Significance of Gurupurnima.
What is Gurupurnima?
The festival Gurupurnima is a day when a disciple or a seeker of God expresses his gratitude to the Guru, or the Teaching Principle of God.
For those who are not familiar with the terms ‘Guru’ or ‘the Teaching principle of God’, refer to the article on “Meaning of Guru.”
Why is Gurupurnima such an important festival in the life of a seeker?
For a true seeker, spiritual progress is his only aim. The all-wise and all-knowing Guru skillfully guides the spiritual progress of the seeker, which, if left up to the seeker, would have taken many lifetimes. For this, the seeker is eternally indebted to the Guru.
Gurupurnima coincides with the full moon day of the Hindu Lunar calendar
month of Ashadh, which usually falls during the month of July every year.
On this particular day, the Guru Principle is a thousand times more active
than on any other day of the year. The primary mission of the Guru is to
spread spirituality. So on this day, when one undertakes an activity towards
the spread of spirituality, one is graced by the Guru a thousand times more.
Participation in the Gurupurnima celebration also helps to generate spiritual
emotion in the seeker. This auspicious day presents seekers with the unparalleled
opportunity to pay their gratitude to the Guru. In truth, the seeker grows
spiritually by participating wholeheartedly in festivities through the sacrifice
of his body, mind and wealth for the Guru’s mission of spreading spirituality.
(For more information on how to participate in Gurupurnima celebrations,
please refer to Issue 131,
Message to Seekers section.)
How and why was this day first celebrated?
The revered ArchGuru, Sage Vyas (founder of the Guru-disciple lineage) was born on this day. Sage Vyas was responsible for writing the Vedas (sacred, Holy texts). Before this, the Vedas were passed on only by speech. The disciples of Sage Vyas were the first to celebrate Gurupurnima. On this day, His students visited Him and ceremoniously worshipped Him. Many years later, the observance grew and became known as Gurupurnima.