By Sejal Shah | Posted: July 25, 2018

What is Guru Purnima?

In western countries, we lovingly celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in appreciation of our parents. Similarly, for several thousands of years in India, people have been celebrating Guru Purnima, or Master’s Day, a festival dedicated to spiritual and academic teachers to thank and honor them. Guru Purnima is a day dedicated to spiritual Gurus (masters) who’ve dedicated their lives to the spiritual evolution of the student.

The word Guru is derived from two words, 'Gu' and 'Ru'. The Sanskrit root "Gu" means darkness or ignorance. "Ru" denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore, one who removes the darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. A Guru is someone who is filled with devotion or love for the Highest Cause--love and compassion for all living beings--and who has dedicated their life to helping everyone find true happiness.

But Guru Purnima isn’t just about external teachers; it’s also about recognizing the Guru within. “Guru is tatva (principle)--an element, a quality inside you. It is not limited to a body or a form. Establishing connection with this principle is the source of greatest strength,” says Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Discover more about Guru Tatva here.

This day is celebrated on the first Purnima (full moon day) of a particular month--Ashadh--as per the Indian national calendar. As per the western calendar, it generally falls during the month of June or July. For the year of 2018, it falls on July 27th.

Historical significance

This day is celebrated in memory of the ancient great sage Ved Vyasa, who edited the four Vedas and wrote the 18 Puranas, the epic Mahabharata, and the Srimad Bhagvatam. For students of Gnan Yoga and Bhakti Yoga, these ancient scriptures are a fantastic educational and spiritual resource.

On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees honor Maharishi Ved Vyasa for his contribution to the upliftment of the human race, and all other disciples of various Gurus honor their respective spiritual teacher.

This is why Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima, as this day is commemorated as the birth anniversary of Maharishi Veda Vyasa. Guru Purnima is also celebrated in honor of Gautama Buddha for his very first sermon at Sarnath, in Uttar Pradesh, India.

9 reasons to be in the presence of a Spiritual Guru on the day of Guru Purnima:

1) The Guru tatva (principle) is a thousand times more active on the day of Guru Purnima than on any other day. This is traditionally considered a good day for seekers to begin their spiritual sadhana, or journey.

2) The mind and body are deeply connected with the moon. Research shows that the behaviour of animals is affected by the phase of the moon, and it is thought that this connection also extends to humanity as well. The full moon symbolizes completion or fullness, the pinnacle of energy. Guru Purnima is the day to experience and celebrate this fullness. On this day the student or the disciple wakes up in full gratitude with this experience of fullness.

3) Guru Purnima is the day to feel grateful for the wisdom you have received from your master. It’s a time to review how much of your teacher’s wisdom you’ve incorporated into your life in the past year. This may bring about a realization of the scope of your teacher’s influence, which in turn will invite you to be gracious and humble. It’s a day to be grateful for the way this knowledge has transformed your life. It’s a day to renew your determination and focus on your ultimate goal, and to resolve what you want to do in the coming year. Gratitude and humility together blossom into a genuine prayer inside of you to celebrate both wisdom and love.

4) The more gratitude we feel, the more grace flows in our life. More grace means more happiness, and more opportunity to gain knowledge.

5)  For the seeker, the New Year is Guru Purnima, commemorating one whole year on the spiritual path, and one whole year of working towards Divine manifestation in our life. One year of working towards feeling oneness and seeing the world through the eyes of the Guru. One year that has provided you so many opportunities to put yourself in the position of the Guru, and responding like him in different life situations, and therefore learning numerous things in active practice and growing by leaps and bounds.

6) Guru Purnima is a day to remember and honor the light: the tireless guidance, compassion, and encouragement we have received from all our teachers and mentors - past and present.

7)  In the presence of your Satguru (spiritual master), knowledge flourishes, sorrow diminishes, joy wells up, feelings of lack diminish, abundance dawns, and all talents manifest.

8) The unique union of the hearts of the Guru and student on this day manifests exquisite and unimaginable changes for the growth of the disciple.

9) The subtle process of removing karmic blocks, fears, and doubts is deeper on this day. Being in the physical presence of the Guru holds deep and special value.

Join us at the Art of Living’s Guru Purnima Celebration

If this has triggered some curiosity and excitement in you, and if you’d like to experience the festival first hand, you need not travel all the way to India. The Art of Living family is celebrating this festival this year in the US.

I invite you to join this unique celebration and soak yourself into an ocean of gratitude and joy. You’ll meet thousands of seekers, yoga enthusiasts, and meditators in the graceful presence of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

With a belief and wish that this celebration become an important milestone in your spiritual journey, I encourage you to check out the details of the full program and celebration here. Besides the celebration on the 27th of July, there are many other offerings, like a two-day discourse on ancient scripture Vignan Bhairav, a silent retreat, and many more. You could also join the celebrations online from the comfort of your own home.

No matter where you are in your personal journey, participation in this celebration will uplift you to greater heights!

By Sejal Shah, E-YRT 500 Sri Sri Yoga Teacher, YACEP, Art of Living Teacher, NYU Post Graduate Medical School approved Yoga-CME retreat facilitator, Mind-Body Wellness Writer, Homeopath