Every year many people come together and celebrate Guru purnima according to their sect. While this is possible when times are favourable, what can be done when the times are adverse? An important aspect that needs to be mentioned is that Hindu Dharma has mentioned some alternatives in abiding by Dharma in adverse times. This is called ‘Apaddharma’. Apaddharma means ‘Dharma to be adopted during calamitous times’. From this point of view, the present article also considers what can be done to abide by Dharma.

On the day of Gurupournima, most people visit their Guru and express their gratitude unto him. According to everyone’s faith, some visit Shri Guru, parents, Vidyaguru (Teachers who gave us knowledge), Acharyaguru (the priests who visit us for performing traditional worship) and some the Moksha Guru (those who have shown us the path of Moksha by guiding us in our spiritual practice) and express their gratitude unto Them. In case of adverse times, when this is not possible, even if you stay at home and worship the image of Shri Guru with devotion or perform Manaspuja with devotion, you will be bestowed with the blessings of the Guru Principle a thousand times over. Even if the Deity, Saint or Guru appear differently, the Guru Principle remains the same.

All devotees of a sect should perform worship in their respective homes at the same time as far as possible by finalising the time of worship in advance. ‘Performing worship at the same time gives more benefit of the power of unity’. Therefore, a time for performing worship should be fixed in advance unanimously.

A. The morning is considered as the auspicious time for worship. Those who are able to worship in the morning should do so in the morning.

B. If for some unavoidable reasons, it is not possible to worship in the morning, worship should be completed before sunset (before 7 p.m.).

C. Those who cannot perform worship at the appointed time, they should perform worship at a convenient time but before sunset.

D. Each one should worship the image, Idol or Paduka (Holy footwear) of Shri Guru or Deity of worship at home according to their respective beliefs.

E. Flowers should be offered after applying sandalwood paste to the pictures, Idols or Paduka. Panchopachar Pooja (Ritualistic worship involving five steps) should be performed by offering incense, lamps and naivedya. Finally, Aarti of Shri Guru should be performed.

F. Those who are not able to perform actual worship due to lack of material should perform mental worship (manaspuja) of Shri Guru or Deity of worship.

G. Later, chant the mantra given by Shri Guru. Gratitude should be offered unto Shri Guru by remembering the Anubhuti (Spiritual experiences) that one had after He enriched our life by His blessings.

H. This is also the time to introspect about our spiritual practice with questions like ‘Where did we fall short in performing spiritual practice during the year?’, ‘To what extent did we follow the teachings of Shri Guru ? ‘.