The Celebrating the Guru

The term Acharya connotes someone who is more than a guru and the Supreme in Acharya is called as Paramacharya. The prime reason for a Guru acquiring an individual’soul is to subdue his ego and take him unto to the holy feet of the Lord. It is evident from the life of Paramacharya who is omniscient; the quality of humility has been his hallmark. His vast knowledge was used in the right path to subdue the ego of his devotees and thereby taking them to the holy feet of the Lord.

Kabir das ke dohe Guru govind dohu khade, kake lagu paanye Balihari guru aapne govind diyo bataye गु गोवद दोहु खड़े, काके लांगू पाँय | बलहार गु आपने, गोवद दयो बताये || guru and god both are here to whom should I first bestow all glory be unto the guru path to god who did bestow

Hindus attach paramount importance to spiritual . Gurus are often equated with God and always regarded as a link between the individual and the Immortal. Just as the moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun, and glorifies it, all disciples can dazzle like the moon by gaining from their Gurus.

What is ?

The day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July- August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage . All are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four , wrote the 18 , the and the Srimad Bhagavata. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus.

Significance of Guru Purnima

On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a '' of their respective spiritual preceptor or 'Gurudevs'.

This day is of deep significance 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 begin your spiritual lessons. Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual 'sadhana' from this day.

The period '' ("four months") begins from this day. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.

The Role of the Guru Swami Sivananda asks: "Do you realize now the sacred significance and the supreme importance of the Guru's role in the evolution of man? It was not without reason that the of the past carefully tended and kept 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 the Guru is the only guarantee for the individual to transcend the bondage of sorrow and death, and experience the Consciousness of the Reality."

At the Sivananda , Rishikesh, the Guru Purnima is celebrated every year on a grand scale. 1. All aspirants awake at Brahmamuhurta, at 4 o'clock. They meditate on the Guru and chant his prayers. 2. Later in the day, the sacred worship of the Guru's Feet is performed. Of this worship it is said in the Guru Gita: Guru Poornima - Definition and Importance of a Guru Guru Purnima day the full moon day in Ashadh is of great importance in relation to a guru and disciple. On this day a disciple, expresses his gratitude to his Guru and makes some offerings. This is the day that strengthens the teacher student bond. Whatever the old poets and writers have written in the past, holds good even today. Kabir wrote, "Guru is a washer-man, his disciple a cloth, soap the creator, washed on the stone of knowledge, this gives out utmost light brightness." This couplet of Kabir throws light on the relation of a guru (master) to a disciple; Who washes away the dirt (bad element) in the mind of the disciple and thus makes him clean, pure and pious. He expects from almighty that by his blessings, he should enlighten his inner conscience.

Guru in

The word guru means teacher in Sanskrit and other Sanskrit-derived languages like Hindi, Bengali and Gujarati. It originated in a Hindu context and holds a special place in Hinduism, signifying the sacred place of knowledge (vidya) and the imparter of knowledge.

• The word comes from the sanskrit root "guru" literally meaning heavy, weighty. Another etymology claimed in Hindu scriptures is that of dispeller of darkness (wherein darkness is seen as avidya lack of knowledge both spiritual and intellectual), 'gu' meaning darkness, and 'ru' meaning dispeller. The syllable gu means shadows The syllable ru, he who disperses them, Because of the power to disperse darkness the guru is thus named. Another popular etymology claims that the syllables gu ( ) and ru ( ), stand for darkness and light, respectively, providing the esoteric meaning that the guru is somebody who leads the disciple from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. In the sense mentioned here above, guru is used more or less interchangeably with "satguru" (literally: true teacher) and satpurusha. Compare also Swami. The disciple of a guru is called sishya or chela. Often a guru lives in an ashram or in a gurukula (the guru's household) together with his disciples. The lineage of a guru, spread by worthy disciples who carry on that guru's particular message, is known as the guru parampara or disciplic succession. In the traditional sense, the word guru describes a relationship rather than an absolute and is used as a form of address only by a disciple addressing his master. Some Hindu denominations like BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha hold that a personal relationship with a living guru, revered as the embodiment of God, is essential in seeking moksha. The guru is the one who guides his or her disciple to become a jivamukta, liberated soul that achieves salvation in his or her lifetime through God-realization. The role of the guru continues in the original sense of the word in such Hindu traditions as Vedanta, , Tantra and Bhakti schools. Indeed, it is now a standard part of Hinduism (as defined by the six Vedic streams and the Tantric Agamic streams) that a guru is one's spiritual guide on earth. In some more mystical Hindu circles, it is believed that the guru could awaken dormant spiritual knowledge within the pupil, known as shaktipat. In Hinduism the guru is considered a respected person with saintly qualities who enlightens the mind of his disciple, an educator from whom one receives the initiatory mantra, and one who instructs in rituals and religious ceremonies.

The Vishnu Smriti and Manu Smriti regards the teacher, along with the mother and the father as the most venerable gurus (teachers) of an individual. Some influential gurus in the Hindu tradition (there have been many) include Adi Shankaracharya, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Shri Ramakrishna. Other gurus whose legacy of continuing the Hindu yogic tradition grew in the 20th century were men like Shri Aurobindo Ghosh, Shri Ramana Maharshi, Swami Sivananda and Swami Chinmayananda. See also the list of Hindu gurus. In Indian culture having not having a guru or a teacher (acharya) was looked down upon as being an orphan, and a sign of misfortune. The word anatha in Sanskrit means "the one without a teacher". An acharya is the giver of shiksha, or gyan which means knowledge. Guru also gives diksha (initiation) that is the spiritual awakening of the disciple by the grace of the Guru. Diksha is also considered to be the procedure of bestowing the divine powers of a Guru to the disciple, through which he progresses continuously on the path of divinity.

The institution of the guru has evolved various basic tenets of Indian culture and transmitted spiritual and fundamental knowledge. Gurus formed the axis of ancient educational system and ancient society, and enriched various fields of learning and culture by their creative thinking. In this lies the lasting significance of gurus and their contribution to the upliftment of mankind. The origin of guru can be traced back as far as the early Upanishads, where the conception of the Divine Teacher on earth first manifested from its early Brahmin associations. Indeed, there is an understanding in some sects that if the devotee were presented with the guru and God, first he would pay respects to the guru since the guru had been instrumental in leading him to God. Saints and poets have sung the glory of the guru and the God such as Kabir and Brahmanand: Guru Bhakti (literally "devotion to the guru") is considered important in many schools.

In the Upanishads five signs of sat guru (true guru) are mentioned . In the presence of the satguru; Knowledge flourishes (Gyana raksha); Sorrow diminishes (Dukha kshaya); Joy wells up without any reason (Sukha aavirbhava); Abundance dawns (Samriddhi); All talents manifest (Sarva samvardhan ). The importance of finding a true guru is one of the tenants of Hinduism. Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: Acquire the transcendental knowledge from a Self- realized master by humble reverence, by sincere inquiry, and by service. The wise ones who have realized the Truth will impart the Knowledge to you. (Bhagavad Gita, c4 s34)

On the role of the guru, Swami Sivananda asks: "Do you realize now the sacred significance and the supreme importance of the Guru's role in the evolution of man? It was not without reason that the India of the past carefully tended and kept 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 the Guru is the only guarantee for the individual to transcend the bondage of sorrow and death, and experience the Consciousness of the Reality." Some Hindu gurus have warned against false teachers, have recommended the spiritual seeker to test the guru before accepting him, and have outlined criteria how to distinguish false from genuine ones:

Swami Vivekananda said that there are many incompetent gurus and that a true guru should understand the spirit of the scriptures, have a pure character and be free from sin, and should be selfless without desire for money and fame.

Remember these four important lines of the Brahma Sutras:

1. Athatho brahma jijnasaa - Now, therefore, the enquiry of Brahman.

2. Janmasya yathah - From which proceed the origin.

3. Sastra yonitwat - The scriptures are the means of right knowledge.

4. Tat tu samanvayat - For, That is the main support (of the universe).

Jaya Guru Guru Hari Guru Ram; Jagad Guru Param Guru Sat Guru Shyam .

It is through the medium of the preceptor that the individual can raise himself to Cosmic-Consciousness. It is also through that medium that the imperfect can become perfect, the finite can become infinite and the mortal can pass into the eternal life of blessed-ness. The Guru is a link between the individual and the Immortal. He is a being who has raised himself from this to That and thus has a free and unhampered access to both realms. He stands, as it were, upon the threshold of immortality, and, bending down, he raises the struggling individuals with his one hand, and with the other, lifts them up into the kingdom of everlasting joy and infinite Truth-Consciousness.Do you realise now the sacred significance and the supreme importance of the Guru’s role in the evolution of man? It was not without reason that the India of the past carefully tended and kept 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 the Guru is the only guarantee for the individual to transcend the bondage of sorrow and death, and experience the Consciousness of the Reality.

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. Remember and adore Sri Vyasa and the Gurus who are fully established in knowledge of the Self. May their blessings be upon you! May you cut asunder the knot of ignorance and shine as blessed sages shedding peace, joy and light everywhere! Understanding Guru Pournami Swami Muktananda said: “When God was distributing the full moon, He gave the most perfect one to the Guru”.

Hindus attach paramount impor-tance to spiritual gurus. Gurus are often equated with God and always regarded as a link be-tween the individual and the Immortal. Just as the moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun, all disciples can dazzle like the moon by gaining from their Gurus.

In honour of Him, all spiritual aspirants and devotees perform Vyasa Puja on this day, and disciples worship their spiritual preceptor. Saints, monks and men of God are honoured and enter-tained with sincere acts of charity by all the householders. The period Chatur-mas (the "four months") begins from this day, when Sannyasins stay at one place during the ensuing four rainy months, engaging in the study of the Brahma Sutras and the practice of meditation.On this day, generate fresh waves of spirituality. Allow all that you have read, heard, seen and learnt to transform you, through Sadhana, and express a continuous outpouring of universal love, ceaseless loving service, and continuous prayer and worship of the Lord seated in all beings. Devotees should take only milk and fruit on this day, study the Brahma Sutras, meditate and practise rigorous Japa of their Guru Mantra during the four months following the Guru Poornima.

The day of worship of one’s preceptor, should be a day of pure joy to the sincere spiritual aspirant. Thrilled by the expectation of offering his reverent homage to the beloved Guru, aspirants should await this occasion with eagerness and devotion as it is the Guru alone that breaks the binding cords of attachment and releases the aspirant from the trammels of earthly existence.The Srutis say: “To that high-souled aspirant, whose devotion to the Lord is great and whose devotion to his Guru is as great as that to the Lord, the secrets explained herein become illuminated”. The Guru is Brahman, the Absolute, or God Himself who guides and inspires aspirants from the innermost core of being. He is every-where. They should transform their spiritual vision and behold the entire universe as the form of the Guru, and see the guiding hand, the awakening voice, the illuminating touch of the Guru in every object of creation.Sri Swami Sivananda says, “they who will look and listen, will learn. Become a personification of receptivity. Empty yourself of your petty ego and all the treasures locked up in the bosom of Nature will become yours. You will progress and attain perfection in an amazingly short time. Become pure and unattached as the mountain breeze. As the river flows continuously, steadily and constantly towards its goal, the ocean, so also let your life flow ceaselessly towards the supreme state of absolute Existence-Know-ledge-Bliss, by letting all your thoughts, all your words and all your actions be directed only towards the goal. The moon shines by reflecting the dazzling light of the sun. It is the full moon on the Poornima day that reflects in full splendour the glorious light of the sun. It glorifies the sun. Purify yourself through the fire of selfless service and Sadhana, and like the full moon, reflect the glorious light of the Self. The Supreme Self alone is real. He is the Soul of all. He is all-in-all. He is the essence of this universe. He is the unity that never admits of a duality under all the varieties and diversities of nature. Thou art this immortal, all-pervading, all-blissful Self. Thou art That! Realise this and be free.”

Bodhaka Gives insructions relating to caste, Guru creed, religion. Nishiddha Prohibited Guru. Invokes God’s Guru Secret powers for personal benefit or with evil intention. Vihita Guru Shows Vairagya (Dispassion) in Society Karanakhya Guru who gives Sanyasa Diksha Guru (initiates disciple into Monkhood). He is the remover of the disease of this mundane world. Param Dispeller of doubts, removes the Guru fear of birth and death is considered to be the “Param Guru”. (The Supreme Guru) i.e. one who teaches and shows the path of Liberation (moksha). (172)