What is Guru Purnima?
"Gu" means darkness or ignorance and “Ru" denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore Guru means who removes our ultimate darkness, known as Maya (Illusion), and who inspires and guides us on to the path of God-realization is the true Guru. Purnima means Full Moon.
Significance of Purnima
Guru Purnima is observed as the auspicious day on the Purnima (Full Moon) day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August). The right name for this day is Vyasa Purnima. Vyasa was born on this full moon day. He completed the codification of the four Vedas on this day. He completed the writing of the eighteen Puranas on this day. Owing to the passage of time Vyasa Purnima came to be called Guru Purnima. It’s also said the day got its name because of some Gurus who wanted to have an occasion for receiving offerings from their disciples.
Purnima (Full Moon) is the day when Moon reflects, without any hindrance the maximum light of Sun onto the world. Moon is the presiding deity of the Manas (Mind) and Sun is the presiding deity of the Atma (Soul). The mind of man is compared to the Moon, for it is as wayward as the Moon with its swing from brightness to darkness; this day, the Mind too has to be bright, effulgent and cool. As Moon reflects the maximum light of Sun, similarly, our Mind must reflect the Divine characteristics of Soul. That day is Purnima in the true sense of the term, when the mind is filled with pure love. Let your mind shine brilliantly like the moon on a full moon day. This is possible only when you fill your mind with love. Fill your hearts with love. There is no wealth, no Dharma, no meditation greater than love. If you become the embodiment of love, you will become divine.
Significance of Guru Purnima
Guru Brahma
Guru Vishnu
?Guru Devo Maheswarah
?Guru Sakshath Parabrahma?
Thasmai Sri Gurave Namah.
The above sloka (verse) states that a Guru is verily Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the sustainer), and Maheswara (the destroyer). Guru means God. These are the different facets of God, symbolized by the three Gunas (attributes): Brahma is Rajas, Vishnu is Satva and Siva is Tamas. The whole cosmos is constituted by the three Gunas. The trinity (Brahma, Vishnu & Maheswara) is present in the form of the three Gunas within us. This is the meaning of the three words Bhur, Bhuvah, Svaha in the Gayatri Mantra. Bhur means Bhu-loka (Earth), which is made up of matter and so is the human body, can be referred to as materialization. Bhuvah means Prana (life force) that makes the body move. This is vibration. Svaha means wisdom. This is radiation. The Vedas declare, 'Prajnanam Brahma'. This Prajnana is nothing but radiation. Human being is a combination of materialization, vibration and radiation. You do not need to search God outside. Turn your vision inward, there you find God."
Who is a True Guru?
What is the truth underlying the Guru principle? Is he the one that teaches worldly education? Is he the one that explores the properties of matter, a Guru? Is he the one that describes in detail Natural Sciences, a Guru? No, they are only teachers. The term "Guru" means one who dispels the darkness of ignorance. "Gu" means one who is beyond Gunas (attributes), "Ru" implies one who is beyond rupas (forms). This refers only to God. That is why the "Guru" is hailed as Brahma, Vishnu or Siva. Only God is the true Guru. All others are merely teachers, like the teachers of different subjects in a college. "Guru" is the one who reveals the "Guri" (target) to the disciple. "Guri" here refers to the Atmic Principle. A true Guru is the embodiment of Brahmaananda (transcendental bliss). A true Guru is one who enjoys and confers changeless supreme happiness. He is beyond space and time; and there is nothing higher than Him. He is the very form of truth and infinite. He has neither birth nor death, neither beginning nor end. He is God Himself: He is the Guru.
Eight types of Guru
1. Bodha Guru
2. Veda Guru
3. Nishiddha Guru
4. Kaamya Guru
5. Vaachaka Guru
6. Soochaka Guru
7. Kaarana Guru
8. Vihita Guru
Bodha Guru teaches the Shastras and encourages the pupil to act up to shastric injunctions. The Veda Guru imparts the inner meaning of the Vedas, establishes the pupil in spiritual truths and turns his mind towards God. The Nishiddha Guru imparts knowledge about rites and duties and shows how one's welfare here and in the hereafter can be ensured. The Kaamya Guru makes one engage him in meritorious deeds to secure happiness in both the worlds. The Vaachaka Guru imparts knowledge of Yoga and prepares the disciple for the spiritual life. The Soochaka Guru teaches how the senses are to be controlled through various types of discipline. The Kaarana Guru reveals the unity of the jivi and the Atma. Vihita Guru clears all doubts, purifies the mind and shows how Self-realization can be attained.
Of these eight Gurus, the Kaarana Guru is the foremost. Through various teachings and practices, he helps the individual to progress from the human to the divine consciousness. Only the divine can act as such a teacher. All other Gurus can be helpful only to a limited extent.
What you are supposed to know on this day of Guru Purnima?
You must understand that God is in you, with you, around you, above you, below you. In fact, you are God. Recognize this truth in the first instance. Do not entertain excessive desires and become beggars. Do your duty sincerely. That is the true Sadhana.
Right from this day, try to reduce your attachment to the world to the extent possible. Be happy and make others happy. Do not hurt anybody. Consider difficulties as passing clouds. You have developed family relationships and there are bound to be some worries. But do not be perturbed by them. When you look at the vast sky, you find many clouds. Likewise, in the sky of your heart there are clouds of attachment. They just come and go. Do not worry about them. What is the shape of worry? It is a mentally created fear. It is the result of your imagination. Every man is bound to encounter difficulties and losses. We should face them with courage.
Understand the distinction between worldly love and spiritual love. Worldly love is based on the desire to receive. Divine love yearns to give. God's love goes on giving. This is the true mark of divinity. It is a sign of purity. Spirituality is opposed to the ways of the world. Worldly activities cannot always be avoided. But if whatever is done is made an offering to please God, it gets sanctified. Whatever you achieve, treat it as a gift from God. You will then realize your true humanness. True humanness consists in the unity of good conduct, good thoughts and good speech. Never depart from truth. Let love flow freely from your heart.
How to celebrate Guru Purnima?
Guru Purnima must be celebrated with the prayer and contrition which alone can cleanse the heart, and not by feasting or fasting, which affect only the body. The fact that Vyasa is associated with this day or that Lord Rama or Krishna is connected with some other day is merely an opportunity to mark the day as outstandingly important, when something holy has to be done.
The world can be turned into an earthly paradise if you strengthen your faith in God and demonstrate it in your actions. You must have the courage and determination to face any kind of problems and difficulties. Promote the love of God and the fear of sin among the people. From today, develop your faith in God; engage yourselves in dedicated service to society and make your lives purposeful and helpful to those in distress or need. Remember that whomsoever you may serve, you are serving God.
Relationship between Guru and Disciple
The relationship between the Guru and the Disciple is considered very sacred. This relationship is purely spiritual in nature and is independent of age of the two. It is based on maturity of Gyan (Spiritual Knowledge) and Sadhna (Spiritual Practice). The only awareness that a Disciple should foster is, ‘I should be uplifted spiritually’. The Guru too harbors only one thought, ‘May this Disciple be uplifted’.
This is subtly illustrated by another famous verse known to all Hindus:
“Guru Govind dono khade, kisko laagu paay,?Balihari Gurudevaki jinhe Govind diyo bataay”
The Guru and Govind (God) are present before me, to whom shall I bow down first? Glory to the Guru since he showed me Govind.
(Ref: Various discourses of Sri Sathya Sai Baba)