SIGNIFICANCE OF GURU PURNIMA
SIGNIFICANCE OF GURU PURNIMA (POORNIMA)
Guru Purnima (also known as Vyasa Purnima) will be celebrated on 5th July 2020 this year. This spiritual tradition of Hindu culture marks the birthday of Ved Vyasa and is dedicated to all spiritual and academic Gurus.
In Hindu traditions, ‚Guru‘ is an honorific designation for the spiritual teachers, the source of divine power and enlightenment for the disciples.
In Sanskrit, ‘Gu’ means ‘Darkness or Ignorance’, and ‘Ru’ refers to the ‘One who removes darkness’. Thus, Guru is believed to help his disciple to transcend the bondage of sorrow and death, and experience the divine consciousness of the Reality.
On this day, spiritual aspirants and devotees commence spiritual sadhana and poojas in the name of Sage Vyasa and other spiritual gurus. Guru Purnima is celebrated in Hinduism, Buddhism as well as in Jainism, on full moon day (Purnima: Full Moon) to revere their spiritual teachers and to pay gratitude.
Guru Purnima for Yoga Aspirants
In Hinduism and yogic tradition, guru Purnima is dedicated to great Sage Vyasa (also known as Krishna Dwaipayana). Sage Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata, was the son of sage Parasara and Matsyagandhi.
He is known for his great yeoman services for Vedic studies, as he collected all the Vedic hymns. He then divided them into four parts (namely Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Veda) based on their use in the sacrificial rites, and taught them to each of his four chief disciples.
Vyasa means ‘to edit and to divide’, which depicts why he was given this honorific title.
Yogic tradition suggests that Guru Purnima is the day when Shiva became Adi Guru – first Guru.
Guru Purnima & History
The anecdote dates back to 1500 ago when a yogi appeared in the upper Himalayas. Nobody knew about his origin except that his presence was something extraordinary. Tears of ecstasy were rolling down his face. People, who initially gathered around him, started drifting away except seven men who stayed.
When Adhi Yogi opened his eyes, these seven people still there, wanting to experience whatever was happening to him. At first, he dismissed them, but when they insisted, he finally gave them simple preparatory advice 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 remains uninterrupted.
Finally after 84 years of spiritual sadhana, at the time of summer solstice – Dakshinayana (Sanskrit: six month period between summer and winter solstice), the Adhi Yogi looked at them again. Years of sadhana have transformed these seven men into wonderful shining receptacles. It was then the Adhi Yogi couldn’t ignore them anymore. Thus, on the very next full moon day, the yogi became the Guru to these seven men.
Shiva became the Adi guru – the first guru and all these seven disciples became Saptarishis – seven great spiritual sages who spread their knowledge and enlightenment across the world. These Saptarishis became the foundation for the seven basic forms of yoga, and the legacy still persists.
On this day, a spiritual aspirant should wake up at the Brahmamuhurta (1 hour, 36 minutes before sunrise around 4 a. m.), perform meditation on his Guru and chant his prayers.
Observing the vow of silence, studying books of one’s Guru or mentally reflecting upon guru’s teachings are some ways to pay homage and gratitude to the one who guides towards the spiritual enlightenment.
Guru Purnima in Bremen- Germany
Guru Purnima/ Poornima will be celebrated at Dr Mishra Academy, Bremen on 05th July 2020 from 10 am – 12 Pm. This day Yoga teachers, students and aspirants will chant, meditate. Dr Rajesh Mishra will deliver discourses on Guru Purnima.
SUMMERY
The relationship between the Guru and the disciple is very sacred and purely based on Gyan (spiritual knowledge) and Sadhana (spiritual practice). Guru Purnima is the day to pay tribute and homage to the spiritual guru’s who has already walked the spiritual road under the guidance of His Spiritual Guide.
Leave a Reply