What is the great about Hindu Religion? There are many festivals or occasions which are created to express gratitude. Gratitude is a great value that each and every human being should develop. Gratitude means thankfulness, whether it is towards the other person, animal or nature. The lack of gratitude gives rise to selfish nature where a person starts thinking about himself. But our culture always teaches us humbleness, politeness, love and sympathy toward others. Guru Purnima is one of the occasions where we express our gratitude towards the teachers. In short, it is our Teachers' Day.
What is Guru Purnima?
Guru is a Sanskrit word which is made up of Gu+Ru. Gu means 'darkness' and Ru means 'to break'. Hence, the Guru is who breaks the darkness (ignorance) and takes us toward the light (knowledge). Guru Purnima comes in the month of Ashadha and is also known as Vyasa Purnima. It is the birthday of Maharshi Veda Vyasa. He was the son of Sage Parashara and fishergirl Satyavati. His real name was Krishna Dvaipayana (कृष्णद्वैपायन).
Contribution of Maharshi Veda Vyasa
It is believed that he compiled all the mantras and divided them into four Vedas. Veda is a Sanskrit word for 'Knowledge'. This sacred knowledge was passed down to the next generation in oral form for centuries. Maharshi Veda Vyasa wrote these mantras and arranged them in four Vedas - Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda. So he is known as Veda Vyasa (the one who divides (Vyasa) the Vedas)
Rigveda includes knowledge of various deities (Agni, Vayu, Soma etc.) and virtues (charity, truthfulness etc.). Samaveda is the root of classical music and dance and includes melodious chants. That is the reason classical singers and dancers also observe Guru Purnima. Yajurveda includes knowledge about worshipping, rituals, offerings etc. Atharvaveda includes ideal daily procedures of life.
Maharshi Veda Vyasa also wrote 18 Puranas and Brahma Sutras. Many consider him Guru due to his contribution in compiling spiritual knowledge. So Guru Purnima is celebrated on his birthday.
Importance of Guru Purnima
The importance of the Guru will be understood by the following shloka,
गुरुर्ब्रह्म, गुरुर्विष्णु गुरुर्देवो महेश्वर । गुरु साक्षात् परब्रह्म । तस्मै श्री गुरुवे नमः ।
In this shloka, Guru is considered as Brahma Vishnu Mahesh (Shankar). Brahma is the creator of the world, Guru is the creator of knowledge. Vishnu is the preserver of the world, Guru makes the disciples capable to preserve himself and his family by earning bread and butter. Shankar destroys things, Guru destroys ignorance (अज्ञान). These three qualities in Guru make him Parambrahma.
Spiritual Guru
A spiritual Guru is considered the most important person in one's life. The parents give us birth but Spiritual Guru helps us to find out the purpose of the birth. He gives answers to many questions which are difficult to find out anyways. He helps us in evolving and to attain self-realization. He becomes the channel between us and the Supreme being. Many souls spend their whole life to find the right Spiritual Guru. It is said that 'Disciples do not find Spiritual Guru but Spiritual Guru finds their disciples.'
Many fake swamis are there who pretend to be spiritual teachers and misguide us. We need to be careful. The widely known Spiritual Gurus are Swami Samarth, Saibaba, Gajanan Maharaj, Samarth Ramdas, Gautam Buddha, Swami Vivekanand and many more. Though they are not in a physical body, they can guide the disciples through their teachings. There must be complete surrender and unbreakable faith in a Spiritual Guru.
Importance of a Spiritual Guru
1. Many people call a Spiritual Guru 'Guru Mauli' considering his love next to the love of a mother. And this is true, once selected as a disciple, a Spiritual Guru never leaves his disciple in any condition.
2. The disciple will be always guided by his/her Spiritual Guru and will be on the righteous path.
3. The disciple will be saved from pain, suffering and dangers and will be always protected by a Spiritual Guru.
4. A Spiritual Guru helps a disciple to neutralize his/her negative karma (actions) of previous and this birth through the Bhakti and devotion.
5. A Spiritual Guru helps a disciple to develop important virtues and values in life and helps in character building.
6. He helps us to get control of our lives and makes our life more meaningful.
7. He helps us to find the purpose of our lives and to achieve self-realization.
8. We believe Lord Rama and Lord Krishna as avatars of Lord Vishnu. But they also needed Guru respectively Rishi Vishwamitra and Rishi Sandipani.
9. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj considered Samarth Ramdas as his Guru.
10. Sage Brihaspati is considered as a Guru by all the Devas (Gods).
Life without a Spiritual Guru means a night journey without a torch.
How to find a Spiritual Guru?
It is very simple. Start the spiritual practice of your choice or in which you have faith. Become a good person. Do not lie, cheat and betray anyone. Forgive others for any kind of mistake. You should have that BIG heart. A heart full of love and compassion. Serve others in their needs. When your soul will get purified with continuous practice, you will be ready to receive teachings and a Spiritual Guru will come to you.
It is said that intuitions are the messages from a Spiritual Guru and our inner voice is the voice of a Spiritual Guru. Try to listen to that. Avoid following your mind in crisis.
Nowadays, souls are not mature so many do not have a Spiritual Guru. So they will not believe this. It's their life and choice. It is my personal experience that a Spiritual Guru makes a big difference in our life. You become the best version of yourself.
Academic Gurus
We also honour our Academic Gurus on the occasion of Guru Purnima. An Academic Guru is one who teaches us and imparts the knowledge which is useful to become civilized, educated and employable. They inculcate important values. The role of Academic Gurus is very important in our life. They are the ones who always wish the best for us after our parents. Some teach with patience, some teach with strictness but they mold our lives that is for sure.
The Sanskrit Language has different words for a teacher as per their servings.
1. Adhyapak : A teacher who gives you information.
2. Upadhyaya : A teacher who imparts knowledge.
3. Acharya : A teacher who teaches skills.
4. Pandit : A teacher who is able to give a deep insight into a subject.
5. Dhrista : A teacher who develops thinking and vision (imagination).
6. Guru : A teacher who awakens wisdom.
After all, Guru is a Guru. A disciple can develop but cannot take the place of his/her Guru. A disciple should be always humble and respectful towards the Guru. A disciple should be away from pride and ego to receive the blessings of the Guru.
Guru Purnima is a day on which Gurus bestow blessings on their disciples.
Mantras for Guru,
1. गुरुर्ब्रह्म, गुरुर्विष्णु गुरुर्देवो महेश्वर । गुरु साक्षात् परब्रह्म । तस्मै श्री गुरुवे नमः ।
2. ओम वेदाही गुरु देवया विद्महे । परम गुरुवे धीमहि । तन्नौ: गुरु: प्रचोदयात् ।
3. ओम बृहस्पतये नमः।
4. ओम गुण गुरुभ्यो नमः।
5. ओम गुरुभ्यो नमः।
6. अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम् । तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥
7. त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव । त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव ।
त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव । त्वमेव सर्वं मम देव देव ॥
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