GURU PURNIMA and its SIGNIFICANCE This day holds a significant place in Indian and Nepalese tradition as Hindus, Buddhists and Jains thank the ‘gurus (teachers)’ in their lives – be it spiritual or academic. The parents are also given thanks for being their first teachers. In Nepal, this day is celebrated as the Teachers’ Day. This festival is celebrated in Hindu calendar month of Ashsdha, between June-July. Guru is a teacher, master, and a guide, who directs the student to the right path. The word Guru is derived from two words, gu and ru. The Sanskrit ‘gu’ means darkness or ignorance, and ‘ru’ denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore, a Guru is one who removes the darkness of our ignorance. In yogic tradition, it is said that Guru Purnima was the day that saw Shiva become the Adi Guru, or the first Guru. It is believed that he began the transmission of yoga to the Saptarishis (seven sages) on this day. In Hindu tradition, for ages now, Guru Purnima also known as Vyas Purnima is being celebrated in India on the first full moon night (Purnima) after the Summer Solstice to commemorate the birth anniversary of Veda Vyas, the author of Mahabharata. He is the considered symbol of guru-shishya (Teacher- Student) tradition It is also known as Buddha Purnima and is widely celebrated by the Buddhists as Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, five weeks after attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Gaya. For Jains also, this day holds a great significance. The 24th Tirthankara, Mahavira made Indrabhuti Gautam Swami his first disciple. Sometimes, people observe fast on this day to show their respect to their Gurus. The students of Indian classical music or dance, which also follow the Guru shishya (teacher-student) parampara (tradition), celebrate Guru Purnima festival around the world. Public discourses and puja is also held to offer prayers to one's guru. .