This year Guru Purnima falls on 3rd July 2012
Na Guror Adhikam Tatwam
Na Guror Adhikam Tapaha
Tatwa Gnyaanaat Param Naasti
Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha.
Learning and teaching are fundamental to life. From the time we are born, till we die, we learn and we teach. In every walk of life, whether it is a baby which is learning to play or eat or it is studies at school or college, or cooking or driving or at work or in relationships, one person learns and the other teaches. This relationship is strong and ongoing in all spheres of life especially in the spiritual path. Every student or disciple has a teacher or Guru who was a disciple himself first. The only one who was never taught is God and He comes in the form of the spiritual Guru to help and guides us on the path of Divinity.
When God comes in human form to teach mankind about Himself, He is called Guru. He is the epitome of wisdom, knowledge, divine love and compassion. He is reservoir of divine light and is filled with the blazing light of a hundred thousand suns. When the yearning for God is intense, the Guru comes in our lives. Meeting and being in the presence of a Param Guru is an experience in itself. The Invisible Divinity reveals its presence through the Guru.
The Gurus of India have transmitted their spiritual teachings through speaking and listening (shruti and smriti) and also in form of books. These are priceless wisdom born out of inner experiences. Our Gurus and Rishis performed tapas for long periods of time from which they gained knowledge and wisdom. These are our scriptures. India has a treasure trove of scriptures on every possible subject under the sun. Indepth knowledge and understanding on all aspects of life are given in our sacred books. Thousands of such priceless books existed since ages. The staggering job of compiling this huge amount of information and knowledge, dividing them by subject and category, planning and classifying and creating the wisdom of ages into easily locatable and understandable forms of books for the Universal Welfare was given to Sri Vyas. Since he took on the mammoth task for the benefit of all, he was called ‘Universal SadGuru and he holds a special status, honor and respect in the hearts of all of the Indians and those who use the Indian Literature.
Vyaspurnima, is the day celebrated in honor of Sri Veda Vyasa and it is also known as Gurupurnima. Veda Vyasa is a minor avatar of Sri Vishnu and is knowledge personified. The seat of Veda Vyasa is known as Vyaspeeth. It is the seat of knowledge and it is supported by karma or action and bhakti or devotion. Its base is yoga or discipline. On this day, we offer our respects to those who occupy the Vyaspeeth or seat of knowledge. The highest glory and honor go to the ParamGuru who is knowledge personified, self realised and is verily God Himself. We express our gratitude and worship the ParamGuru for knowledge, wisdom and guidance given.
On this day, we renew our vows to honor and love our Guru and be faithful and loyal to him. We also do physical worship of the Guru and honor him with offerings of flowers, fruits and other gifts. Those of us who cannot meet the Guru physically perform the worship at homes and renew our commitment to Guru and God. The best way of worshipping our Guru is by practicing his teachings and the example he sets by his life. When we do our daily spiritual practices of japa and dhyan, we move closer to the Guru.
