteousness.

The day begins with the ritualistic worship of the guru’s feet, known as Guru Pada puja. This ceremony symbolizes the disciple’s reverence and devotion to their guru and is believed to be a way of purifying the mind and heart. Disciples make offerings of flowers, fruits, and sweets to their gurus and seek their blessings for a peaceful and prosperous life.

Guru Purnima is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. Disciples organize cultural programs, musical performances, and recite devotional hymns in praise of their guru. It is also a time to reflect on the teachings and lessons imparted by the guru and to renew one’s commitment to spiritual and academic growth.

In conclusion, Guru Purnima is a day to honor and express our gratitude to our gurus, who have guided us towards a path of enlightenment and transformed our lives. It is a reminder of the importance of the guru-disciple relationship and a celebration of the wisdom and knowledge that has been passed down from one generation to another.

Celebrate Your Guru with These Inspiring Gift Ideas for Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is celebrated every year on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadha to honor and express gratitude to our gurus or spiritual teachers. This year, Guru Purnima falls on July 03, . It is a day when we can express our appreciation and love for our gurus by offering them thoughtful and meaningful gifts. 

If you are looking for gifts to give to your guru on this auspicious day, then we have some great suggestions for you.

1. Books – Books are always a great gift for any occasion, especially for Guru Purnima. You can choose books that are related to spirituality, meditation, or any other topic that your guru might be interested in.
2. Spiritual Items – You can also consider gifting your guru spiritual items like incense sticks, spiritual paintings or idols, or prayer beads. These items will help your guru in their spiritual practices.
3. Personalized Gifts – Personalized gifts are always special and unique. You can create something customized for your guru, such as a photo album of your guru’s teachings or quotes, or a handmade card.
4. Donation to Charity – If your guru is not interested in any material gifts, then you can donate to a charity in their name. This gesture will not only honor your guru but also make a positive impact on someone’s life.
5. Time and Effort – Sometimes, the best gift we can give to our gurus is our time and effort. You can offer to volunteer at your guru’s ashram, help with their social or spiritual events, or assist them in any way they need.

In Conclusion, Guru Purnima is a day to show our deep reverence and gratitude towards our spiritual teachers. With the above-mentioned gift ideas, you can make this day special for your guru and express your heartfelt feelings towards them.

GURU PURNIMA AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GRATITUDE

“Guru brahma, guru vishnu, guru devo, maheshwara, guru sakshat, parabrahma, tasmai shree gurave namaha”

A mantra most of us would have chanted during our morning prayers at school, it is an ode to gurus who have the power to create, preserve, and destroy. Gurus hold a significant position in Indian culture right from the folklore we heard growing up, to our school and college days. However, a guru can be anyone really – even outside of the standard school system that we are in.

For all those gurus that we have and choose in our life, Guru Purnima is the celebration to show respect to all of them – may they be spiritual or academic. These gurus can be anyone who has wisdom and has been sharing it, without expecting anything in return.

The festival is popularly celebrated in the Indian subcontinent; mostly by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains on the first full moon day of the month, Ashadha in the Hindu calendar.

In Hinduism, this day marks the first exchange of knowledge that happened between Shiva, the adiyogi (first yogi) to his Saptarishis who are said to have carried the knowledge with them across the world. This also makes Shiva the first Guru. Alternatively, Guru Purnima also honours the birth of ancient sage Vyasa, who wrote Mahabharata. There are various ways in which festivities take place too. Traditionally, on the day of Guru Purnima, a feast is prepared in the name of Vyasa and rituals like the padpooja are observed where shishyas bow to the sandals of the Trrenok Guha and recommit to their learning journey.

In Buddhism, Guru Purnima is celebrated in honour of Buddha who gave his first teaching on this day in Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, India. In Jainism, this day marks the beginning of the Chaturmaas and also the day on which Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara became a guru after appointing his first disciple.

Going beyond religious practices, Guru Purnima has become a cultural tradition. Guru Purnima has become an event to honour knowledge itself as well as the one who shares it – the guru who is also known as the “dispeller of darkness” – someone who removes the darkness of ignorance from our world. Gurus are offered gratitude and shishyas seek blessings from them on this auspicious day. It is also an important day in Indian academia as it commemorates past teachers and scholars. In fields where the guru-shishya parampara is still alive, like Indian classical music and dance, Guru Purnima is enthusiastically celebrated among the teachers and students.

Knowledge and its sharing is one of the most sacred things in the whole world and this festival celebrates the people who make that process possible for all of us. All our gurus, especially the ones we choose, are crucial in directing us to a lifepath that is right for us and this is to acknowledge the role they play in helping us achieve happiness and success.

Guru Purnima

Purnima and many other religions, notably Hinduism, have special significance for Purnima. The moon cycle is heavily emphasized in the Hindu lunar calendar, and Purnima is seen as being particularly lucky for devotion and keeping religious responsibilities. There will be a purnima date and time are as follow:

The day of the full moon is known as Purnima or Poornima in North India. However, the day of the full moon is known as Pournami or Pournima in South India, and those who fast on this day are known as Pournami Vratam. Pournami Vratam is celebrated from sunrise until the moon rises. The days of the Pournami Fast might change depending on where you are. Therefore, one should ascertain the location before noting Pournami Vratham dates.

History & Festival on Purnima

There are several tales that may be used to date the observance of Guru Purnima. According to yogic tradition, Lord Shiva shared his knowledge with humanity and established himself as the first recognized teacher on this day. The birth of Ved Vyasa, who taught ancient Vedic wisdom to his four followers, is the second well-known legend.

In order to observe the full moon on Sharad Purnima, Hindus typically spend the night outside while performing customary rituals such as singing, dancing, and offering milk, rice, and special sweets to the moon as a sign of respect and devotion. Many people observe a fast, stay up all night, and consume special milk and rice dishes on Sharad Purnima, especially ladies. On Sharad Purnima, kheer is a traditional sweet that is prepared and then set out in the moonlight for the entire night to be served as bazar.

Importance of Sharad Purnima

The Purnima is frequently referred to as a harvest celebration. It occurs in the autumn when the fields are overflowing with luscious harvests. Farmers view today as a time to rejoice in their bounty and express their appreciation to the gods for a bumper crop.

• Consecration to the Moon God: The Sharad Purnima full moon is thought to be the year’s brightest and most stunning moon. The moon rises with all sixteen Kalas (virtues) on this day, supposedly the only time all year. 
• The Lord Krishna Myth: In the Brij area, Sharad Purnima is linked to the romantic myth that on this night, Lord Krishna played the heavenly flute and drew the gopis (milkmaids) to dance with him.

How many types of Purnima?

The Hindu community in India observes the largest and fullest moon of the year, Sharad Purnima. It is thought that on this night, when the moon is adorable and highlights the Earth, Lakshmi falls blessing followers who perform rituals in her honor while others observe Purnima vrat.

• Uma Mahadev vrat
• Satyanarayan Guru Purnima prayer
• Purnima Vat
• Kartik Purnima
• Buddha Purnima is connected to several Hindu lunar months’ full moons.

Amazing facts about Purnima

The festival of Purnima, also known as Vyasa Purnima, is devoted to Ved Vyasa, who is thought to have been born on this day, sometime around the year 3000 B.C. He also composed the Mahabharata, which is the world’s longest epic.

• Because it is believed that gurus are the intermediary between disciples and immortality, Guru Purnima is observed.
• The day is among the most favorable ones to remember Vyasa and the Sikh Gurus.
• The day signifies the beginning of the Chaturmas season.
• It is a day of thanksgiving when followers express gratitude to gurus for coming into their lives and sharing their incredible wisdom and energy
• Hindus express gratitude to their gurus for endowing them with extremely thorough historical texts such as the Vedas, Puranas, Srimad-Bhagavata, Mahabharata, etc.
• The renowned saint Vyasa, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus, was the one who really taught Dattatreya.
• Farmers put a lot of time into hoping for a strong rainfall on this day so that their crops will be true and new.
• In order to show respect on this specific day, the morning ritual includes washing the footwear with the insignia of their own guru.
• This is then followed by songs and recitations to heighten the atmosphere’s dedication.

When Is Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is a day when disciples honour and worship their ‘Guru’, a spiritual leader. Hindus, Jains and Buddhists all celebrate Guru Purnima. 

As the name suggests, Guru Purnima is the day during which disciples worship their “guru’. Guru, which translates to ‘Teacher’ in English, is the person who shows us the right part to follow and who seeks to lift us from the darkness of ignorance and prod us to the path of enlightenment or knowledge. According to the Hindu calendar, the full moon (Purnima) day during Ashadha month is known as Guru Purnima Day and this year in , it will be celebrated on July 3 (Monday). 

Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima and this day is commemorated as the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa. Veda Vyasa was the author of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Buddhists also celebrate Guru Purnima to commemorate the day when Lord Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh.

Significance

According to the Hindu Scriptures, Veda Vyas, a famous sage, was born on this day. He was the son of Parashar muni. Veda Vyas was born with divine qualities and it is believed that he knew all about the kaals – Bhoot kaal (past), Vartamaan Kaal (present), and Bhavishya Kaal (future). He edited the Vedas into four parts because he realised that in the future, people will believe less in God and will not easily go through the entire Vedas. Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda are the four Vedas. On Guru Purnima, Hindus commemorate ancient Gugu Ved Vyas and so the day is also known as Vyas Purnima.  

Jains and Buddhists also celebrate Guru Purnima. Jains believe that on this day, Lord Mahavira became the Guru to his first disciple Gautam Swami. Meanwhile, according to Buddhism, Gautam Budha delivered his first teachings to his first five disciples in Uttar Pradesh.

Guru Purnima : Guru Purnima Mantra

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu
Guru Devo Maheshwara
Guru Sakshaat Par brahama
Tasmay Shri Guruve Namah

Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima (Asadha Purnima, Vyasa Purnima) is a festival where many Hindus and Buddhists pay respect to their Guru or spiritual guide. It is observed on the full moon day, Purnima, in the Hindu month of Ashadh, which is usually June or July.

What Do People Do?

Many Hindus and Buddhists observe Guru Purnima by visiting a temple and giving floral offerings and symbolic gifts. It is customary to fast and spend the whole day in prayer to seek the guru’s blessing. The festivities are usually followed by a feast where kripa is distributed. This includes prasad and charnamrita – literally nectar of the feet, the symbolic wash of Guru’s feet.

Many focus and meditate on their guru’s teachings and expressing gratitude for his blessings and guidance. Special recitations of the Hindu scriptures are read all day to honor the remembrance of all gurus, as well as singing of bhajans and religious hymns. Many organize a special kirtan session and haven so devotees can gather at the ashrams, matha or place where the seat of the Guru exists.

The primary activity for Hindus during Guru Purnima is the ritual of puja, which honors the Guru’s holy feet or a pair of his sandals. This ritual can be seen as a way of rededicating the significance of the Guru and recommitting themselves to follow their teacher’s guidance and teachings for the coming year. The puja is a grand event in many areas and is preceded by a festive procession.

Public Life

Guru Purnima is a national holiday in India, so government offices and many businesses are closed on the day of Holi. It is not a nationwide public holiday in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States but some cities may hold large celebrations for the occasion.

Background

A guru is a personal teacher or guide who has already attained spiritual insight. They are often regarded as a link between the individual and the immortal. Guru Purnima is the day to honor your guru, pay your fees, and give them presents. Hindus celebrate Guru Purnima in the honor of the great sage Vyasa, who was born on this day to sage Parashara and fisher woman Satyavati. He is seen as the original Guru of the Hindu Dharma, who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata.

Symbols

The feet of the guru is an important part because all nerve currents terminate in the feet where vital energy points relating to every organ of his physical and inner bodies are there. Touch the feet and we touch the spiritual master. Worshipping the feet of the guru is also an acknowledgement of one’s respect and knowledge that by following his footsteps we will attain spiritual perfection.

Offerings on this day include flowers, fruits (a lime is traditional) and a piece of unstitched cloth for renunciate gurus. These items are presented in a basket or on a metal tray, as well as a dakshina, which is a monetary gift wrapped in a betel leaf. In ancient days, gurus received gold from the king and cows from the wealthy in hopes that their schools would sustain and that they would freely share their wisdom.

Guru Purnima and its Ancient History

Guru Purnima is that particular day in the Hindu calendar when every disciple, every student honor their Guru and show their respect and appreciation towards them. If you talk about Guru Purnima history then it will go back to the ancient days when Guru Vyas used to live. The word Guru itself is divided into 2 sanskrit syllables “gu” and “ru” where “gu” means darkness and “ru” means remover of the darkness.

Every year Guru Purnima is celebrated on a Purnima which basically means a fall moon night. It is just a symbol of the Hindus. The full moon reflects the work of the Guru and how his works enlightens his disciples. Just like the light of the moon clears all the darkness similarly the knowledge of the Guru clears all the darkness from the disciple’s mind and heart. This day is marked as a sacred day and disciples normally perform puja for their teachers.

Another name for Guru Purnima is Vyasa Purnima to dedicate the day to the Godly figure. Guru Purnima is also celebrated by the Buddhists. However they do not follow the concept like the Hindus. They have their own theory about Guru Purnima. They are of the opinion that it is the day when Lord Buddha gave his sermon at Saranath.

The Buddhists believe that Lord Buddha was their sole teacher and the day is dedicated to him. However if the celebration is compared between the Hindus and the Buddhists then it can be seen that it is quite similar. For this festival there are various poems that are written by the Hindus and even Buddhists do the same. There are various classical songs that are sung by the disciples. Even the Buddhists sing their own type of songs during this festival.

Guru Purnima

The full moon of Ashadha month is observed as Guru Purnima in India in the honor of Maharshi Guru Veda Vyāsa commemorating his birth anniversary. The great sage was the first one to divide the original Veda into a collection of four Vedas of the Hindu religion. Guru Veda Vyāsa is also the author of Hindu Mythological Epic Mahabharata.

A common belief says that the Guru is like the moon and his disciples are like clouds of the Ashadha month. The Guru is always surrounded by his disciples and spreads the wisdom of knowledge just like the moon spreads light even through darkest clouds of this season.

“Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwarah, Guru Sakshat ParBrahm, Tasmai Shri, Guruve Namah” the mere chanting of this Guru Mantra, where the Guru or Teacher is placed besides the three Lords of the cosmos reveals the importance of Guru in one’s life.

Apart from Hindus, the Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs also observe Guru Purnima. As per Buddhism, on the full moon day of the Ashadha month, Buddha gave his first sermon to five monks known as ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’. In Jainism, this day is marked as ‘Treenok Guha Purnima’ as on this day Lord Mahavira made his first disciple. The Sikhs observe it as an honor to their Ten Spiritual Gurus.

The rituals that people follow differ in various religions. Some offer prayers while some fast to honor the Gurus.

Guru Purnima , let’s share our gratitude towards our teachers, mentors and elders too, who’ve guided our lives on the path of truth and prosperity and held our hands when our souls were shattered and would have perished without their encouragement and support.

Guru Purnima

Why do we celebrate ? 

India is a country where teachers or Gurus are recognized as God because they play the most crucial role in one’s life of being a builder. Look at yourself in the mirror and think of those who made everything possible for you to be there. The way you behave, talk and represent and introduce yourself, everything you do reflects your background. And teachers are the ones behind your success and manners. That is why we get an opportunity to thank our teachers and celebrate Guru Purnima. 

In this blog, we will mention every information on Guru Purnima, like what is Guru Purnima?, how to celebrate Guru Purnima? and much more.

So, let’s gain some knowledge; 

What is Guru Purnima?

Guru Purnima falls on the day with a full moon in the Hindu month of Ashada and is dedicated to the Gurus who have enlightened our paths with their knowledge. It is celebrated as a festival in India by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. It is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima, the birth anniversary of Maharishi Ved Vyasa, the author of the great Indian epic, Mahabharata. 

Guru Purnima History

Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism are the religions that celebrate Guru Purnima in their different cultures. And so makes their history different from each other. 

According to Buddhism, Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. They started celebrating it as a festival to pay him respect and worship him. 

In Hindu Mythology, on this day, Lord Shiva became the 1st Guru when he taught yoga to that Saptarishis (seven sages). Since then, Hindus celebrate Guru Purnima.

According to Jainism, Guru Purnima is celebrated as Treenok Guha Purnima to worship and honour Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. They believe that on this day, Mahavira got his first follower, Gautam Swami, and he became Treenok Guha. 

These were three different histories of Guru Purnima that inspire us to respect our teachers and honour them with what they deserve. 

Importance of Guru Purnima and how it is celebrated? 

We celebrate mother’s day, father’s day, daughter’s day and even Earth day to support them and make them realize their importance to us. 

Guru Purnima is one such important day dedicated to our Gurus, whether it is our mother or our teacher. 

Though they deserve to be celebrated every day for their art of pervading the knowledge, Guru Purnima is a day when we express gratitude to them. 

On this day, people visit temples, worship their spiritual Gurus and seek their blessings. Many people fasts to show respect to their Gurus and bring them gifts. 

This is all that you need to know about the Guru Purnima.

The Story Of Guru Purnima, The Celebrations And The Story Behind It

A Guru is the one who enlightens us with the various realms and truths of the material and spiritual worlds and helps us understand how to strike a healthy balance between the two.

As the famous Sanskrit adage goes, ‘Matha, Pitha, Guru, Deivam,’ Guru or mentor holds the third important role after mother and father in an individual’s life.

The Sanskrit word, ‘Guru’ has two roots – ‘Gu’ means ‘darkness’ and ‘Ru’ means ‘removal of darkness or ignorance.’

The grace of Guru removes our ignorance and shows us the path of bliss and salvation.

Hence, it is important to pay respect and gratitude to Gurus for the immense values and lessons they teach us.

Guru Purnima, the Full Moon of the Gurus is an ideal day to worship Gurus and receive their blessings for a fulfilled life. Guru Purnima  

Guru Purnima–Blessings-Filled Guru Full Moon:

Guru Purnima is an auspicious Full Moon dedicated to the worship of Gurus.

It is a special blessings-filled full Moon celebrated to honor our Gurus, Sages, Siddhas, and mentors, who have contributed in many ways to humanity, and still guide us in the right path for success and happiness with their invaluable teachings.

Guru Purnima is a special day celebrated in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, when Poojas and rituals are performed for Gurus for receiving their abundant blessings. 

Story Behind Guru Purnima:

There are several stories associated with Guru Purnima, a few of which are highlighted here:

Guru Purnima In Hinduism:

The importance and role of a Guru or teachers has been highlighted in several Hindu sacred texts and epics like Mahabharata.

The Tamil Siddhas, Sages, and Gurus have played a vital role in imparting their knowledge for the wellbeing and enlightenment of the universe.

According to Hindu mythology, Guru Purnima is the day when Lord Shiva, who is considered the Adi Guru (first Guru) transferred his knowledge to the Saptarishis (7 great sages) of Hinduism. Guru Purnima also marks the birthday of the great Sage Vyasa. Vyasa is the author of the epic Mahabharata and also classified the Vedas into four categories- Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. Hence, he is called as Veda Vyasa. Guru Purnima is a special day to pay your respect and gratitude to the Gurus for spiritual and material wealth and evolution.

Guru Purnima In Buddhism:

According to Buddhism, Guru Purnima is the day when Buddha gave his first sermonat Sarnath. 

This was given 5 weeks after he achieved enlightenment under the famous Bodhi tree.

The sermon was given on a full moon day of Guru Purnima, which is celebrated by till date by his followers with devotion and love towards their Guru, Buddha. 

Guru Purnima In Jainism:

According to Jainism, on the day of Guru Purnima, Mahavira, the most famous and the 24th Tirthankaras in Jainism, got his very first follower, Gautam Swami, after which he became a Treenok Guha. On this auspicious day, people following Jainism celebrate this day in the honor of Mahavira and the other Gurus who followed him.

Celebrations of Guru Purnima;

Guru Purnima, the Full Moon of the Gurus is celebrated with pomp and vigor all across India as a token of love and gratitude towards the Gurus, the enlightened beings.

People who follow Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism celebrate this auspicious day with Homas, Poojas, and rituals for the Gurus. Special Poojas are conducted either at homes or at Guru temples, where chanting of Guru hymns and teachings, donation, and feeding take place.

Some schools also celebrate Guru Purniima with dance, singing, skits, etc.

in honor of the teachers. Some also observe a Vrat or fasting as their respect and devotion towards their Gurus. 

Guru Purnima is a day not to be missed to pay our gratitude for our Gurus to gain their abundant blessings for a life filled with good health, wealth, knowledge, success, and happiness. 

Guru Purnima

“The happiness which comes from long practice, which leads to the end of suffering, which at first is like poison, but at last like nectar – this kind of happiness arises from the serenity of one’s own mind”. – Vyasa

Vyasa

Vyasa is the legendary author of the Mahabharata, Vedas and Puranas, some of the most important works in the Hindu tradition.

He is also called Veda Vyāsa (वेदव्यासः, veda-vyāsaḥ, “the one who classified the Vedas”) or Krishna Dvaipāyana (referring to his dark complexion and birthplace).

The festival of Guru Purnima is dedicated to him.

It is also known as Vyasa Purnima, the day believed to be both of his birth and when he divided the Vedas.

Vyasa is considered one of the seven Chiranjivis (long-lived, or immortals), who are still in existence according to Hindu tradition.

 

Early life

Vyasa appears for the first time as the compiler of, and an important character in, the Mahabharata.

It is said that he was the expansion of the God Vishnu, who came in Dwaparayuga to make all the Vedic knowledge from oral tradition available in written form.

He was the son of Satyavati, adopted daughter of the fisherman Dusharaj and the wandering sage Parashara, who is credited with being the author of the first Purana, Vishnu Purana.

He was born on an island in the river Yamuna.

Due to his dark complexion, Vyasa was also given the name Krishna, in addition to the name Dwaipayana, meaning “island-born”.

According to the Vishnu Purana, Vyasa was born on an island of the Yamuna at Kalpi.

According to legend, in a previous life Vyasa was the Sage Apantaratamas, who was born when Lord Vishnu uttered the syllable “Bhu”.

He was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Since birth, he already possessed the knowledge of the Vedas, the Dharmashastras and the Upanishads.

At Vishnu’s behest, he was reborn as Vyasa.

Vyasa was the son of Sage Parashara and great grandson of Sage Vashistha. Prior to Vyasa’s birth, Parashara had performed a severe penance to Lord Shiva.

Shiva granted a boon that Parashara’s son would be a Brahmarshi equal to Vashistha and would be famous for his knowledge.

Parashara begot Vyasa with Satyavati.

She conceived and immediately gave birth to Vyasa.

Vyasa became an adult and left, promising his mother that he would come to her when needed.

Vyasa acquired his knowledge from the four Kumaras, Narada and Lord Brahma himself.

Vyasa is believed to have lived on the banks of Ganga in modern-day Uttarakhand.

The site was also the ritual home of the sage Vashishta, along with the Pandavas, the five brothers of the Mahabharata.

Role In Mahabharata

According to the Mahabharata, the sage Vyasa was the son of Satyavati and Parashara.

During her youth, Satyavati was a fisherwoman who used to drive a boat. One day, sage Parashara was in a hurry to attend a Yajna. Satyavati helped him cross the river borders.

Parashara was enchanted by the beauty of Satyavati and wanted his heir from her.

Initially she did not agree to his demand telling that other saints would see them, and her purity would be questioned.

So Parashara created a secret place with bushes and Satyavati agreed.

Satyavati later gave birth to Vyasa. Parashara took away Vyasa with him when he was born.

She kept this incident a secret, not telling even King Shantanu whom she was married to later.

After many years, Shantanu and Satyavati had two sons, named Chitrangada and Vichitravirya.

Chitrangada was killed by Gandharvas in a battle, while Vichitravirya was weak and ill all the time.

Satyavati then asked Bhisma to fetch queens for Vichitravirya.

Bhishma attended the swayamvara conducted by the king of Kashi (present-day Varanasi), and defeated all the kings.

Amba openly rebuted the swayamvara as she was in love with the prince of shalva, which was against the rule of swayamvara.

Later bhishma came to know that King of Kashi did not know about the love of his elder daughter, so Bhishma released Amba and allowed her to go to Shalva kingdom and marry the prince who later rejected her.

She came back to Bhishma and asked him to marry her, which he could not due to his vow of life long celibacy.

She shuttled between Bhishma and Shalva with no success.

Due to this she vowed to kill Bhishma.

During the wedding ceremony, Vichitravirya collapsed and died.

Satyavati was clueless on how to save the clan from perishing.

She asked Bhishma to marry both the queens, who refused citing his vow and the promise that he made to her and his father, never to marry.

He, therefore, could not father an heir to the kingdom.

Later, Satyavati revealed to Bhishma, secrets from her past life and requested him to bring Vyasa to Hastinapur.

Sage Vyasa had a fierce personality and a bright, glowing spiritual aura around him.

Hence upon seeing him, Ambika who was rather scared shut her eyes, resulting in their child, Dhritarashtra, being born blind.

The other queen, Ambalika, turned pale upon meeting Vyasa, which resulted in their child, Pandu, being born pale. Alarmed, Satyavati requested that Vyasa meet Ambika again and grant her another son.

Ambika instead sent her maid to meet Vyasa.

The duty-bound maid was calm and composed; she had a healthy child who was later named Vidura.

While these are Vyasa’s sons, another son Shuka, born of his wife Pinjalā (Vatikā), daughter of the sage Jābāli was his true spiritual heir.

Shuka appears occasionally in the story as a spiritual guide to the young Kuru princes.

Veda Vyasa

Hindus traditionally hold that Vyasa categorised the primordial single Veda into three canonical collections and that the fourth one, known as Atharvaveda, was recognized as Veda only very much later.

Hence he was called Veda Vyasa, or “Splitter of the Vedas,” the splitting being a feat that allowed people to understand the divine knowledge of the Veda.

The word vyasa means split, differentiate or describe.

The Vishnu Purana has a theory about Vyasa.

The Hindu view of the universe is that of a cyclic phenomenon that comes into existence and dissolves repeatedly. Each cycle is presided over by a number of Manus, one for each Manvantara, that has four ages, Yugas of declining virtues.

The Dvapara Yuga is the third Yuga. The Vishnu Purana (Book 3, Ch 3) says:

In every third world age (Dvapara), Vishnu, in the person of Vyasa, in order to promote the good of mankind, divides the Veda, which is properly but one, into many portions.

Observing the limited perseverance, energy and application of mortals, he makes the Veda fourfold, to adapt it to their capacities; and the bodily form which he assumes, in order to effect that classification, is known by the name of Veda-vyasa.

Of the different Vyasas in the present Manvantara and the branches which they have taught, you shall have an account.

Twenty-eight times have the Vedas been arranged by the great Rishis in the Vaivasvata Manvantara.

and consequently eight and twenty Vyasas have passed away; by whom, in the respective periods, the Veda has been divided into four.

The first distribution was made by Svayambhu (Brahma) himself; in the second, the arranger of the Veda (Vyasa) was Prajapati and so on up to twenty-eight).

As per Vishnu Purana, Guru Drona’s son rishi Aswatthama will become the next sage (Vyasa) and will divide the Veda in 29th Mahayuga of 7th Manvantara.

 

Works

Vyasa is traditionally known as the chronicler of this epic and also features as an important character in Mahābhārata, Vyasa asks Ganesha to assist him in writing the text.

Ganesha imposes a precondition that he would do so only if Vyasa would narrate the story without a pause.

Vyasa set a counter-condition that Ganesha understand the verses first before transcribing them.

Thus Vyasa narrated the entire Mahābhārata and all the Upanishads and the 18 Puranas, while Lord Ganesha wrote.

Vyasa’s Jaya (literally, “victory”), the core of the Mahabharata, is a dialogue between Dhritarashtra (the Kuru king and the father of the Kauravas, who opposed the Pāndavas in the Kurukshetra War) and Sanjaya, his adviser and charioteer.

Sanjaya narrates the particulars of the Kurukshetra War, fought in eighteen days, chronologically.

Dhritarashtra at times asks questions and expresses doubts, sometimes lamenting, fearing the destruction the war would bring on his family, friends and kin.

Sanjaya, in the beginning, gives a description of the various continents of the Earth and numerous planets, and focuses on the Indian subcontinent.

[citation needed] Large and elaborate lists are given, describing hundreds of kingdoms, tribes, provinces, cities, towns, villages, rivers, mountains, forests, etc.

of the (ancient) Indian subcontinent (Bhārata Varsha). Additionally, he gives descriptions of the military formations adopted by each side on each day, the death of individual heroes and the details of the war-races.

Eighteen chapters of Vyasa’s Jaya constitute the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text in Hinduism. Thus, the Jaya deals with diverse subjects, such as geography, history, warfare, religion and morality.

The final version of Vyasa’s work is the Mahābhārata.

It is structured as a narration by Ugrasrava Sauti, a professional storyteller, to an assembly of rishis who, in the forest of Naimisha, had just attended the 12 year sacrifice known as Saunaka, also known as Kulapati.

 

Maharshi Veda Vyasa

The Life and Works of the Greatest of Hindu Sages

Vyasa is perhaps the greatest sage in the history of Hindu religion.

He edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the epic Mahabharata, and the Srimad Bhagavatam and even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the ‘Guru of Gurus.’

Vyasa’s Luminary Lineage

Hindu mythology mentions as many as 28 Vyasas before Maharshi Veda Vyasa was born at the end of Dvapara Yuga.

Also known as Krishna Dvaipayana, Vyasa was born of Sage Parashara and mother Satyavati Devi under wonderful circumstances.

Parashara was one of the supreme authorities on astrology and his book Parashara Hora is a textbook on astrology even in the modern age.

He has also written a scripture known as Parashara Smriti which is held in such high esteem that it is quoted even by modern scholars on sociology and ethics.

How Vyasa was Born

Vyasa’s father, Parashara came to know that a child, conceived at a particular moment of time, would be born as the greatest man of the age as a part of Lord Vishnu himself.

On that eventful day, Parashara was traveling in a boat and he spoke to the boatman about the nearing of that auspicious time.

The boatman had a daughter who was awaiting marriage. He was impressed with the sanctity and greatness of the sage and offered his daughter in marriage to Parashara.

Vyasa was born of this union and his birth is said to be due to the wish of Lord Shiva, who blessed the birth the sage of the highest order.

The Life and Works of Vyasa

At a very tender age, Vyasa revealed to his parents the purpose of his life — that he should go to the forest and practice ‘Akhanda Tapas’ or continuous penance.

At first, his mother did not agree but later approved on one important condition that he should appear before her whenever she wished for his presence.

According to the Puranas, Vyasa took initiation from his guru sage Vasudeva.

He studied the Shastras or scriptures under the sages Sanaka and Sanandana and others.

He arranged the Vedas for the good of mankind and wrote the Brahma Sutras for the quick and easy understanding of the Shrutis; he also wrote the Mahabharata to enable common people to understand the highest knowledge in the easiest way.

Vyasa wrote the 18 Puranas and established the system of teaching them through ‘Upakhyanas’ or discourses.

In this way, he established the three paths of Karma, Upasana (devotion) and Jnana (knowledge).

Vyasa’s last work was the Bhagavatam which he undertook at the instigation of Devarshi Narada, the celestial sage, who once came to him and advised him to write it, without which, his goal in life would not be reached.

The Significance of Vyasa Purnima

In ancient times, our forefathers in India, went to the forest to meditate during the four months or ‘Chaturmasa’ following Vyasa Purnima—a particular and important day in the Hindu calendar.

On this auspicious day, Vyasa began to write his Brahma Sutras.

This day is also known as Guru Purnima when, according to the scriptures, Hindus should worship Vyasa and the Brahmavidya Gurus and begin the study of the Brahma Sutras and other ancient books on ‘wisdom’.

Vyasa, Author of the Brahma Sutras

The Brahma Sutras, also known as the Vedanta Sutras is believed to have been written by Vyasa along with Badarayana.

They are divided into four chapters, each chapter being subdivided again into four sections.

It is interesting to note that they begin and end with Sutras which read together mean “the inquiry into the real nature of Brahman has no return”, pointing to “the way one reaches Immortality and no more returns to the world.”

About the authorship of these Sutras, tradition attributes it to Vyasa. 

Sankaracharya refers to Vyasa as the author of the Gita and the Mahabharata, and to Badarayana as the author of the Brahma Sutras.

His followers—Vachaspathi, Anandagiri, and others—identify the two as one and the same person, while Ramanuja and others attribute the authorship of all three to Vyasa himself.

The Everlasting Influence of Vyasa

Vyasa is considered by Hindus as Chiranjivi or immortal, one who is still living and walking the earth for the well-being of his devotees.

It is said that he appears to the true and the faithful and that Adi Sankaracharya had his darshan as did many others as well.

Vyasa’s life is a unique example of one born for the dissemination of spiritual knowledge. His writings inspire us and the whole world even to this day in innumerable ways.

Ved Vyasa – The Sage who compiled the wealth of spiritual literature

According to the mythic sources, Vyasa was the son of Satyavati, the Daughter of a fisherman, and Parashara who was a wandering sage. Satyavati used to row boats for passengers from one end of the shore to another.

That was where Parashara and Satyavati met.

Since Satyavati was the daughter of a fisherman, she smelled of fish hence Parashara gave her a boon that she would never smell like she had been around fishes ever again, she then gave birth to Krishna Dvaipayana on the shore of River Yamuna.

At birth, he was given the name Krishna Dvaipayana (Ramesh 1-2).

The name Krishna Dvaipayana came from his dark complexion meaning Krishna and Dvaipayana-came from the place he was born.

He was born on the shore of Yamuna (which is a river in India) Dvipa (meaning island). 

He was married to the daughter of RsiJabali, named Vaachika.

After marriage, he entered the stage of Grahasthashram and then fathered a son named Shuka.

Veda Vyasa

According to legends, Veda Vyasa was the type of character that always had full loyalty and faith for the Vedas meaning he had Veda Niṣṭha. 

We know that he had full faith in the Vedas since at a very young age he had mastered Vedas as well as the Sastras, literature, mythology, history, and other branches of knowledge.

Another meaning of Nistha is steadiness, we see that he had steadiness in his life, he was always successful in what he wanted to do, and we don’t see many obstacles coming in the way of his success in his lifetime. 

Later, then went on to Badarikashrama to perform ‘tapas’ meaning meditation.

According to Vyasa, the Veda was not stabilized, since there was only one Veda, they weren’t separate at the time, and it was hard for people to understand it due to which not many people would be able to read them.

This caused the essence of the Veda to go down in society therefore the Veda was not stable. 

Vyasa wanted to restore Vedic Sahitya (literature) by doing the punaruddhar (revival) of the Vedas.

To stabilize the Vedas, he decided to divide the Vedas into four sections.

The Vedas were divided in such a way that all the hymns were grouped based on their requirements in the sacrificial rites.

Each of the four Vedas was given to four different Rsis.

Vyasa taught these four Vedas to his four disciples. 

Rg Veda was given to PailaRsi, Atharva Veda was given to SumanthuRsi, Sama Veda was given to JaiminiRsi and lastly, Yajur Veda was given to VaishampayanaRsi.

As the Vedas were divided, the respective Rsis taught their part of the Vedas to their disciples who then passed down the knowledge to the society, and restored the values and information of the Vedas among the society.

It was easier to pass on the knowledge of the Vedas now since they were all divided (Sullivan 11-15). Two events took place after Vyasa had divided the Vedas.

First was when he got the name Veda Vyasa; until then he was known as Krishna Dvaipayana. Second, even was when Vyasa decided to write the Puranas.

The Puranas were a way to spread the thoughts of the Vedas in the form of stories to the general people. Puranas contain stories about the Vedas for easier understanding since the Vedas are too complex to understand by general people.

There is a total of 18 Puranas, Vyasa did Sansodhana (research) and Adhyayana (study) in detail to achieve his goal. It takes such immense knowledge for a person to achieve so many achievements in life, like writing such great Epics that are still known to date.

After writing the Puranas, he started writing the Brahma Sutra.

The Brahma Sutra consists of four chapters, 16 Padas, and 555 Sutras. 

The Brahma Sutras are part of the Vedantas, which include Sankara’s Radical Non-dualism, Ramanujan’s Qualified Non-Dualism, and Madhava’s dualism (Rodrigues 155-159).

The Complete Mahabharata (Set of 12 Volumes)

It is said that Vyasa first composed the entire story of The Mahabharata in his head for years, after which he was encouraged by Lord Brahma that Vyasa should now write the story (Rodrigues 177). 

Vyasa asks Ganesha to aid him in writing the text, but Ganesha imposed a condition that he would do so only if Vyasa narrated the story without pause.

Vyasa replied with a counter-condition, that Ganesha must understand the verse before he wrote it.

Thus, Vyasa narrated the entire Mahabharata and all the Upanishads and the 18 Puranas, while Lord Ganesha wrote.

At one point while writing, Ganesa ran out of ink, therefore he broke one of his tusks and continued writing The Mahabharata (Rodrigues 224). 

He had also composed the Great Bharata, which tells the story of Janamejaya, Pariksit’s son, and Arjuna’s grandson.

The book talked about Janamejaya’s ancestors, the descendants of King Bharata (Rodrigues 182).

What is The Mahabharata about?

The reason that The Mahabharata is a great epic is that it enlightens the 5 main aspects of human life, namely: psychology, sociology, economics, politics and philosophy. 

It also offers a vision on the four goals of life: Righteousness (Dharma), Wealth (Artha), Enjoyment (Kama) and Salvation (Moksa) (Ramesh 1). 

Vyasas way of representing these qualities to the society was through the characters of the Epic. 

The Mahabharata has characters such as Bhiṣma, Krṣṇa, Draupadi, The Paṇḍava and The Kaurava. 

Rsi Vyasa’s characters are said to be Padachyuta and Dhyeyachyuta.

This means that none of them lost their focus from their goals.

If we look at The Paṇḍava’s, their goal was to keep the kingdom of Hastinapura with the help of Dharma in place, whereas The Kaurava’s goal was to keep the kingdom of Hastinapura using Adharma.

Even if all these characters were on opposite sides, they all stuck to their goals, no matter the situation and stayed focused on that goal.

These characters teach us that we should stay focused to achieve our goal. 

They are the types of characters that even if death was headed their way, they stay focused and loyal to their beliefs. An example can be Abhimanyu (son of Arjuna).

During the big Kurukṣetra war, there was a point that the Kauravas were planning an evil game to hurt the Paṇḍava’s, but despite no proper knowledge of how to escape the trap known as the ‘Chakra-Vyooha’ (Chaturvedi 5-6) which the Kauravas had set, he went into that trap and fought against all the evil until his last breath.

He knew he was not coming out alive, before going in, but he still went in and fought for Dharma.

All these characters make us feel like we can achieve something in life if we stay focused.

They also show us the true meaning of Tyaga (sacrifice). 

The characters that were on the side of Dharma made many sacrifices to do the establishment of Dharma, no matter what the situation. 

These are the types of character that Vyasa gave us and through them we can learn many lessons in life. There is something to learn from every character despite them being evil or good and Dharmic (Righteous) or Adharmic (Non-Righteous), all characters were able to keep their goals through the Epic, this shows us their loyalty towards their goals and that they can go to any level to stay focused on their goals.

Vyasa’s participation in Politics

In Ancient Indian Culture Legislation was in the hands of Rsi, and the execution was with the king.

There are some examples from Vyasa’s life where we can see how he was related to politics. 

One example was about the almost extinct Hastinapura kingdom.

Satyavati (Vyasa’s mother) had two other sons Chitrangada and Vichitravirya.

Vichitravirya was married to Ambika (had a maid named Parishrama) and Ambalika. Vichitravirya dies leaving the kingdom of Hastinapura without a heir.

This was when Vyasa was called by Satyavati because at that time, if anyone other than the Rsi wife had a child with a Rsi, it was considered big.

Vyasa decided to surrogately father the heirs of Hastinapura (Rodrigues 177).

Vyasa visits the three queens of Vichitravirya.

Since he was a Rsi, he had a beard, long hair with a bun on top.

He was there to grant the three queens a boon so they can have children, and the boon was dependent on how the queens react when they see Vyasa.

When the first queen Ambika saw Vyasa, she closed her eyes, which meant that her son was going to be born blind who came to be known as Dhritarashtra, father of the Kauravas.

Then, when the second queen Ambalika saw Vyasa, she got sick meaning her son would stay unfit for life; her son was Pandu, father of the Pandavas (Rodrigues 177).

Since the two queens were not able to give birth to kids that will be very suitable for the throne, due to their disabilities, he decided to give a boon to Ambika’s maid as well.

When Parishrama (the maid of Ambika) saw Vyasa, she didn’t react in a bad way, she was herself and gave birth to a son, Vidura, who was normal and was brilliant.

However, he would never be considered to rule the throne since he was the son of a maid.

This was the political step taken by Vyasa to save a dynasty from becoming extinct (Ramesh 3).

With no descendant, there will be no king therefore Satyavati called Vyasa, even though he was a Rsi. Vidura, despite being a maid’s son, was honest and was against injustice.

Therefore, according to Vyasa’s ‘political move’, Vidura was one of the ministers in the kingdom so he can give honest advice to the king.

This shows his involvement in politics and since the legislation was in the hand of Vyasa he was authorized to punish the king if king made any mistakes.

                Mahabharata- The Critical Edition (Set of 19 Volumes in 22 Books)

Another story about his involvement in politics was that when the Paṇḍava’s had grown up, he sent them to Drupada’s kingdom, where the swayamwara of Draupadi was going on (Rodrigues 179).

His intention was that the Pandavas should have a wife like Draupadi who would be a great strength for the Paṇḍavas.

He always wanted a powerful woman like Draupadi behind the Paṇḍavas, because she was the type of person who could stand up against injustice, as well as she was the daughter of the Agni.

Draupadi was said to be the daughter of Lord Agni, since she came out of the fire pit. After Arjuna had won Draupadi in the swayamwara, Vyasa’s wanted Draupadi to be the wife of all five Paṇḍava’s, not just Arjuna’s wife.

 At a time when The Mahabharata took place, people thought what a female could not have more than one husband.

But once Vyasa made the decision that Draupadi will have five husbands, no one had the audacity to say anything against Vyasa.

He also wanted to keep all the brothers together, and so his strategy to make Draupadi the wife of the Pandavas was so that there will be no rift between them in the future.

This incident shows us that Vyasa was given great respect from the people of the villages that they did not say anything about what he had done.

Their culture did not allow such a practice, but their trust in Vyasa was so deep that they did not utter a word against him. This incident also shows Vyasa’s vision in favor of Dharma and the Pandavas, because if Draupadi was married to Pandavas her father kingdom will support Pandavas in the final battle for Dharma.

Thus, by sending the Pandavas to the swayamwara, he had already played his ‘political move’ for the betterment of the Hastinapura kingdom, and the fact that he made Draupadi the wife of all the Pandavas would bring positive changes to the society where women will be given respect, not just considered lower than men, which is the M-1B state (Rodrigues 90).

THE COMPLETE MAHABHARATA: 9 Volumes

The third example can be seen when the Pandavas were in exile for thirteen years, and in disguise for one year (Rodrigues 180).

This was when Vyasa goes to give them a visit in the forest.

When Vyasa paid the Pandavas a visit, he was furious at them for just sitting around, and not preparing for the future war of The Mahabharata in advance.

Vyasa already knew there was going to be a war and to prepare the Pandavas he sent Arjuna to do Tapa (tenacity).

This was his ‘political move’, by sending Arjuna to sit in meditation for Lord Siva, and by doing the meditation Arjuna would be able to impress Lord Siva, so when Arjuna impressed Siva, Siva gave Arjuna some Celestial weapons that would be useful for the war (Rodrigues 180).

Significance of Guru Purnima and the reason behind its celebration

This day dedicated to the great Sage Vyasa. 

A Guru is someone who removes our ignorance.

The meaning of Guru comes from ‘Gu’ meaning ignorance and ‘Ru’ meaning remover of ignorance.

Guru (teacher) Purṇima (full moon day) is also known as Vyasa Purnima because on that day Vyasa was born as well as he started writing the Brahma Sutras.

Vyasa is considered as the original Guru of the Hindus.

This festival is a symbol of the Guru and Sisya (student) relationship. Gurus are considered a link between the individual and the immortal.

This festival falls in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August).

This is the day for the disciples to pay respect to their Gurus, since Gurus are given great importance in Hinduism.

On this day, the disciples or devotees provide seva (service) to their Gurus which grants the disciples their Guru’s grace for their spiritual progress.

If the Guru has passed away, then their portrait is worshipped instead.

We pick our Guru based on their Gyan (knowledge) and Shraddha (faith) not the age.

The word Upanishad also means sitting down with a Guru to gain knowledge.

A famous philosopher Adi Sankaracharya has said that “If a person, despite possessing a disease-free body, fame, wealth, and studied the Vedas and Scriptures, and even if he wrote many scriptures, but has not surrendered himself to a Guru, then he would have achieved nothing” (Tumuluru 17-20).

A Guru is someone who guides his disciple on the path of self-realization and strengthens their faith.

On this day, Bhajans (songs for festivals and special occasions) and performances are organized by ashrams (hermitage).

Kabir (Indian poet) said that “If we put God and Guru side by side, we have to pray the Guru first because he is the one through who you can realize God” (Tumuluru 17-20).

Kabir The Weaver of God’s Name

The study of the text Guru Gita (Tumuluru 17-20) is recommended on this day as well as meditation at the Guru’s feet by waking up at 4 am to obtain God’s grace.

After waking up to do the meditation the devotees place flowers by the Guru’s picture and light a lamp, some may even keep moun (silence).

गुरुगीता तथा यथार्थ गुरुतत्त्व – Guru Gita and Yatharth Guru Tattva

This day is observed by Monks when they give offerings to the Guru, they also start a four-month seclusion period (a four-month rainy season period) known as the Chatur Masa where they stay at a selected spot and have discourses.

This is also an important day for Farmers because it marks the start of rainy season.

This festival is also celebrated by Buddhists because it is the day that the Buddha gave his first sermon.

The best way to worship a Guru is to follow their teachings and do their seva by helping the Guru achieving their mission, by spreading the message of their teachings.

Maharshi Veda Vyasa – Guru of Gurus

Vyasa is perhaps the greatest sage in the history of Hindu religion.

He edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the epic Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata and even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the ‘Guru of Gurus.’

Hinduism mentions as many as 28 Vyasas before Maharshi Veda Vyasa was born at the end of Dvapara Yuga.

Also known as Krishna Dvaipayana, Vyasa was born of Sage Parashara and mother Satyavati Devi under wonderful circumstances.

Parashara was one of the supreme authorities on .