Guru Purnima is a special day for Hindus. A full moon day occurs when the moon is fully visible at night. This day also known as Vyas Purnima, is the birthday of Ved Vyas. There is a law of worship of Guru on this day. The religious gurus of Hinduism are worshiped by their followers. Guru Purnima comes at the beginning of the rainy season. On this day all saints take bath in the Ganges river together. It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists as a festival in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. This festival is traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains to honor and express their gratitude to their chosen spiritual teachers Dharma Guru. This day is also the birthday of Krishna Dwaipayan Vyas, the author of Mahabharata. He was a Sanskrit scholar and also composed the four Vedas. For this reason, he is also named Ved Vyas. He is called Adiguru and Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima in his honor. It is the day when Ved Vyas was born in the Mahabharata period by Sage Parashar, the daughter of a fisherman, Satyavati. Bhaktikal’s saint Gheesadas was also born on this day, he was a disciple of Kabirdas.

What is the Guru? It is told by a verse. Which is as follows: –

Agyan timiraandhashch gyananjan shalakya, chakshunmeetim tasmai shri guroo nam:

In a verse for equality between the Guru and the deity, it has been said that the need of devotion is for the deity as it is for the guru as well. Rather it is possible to interview God with the grace of Sadhguru. Nothing is possible in the absence of the Guru’s grace.

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara |

Guru Sakshat Param Brahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah Guru is Brahma ||

Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Lord Maheshwara. Guru is verily the supreme reality. Sublime prostrations to Him.

Significance of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima, otherwise called Vyasa Purnima, is celebrating the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa, the legendary author of Mahabharata. Full moon day in the month of June-July is the witness of celebrating Guru Purnima. Hindus, Buddhists and Jains are celebrating this day in various forms. As part of our culture, Hindus are honouring Veda Vyasa on that day. Disciples are expressing their love, gratitude and devotion to their teachers. Among Buddhists, disciples are worshipping and honouring Lord Buddha during Guru Purnima day. As per the part of Jain religious custom, people are celebrating Guru Purnima as Treenok Guha Purnima in the name of Ganadhara becoming Treenok Guha. As in the terms of the basics of oldest Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is denoted as first Guru and he had two disciples Shani and Parashurama. He introduced civilization and religion on earth. That is the story behind the name of Adidev and Adiguru to Lord Shiva. He provided seven people with Shani and Parasurama and after that, they began to be known as Saptarishis and they distributed knowledge of Shiva to the whole world. Purnima ritual is started by waking up in the early morning and taking a bath. Wearing white or yellow clothes is necessary. After that, praying to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Guru Brihaspati, Saint Ved Vyas along with our own Guru. On that occasion, students are worshipping the picture of these Gods by setting on a white cloth. Yet, people are using flowers, lamps, naivedya, sandalwood etc to honour Guru. Washing the feet of Guru by chanting the mantra and offering flowers to show their respect. Guru Purnima is considered as auspicious for the person who wants to become saints and give their life to Guru can join Ashram.

The traditional perspective of Guru Purnima is entirely different from the modern view. As per the traditional Hindu mythology, disciples are worshipping their Guru based on rituals and customs. But today, all the academic institutions’ students are celebrating Guru Purnima as Teachers day by thanking their teachers. Devotees are remembering saint Vyasa through some facts. First of all, Vyasa is known as the author of Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. He was the legend who wrote eighteen Puranas. Vyasa is represented as the guru of Dattatreya. Yet, he was known as the guru of all gurus.

History of Guru Purnima

Legends say that Ved Vyas structured the four Vedas, composed the epic of the Mahabharata, created the foundation for the many Puranas and the day of Guru Purnima is to honor him.

Some also say that Guru Purnima represents the date on which Lord Shiva as the Adi Guru taught the seven rishis who were the seers of the Vedas.

In some parts, Buddhists celebrate this day as Buddha Purnima too as it is believed that Lord Buddha was said to have delivered his first sermon on this day at Sarnath, reflecting the power of this sacred time.

How to celebrate Guru Purnima

–        On this day people worship the gods who are our ultimate teachers in life.

–        It has also been seen that people associate importance of Vishnu pooja with Guru Purnima.

–        The thousand names of Lord Vishnu also known as Vishnu Sahatranam should be recited on this day.

–        The day is celebrated with full vigor and auspiciousness of thanking the lords and the Gurus.

Fasting and food traditions on Guru Purnima

–        Many people fast on this occasion. They refrain from eating salt, rice, heavy foods such as non-vegetarian dishes and other meals made of cereals.

–        They only eat yogurt and fruit mostly.

–        People break their fast after performing puja and other rituals in the evening.

–        In most houses a feast of delicious Indian delicacies like poori, choley, halwa and other exuberant sweets are prepared and enjoyed.