Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima

As you walk with the Guru,

you walk in the light of Existence,

away from the darkness of ignorance.

You leave behind all the problems of your life and move towards the peak experiences of life.

Purnima, The Full moon day during Ashadha (आषाढ़ मास ) month is known as Guru Purnima day. As per Hindu mythology, Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima and this day is celebrated in worshipping Guru Ved Vyas son of Parashar Rishi and Matsyagandha.

Traditionally this day is reserved for Guru Puja or Guru Worship. On this day Shishya offer Puja or pay respect to their Gurus. The festival is usually celebrated as an occasion for initiation of new disciples by their Gurus.

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया |

उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः || ३४ || Bhagavad Gita, 4:34

SYNONYMS:

tat — that knowledge of different sacrifices; viddhi — try to understand; praṇipātena — by approaching a spiritual master; paripraśnena — by submissive inquiries; sevayā — by the rendering of service; upadekṣyanti — they will initiate; te — you; jñānam — into knowledge; jñāninaḥ — the self-realized; tattva — of the truth; darśinaḥ — seers.

TRANSLATION: Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.

Guru Purnima is the day to celebrate and acknowledge one’s Gurus, those who removed our inner fears or darkness and showed the path to Parabrahma, the Supreme One. The word Guru derived from its Sanskrit roots "Gu" which means darkness and "Ru" which means the one who removes the darkness. Hence it is the Guru who removes the darkness from within his students and leads them to the light of wisdom and ultimately introduces them to God. Guru is the one who mentors, nurtures, modifies and transcend the bond of sorrow and death. He is one who makes an individual experience the subtle realities of the world. In Hinduism, one’s Gurus are often related with God, and are said to be the source that connects the individual to the Almighty. The ones who impart temporal wisdom such as school teachers and college lecturers are also felicitated on this day.

गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णु र्गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।

गुरु साक्षात परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥

“Gururbrahmaa Gururvishnuh Gururdevo Maheswarah

Guruh-Saakshaat Parabrahma Tasmai Shrigurave Namah ||”

Means the Guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva), revere the Guru who is a manifestation of Prabrahma, the Supreme God. Guru refers to spiritual guide who enlighten disciples by his knowledge and teachings.