Guru Purnima

In India, Gurus (Teachers) are equated with Gods and Hindus attach extreme importance to their spiritual teachers. Guru Purnima is the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) and is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima.

Interestingly, the word Guru has been derived from two parts – Gu that means darkness and Ru that is the antidote to the darkness. Therefore Guru means someone who shows us the way towards the light of knowledge by leaving the darkness of ignorance.

There is a Shloka that states –
Agyan timirandhasya gyananjan shalakaya
chakshurunmilitam yen tasmai shri gurave namah

English Translation:  "I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him." This gives the definition of the guru. Everyone is in the darkness of ignorance. Therefore everyone needs to be enlightened with transcendental knowledge. One who enlightens his disciple and saves him from rotting in the darkness of ignorance in this material world is a true guru.

On this auspicious day of Guru Purnima, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa and perform a Puja of their spiritual Gurudev.

Guru Purnima is also a very significant day for the farmers in India as it herads the setting in of the much-needed rains.

Guru Purnima can also be called as the ‘Teacher’s Day’, as per the Indian spiritual practices and culture.