July 13, 2003 was the auspicious day when the world celebrated the holy festival of Sri Guru Purnima. It is the day of full moon in the month of Asadh. Also known as Vyas Purnima, the day is celebrated in remembrance and veneration to sage Ved Vyasji, who is considered the Adi Guru of the Sanathana Dharma. He classified the Veda, wrote the 18 Puranas and the Mahabharat. This day is now celebrated in respect of all Gurus' by their disciples.
A Guru is one who removes (Ru) darkness (Gu) from our lives. According to our traditions, any individual cannot attain spiritual salvation (Moksha) without a Guru. He or She is like a coach who teaches you the basic rules, how to play and compete and win, how to react when you win or lose, how to get better and better, how to stay on track, how to regain energy, how to remain positive and optimistic and above all, how to set your goal and constantly strive to achieve your goal. The coach can be in the field of sports, dance, music, academics or spiritual path. By tradition, every family in India has a 'Kul-Guru' who not only guides the members of the family along the spiritual path, but also counsels the family on all important events or mishaps. The Guru is the key to open the lock to the sacred scriptures, and is the special force, which removes the rust, which has collected on your soul.
Our Vedic heritage has placed a very critical role for the Guru. The most famous verse from the Guru Gita is:
Ohm Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwara;
Guruhu Sakshaat, Param Brahman, Tasmai Sri Guruve Namaha.
On this holy day, the disciples should introspect, and resolve to offer puja and reverence to their Gurus in mind, action and speech; implicitly obey his unvoiced wishes and commands, and serving him as one would God, and lauding his glory and divine attributes. The disciples should offer their gratitude without any conditions or expectations. What is required is full faith and complete surrender.
Vedic Heritage Inc. also celebrates this festival with a lot of warmth and devotion every year. The phones started ringing from early morning from all over the world from Guru Maa's disciples, and the fortunate disciples who were physically present came all day to pay their respects. Darshan Priya came all the way from California for this festival. A very special cultural program was arranged in the evening. We had the good fortune to have Pandit Jasrajji, Guru Maa's first Guru and Rajendra Jain, one of Guru Maa's earlier disciples.
Over 700 congregants had gathered for this special program. Pandit Jasrajji performed classical numbers on Guru and Baba, while Rajendra Jain especially wrote a few poems, which he sang in his inimitable style. A very special guest for the evening was Mr. D Y. Patil, who is great academician and benefactor of several schools and colleges in Western India. He summed it up for all us: "Guru Maa is no ordinary human being, She is a Live Devi in our midst."
This Guru Purnima, probably disillusioned by some of her disciples, proclaimed that She was not going to allow anyone to wash Her feet. But, She won more hearts as many devotees came forward to become Her disciples!
We are, indeed very fortunate to have Her Holiness Guru Maa as our Guru and guide us in Kalyug with such energy, dynamism and divinity. Please join me in saying a very simple 'Thank You' to our Guru Maa, and seek Her blessings to become ideal disciples. |
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