Guru Poonam: The Divine Poonam

Guru-Purnima is unique in significance for it highlights knowledge along with austerity and faith. The course along which society moves becomes the trend. As society has given importance to films, youngsters have a craze for becoming film stars, actors and actresses. With wealth becoming a status symbol, people are trying out all means to gain wealth, even immoral means. However the real progress of society lies in giving importance to the knowledge of Brahman, for that is what gives right direction to society. All the property and wealth one owns becomes worthless if one lacks in vision. Likewise, the glorious wealth of self-bliss is unavailable to one so long as one lacks self-knowledge. That is why Guru-Purnima, which combines knowledge with austerity, is greater and more important than all other Purnimas. The grand Purnima that inspires one towards knowledge oriented austerity, which makes life radiant and brings about an all-round development in life, is known as Guru-Purnima, or Vyas Purnima.

Sanyasins and ascetics start the Chaturmasa from the Guru-Purnima. Sadhakas resolve to awaken their latent powers through practice of anusthanas in the Chaturmasa. We should not allow ourselves to be exploited by sensualist people. We shouldn’t may from the path of sadhana considering ourselves to be helpless. No, we should kindle the light in our life. Like Gurudev, we should realize our true nature of ‘I AM THAT’. The Purnima that guides, inspires, and encourages us to eradicate darkness and illuminate our lives with self-knowledge is Guru-Purnima.

Guru means big, high, great. Guru-Purnima brings us in the vicinity of the Self-realized saints, the equals of Maharshi Veda Vyasa who are equipped with the knowledge of the supreme Brahman who is the biggest of the big, the highest of the high, the greatest of the great. Along with physical proximity, when we gain proximity to the Guru’s heart through faith and devotion, our heart too becomes transformed.

Association inevitably breeds affinity, says a proverb. Association with a Guru elevates the disciple. When one watches actors one imitates them. The company of depraved people likes drunkards and meat-eaters. Makes one behave in the same way. Similarly, the company of saints and the Guru fills the hearts of their devotees with saintliness. Selfishness gives way to selflessness and egotism is replaced by humility and simplicity. The passion for sense-enjoyments gets transformed into devotion for the Lord, untouched by passion of any kind. Instead of hankering after transient worldly objects, one starts seeking the eternal.

The Vyas Purnima extends a great help in disseminating the spiritual message far and wide. Therefore it is greater and more important than all festivals and auspicious days. It is held in high esteem not only by men, but by the gods too. It makes life divine and helps one to realize to eternal Truth like the fullness of the Purnima Moon, it brings fullness to life. This festival is celebrated to attain communion with God.

‘Those who are dying for a
glimpse of the Guru cannot
be dissuaded from their course.
Their advancing steps
Are never pulled back.’

On Guru-Purnima day, pray before you leave the bed after waking up, “O great Purnima! O Guru-Purnima! Now I shall work for fulfilling ‘my’ real need. Nobody has ever satisfied all their physical needs. Even if they have, contentment always eludes them. Today I am starting in the direction of fulfilling my real need.” Then meditate. Before the body leaves the bed, meet your beloved Lord. Worship Gurudev mentally. He will be pleased to see your mental state and will fill you with bliss by giving you a glimpse of his spiritual experience. He believes in cash religion and not credit.