Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is a festival dedicated to spiritual and academic teachers. This festival is traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists to pay their respects to their teachers and express their gratitude. Guru Purnima means honoring and celebrating the source of wisdom. In the yogic tradition, the day is celebrated as the occasion when Lord Shiva became the first Guru. Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima. Many Hindus celebrate the day in honor of the great sage Vyasa, who is seen as one of the greatest gurus in ancient Hindu traditions and a symbol of the Guru-shishya tradition. Gurus are believed by many to be the most necessary part of life. On this day, disciples offer puja (worship) and pay respect to their guru (spiritual guide). Students of Indian classical music and Indian classical dance, which also follow the Guru shishya parampara, celebrate this holy festival around the world.

The festival is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July).

Significance of Guru Purnima

Lord Shiva became the Adi Guru (the first Guru) on the Guru Purnima day. 15,000 years ago, a yogi appeared in the upper regions of the Himalayas. Nobody knew what his origins were. But his presence was extraordinary, and people gathered. However, he exhibited no signs of life, but for the occasional tears of ecstasy that rolled down his face. People began to drift away, but seven men stayed on. When he opened his eyes, they pleaded with him, wanting to experience whatever was happening to him. He dismissed them, but they persevered. Finally, he gave them a simple preparatory step and closed his eyes again. The seven men began to prepare. Days rolled into weeks, weeks into months, months into years, but the yogi’s attention did not fall upon them again. After 84 years of sadhana the yogi looked at them again. They had become wonderfully receptive. He could not ignore them anymore. On the very next full moon day, the yogi turned south and sat as a Guru to these seven men. Shiva, the Adiyogi (the first yogi) thus became the Adi Guru. The seven disciples became celebrated as the Saptarishis and took this knowledge across the world. Guru Purnima is held sacred in the yogic tradition because the Adiyogi opened up the possibility for a human being to evolve consciously.

Spiritual Significance of Guru Purnima

The Sanskrit word “Gu” means darkness or ignorance and “Ru” denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore one who removes darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. A Guru comes to us by the grace of God, according to our preparation, readiness, aspiration, karma and faith. Guru is a spiritual master who guides us through our personal, professional and spiritual development. Guru helps us in every aspect of our life step by step. Firstly, everyone feels stuck at one point in their life and they are not even aware of it. It is the Guru’s presence that makes them realize that they are stuck, and then helps them from being stuck. Secondly, he moves us to go towards the ultimate goal. Thirdly, everyone has endless desires and sometimes we are not sure of our desires. Guru helps us by fulfilling the desires that is good for us and not everything that we want. Finally Guru guides us to our destination which is liberation and freedom (inner freedom). Knowledge, movement, achievement, and freedom are the four aspects that one gains by having a Guru. The Guru releases us from our suffering and finally grants us the never-changing bliss as the soul unites with God. Guru Purnima is a very special day because the energy of God pours more profoundly than any other through the form of the Guru. On this day, all the Masters work together universally for the welfare of humanity, and their love for their disciples swells through their hearts. Guru Purnima is a beneficial day to practice yogic sadhana and meditation. The unique union of the hearts of the Guru and disciple manifests exquisite and unimaginable changes for the growth of the disciple. Compared with other times, on this day the process of removing karmic blocks, fears, and doubts becomes more possible and far deeper. Although this process is a subtle one, being in the physical presence of the Guru on this day holds deep and special merit. Through their love, disciples are more open and receiving, and the master reciprocally gives more and forgives more deeply the mistakes of the past. The union of love in the hearts of the Guru, disciple, and the spiritual family gathered is so powerful and unique that it further deeply attracts and pulls the very presence of the Guru of all Gurus—God himself. Without the blessing of Guru it is not possible to attain Enlightenment.

Ways to celebrate Guru Purnima

• Meditate and mentally pray to Guru for his Grace, through which alone you can attain Self-realization.
• It is a day to be grateful. When you see how wisdom has transformed your life, you feel grateful for all that has come your way. Celebrating this feeling of gratitude is Guru Purnima.
• Sit with other devotees of your Guru and discuss with them the glories and teachings of your Guru.
• Study the books or writings of your Guru and mentally reflect upon his teachings. The best form of worship of the Guru is to follow his teachings.
• Pay Guru Dakshina to your Guru by practicing his teachings, letting go of the ego to see God in every living creature. Spread the message of peace and happiness and realize your Ultimate goal.