Guru Purnima 2022: Significance of True Guru

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Guru Purnima is the day observed to celebrate the significance of a Teacher or Guru in one’s life. This day is celebrated every year on the full moon day of Ashada month. This year it falls on Wednesday the 13th of July. Every person’s life revolves around the teachings of His Guru whether he is from worldly life or from spiritual life. Guru is the one who takes us towards light from darkness of ignorance. He acts as torchbearer and gives us answers to all our doubts and problems.

Meaning of Guru

Guru word is a combination of two words Gu+Ru. Gu means Light and Ru means darkness. Thus, Guru is a personality which has power and wisdom to show people the right path to do things or give perfect lessons of life. The life of humans starts from the teachings of parents as teachers in the family. This ritual further proceeds to the premises of school, college and universities at last. However, the lessons of leading a good life remain and continue till the end of life. Hence, Guru is an extremely important person in our life who shares his knowledge and experience with his disciples.

History of Guru Purnima in Hinduism

In ancient times there was a Sage Veda Vyasa who was considered a Guru by many at that time. He was a son of Sage Prashara and had the divine gift of having visions of three times Bhoot Kaal( Past Time), Vartmaan Kaal ( Present Time) and Bhavishya Kaal (Future Time). He was aware of the fact that in future time people would not be much interested in religion or religious activities. Therefore, they would not have time to go through the whole Vedas. So he made four parts of Vedas and named them. In this way he converted these Spiritual books of knowledge to quite easy and simple versions so that the one who has less understanding or memory can get factual information of life from them. As he divided the Vedas so he was called as Sage Veda Vyasa. It is believed that he was born on the Purnima of the month Ashada and his birthday is celebrated as Guru Purnima.

In different religions people have different concepts as in Buddhism and Jainism it is considered that on this day Mahatma Buddha and Mahavir Jain gave Gurumantra to their disciples for the first time.

Significance Of Guru

Why do we need a teacher or Guru in our life? I think we can have thousands of reasons on an individual basis. The core reason of having a Guru in life is to seek knowledge or information about unknown things of life. The worldly teachers give us knowledge about all commercial works and show us the way to live a civilized and happy life. The spiritual teacher teaches us about the terms of spiritual and selfless life. He gives us the method of meditation (Gurumantra) to unravel the internal treasure of eternal bliss. The continuous recitation of these pious words can bless us with worldly and divine both types of happiness. Guru has power to make disciples shun all false beliefs and ways of life. His guidance enlightens the minds of followers and enables them to differentiate between wrong and right. Moreover there are numerous hymns in the Spiritual books which signify the value of Guru in human life.

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwara

Guru Sakshaat Par brahama, Tasmay Shri Guruve Namah

Guru Kabir Ji also says –

Guru Gobind Dau Khade, Kake Lagu Paye

Balihaari Guru Aapne, Govind Diyo Bataye

Way to Observe this Day

On this day people do many activities to worship their Gurus.

At dawn , people wake up and take holy baths. They wear good clothes as well.

People visit their Guru Ashram and worship pious sandals of their Guru or do Pada Puja.

They also recite spiritual sermons.

Some people keep fast on this day and take food after evening’s worshipping.

The people who do not have any Guru seek the advice of Ancient Gurus from spiritual books. Some people take blessings of elders of Home.

Guru Purnima is an aupicious moment to worship and take blessings of Our Gurus. We should celebrate this day by adding welfare works into our list such as giving food, clothes, even by donating blood and planting trees. In this way our Gurus will definitely bless us.

Writing credits – Mandeep