Guru Poornima

Hindus attach paramount importance to religious gurus. The Sanskrit root Gu means sliminess or ignorance. Ru denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore one who removes darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. Guru meaning enlightener or the guide from darkness into light. Gurus are much equated with God and always regarded as a link between the single(a) and the Immortal. Just as the moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun, and glorifies it, all disciples posterior dazzle like the moon by gaining from their Gurus. What is Guru Purnima?The full moon twenty- iv hours in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious daylight of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great s grow Vyasa. all(a) Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus. Significance of Guru Purnima On this day, all spiri tual aspirants and devotees devotion Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a puja of their respective spiritual preceptor or Gurudevs.This day is of deep moment to the farmers, for it heralds the setting in of the much-needed rains, as the advent of cool showers usher in fresh life in the fields. It is a good time to draw your spiritual lessons. Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual sadhana from this day. The period Chaturmas (four months) begins from this day. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle nap at a place to study and discourse on the brahmin Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.The Role of the Guru Swami Sivananda asks Do you take a shit now the sacred significance and the supreme importance of the Gurus role in the evolution of man? It was not without reason that the India of the past carefully tended and unplowed alive the lamp of Guru -Tattva. It is therefore not without reason that India, year after year, age after age, commemorates anew this ancient concept of the Guru, adores it and pays homage to it again and again, and thereby re-affirms its belief and allegiance to it. For, the true Indian knows that he Guru is the only stop up for the individual to transcend the bondage of sorrow and death, and experience the Consciousness of the Reality. At the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the Guru Purnima is celebrated every year on a grand scale. 1. altogether aspirants awake at Brahmamuhurta, at 4 oclock. They meditate on the Guru and chirp his prayers. 2. Later in the day, the sacred worship of the Gurus Feet is performed. Of this worship it is said in the Guru Gita Dhyaana moolam guror murtih Pooja moolam guror padam Mantra moolam guror vakyam Moksha moolam guror kripa The Gurus form should be meditated upon the feet of the Guru should be worshipped his words are to be treated as a sacred Mantra his Grace ensures final run. 3. Sadhus and Sannyasins are then worshipped and fed at noon. 4. There is consecutive Satsang during which discourses are held on the glory of devotion to the Guru in particular, and on spiritual topics in general. 5. Deserving aspirants are initiated into the Holy Order of Sannyas, as this is a highly auspicious occasion. 6. Devout disciples fast and spend the whole day in prayer. They also take fresh resolves for spiritual progress.The Gurus Advice Swami Sivananda recommends Wake up at Brahmamuhurta (at 4 a. m. ) on this most holy day. Meditate on the lotus feet of your Guru. Mentally pray to him for his Grace, through which alone you can make believe Self-realisation. Do vigorous Japa and meditate in the early morning hours. after bath, worship the lotus feet of your Guru, or his image or picture with flowers, fruits, odourise and camphor. Fast or take only milk and fruits the whole day. In the afternoon, sit with other devotees of your Guru and discuss with them t he glories and teachings of your Guru. Alternatively, you may observe the vow of lull and study the books or writings of your Guru, or mentally reflect upon his teachings. piss fresh resolves on this holy day, to tread the spiritual path in accordance with the precepts of your Guru. At night, assemble again with other devotees, and sing the name of the Lord and the glories of your Guru. The best form of worship of the Guru is to follow his teachings, to shine as the very embodiment of his teachings, and to propagate his glory and his message.