Ajnana-Timirandhasya Jnananjana-Salakaya; Chakshurunmilitam Yena Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah.
Prostrations to that Guru who, by the collyrium-rod of Knowledge, opens the eyes of those who are rendered blind by the darkness of ignorance (Guru Gita)
The Guru whom you respect is only a physical manifestation of the principle of all Gurus – the Supreme Param Brahman itself. You should always keep this in mind . While the outward mind may keep rotating and moving which is its nature, the Guru is with you always. The good news is that the Guru is within you.
When you show respect to the teacher, when you bow down to a teacher, you should always keep this in mind that you are bowing to the physical manifestation of the Supreme Guru principle of all Gurus, who actually lives inside you. So, that Guru is your Antaryami.
The word ‘Guru’ has a deep meaning. Gu in Guru means Darkness and Ru means Light. So a Guru is an embodiment of the divine light who dispels darkness from our lives.
Why is Guru Purnima a revered day
Guru Purnima is an auspicious day across many religions. In Hinduism it is believed that on this day the great sage Krishna Dwaipayana was born. He is known as Veda Vyasa because he compiled and classified the existing knowledge of the Vedas. He is also the author of the Puranas, Mahabharata, Bhagavatam, and the Brahmasutras.
Others believe that Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshinamurthy transmitted silent knowledge to the Sapta Rishis on this day.
Buddhists believe that after his enlightenment Buddha gave his first sermon on this day at Sarnath. In Jainism, this day is marked as ‘Treenok Guha Purnima’ as on this day Lord Mahavira made his first disciple.
The full moon of Ashadha month is observed as Guru Purnima. This marks the beginning of Chaturmaas – the four months of monsoon. This is the time when holy men stopped their travels and settled in ashrams. Devotees gathered around them. The very first day of learning was dedicated to honouring the super power and the guiding light. It is believed this custom later flourished as Guru Purnima.
In the past, Shivaratri and Guru Purnima were the two most revered auspicious days in the Hindu calendar.
Why do we celebrate Guru Poornima?
It is a day to thank & respect our teachers and seek their grace. It is an opportunity for fresh beginnings. To look back on the journey, assimilate our learnings and progress on the spiritual journey.
Guru Purnima is meant to remember the essence of ‘teacher-hood’, of all the Gurus who have been with us from time immemorial. We all bow down to the Supreme Being as the Guru, which manifests itself in a teaching mode in someone, whom you call a Guru or whatever name you want to use – Sri M
Guru an Ocean of Wisdom
The importance of a Guru has been explained in the 17th Chapter of Shri Sai Sat Charita by Hemadpant. One should regularly listen to the excellent scriptures, abide by the words of the Guru while remaining alert all the time and should choose his way to salvation without losing the sight of it. From the doctrines of the Guru, a large number of devotees reach the level of salvation and their path to emancipation gets easier.
A true guru is one who has realized his identity with the omnipresent Spirit. Such a person is uniquely qualified to lead the seeker on his or her inward journey.
A real physical Guru is recognised by two things:
First by the message he gives, and
Second by the level of responsibility he takes of your spiritual growth.
The great saint Kabir in one of his couplets says :
Guru ke sumiran maatr se, nasht vighn anantTaase sarv aarambh me(i), Dhyaavat hai sab sant
Just by remembering your Guru, you will be able to overcome all the obstacles. Hence, the Guru is remembered at the beginning of any task by one and all.
All the sages, saints, prophets, world teachers, incarnations, great men have had their own Gurus, however great they might have been. Svetaketu learnt the nature of Truth from Uddalaka, Maitreyi from Yajnavalkya, Bhrigu from Varuna, Narada from Sanatkumara, Nachiketas from Yama, Indra from Prajapati; Lord Krishna sat at the feet of His Guru Sandipani. Lord Rama had Guru Vasishtha who gave Him Upadesa. Even Devas have Brihaspati as their Guru. The greatest among the divine beings sat at the feet of Guru Dakshinamurti.
Blessed and lucky are those who find a Guru in this life. However realisation cannot come to you as a miracle done by your Guru.
Guru-Kripa, grace of the Guru, is very necessary. That does not mean that the disciple should sit idle. He must do rigid Purushartha, spiritual practices. The Guru can show the way - the whole work must be done by the student.
Thank you