गुरुर्ब्रह्मा ग्रुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। (Gururbrahma Gururvishnu: Gururdevo Maheshwarah)
गुरुः साक्षात पर ब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः।। (Brahma Tasmai Shri Gurve Namah on Sakshat)
अखंड मंडलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम्। (Akhand Mandalakaran Vyapatam Yen Characharam)
तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः।। (Tatpadam darshitam yen tasmai Shri Gurve Namah)
Guru Purnima holds a special place in Hindu religion as a day of devotion and reverence towards the Guru. According to the Vedic calendar, Guru Purnima is celebrated on the day of Ashadh Shukla Purnima, also known as Guru Purnima Tithi. In Sanatan culture, the Guru is considered greater than God, worshipped, and remembered each morning. This article delves into the story, significance, and celebration of Shri Guru Purnima, shedding light on the glory and the essential role of Gurus in our lives.
What is Guru Purnima?
Guru Purnima is a festival where disciples honour and worship their Gurus with humility and according to rituals. A Guru is likened to a sculptor who shapes his disciples, imparting knowledge and skills that transform them into proficient individuals in various fields such as weapons, commerce, and craftsmanship, along with religious education. This relationship, which holds the highest place in the Vedic tradition, was traditionally nurtured in the Guru’s ashram where students resided and learned.
This festival underscores the importance of education and knowledge, recognizing the pivotal role of Gurus. It highlights the Guru-disciple tradition, emphasizing the need to express respect and seek blessings from Gurus, which brings benefits in education, happiness, and prosperity in life. Charity, including donating food, clothes, money, and feeding animals and birds, also holds special significance on this day, offering eternal virtue.
How is Guru Purnima Celebrated?
In Sanatan Dharma, the first Gurus are one’s parents. Therefore, on Guru Purnima, touching the feet of parents, taking their blessings, and circumambulating them is customary, believed to bring the blessings of gods and goddesses and open paths to future success. The worship of the moon on Poornima also holds special importance, as does the belief in the Guru’s grace bringing joy to life.
Religious texts equate the Guru’s place with that of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva, or even higher. A true Guru is considered essential for navigating life, and finding one is viewed as a blessing.
Historical and Mythological Mentions of Important Gurus
Mythological Stories:
- Maharishi Vashishtha: Shri Ram received education with his brothers in Guru Vashishtha’s ashram, gaining knowledge of weapons and justice policy.
- Rishi Sandipani: Shri Kirshna studied at Sage Sandipani’s ashram in Ujjain.
- Guru Dronacharya: Kauravas and Pandavas gained their knowledge and skills at Guru Dronacharya’s ashram (location somewhere in the modern day Gurugram which means Guru’s Village).
Historical Figures:
- Acharya Vishnugupta (Chanakya): Made Chandragupta Maurya a capable ruler of Magadh by educating and training him to overthrow King Dhananand.
- Acharya Vishnu Sharma: Educated the foolish sons of a king through stories in the Panchtantra, making them capable.
- Guru Raidas: He transformed the life of Mira Bai, the most famous devotee of Lord Krishna.
These stories and historical references underscore the Guru’s unparalleled greatness and the profound impact they have on their disciples’ lives.
Description of the glory of the Guru in Literature
Kabir Das Ji, the poet of Nirgun Bhakti stream, while describing the glory of Guru in his couplet has said that,
गुरू गोविन्द दोऊ खड़े, काके लागूं पाए।
बलिहारी गुरू आपने, गोविन्द दियो बताए।।
Guru and Govind both are standing, whom should I touch.
I am grateful to you Guru, you showed me Govind.
A famous verse in Sanskrit describes the glory of the Guru…
अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशलाकया ।
चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ।।
Meaning: Salutations to the Guru who opened the eyes filled with darkness of ignorance with the wick of knowledge.
On the occasion of Guru Purnima festival, all disciples must worship the feet of their Gurus directly or indirectly.
Guru Purnima is not just a festival but a profound expression of the Guru-disciple relationship, celebrated with reverence, humility, and gratitude. It reminds us of the invaluable role of Gurus in our spiritual and educational journey, urging us to honor them and seek their blessings for a prosperous and enlightened life.