GURU
POURNAMI is sacred for many reasons: this day; the seeker who suffers
from identification with the false objective world is initiated into the
reality of the ‘unseen motivator’within him; this day; those who have no urge
to tread the spiritual path are inspired to seek the bliss which that
path will confer; this day, aspirants are helped to achieve the consciousness
of the One, which is known by many Names and through many Forms, in various languages and
lands. With the rise of the Sun, the world is bathed in light and heat. So too,
with the oncoming of Guru pournami the human heart is bathed in peace
and security. Guru pournami is not just one day in the year, marked out in the
calendar. It is all days when the Mind of Man (whose presiding deity is the
Moon) becomes full of pleasant coolness, fully illumined with the light from
the Sun, (intelligence, and discrimination).
What is Guru
Purnima?
Full
moon day Hindu Ashad months (July-August) is observed as a promising day Guru
Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. All Hindus are
responsible for this ancient saint who edited the four VEDAS, wrote 18 Puranen
the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata Srímad. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya,
regarded as the Guru of Gurus.
The Significance
of Guru Purnima:
On
this day all the candidates and spiritual devotee worship Vyasa in honor of his
divine person, and all disciples perform a “Puja” for their respective
spiritual preceptor or “Gurudevs.
Today
it is a deep significance for farmers, because it heralds the setting in for
much-needed rainfall, the introduction of cool shower ushers in fresh life in
the fields. It is a good time to start the spiritual experience. Traditionally,
spiritual seekers start to intensify their spiritual ’sadhana’ from this day.
Period
‘Chaturmas starting from today. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and
their disciples to live in a place to study and discussion on the Brahma sutra,
composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.
Role as Guru:
Swami
Sivananda asks: “Are you ready now sacred significance and importance of
Supreme Commander Guru’s role in the evolution of man? It was not without
reason that India in the past carefully tended and kept alive the lamp of
Guru-Tattva. It is therefore not without reason that india, year after year,
year after year, commemorates turn this old concept of Guru, love it and the
shelves again and again, and thus re-confirm their faith and allegiance to it.
For the true Indian by the Guru is the only guarantee for the certain to exceed
the Bondage of grief and death, and experience the sensation of reality. ”
Guru
Brahma gurur Vishnuh,
Gurur
dhevo Maheswarah
Gurussaakshaath
Parabrahma
Thasmai
Shri Gurave namah
Next:
Find out how to Observe Day …
At
the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the Guru Purnima is celebrated every year in
great style.
1.
All candidates awake at Brahmamuhurta, at 4 o’clock. They meditate on the Guru
and sang his prayers.
2.
Later today, the worship of holy Guru’s Feet is performed. Of this worship it
is said in the Guru Gita:
Dhyaana
moolam guror murtih;
Pooja
moolam guror padam;
Mantra
moolam guror vakyam;
Moksha
moolam guror kripa
“The
Guru’s form should be meditated upon; feet on the Guru shall worshiped his
words should be treated as a sacred mantra; his grace ensures final
liberation”.
3.
Sadhus and Sannyasins then worshiped and fed kl.
4.
There is continuous Satsang where discourses are held in honor of the devotion
to the Guru in particular, and on spiritual topics in general.
5.
Worthy candidates are initiated into the Holy Order of Sannyas, as this is a
very promising opportunity.
6.
From disciples fast and spend the whole day in prayer. They also take fresh
food for spiritual development.
The Guru’s
Advice :
Swami
Sivananda recommends: “Wake up Brahmamuhurta (at 4 am) on the most holy day.
Meditate on the Lotus feet of your Guru. Mental ask him for his grace, which
alone can achieve self-realization. Do vigorous Japa and meditate in the early
morning hours.
“After
the bath, worship the Lotus feet of your Guru, or his picture or a picture of
flowers, fruits, incense and camphor. Fixed or only milk and fruit during the
day.
In
the afternoon, sitting with other devotee of the Guru and discuss them with the
glories and teachings of Guru.
“Alternatively,
you can observe the lifting of silence and study books, or writing your Guru,
or mentallyreflect upon his teachings. Take fresh dishes on this holy day, to
tread the spiritual path in accordance with the rules of your Guru.
“At
night, gather with other devotee, singing, and the name of the Lord & the
glories of the Guru. The best form of worship of the Guru is to follow his
teachings, to shine as the embodiment of his teachings, and to spread His glory
and his message.
