Guru Purnima is a celebration that offers reverence and respect for teachers and masters who are involved in a teaching of sorts. The word ‘guru,’ has its roots in the Sanskrit language, where the word ‘gu,’ means darkness and the word ‘ru,’ means the remover of darkness.
Therefore, a Guru is one who removes the darkness of our ignorance. Gurus are believed by many to be the most necessary part of life. On this day, disciples offer puja (worship), or pay respect to their Guru or spiritual guide.
This festival is traditionally observed by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains to revere their chosen spiritual teachers/leaders and express their gratitude. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima), in the Hindu month of Ashadha (in June–July), as it is known in the Hindu calendar. The festival was revived by Mahatma Gandhi to pay tribute to his spiritual guru Shrimad Rajchandra.
Traditionally the festival is celebrated by Buddhists in honour of the Lord Buddha who gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. In the yogic tradition, thi day is celebrated as the occasion when Shiva became the first Guru, (Adi yogi), as He began the transmission of yoga to the Saptarishis.
Many Hindus celebrate this day in honour of the great sage Vyasa, who is seen as one of the greatest Gurus in ancient Hindu traditions and a symbol of the Guru-shishya tradition. Vyasa was not only believed to have been born on this day, but also to have started writing the Brahma Sutras on ashadha sudha padyami, as well a the author of the great epic, the Mahabharata.
Guru Purnima Tithi (Vedic timekeeping), will begin at 2.03 pm on July 4, and will end at 12.43pm on July 5. Interestingly, the Lunar Eclipse and Guru Purnima will take place today after 150 years.
THE PUJA RITUAL
– The offering of panchamrit, the 5 nectars of milk, yoghurt, ghee, honey, sugar as abhishek (bath ritual), on the feet of the Guru.
* The Guru can also be a deity whom you have been receiving guidance from or your mother or a mortal teacher, who may have contributed positively to your personal growth and development.
– Offer 5 different types of fruits as your offering.
– Offer shawl/saree/red cloth as a gesture of respect.
– Offer 9 ghee lamps as a peace offering to the nine planets and for overall peace and long life of your Guru.
– Offer a coconut (put a tilak (dot) of red and sandalwood powder on the coconut and place it at the feet of your Guru.
– Offer lotus flower petals and if this is not available, red and white flowers at the feet of your Guru.
– Offer sweet dishes as prasadh (offering).
After the bathing ritual and after washing with clear water, place shawl/saree/red cloth on your Guru and then place coconut and fruits at the his/her feet. Then, place flowers at his/her feet and feed prasadh. Place the 9 ghee lamps as a gesture of your reverence and the symbolism of the dispeller of darkness.
Chant 9x:
Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru devo Maheshwara
Guru sakshat, param Brahma, tasmai shri guravay
namah
Meaning: Our creation is that guru (Brahma-the force of creation); the duration of our lives is that guru (Vishnu-the force of preservation); our trials, tribulations, illnesses, calamities and the death of the body is that guru (devo Maheshwara-the force of destruction or transformation). There is a guru nearby (Guru Sakshat) and a guru that is beyond the beyond (param Brahma). I make my offering (tasmai) to the beautiful (shri) remover of my darkness, my ignorance; (Guru) it is to you I bow and lay down my life (namah).
LUNAR ECLIPSE – 5TH JULY 2020
Offer 9 ghee lamps which represents the nine planets which begins on the 5th July 2020 at 11.07am – 1.52pm . They are represented by:
Surya: the Sun
Chandra: the Moon
Mangala: Mars
Budha: Mercury
Bṛhaspati: Jupiter
Shukra: Venus
Shani: Saturn
Rahu: Shadow body associated with the ascending (or north) lunar node
Ketu: Shadow body associated with the descending (or south) lunar node
* You can also offer the 9 ghee lamps 1 hour before the lunar eclipse and ask for all of your hearts desires from these 9 planets, so that you “appease,” the planets. Give flowers and some water to all the 9 planets alongside the ghee lamps.
The planets have always been man’s ally to living a life of deep meaning on planet Earth and it is with their blessings that we are able to live to the highest of our ascension.
The eclipse is an indication of a suffering of sorts when the glory of the sun or the moon is obstructed by another planet – in that moment, offer your love and prayers to the planet that is undergoing the obstruction.
Stay indoors and do not eat, drink or sleep during this time. Pregnant women should remain indoors and should be chanting Om Namah Shivaya (11x) for protection. Although many believe that these are old fashioned thinking, it is believed that the emission of toxic gasses during an eclipse can cause intense repercussions on many affected by the moon and the eclipses in general. So, it is generally wise to adhere to some rituals and protocol.
May the Guru within, dispel all the ignorance from your life and provide you with enlightenment and wisdom to see and seek the truth here and beyond – come home to who you are.
Subh Guru Purnima to all of you!
Jai Maa!
SUJATA NANDY WORLD GURUKUL
www.sujatanandy.com
