Happy Guru Purnima 2022

Guru Purnima is an Indian & Nepali spiritual tradition - dedicated to spiritual and academic teachers. 

Those who are evolved and enlightened humans and ready to share their wisdom - with very little or no monetary expectation.

It is believed that a person is blind without a teacher to guide him. 

Mother and father are the first teachers of a child. 

Later, the Guru becomes his or her second mother or father.

The Shastras proclaim that a human being is born twice - known as Dvija. 

First, by the union of the father and mother - and second, when he is accepted by a bonafide Guru. 

The Guru acts as a father and delivers the knowledge - with the help of mother Gayatri - the personification of the knowledge & wisdom, and holy scriptures.

In other words, Guru is considered the father and the  Scriptures and literature as a mother. 

Guru teaches with the help of - or according to Scriptures and authentic books.

The festival of Guru Poornima is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the month of Ashadh (July-August) - as it is known in the Hindu calendar of India and Nepal.

The symbol of the full moon represents perfection.

Guru-Poornima is a symbolic reminder of the belief that Guru is Poorna - perfect.

We cannot learn much from someone if we have doubts about their knowledge in the subject we want to acquire.

In order to learn, we need to have faith in the Guru - the teacher.

Therefore, we always try to find a Guru who might have perfect knowledge in the required subject. 

Once our curiosity about the Gyan or knowledge of the Guru is satisfied, we must have faith in his teachings.

One of the most popular beliefs about the meaning of Guru Poornima is that the Guru is Poorna - perfect, like a full moon.

That Guru Poornima is not just a symbol of gratitude of the disciple towards the Guru - but also a reaffirmation of the belief that the Guru is Poorna.

However - a question comes to mind. 

Can a Guru be a perfect Guru without any disciples?

A teacher asked his young student:

Johnny - How old are you?

Six years", Johnny said.

"And how old is your father?"

"He is also six years old."

"How is that possible?" Teacher asked.

"Duh..... Because he became a father when I was born." - Johnny said.

                                                          ~~~~~

A person is not a father until he has a child.

He becomes a father only when his child is born.

Similarly, a Guru becomes a perfect Guru only when his disciples achieve perfection.

Therefore, gratitude towards the Guru is not just singing praises of the Guru and offering thanks and gifts.

The student or disciple must try to understand the teachings and imbibe them.

Just as parents become delighted and proud of the children's achievements - the Gurus also feel content and proud when they see their disciples achieving heights and perfection. 

A Guru who is jealous of the disciples - does not want the disciples to grow and reach perfection may not be considered a perfect Guru. 

Seeing the children prospering, parents feel a sense of achievement in themselves – that their love and sacrifice have paid - that they have fulfilled their role as parents. 

Similarly, seeing the disciples becoming perfect and achieving the same heights, the Guru may also feel that he has fulfilled his role as the Guru. 

The sincere and genuine gratitude towards the Guru would be when we start working seriously towards achieving perfection in our-self - to make the Guru feel happy - content, and fulfilled. 

May the Lord bless us all to achieve that Poornima.

                                                    " Rajan Sachdeva "