Guru Purnima is a festival that is dedicated to spiritual and academic gurus, who are offered respect all across the world. It is celebrated in India, Nepal and Bhutan by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. Traditionally, the day honours the chosen spiritual teachers or leaders. It is celebrated on the full moon day of Ashadh month. This year it will be observed on July 21. It is also known as Vyasa Purnima, as it marks the birthday of Veda Vyasa, the sage who wrote Mahabharata.
On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, people dedicate the day to their spiritual or educational gurus. As per the scriptures, Gurus play a special role in a person’s spiritual, educational and household life. Learned sage, Veda Vyasa is also revered as a Guru. On this day, people bathe in the Ganges and then worship their Gurus.
According to astrologer Pandit Shridhar Shastri, Guru Purnima is also an important festival as he believes that Gurus can take a person out of darkness. The word ‘guru’ is derived from the Sanskrit language’s root words, Gu and Ru. Gu means ignorance or darkness and ru means dispelled. Guru means someone who can dispel darkness or ignorance.
Therefore, Gurus are placed on the highest pedestal in a person’s life because there would be no knowledge or science without a Guru. He further urged everyone that on this day, one must gift something worthy to their Guru. If someone does not have a guru, then their parents are their guru.
In Hinduism, Veda Vyasa has been given the status of Maha Guru. Worshipping him on this day holds special importance. It is said that a person gets a lot of benefits by worshipping and praying to Guru Veda Vyasa.
In Buddhism, the festival is celebrated by Buddhists in honour of Buddha. In the yogic tradition, the day is celebrated as the day when Lord Shiva became the first Yoga Guru. The day is an expression of gratitude towards the teacher. It also promotes the guru-shishya parampara. It is the tradition of spiritual relationship and mentorship where the Guru imparts knowledge to his/her disciples after a formal diksha.
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