Guru Purnima is one of the major holidays in Hinduism, the day of honoring the Guru. Purnima means full moon (Skt.), the holiday is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Ashadha (June-July). The full moon has a symbolic meaning – just as the moon transmits the reflected light of the sun to us, so the Guru is an intermediary between man and God. Also on this day, the sage Vyasa, the great Guru, is revered, therefore another name for the holiday is Vyasa Purnima. This day is also known as Vyasa Purnima, the day of honoring the sage Veda Vyasa, the first Guru who classified the Vedas, wrote down the eighteen Puranas and the Mahabharata. On this day, the Guru is offered puja and aarti by the disciples and followers.
Worship to You, O Vyasa, who has Wisdom,
whose eyes are like lotus petals.
You are the one who lit the lamp of Knowledge,
filled with Mahabharata oil.
The Sanskrit root “Gu” means darkness or ignorance, “Ru” means overcoming this darkness, so the guru is the one who dispels and destroys the darkness of our ignorance and ignorance. Only one who completely removes the darkness of our ignorance and maya and leads us to Bhagavan is the True Guru.
On this day, students visit their Guru, give gifts, fall at His feet, perform Guru puja, and receive blessings. In many temples and ashrams, large events are held with the reading of sacred texts, yajna, refreshments for all guests.
The day of Guru Purnima is very auspicious for finding a Guru for those who do not yet have one, for starting any sadhana, receiving initiations. For sannyasis, this day begins the sacred period of Chaturmasya or Chaturmas – four sacred months that end on the full moon of the month of Bhadrapada, on the day of Kartik Purnima
Chaturmasya means four lunar months in Sanskrit.
According to legend, at this time, the ruler of the Universe, Vishnu, rests and falls into the deepest sleep, and Shiva temporarily performs his duties. Shiva, of course, immediately seeks to cleanse the Earth of negativity, filth and dirt.
During Chaturmasa, spiritual masters and their disciples usually stay in one place and conduct philosophical conversations, study and comment on sacred texts.
On the day of Guru Purnima, gratitude to the Guru is expressed with the mantra:
GURUR BRAHMA GURUR Vishnu
GURU DEVO MAHESHVARAHA
GURU SAAKSHAT PARA BRAHMA
TASMAY SRI GURAWE NAMAHA
The teacher is the creator of the worlds of Brahma,
The teacher is the guardian of Vishnu,
The teacher is the Lord Almighty Maheshwara,
The Teacher is truly Parabrahman Himself, the Supreme.
I bow to such a teacher!