Guru Purnima is a sacred festival dedicated to honoring spiritual and academic teachers, celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July). The word Guru means the dispeller of darkness, where gu stands for ignorance and ru stands for the remover. It marks the birthday of Sage Veda Vyasa and celebrates the timeless bond between a teacher and a student. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Meaning of the Word "Guru"
- Gu: Means darkness or inner ignorance.
- Ru: Means the light or the remover who destroys that darkness.
- Guide: A Guru is someone who leads a seeker from an un-knowing state into the light of absolute wisdom. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Significance Across Traditions
- Hindu Tradition: Also known as Vyasa Purnima, it honors Sage Veda Vyasa, who wrote the Mahabharata, split the Vedas, and compiled sacred texts. It is also believed to be the day Lord Shiva (as the Adi Guru) began sharing the knowledge of yoga with the seven sages (Saptarishis).
- Buddhist Tradition: Marks the special day when Lord Buddha gave his very first sermon at Sarnath after reaching enlightenment.
- Jain Tradition: Commemorates the day Lord Mahavira turned Gautam Swami into his very first disciple