July 22, 2013: Today, many educational institutions, religious organisations and followers of various sages are observing Guru Purnima. It is a festival traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists to venerate their Gurus, teachers and spiritual leaders. It falls on the day of full moon in the month of Ashadh of the Shaka Samvat Hindu calendar.

In Jaipur, Guru Purnima is celebrated profoundly in the schools called Adarsh Vidya Mandirs claiming to be the institutions with strong cultural linkages. They dedicate the day to sage Vyasa. In these institutions, students pay respects to their teachers or Gurus deeming them as persons who combine worldly knowledge with self-knowledge. Also, in the Jain institutions, the day is observed by paying rich tributes to spiritual leaders and teachers.

On this day, sage Vyasa is projected as a symbol and a role model teacher of the Guru-shishya cultural tradition of India. The followers of many present day spiritual leaders call the day as Vyasa Purnima. It is also the day on which most Hindu wandering ascetics begin their ‘chaturmas’ by offering puja to the Guru to give discourses to their followers, devotees and general public.

In many dance, music, art, craft and Sanskrit teaching institutions, students following the Guru-shishya tradition celebrate this holy festival with solemnity by worshiping their Gurus.

It is also considered an auspicious day by the Jains, since on this day, during his  ‘chaumasaas’ retreat, Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, after attaining Kaivalya, made Indrabhuti Gautam or Gautam Swami his first disciple. Thus, on this day, Lord Mahavira became a Guru himself. In Jainism, the day of Guru Purnimais marked special veneration to one's Gurus and teachers.

On the other hand, the Buddhists celebrate the festival in honour of the lord Buddha who gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh.

It is believed that Adi Shankara began the recitation of his Verses with a Sanskrit Sloka that has become commonly used verse to honour Gurus on many occasions. The Sloka goes as follows: “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara. Guru Sakshath Parambrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha.”

When translated into English, it’s somewhat like this: Guru is the creator (Brahma), Guru is the preserver (Vishnu), Guru is the destroyer (Shiva). Guru is manifestation of the supreme self. I offer my salutations to this Guru.

Source: Meri News, DT. July 22, 2013.