July 22, 2013: Guru Poornima falls on the Birthday of great Sage Veda Vyasa. Therefore, this Day is known as Vyas Poornima also. Disciples and followers worship their spiritual master of their lineage by making offerings of ‘Dakshina’, observing austerities, holding meditation sessions, chanting Holy scriptures, singing glories of the Guru and listening to their Master’s discourses. The manner of conducting Guru Pooja, however, differs from lineage to lineage.
Guru Geeta is treated by the disciples as the most sacred scripture. It is believed that 68 places of pilgrimage lie in the lotus feet of Guru. Guru is the manifestation of God. He is the Brahma (Creater), the Vishnu (Sustainer) and Shiva (Destroyer).
Man selects a master or preceptor or Guru in whom he plants his faith. He seeks guidance and spiritual enlightenment from that competent and highly illumined Soul by total surrender coupled with eternal love and relationship. He is the ‘Adarsh’ to the disciples. Guru is highly revered and explicitly obeyed by his disciples who believe that he will pull them out of illusion and take across the ocean of Samsara (mundane world). Guru moulds and shapes his disciples like a potter through his skill. He makes the disciples to conquer the mind and guard against the snares of senses. He draws line of caution for them and warns them not to transgress it. He expects his disciples to put all cares in his hands so that he can tide over the troubles by his grace.
By acting as spiritual guardian, he is always there in all situations.
Sehjo Bai, one of the most celebrated saints says.:-
‘‘Guru Se Kuchh Na Duraiye Guru Se Jhoot Na Bol
Buri Bhali Khoti Khari Guru Aage Sab Khol’’
‘ Nothing should be concealed from Guru. Never tell a lie before him.
Good or bad, true or false everything should be unfolded before Guru’.
Guru Geeta says -
‘‘Dhyan Moolam Gurur Moorthi Pooja Moolam Guru Padam
Mantra Moolam Gurur Vakyam Moksh Moolam Guru Kripa’’.
‘Meditate on the countenance of Guru for the root of all meditation lies in it, worship Guru’s lotus feet for the root of all worship lies in them, repeat Guru’s holy words for the root of all words lies in them; the root of liberation lies in the Guru’s  grace.’
Even the incarnations of God like Lord Rama and Lord Krishna had their Gurus. Lord Shiva’s consort Ma Parvati had her Guru. Deva Rishi Narad’s Guru was Sanat Kumar. Guru Gorakhanath’s Guru was Bhagwan Duttatreya Ji Maharaj (an incarnation of Lord Shiva). Meerabai, the royal queen turned saint,  had her Guru Sant Ravi Dass Ji Maharaj. Chhattarpathi Shiva Ji, the great warrior king, who offered his kingdom to his Guru in 1655, had his spiritual master Smarth Ram Dass Ji Maharaj.
Swami Gaibanand Ji Maharaj commands in Anandullas-
‘Guru Dev Ne Agya Diya Satsang Ko Karta Raho
Nit Sant Seva Jeeva Daya Paap Se Darta Raho
In Lakshnon Se Yuqt Jo Sajjan Mile Darshan Karo
Guru Sant Hi Bhagwan Hai Tan Man Sabhi Arpan Karo”
‘Master commands that  be in the company of  holy persons, be in the service of saints, show compassion to all living beings and be scared of sins. Such virtuous Souls are visitable. Guru or the saint is the embodiment of Truth and one should surrender one’s body, mind and everything before him.”
Kabir Saheb says-
‘‘Guru Bin Jeev Ki Kalpana Na Mite,
Guru Bin Jeet Ka Bhala Nahin,
Guru Bin Jeev Ka Timir Nase Nahin,
Samjhi Vichari Le Mane Mahin,
Rah Bareek Guru Dev Te Paaye Ye,
Janam Anek Ke Atak  Khole,
Kehat Kabir Guru Dev Pooran Mile,
Jeev Aur Sheev Ek Tole”
‘Without Guru’s grace, many questions remain un-answered within.
Without Guru’s grace, many questions remain un-answered within.
Without Guru, one should not expect his well-being. Without Guru one’s ignorance is not removed. The secrets of Divinity can be learnt from Guru only. Shortcomings of the past births can be unfolded with the help of Guru. However, Guru must be perfect and illumined soul. He will then transmute ‘Jeeva’ into ‘Sheeva’ (to the level of God).’
Today also, we witness thousands of Gurus with millions of followings like Kabir Saheb, Paltoo Saheb, Rama Krishna Paramahamsa, Parmahamsa  Yagonanda Ji, Maharishi Ramanna Ji, Swami Prabhupada Ji, Swami Ram Dass Ji, Swami Ramananda Ji, Radhaswami Ji, Swami Chinmayananada Ji, Swami Nityananda Ji, Adi Shankracharya Ji Maharaj, Sant Tukaram Ji, Ekta Nath Ji, Baba Lal Dayal Ji, Asa Ram Bapu Ji, Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji and many others.
He further says-
‘‘Teerath Nahay Ek Phal, Sant Mile Phal Char,
Satguru Mile Anant Phal, Kahe Kabir Vichar”
-’ A dip at a place of pilgrimage brings only one reward,
meeting a saint four-fold but meeting one’s Sadguru countless.’

Source: Daily Excelsior, DT. July 22, 2013.