Ashadh Maas Poornima is also known as Guru Poornima, which makes the occasion very important in terms of wisdom and knowledge provided by Gurus. In 2024, Guru Poornima will be celebrated on 21 July. The festival of Guru Purnima describes the importance of knowledge and teacher in the life of a person since ancient times. Gurus come before God in Hindu tradition. That is why it is said, “ Hari Ruthe Guru Thor Hai, Guru Ruthe Nahi Thor”. Teachers or Gurus all over India are worshipped on this auspicious day. Worshipping teacher increases the wisdom, knowledge, devotion and patience in an individual.
Guru Poornima is also known as Vyas Purnima because the Guru of Lord Krishna and the creator of Mahabharat, Vyas was born on this day. He was a scholar and a composer of various Vedas due to which he was known by the name of Ved Vyas.
Guru Purnima - A path to wisdom
According to scriptures, the meaning of Guru is a person who evades darkness and provides enlightenment of knowledge. He takes us from darkness to light. There are many shlokas describing the glory of Gurus since ancient times. A person is able to see god with the blessing of a Guru.
In India, the festival of Guru Poornima is celebrated with full enthusiasm and faith. This tradition depicts the significance of respecting a guru who teaches and preaches us through all odds of life. Students in ancient times used to live in the Ashram and attain their education from their guru. They used to have a feeling of sacrificing anything in honor of their guru. This fact is evident with the incident of Eklavya where he gave his thumb to his guru in the form of Dakshina without giving it a second thought.
A person is able to leave his desires and meet the almighty god under the shelter of a guru. A guru brings us closer to our religion and provides spiritual growth. One can witness god only with the blessing of a guru. In this context, it is said, “ Guru Govinddau Khade Kake Langu Payam. Balihari Guru Aapki, Jo Govind Diyo Bataya”
Significance of Guru Purnima
Guru is given a higher position and is worshipped before God, because of his qualities and qualification. Guru is called Brahma and is considered to another form of Lord Shiva. He forgives his students for all sins and enlightens them towards the right path. His guidance is very important to attain spiritual peace, religious knowledge, and worldly conduct. A guru is not only a teacher but also a person who can guide an individual with the path of life to come out of his troubles and sufferings.
A guru enlightens a person with all kind of wisdom and knowledge. Even today, a teacher is worshipped on the occasion of Guru Purnima in various schools and education institutes. Special Pujas are organized in the honor of teachers, holy bath, bhandaras and fairs are also conducted to celebrate this day.
Apparently, every person who teaches us something attains a position of a guru in our life. We should respect all those people who have played an important role in our overall personality development and have taught us some of the other useful thing.
Ashadh Maas Shukla Purnima will be celebrated as Guru Purnima or Vyas Purnima. People offer fruits, clothes, etc to their teachers in the form of gifts or Guru Dakshina. Special pujas are performed on this day since ancient times.