Importance of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima, as its name, is a day dedicated to Gurus or teachers. Hence, we celebrate and honor our teachers or anyone who has helped us step up the ladders of success on this day. By honoring our teachers or teachers-like, we show gratitude and appreciate their precious effort that turned us into better human beings.

Just like other days such as mother's day and father's day, teacher's day exists too, and it is considered among the most important days in India and nearby countries. The day is celebrated in all schools, colleges, temples, and other places.

The same day is also called "Gurupurnima," which has a connection with the full moon as per the Hindu calendar. The day generally arrives when it is the full moon in the month of Ashadh.

How is Guru Poornima Celebrated?

On this day, children in school honor their teachers with many gifts and greeting cards. Schools organize many functions in which students participate. Students also open small food stalls, and the day happens like a celebration.

Students write a speech for their favorite teachers and recite it on the stage. Teachers also participate in the activities and speak for their students.

Many functions happen in colleges, and all students wish their teachers a "happy teachers' day." They also bring some gifts for their favorite teachers, and the whole environment becomes casual and melodious on this day.

People who are into spirituality and perform yoga and meditation take blessings of their Guru on this day. Since to walk on the path of spirituality, one needs the guidance of a Guru, and progress is not possible without a Guru. Hence Guru Purnima is a significant day for yogis and those who have their spiritual Gurus.

This day is dedicated to our teachers and anyone whose teachings we follow in life. A real teacher is the one who helps you cross the darkness of life and leads you toward enlightenment with the power of his knowledge.

Why is Guru's Grace Important?

People give significance to the blessings of a Guru because he brings you the light of knowledge. This knowledge gives you wisdom with which you remove the obstacles of your path and achieve new milestones.

Since ancient times, Guru has been given the utmost importance, even more than a father and mother. Even God respects and worships Guru, and hence in Hinduism, even the Trinity like Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh consider a Guru the greatest.

One who has a teacher for a lifetime is the luckiest. This is because he has guidance for his lifetime; he has the entity that can tell a person between right and wrong and protects him from any possible wrongdoing.

Throughout history, there have been many examples in which men have achieved new heights and exemplary success because of the grace of their Guru. Some of these legendary Gurus are Swami Vivekananda, Dronacharya, and Chanakya, who set their name in the world for their teachings and superior perception.

Hinduism about Guru Poornima

In Hinduism, Guru Poornima is celebrated for many different reasons. Such as, on this very day, Vyasa was born to sage Parashara, who then became the writer of the Epic Mahabharata. Hence the day is also called Vyasa Poornima. It is said that Vyasa gathered all the Vedic hymns and divided them into four parts based on their characteristics.

He was the one who divided the Vedas into four parts Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva. The fifth Veda is the Itihasas and the Puranas.

Buddhist History

Once attaining enlightenment, Gautama Buddha traveled to Sarnath. Buddha again attained his five former companions who had left him because he knew that his five companions had the power to get enlightened.

Hence Gautama Buddha found his companions and taught them the Dharmacakrapravartana Sūtra. All five companions understood it and got enlightenment. This was the very day of the full-moon day of Asadha on which Guru Poornima is celebrated. Buddha soon became able to teach 60 more people, and then he sent them in different directions to spread the teachings and enlighten more people.

It is also a truth that in monasteries, monks practice Vipassana on this day. The day also marks the arrival of the rainy season. During this time, the monks stay in one place and perform their meditation in the monasteries. This is the duration for them to perform intense meditation during which they progress and receive rigorous spiritual training. They become more austere in their practices and give up all the things that are restricted.

The day is celebrated in the same way in Nepal also. The students honor their teachers with garlands, delicacies, speeches, and special hats called topis made of the native fabric. This is how Guru Poornima is considered a significant festival in India and Nepal and is celebrated wholeheartedly.