Shravan Month was Symbolism of Devotion and enthusiasm

Devotees of Lord Shiva are all high as the ‘Shravan Month’ has begun from today.Shiva-bhaktas can be seen queuing up at the numerous temples across the country to offer jalabhisekh to Shivalingam.

Shravan month is an auspicious month for Hindus. Each and every day of Sawan month has its own significance for devotee of Lord Shiva. People follow various rituals to please Lord Shiva.

In one such practice, more than 1000 devotees come from corners of India for Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva in Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar).The people come on foot carrying holy water of Ganga River from Sultanganj during whole month of Sawan. The total distance from Sultanganj to Baidynath Dham is 105 km.Some devotees run nonstop to Deoghar from Sultanganj and they reach Baidyanath Dham in less than 24 hrs. It is one of the largest fairs in the world which goes on for a month.

Importance worshipping Lord Shiva and Belpatra

The devotees of Lord Shiva worship him according to their faith and devotion. Everyone is involved in worshipping Lord Shiva. The importance of worshipping Lord Shiva in the month of Sawan has been mentioned in the Rigveda.  The worship of Lord Shiva begins with the commencement of Shravan Month. One should chant the below given mantras in this month while worshipping Lord Shiva.

1) “ Panchakshari Mantra” should be enchanted.

2) Chant one Rudraksha mala everyday with "Om Namah Shivaya" mantra.

3) Chant one mala of Mahamrityunjaya Mantra everyday to keep away the troubles.

The person gets salvation from all kinds of diseases, fears, sorrows etc. The person also achieves long life. Rudraabhishek and rituals are conducted by the devotees along with chanting the mantras. People who are unable to worship Lord Shiva every day during the Sawan month, should definitely worship on all Mondays of the month. The prayers will be rewarded equally.

Worshipping Lord Shiva in the month of Sawan

Lord Shiva is worshipped along with his entire family in the month of Sawan. The prayer begins with anointing of Bholenath. Bholenath is given a bath with milk, water, curd, ghee, honey or sugar, ganga jal etc. After that,  Belpatra, Samipatra, Kusha and Doob is offered to Lord Shiva to please him. In the end, Bhang, Dhatoora, and Shriphal is offered to the lord in the form of Bhoga.

Importance of Belpatra.

The significance of offering Belpatra and Samipatra on the lingam has been mentioned in the ancient scriptures. Belpatra is offered  to the lingam to please Bholenath. According to an ancient tale, 89 thousand saints asked Brahmaji about the way to please Bholenath. Brahmaji told them that as Shivaji gets pleased with 100 lotus flowers, in the same way he can also be pleased by offering one Neelkamal.

Likewise, 1 Belpatra is equal to 1000 Neelkamal and 1 samipatra is equivalent to 1000 Belpatra.  Lord Shiva is highly pleased with these offerings. Belpatra is one simplest way to please Lord Shiva. 

what is the Signification of Shravan month?

Signification of Shravan month

The hindu calendar is based upon the movement of moon across the zodiac. The 12 months are-

1) Chaitra

2) Vaishakh

3) Jyeshtha

4) Ashaad

5) Shravna

6) Bhadrapad

7) Ashwin

8) Kaartik

9) Margshisha

10) Paussh

11) Magh

12) Phalgun

The month number 5 i.e. Shravana is very significant to the Shivaites due to the legend associated with this month. To please the goddess of wealth Mahalakshmi, the gods and demon decided to churn ocean. It was pre decided that what ever things emit from the ocean would be share between Gods and demons. During this process, 14 divine items were emerged from the ocean. Of the fourteen items, one item was the most deadly poison called Halahal. No body was the taker of the Halahal poison. This created panic among Gods and demons. At this crunch time Lord Shiva appeared to save the earth from destruction. He accepted the pot of poison and drank in such a manner that the poison could not able to surpass his throat. The effect of the poison was so strong that the whole throat turned blue. Since then lord Shiva named as NeelKanth(means blue throat) . To mitigate the effect of poison, gods rushed to offer ganga jal(water of holy river ,ganga). The whole event was held in the month of Shravana. Since then this month of Shravana is totally dedicated to lord Shiva. Though the whole shravana month is auspicious for worshipping Lord Shiva, but the Mondays falling in this month has special significance as the ruling deity of Monday is Lord Shiva. The golden rule is that Jap(recitationof mantra) done in particular place or in particular time has special significance as its effects increases many times. So, this was the Mahatmayam(significance) of Shravan maas(month)……

Significance of Guru poornima

Maharshi Ved Vyasa

Seekers try to get as much opportunity to do Satseva of the Guru as possible during this period. As the Guru principle is 1000 times more active during this period, when compared to any other day during this year, the satseva done on Guru Poornima fetches substantial grace of the Guru for their spiritual progress. (Sanatan Prabhat)

The relationship between the Guru and the Disciple is considered very sacred. This relationship is purely spiritual in nature and is independent of age of the two. It is based on maturity of Gyan (Spiritual Knowledge) and Shrada (Spiritual Practice). The only awareness that a Disciple should foster is, ‘I should be uplifted spiritually’. The Guru too harbours only one thought, ‘May this Disciple be uplifted’. Relationships other than Guru-Disciple are bound by worldly restrictions wherein the ego constantly manifests itself while Gyan and other Shrada have no value. Since these worldly relationships presuppose ego for their sustenance, at the spiritual level they are rendered false. (Sanatan Prabhat)

Maharshi Vyas Jayanti (Guru Purnima 2011)

Guru Purnima 2011 - Maharshi Vyas Jayanti Mela (Guru Purnima Importance) | Vyas Purnima

Maharshi Ved Vyash With Lord Ganesha

The above written lines, fully describe the significance of a teacher in life of a person. The Purnima of Ashad Shukla Paksha is called Guru Purnima. It is also called Vyas Purnima. Tradition of celebrating this day is carried on since ancient days when students used to have education in Gurukul. This day, Pujan of teachers is performed. There are given special welcoming and respect. In the year 2011, this day will be on 15 July.

Person should wake up early in the morning and complete all his routine work like bathing etc. Then he should go to meet his teacher. Guru should be seated on a high pew and given respect. Money, fruits, flowers, clothes etc. should be donated, according to the capability of an individual. Worshipping teacher increases wisdom of an individual.

India is an ancient and traditional country. Here, Guru is worshipped before God. On Guru Purnima, teacher is given respect and their blessing are taken by offering them Guru Dakshina.

Guru Purnima is also known as Vyas Purnima. On this occasion Vyaso Narayana, the Guru of world is worshiped. Hence, this day of Guru Puja is called Vyas Puja. In order to walk on the path of knowledge and goodness in life, it is must to have a teacher.

Guru Purnima Utsav

On Guru Purnima, birthday of Maharishsi Vyas is celebrated in whole with full excitement. It is considered auspicious to worship Guru and have their blessings on this day. By the blessings of Guru, a person leads his life on a spiritual path.

The relationship between Master and disciple is purely a spiritual connection which is not effected by their ages. This relationship of devotion is based on maturity and manhood. Student should always have a feeling that by the guidance of master, he will have a spiritual growth and teacher should think to do the mental welfare of his disciple.

Guru Puja is a day of bowing to the spiritual connection between teacher and student. If teacher would not have told about the significance of becoming a human and the made them have the knowledge of soul, then no one would have had the vision of soul.

Guru Purnima Agricultural Importance

On the day of Guru Purnima that is Vyas Purnima, nature’s air test is taken. It is useful for agricultural and gardening work during monsoon. Vyas Purnima is considered favorable for air test. This day, prediction is made for the new crops by testing monsoon. And, drought and flood condition for the next 4 months is forecasted. India is country of agriculture. Hence, this day becomes more significant.

Maharishi Vyas Jayanti Mela

Maharishi Vyas composed the great Granth, Mahabharata. Additionally, he wrote 18 Puranas, Srimad Bhagwat, Brahma Sutra, Mimansa etc. He was the son of Rishi Parashar, father of astrology. Srimad Bhagwat Geeta is a part of Mahabharata. On this occasion of Guru Purnima, fair are organised in many parts of the country.

Guru Purnima Importance

Guru is given a higher position then God, because of his qualities and qualification. Guru is called Brahma. Teacher gives a new birth to his students. Guru is true Mahadev because he forgives all flaws done by his disciple.

In India, Guru is given spiritual, religious and political significance. During the times of trouble, teachers have shown a new path to this nation. They don’t just a teacher but, they tell a person that how to come out from any kind of problem and danger.

Guru takes an individual to light from darkness. In simple words, he can be called the mass of knowledge.

The Dattatreya Guru of all Gurus

About Lord Dattatreya 

Lord Dattatreya is Guru of all Gurus and considered as Incarnation of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma born to the great Saint Atri and his devoted wife Anusuya .  

Lets surrender our body , mind and soul to Lord Dattatreya and his holy avatars :

The divine Guru of all Sadguru Lord Dattatreya is inspiring , motivating and making me shed tears remembering his holiness. The very feeling that my devotion to all Hindu God , respect for all  religion ( way of worship ) and deep bond as a child of shirdi saibaba (sai considers his devotees as his own children )  has now lead me to devotion towards the Guru of all Gurus, Saint of all Saints, Lord Shree Dattatreya of ancient Yuga.

Birth of Lord Dattatreya

Dattatreya was born to the sage Atri, who had been promised by Parameshvara (the Almighty), that He, Parameshvara, would be incarnated as his son. Since Parameshvara subsumes all three members of the trimurti, Dattatreya is at once the incarnation of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.

Travels

Dattatreya left home at an early age to wander naked in search of the Absolute. He seems to have spent most of his life wandering in the area between and including North Karnataka, through Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and into Gujarat as far as the Narmada River. He attained realization at a town, now known as, Ganagapura in North Karnataka. The original footprints of Datta are believed to be located on the lonely peak at Girnar. The Tripura-rahasya refers to the disciple Parasurama finding Dattatreya meditating on Gandhamadana mountain.

As an avatar

In The Pathless Path to Immortality, Shri Gurudev Mahendranath writes:

Shri Dattatreya was a dropout of an earlier age than the period when Veda and Tantra merged to become one simple cult. It was men like Dattatreya who helped to make this possible. Three of his close disciples were kings, one an Asura and the other two both belonging to the warrior caste. Dattatreya himself was regarded as an avatar of Maheshwara (Shiva) but later was claimed by Vaishnavites as the avatar of Vishnu. Not such a sectarian claim as it appears; Hindus regard Shiva and Vishnu as the same or as manifestations of the Absolute taking form.

Indeed, the Dattatreya Upanisad, which opens proclaiming Dattatreya's identity with Vishnu, ends with the mantra Om Namah Shivaya, identifying Datta with Shiva. In the last portion of the third chapter, Mahesvara (Shiva) alone is said to pervade reality and shine in every heart of man. He alone is in front, behind, to the left, to the right, below, above, everywhere the center. Finally, Mahesvara is identified with Dattatreya, depicting the latter as an Avatar of Shiva.

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Guru Poornima (15-July-2011)

Guru Purnima, also known as Ved Vyas Purnima or Vyasa Poornima, is an auspicious day in Ashad month. Guru Purnima falls on Ashad Purnima, Full Moon in Ashad month (June – July).Guru Purnima 2011 date is July 15. This is also popular as Maha Ashadi. It is believed that on Ashad Purnima day, Sage Veda Vyasa completed writing, editing, and compiling the Chaturvedas (Four Vedas). Veda Vyasa is known as the first Guru in Hinduism, since Ashad Purnima is referred to as Guru Purnima.

The "Gurus" are considered to represent God himself. Guru is the one who dispels the darkness of ignorance and infuses the light of awareness into our lives.Guru Purnima is a day when we pay obeisance to the lifeline of the civilization of India - the guru-sisya-parampara or mentor-protege lineage.

Guru Purnima is the most important time of the year for receiving the blessings of holy people. Blessings received during this time are equal to the blessings received during the entire rest of the year.Guru Purnima is not the festival to offer garland to the Guru or presenting a few coins or good clothes. It is the festivity to adhere to the total purity, truth and character. Our real worship to our master or preceptor is to offer the flowers of Sama, Dama, Titiksha, Upparati, Shraddha, Samadhan, Vivek, Vairagya, Mumukshatva, Truth, Chestity, Purity, Character, Good Conduct and Total Surrender. These fifteen qualifications or virtues are the offerings or the need to be cultivated for the Guru pooja upon this holy day.

Guru is worshipped and respected same as God. All the initiation of god over earth cant leads to historical signature on the people without Guru- Gyan . Would it be Krishna or Ram they make his lifestyle to be remembered and adopted by followers due to only the knowledge that they get from their Guru’s This day is very special for sants and sadhus. It is celebrated at various Ashrams and at Shivananda on grand level in Rishikesh. Special kind of puja and worship of “Vyasa” is organized by the Devotees on this day.

Guru Purnima is Festival of Respect For Guru

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Guru Purnima is a fiesta that is celebrated traditionally by the Buddhists and Hindus; this is a festival when it’s the time show our respect or worships our Guru. Guru Purnima falls in the month of Ashadh and is a full moon day. This festival is also very popularly known as Vyas Purnima and we celebrate this fiesta in the remembrance to the great sage Ved Vyas, from the myths you can know that Ved Vyas is the original Guru of Hindu Dharma, he is who made the classification of Vedas, wrote eighteen Mahabharat and Puranas. The place of Guru in life is very important, so on this auspicious day, Puja is offered by the disciples to the Guru. The root of the word Guru is from the word Sanskrit word ‘Gu’ which means darkness and ‘Ru’ means remover of that darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. Guru is the one who guides us throughout our life and leads us to the path of God. Students also refer their college teachers and school teachers as gurus as they impart knowledge and thus they are offered respect.

Guru Purnima is a day of great importance to farmers, for there fresh lives of their fields it is a good time to begin your spiritual lessons. Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual ‘sadhana’ from this day. In Hindu’s the position of Guru are same like of God’s. it is said in the Shvetashvatara Upanishad that “Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau.

Tasyaite kathitaa hi arthaaha prakashante mahatmanaha”. On this auspicious day several programs are arranged cultural programs and performance are arranged on this occasion in different parts of Maharashtra, Satara, Gujarat and many more, this is a festival that is celebrated over most of the states with great enthusiasm. To make this day more special and interesting, there is an arrangement is more of bhajan samarohas and divine discourse. It not that Guru Purnima is only celebrated in India but it is also celebrated in most of the countries outside India. On this day offering of divine blessings take place.

Now – a – days, on the occasion of Guru Purnima many students gift there gurus from their side to show respect towards their gurus.

About Guru Purnima



Shree Krishna and Shishya Arjun



Devotional worship of the Guru - the preceptor - is one of the most touching and elevating features of the Hindu cultural tradition. The auspicious moment of Vyaasa Poornima, chosen for observing this annual festival, is no less significant. It was the great sage Vyasa, son of a fisherwoman, who classified the accumulated spiritual knowledge of the Vedas under four heads - Rig, Yajur, Saama and Atharva. To him goes the credit of composing the authentic treatise of Brahma-sootras to explain the background of Vedas. He also wrote the eighteen Puranas, the stories of our great heroes and saints, to carry the spiritual and moral precepts contained therein to the common masses.

The greatest of epics of all times and of all climes - Mahaabhaarata - embodying the immortal song of God, the Bhagavad Geeta, also in it, is also the priceless gift of Vyasa. The Bhaagavata, the thrilling and devotional story of Sri Krishna, was also his contribution. It is in the fitness of things that Vyasa should be looked upon as the supreme preceptor of mankind. Offering of worship to him signifies the worship of all the preceptors of all times.

The Guru in the Hindu tradition is looked upon as an embodiment of God himself. For, it is through his grace and guidance that one reaches the highest state of wisdom and bliss. "My salutations to the Guru who is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. The Guru is Parabrahma incarnate"

Gururbrahmaa gururvishnuh gururdevo Maheswarah |

Guruh-saakshaat parabrahma tasmai shrigurave namah ||

Various have been the great sages and saints who have been the spiritual and religious preceptors to countless individuals down the centuries. But is there any one who can be looked upon as the preceptor for the entire Hindu people - for all their past, present and future generations? Obviously, no individual can play that role. A human being is after all mortal and, however great, has his own limitations. He cannot be a permanent guide for the entire nation for all time to come. The preceptor for a whole society should be able to act as a perennial source of inspiration to the people, embodying the highest and the noblest national values and ethos. To the Hindu people, such a Guru can be no other than the sacred Bhagava Dhwaj.

No one knows when and how this flag came into being. It is an ancient as the Hindu people themselves. It has flown over the hermitages of the seers and sanyaasins and also over the celestial palaces of emperors. It ha flown triumphantly over the battlefields of freedom struggle and has symbolized the immortal spirit of freedom in the Hindu mind. It is the one supreme symbol held in universal reverence by all sects and castes, and all creeds and faiths of the Hindu people. It is in fact the greatest unifying symbol of the entire Hindu world.

The color of the Bhagava Dhwaj - the saffron, depicting renunciation and service, epitomizes the culture of Bharat. The flames rising from the yajna are saffron in color and indeed reflect this spirit. The concept of yajna is extraordinarily unique to Hindu culture and tradition. Yajna is not merely a physical ritual. That is only symbolic. The Bhagavad Geeta describes the concept of yajna as the sacrificial offering of one's self to the good of all beings. "Not mine, but thine" is the true message of yajna. Whatever one achieves in this life in terms of physical prosperity and knowledge, one has to offer them back to the society. The Ishaavaasya Upanishad declares:

Ishaa Vaasyamidam sarvam, yatkincha jagatyaam jagat |

Tena tyaktena bhunjeethaah maa gridhah kasyaswiddhanam ||

"God is the lord of all creation. After offering to Him, enjoy only that which is left over by Him. Do not rob what belongs to others."

Acquiring of wealth is no sin but utilizing all of it for one's own self and one's own family is very much so. In the Bhagavad Geeta Sri Krishna warns: "He who eats all by himself without first offering to others eats only sin". However much one may earn, only the minimum things necessary for one's physical sustenance have to be utilized and the rest offered in service to the society. This is the Hindu way of tackling the challenge of harmonizing economic progress with social justice. This attitude, even while giving full scope to individual initiative, effectively neutralizes the evils of individual capitalism. Also, while it ensures social justice for the lowliest in society, the tragedy of state capitalism of the communist type is obviated and the sanctity of individual freedom upheld.

The superiority of the concept of individual freedom implied in this trusteeship principle lies in its freedom to sacrifice for the social good with a high spiritual motivation, along with the commonly understood freedom to earn and acquire wealth. How is this transformation in individual's attitude to be effected?

Says Sri Golwalkar Guruji: "Herein comes the genius of the Hindu viewpoint which prepares the individual's mind for this adjustment. He is educated and enlightened with regard to the true nature of happiness. The goal that is kept before him is not merely one of physical enjoyment; that is not going to give him lasting happiness. For that, he has to rise beyond his dependence on the physical objects and plunge into the depths of his own being and discover the eternal and boundless ocean of joy and bliss within. He will then realize that the people around him are also manifestations of the same spirit and the enjoyment of the fruits of his labor by them is equivalent to his own enjoyment. It is against the background of this life-attitude that a balance could be achieved."

The pride of place given to men of sacrifice in the Hindu tradition was reflected in every stratum and aspect of life. The sages and saints, who had kept themselves away from the portals of pelf and power and had solely and wholly dedicated themselves to the temporal as well as spiritual enlightenment of the people, were looked upon as the leaders of par excellence of the society. They were in fact the lawgivers and the king was only the executive head to carry out those laws. This was how the political authority was held in check, and the moral and spiritual held sway in the affairs of the life of people.

The Upanishads declared -

Na karmanaa, na prajyaa dhanena tyaagenaike amritatwamaanashuh.

It is not through actions, progeny or wealth but through renunciation alone that immortality is attained. Needless to say, it is not the physical abandonment of these aspects of human life that is advocated here. It is mental detachment and a spirit of considering his family life, his wealth and all his actions as so many means of worshipping God in the form of society that is set forth as the ideal. It is this unique philosophical trait of renunciation and service which can form the basis for the highest evolution of the individual combined with the happiness, harmony and progress of the society as a whole.

The Bhagawa Dhwaj is the most resplendent emblem of this sublime philosophy. And, worship of this holy flag on this Guru Poornima Day is intended to instil in us this positive Hindu attitude towards life. The ceremonial worship of the flag through flowers accompanied by monetary offering is just an external expression of this attitude of surrender to the ideal. Real worship, for a Hindu, lies in becoming an image of the idea himself. Shivo bhootwa shivam yajet - one has to become Shiva Himself if one has to worship Shiva.

The annual function of Sri Guru Pooja presents a moment of introspection for us to check up how far we have progressed in this path over the last one year, and take lessons from it and resolve to march faster in the current year.

Who is Guru

definition of Guru?



Adi Guru Shankracharya With Shishya

Gururbrahmaa gururvishnuh gururdevo Maheswarah |
Guruh-saakshaat parabrahma tasmai shrigurave namah ||

"My salutations to the Guru who is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. The Guru is Parabrahma incarnate"

Devotional worship of the Guru, is one of the most touching and elevating features of the Hindu cultural tradition.

The Guru in the Hindu tradition is looked upon as an embodiment of God himself. For, it is through his grace and guidance that one reaches the highest state of wisdom and bliss.

'Gu' stands for Gunatheeta (attributeless). 'Ru' signifies Rupavarjita (formless).The Sanskrit root "Gu" means darkness or ignorance. "Ru" denotes the remover of that darkness.Therefore one who removes darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. Only he who removes our ultimate darkness, known as Maya, and who inspires and guides us on to the path of God-realization is the true Guru (Gukaaro Andhakaarasya, Rukarasthannirodhakaha). So, God, who is attributeless and formless, is the true Guru.Students also refer to their school teacher or college lecturer as guru. The connotation of the word guru in this case is one who imparts temporal knowledge (Apara Vidya) and is thus accordingly offered respect. So worshipping a guru is like worshipping truth, knowledge and invaluable experiences. On this day one has to visit their elders, teachers and guides in order to show respect to them with gifts of coconuts, clothes and sweets. These gifts are called 'Gurudakshina'

Bhagavadgita gives guidelines and qualities of a genuine Guru. A true Guru has credentials to impart true knowledge free from speculation and never claims he is god. He knows god is supreme and we are subordinate to him. He knows the truth and lives it, is free from lust, anger, and greed. He exemplifies wisdom, peacefulness, self-control, austerity, piety , tolerance and strong faith in god. He must be from a succession (eg.Brahma, Narada, Vyasa, Shankaracharya).

At the time of deeksha (initiation), the Guru absorbs the past sins and karmas of his disciples and reveals true spiritual knowledge. The disciple develops strong love for the Guru who delivers him from the bondage of birth and death. Bhagavadgita shows that when Arjuna was confused about his duties, put his faith in Krishna, regarded him as his Guru, then Krishna showed him the right path. The Guru is a man of profound intellectual and spiritual sensitivity and compassion. The scriptures state that initiation (Deeksha) must be taken from a Guru. On Guru Poornima day, we pray "Oh Guru, you are father, mother, brother, friend, knowledge and wealth. You are to me everything and god of all gods.

The full moon day in July, the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, is celebrated by worshipping our Guru, the spiritual master, who taught us divine love, by performing poojas performed in prostration to him.The right name for this day is Vyasa Purnima.

This day is sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. It was the great sage Vyasa, son of a fisherwoman,(Satyavathi) who classified the accumulated spiritual knowledge of the Vedas under four heads - Rig, Yajur, Saama and Atharva. The credit of composing the authentic treatise of Brahma-sootras to explain the background of Vedas goes to him. He also wrote the eighteen Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata, the stories of our great heroes and saints, to carry the spiritual and moral precepts contained therein to the common masses. He completed the codification of the four Vedas and writing of the eighteen puranas on this day.

This was the day when Krishna dwaipayanaVyasa, author of the Mahabharatha was born. Owing to the passage of time, Vyasa Purnima came to be called Guru Purnima All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus. It is in the fitness of things that Vyasa should be looked upon as the supreme preceptor of mankind. Offering of worship to him signifies the worship of all the preceptors of all times."Vyasa" means "to edit" or "to divide")."He divided the Veda into four, namely Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. The histories and the Puranas are said to be the fifth Veda."

The auspicious moment of Vyaasa Poornima, chosen for observing this annual festival, is more significant.

On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a 'puja' 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 'Chaturmas' ("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 annual function of Sri Guru Pooja presents a moment of introspection for us to check up how far we have progressed in this path over the last one year, and take lessons from it and resolve to march faster in the current year.

A human being is after all mortal and, however great, has his own limitations. He cannot be a permanent guide for the entire nation for all time to come. To the Hindu people, such a Guru can be no other than the sacred Bhagava Dhwaj.

No one knows when and how this flag came into being. It is an ancient as the Hindu people themselves. It has flown over the hermitages of the seers and sanyaasins and also over the celestial palaces of emperors. It has flown triumphantly over the battlefields of freedom struggle and has symbolized the immortal spirit of freedom in the Hindu mind. It is the one supreme symbol held in universal reverence by all sects and castes, and all creeds and faiths of the Hindu people. It is in fact the greatest unifying symbol of the entire Hindu world.

The color of the Bhagava Dhwaj - the saffron, depicting renunciation and service, epitomizes the culture of Bharat. The flames rising from the yajna are saffron in color and indeed reflect this spirit. The concept of yajna is extraordinarily unique to Hindu culture and tradition. Yajna is not merely a physical ritual. That is only symbolic. The Bhagavad Geeta describes the concept of yajna as the sacrificial offering of one's self to the good of all beings. "Not mine, but thine" is the true message of yajna. Whatever one achieves in this life in terms of physical prosperity and knowledge, one has to offer them back to the society. The Ishaavaasya Upanishad declares:

Ishaa Vaasyamidam sarvam, yatkincha jagatyaam jagat |Tena tyaktena bhunjeethaah maa gridhah kasyaswiddhanam ||

"God is the lord of all creation. After offering to Him, enjoy only that which is left over by Him. Do not rob what belongs to others."

The Bhagawa Dhwaj is the most resplendent emblem of this sublime philosophy. And, worship of this holy flag on this Guru Poornima Day is intended to instil in us this positive Hindu attitude towards life. The ceremonial worship of the flag through flowers accompanied by monetary offering is just an external expression of this attitude of surrender to the ideal. Real worship, for a Hindu, lies in becoming an image of the idea himself. Shivo bhootwa shivam yajet - one has to become Shiva Himself if one has to worship Shiva.

The Veda says: (Purusha Sukta) Chandrama Manaso Jathaha Chaksho Suryo Ajayatha Mukhadindrascha Agnishcha pranadwayu rajayatha.

(From His mind was born the moon. From His two eyes was born the sun. From His mouth were born Indra and Agni. From His breath was born the air.)

Moon is the presiding deity of the mind. That day is Poornima in the true sense of the term, when the mind is filled with pure love. Let your mind shine brilliantly like the moon on a full moon day. This is possible only when you fill your mind with love. Fill your hearts with love. There is no wealth, no Dharma, no meditation greater than love. If you become the embodiment of love, you will become divine.

Guru Purnima Observances By Hindus

A sanyasi performing Vyasa puja traditionally held on Guru Purnima day, as a part of Chaturmas rituals







Guru Ved Vyasa

The Hindu spiritual Gurus are revered on this day by remembering their life and teachings. Vyasa Puja is held at various temples, where floral offerings and symbolic gifts are given away in his honour and that of the cosmic satguru. The festivities are usually followed by feast for the disciples, shishya, where the prasad and charnamrita literally nectar of the feet, the symbolic wash of Guru's feet, which represents his grace, kripa is distributed.

As a day of remembrance towards all gurus, through whom God grants the grace of knowledge (Jnana) to the disciples, special recitations of the Hindu scriptures especially, the Guru Gita, a 216 verse ode to Guru, authored by the sage, Vyasa himself, are held all day; apart from singing of bhajans, religious hymns and organising of special kirtan session and havan at many places, where devotees from all over gather at the ashrams, matha or place where the seat of Guru, Guru Gaddi exists. This day also sees the ritual of padapuja, the worships of Guru's sandals, which represent his holy feet and is seen a way of rededicating to all that a Guru stands for. Disciples also recommit themselves on this day, towards following their teacher's guidance and teachings, for the coming year.

This day is also seen as an occasion when fellow devotees, Guru Bhai (disciple-brother) , express their solidarity to one another in their spiritual journey.



Guru Purnima Observances By Jainism and Buddhists

Guru Purnima Observances By Jainism

According to Jain traditions, it was on this day, falling at the beginning of chaturmas, the four month rainy season retreat, Mahavira, the 24thTirthankara, after attaining Kaivalya, made Indrabhuti Gautam, later known as Gautam Swami, a Ganadhara, his first disciple, thus becoming a Guru himself, therefore it is observed in Jainism as Guru Purnima, and is marked special veneration to one's Gurus and teachers.

Guru Purnima Observances By Buddhists

Buddhists observe on this day uposatha i.e. to observe eight precepts.

Vipassana meditators practice meditation on this day under the guidance of their teachers.

Rainy season i.e. varsha vassa also starts with this day.

During the rainy season lasting for three lunar months from July to October.

During this time Buddhist monks remain in a single place, generally in their temples.

In some monasteries, monks dedicate the Vassa to intensive meditation.

During Vassa, many Buddhist lay people reinvigorate their spiritual training and adopt more ascetic practices, such as giving up meat, alcohol, or smoking.

what is Importance of Guru Purnima?

Ved Vyasa

Guru Purnima is a Sansktiy Name of a festival traditionally celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists.

On this day, disciples offer puja (worship) or pay respect to their Guru (Spiritual master, Teacher).

The Guru poornima is falls on the day of full moon, Purnima, in the month of Ashadh (June–July) of the Shaka Samvat, Indian national calendar and Hindu calendar.

Traditionally the festival is celebrated by Buddhists in the honor the lord Buddha who gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh in India.

While Hindus celebrate it in the honour of the great sage Vyasa, who is seen one of the greatest gurus in ancient Hindu traditions, and a symbol of Guru-shishya parampara, the Guru disciple tradition.

Vyasa was not only believed to be been born on this day, but also to have started writing the Brahma Sutras on ashadha sudha padyami and ends on this day, hence their recitations as a dedication to him, are organised on this day, which is also known as Vyasa Purnima.

The festival is common to all spiritual traditions in Hinduism, where it is dedicated to the expression of gratitude towards the teacher by his/her disciple.

Hindu ascetics and wandering monks (sanyasis), observe this day by offering puja to the Guru, during the Chaturmas , a four month period during the rainy season, when they choose seclusion, and halt at one selected place; some also give discourses to the local public.[5] Students of the Indian classical music, which also follows the Guru shishya parampara, celebrate this festival, around the world.

Hindu Legend About Guru Poornima

This was the day, when Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa – author of the Mahabharata – was born to sage Parashara and a fisherman's daughter Satyavati, thus this day is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima.

Veda Vyasa, did yeoman service to the cause of Vedic studies by gathering all the Vedic hymns extant during his times, dividing them into four parts based on their use in the sacrificial rites, and teaching them to his four chief disciples–Paila, Vaisampayana, Jaimini and Sumantu.

It was this dividing and editing that earned him the honorific "Vyasa" (vyas = to edit, to divide).

"He divided the Veda into four, namely Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. The histories and the Puranas are said to be the fifth Veda." ( Brahmanda Purana 1.4.21)

Buddhist History About Guru Poornima

 

The Buddha went from Bodhgaya to Sarnath about 5 weeks after his enlightenment. Before Gautama (the Buddha-to-be) attained enlightenment, he gave up his austere penances and his friends, the Pañcavaggiya monks, left him and went to Isipatana.

After attaining Enlightenment the Buddha, leaving Uruvela, travelled to the Isipatana to join and teach them. He went to them because, using his spiritual powers, he had seen that his five former companions would be able to understand Dharma quickly. While travelling to Sarnath, Gautama Buddha had to cross the Ganges. Having no money with which to pay the ferryman, he crossed the Ganges through the air. When King Bimbisāra heard of this, he abolished the toll for ascetics. When Gautama Buddha found his five former companions, he taught them, they understood and as a result they also became enlightened. At that time the Sangha, the community of the enlightened ones, was founded. The sermon Buddha gave to the five monks was his first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. It was given on the full-moon day of Asalha. Buddha subsequently also spent his first rainy season i.e. Varsha vassa at Sarnath at the Mulagandhakuti. The Sangha had grown to 60 in number (after Yasa and his fiends had become monks), and Buddha sent them out in all directions to travel alone and teach the Dharma. All 60 monks were Arahants.