Guru Purnima 2023: Guru Purnima has special significance in Sanatan Indian culture

For people who believe in Indian Sanatan Hindu culture, the place of Guru in their life is considered to be the highest. Param Pujya Gurudev not only rescues us from various troubles in life but also teaches us the art of living this life so that this life can be lived easily. Only Guru has the ability to take us from darkness to light. That is why a special festival of Guru Pujan is celebrated every year on the day of Vyas Purnima in Maths, Temples and Gurudwaras of India and on this auspicious day worship of Gurus is done so that their blessings remain with their devotees forever. In many temples, many songs are also sung at the time of Guru Puja and flag salutation, such as “Hum Geet Sanatan Gaayenge, Hum Bhagwa Dhwaj Lehraayenge.”

If we look at the glorious history of India, then it comes to mind that under the Hindu Sanatan culture, many great personalities have attained divinity only by the blessings and association of the Guru. In other words, in order to attain divinity, these great personalities had to go to the feet of the Guru. Our history is replete with many such examples. For example, Sage Parshuram had an important role in making Bhishma “Bhishma”. Chanakya did the important work of molding Chandragupta. Samarth Swami Ramdas made Shivaji Maharaj a nationalist king. Swami Vivekananda had taken initiation from Swami Ramakrishna Paramhans and started his life in his presence.

Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima. It is said that centuries ago, on the full moon day of Ashad Shukla Paksha, Maharishi Ved Vyas ji had descended on this earth. Maharishi Ved Vyas compiled Vedic hymns and published them in the form of four Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda). was classified. Along with this, Maharishi Ved Vyas is also given the credit for writing matchless texts like 18 Puranas, 18 Upa-Puranas, Upanishads, Brahmasutra, Mahabharata etc. According to the great Indian tradition, disciples worship their Guru. Therefore, the disciples of Guru Ved Vyas also thought on which auspicious day Maharishi Ved Vyas should be worshipped. After a very deep discussion, all the disciples agreed that why not worship respected Gurudev on the day of incarnation of Guru Ved Vyas on this earth. Thus, the disciples of Guru Ved Vyas chose this auspicious day as the day to worship their Guru. This is the reason why Guru Purnima is also called Vyasa Purnima. Since then till today every disciple worships his Gurudev on this auspicious day.

It is said that Lord Shankar started giving yoga initiation to the Saptarishis from this day itself. In ancient times, Guru Purnima was celebrated as a special day in the Gurukulas of India. On the day of Guru Purnima, there was not only a festival, but a festival. The two most important functions related to Gurukul were performed on the day of Guru Purnima only. Firstly, new students were given admission in Gurukul only on the auspicious time of Guru Purnima. Means Guru Purnima day was celebrated as student entry day in Gurukul. All the curious students used to come before respected Gurudev with Samidha in their hands on this day. Used to pray that O Guru, kindle the light of knowledge within us. We offer ourselves to him as a sacrifice. Secondly, graduation degrees were awarded to the students in the auspicious time of Guru Purnima itself. That is, on the day of Guru Purnima itself, convocation ceremonies were organized in Gurukuls. Those students who imbibed all the teachings of the Guru and whose skill and ability the Guru did not doubt, were awarded degrees on this day. They used to take a vow sitting at the Guru’s feet that, O Guru, by staying in your presence, the knowledge we have acquired by your grace, will be used only for the benefit and welfare of the people. Students used to go to their work area by giving Dakshina to their most revered Gurudev. In this way, in ancient times, on the day of Guru Purnima, the family of the Guru used to increase in the Gurukuls and also spread in the world.

Guru Purnima is not only celebrated as a holy and very important festival by the followers of Hindu religion, but the day of Guru Purnima is also considered to be of special importance for the followers of Jainism and Buddhism.

There are 24 Tirthankaras in Jainism. Lord Mahavira is hailed as the 24th and supreme Tirthankara. It is also described in the history of Jainism that Lord Mahavira had accepted Indrabhuti Gautama as his first disciple on the day of Ashada Purnima, that is, Lord Mahavira had initiated Gautam and given him the honor of making him his first disciple. Hence a new history was written on this day. Since then, the followers of the Jain sect celebrate Guru Purnima with the same feeling that on this day they had met Lord Mahavir in the form of a Guru.

Similarly, in the history of Buddhism, it is clearly described that when Mahabuddha attained Buddhahood, a thought arose in his mind as to which disciple should be given the Dhamma sermon first. Then he noticed his five companions, who had proceeded with him on the path of penance and physical tribulation on the banks of the river Niranjana. But when Mahabuddha left this path, then those five companions left Mahabuddha. But since now Mahabuddha had decided that Dhammapadesh should be given to those five companions first. So Mahabuddha started searching for those five companions. When it was learned that the five companions lived in the Migday of Isipatana of Sarnath, Mahābuddha proceeded towards Sarnath. The day when Mahabuddha reached Sarnath and gave sermon to those five Parivrajas, that day was Ashadh Purnima. The fundamental teachings of the Buddhist sect came into existence on this day. That is why the day of Guru Purnima is considered a day of special importance for Buddhists also.

Now it is being said that scientists have also understood the importance of Ashad Purnima. The author of the book “Wisdom of East” Mr. Arthur Charles Satok writes in his book that just as the whole world now sings the glory of zero, verse, grammar etc. discovered by India, similarly the glory of Satguru exposed by India. One day the whole world will know. The world will also know why he chose the day of Ashad Purnima to worship his great Guru. Many studies and researches have been done by Mr. Satok regarding Ashad Purnima. On the basis of these studies and researches, Mr. Satok says that “many full moons come throughout the year, such as Sharad Purnima, Kartik Purnima, Vaishakh Purnima, etc. But Ashadh Purnima holds a special significance for the seekers walking on the path of devotion and knowledge. On this day ultraviolet radiation spreads in the sky. Due to this the body and mind of a person comes in a special state. His hunger, sleep and distraction of mind reduces. Hence this situation is very beneficial for the seeker. Taking advantage of this, he can meditate more and more. The meaning of saying is that the day of Guru Purnima is considered very good even from the scientific point of view for self-upliftment and welfare.

The volunteers of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh consider only the saffron flag as their guide and guru instead of any person or book. When Param Pujya Dr. Hedgewar launched the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, many volunteers wanted him to become the guru of this organization as its founder; Because Dr. Hedgewar’s personality was very respectable and inspiring for all of them. Despite this insistent pressure, Dr. Hedgewar decided to enshrine the saffron flag symbolizing Hindu culture, knowledge, renunciation and renunciation as the Guru. According to the Hindu calendar, every year on the day of Vyas Purnima (Guru Purnima), all the swayamsevaks gather at the Sangh Sthan and duly worship the saffron flag. The Sangh organized Guru Puja for the first time in the year 1928, three years after its establishment. Since then this tradition continues unabated and the place of the saffron flag remains supreme in the Sangh. The Sangh’s philosophy behind consecrating the saffron flag as a guru is that on making a person a guru, he may already have some weaknesses or his virtues may decay in course of time, but the flag will permanently display the best qualities. May it continue to inspire.

– Prahlad Sabnani

Retired Deputy General Manager, State Bank of India,

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