7 Reasons to Celebrate Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima festival is dedicated to teachers of all stripes. It can be your school or college teachers, mentors at work, or spiritual teachers. Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains celebrate the festival that comes around in Ashadha month (June-July).

Teachers are also called Gurus in India. It is a Sanskrit word that means ‘one who removes darkness.’ Ignorance is a form of darkness, and Gurus remove it by illuminating our minds with the light of knowledge and wisdom. Hence, we owe a great debt to them.

Knowledge and wisdom are essential for growth and success, both on the material and spiritual planes of existence. Without a Guru’s guidance, achieving success, self-realization, and enlightenment is very difficult. For this reason, Hinduism equates Guru with God.

Purnima refers to the full moon. Guru Purnima is on the full moon day in Ashadha month. In 2025, it falls on July 10, Thursday.

Guru is a ‘tattva’ or a quality within ourselves. So Guru Purnima is also about recognizing this principle and connecting with it.

The festival is also called Vyasa Purnima, as Sage Veda Vyasa is believed to have been born on this day. It was also on this day that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.

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Hindus celebrate the festival by observing a fast, performing Poojas, visiting temples, and organizing cultural events in educational institutions. They also visit their Gurus and teachers, seek their blessings, give them gifts, and render acts of service to express their gratitude to them and honor them.

Legend behind Guru Purnima

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is the Adi Guru or first teacher. The story goes that a yogi (Shiva) appeared in the Himalayan region around 15,000 years ago. The people did not know who he was, but they sensed that he was a holy man and gathered around him. The yogi meditated for a long time without moving or talking. Tears of ecstasy would flow down his face from time to time.

After a while, most of the onlookers left the place, and only 7 men remained. When he opened his eyes, the seven men begged him to teach them his secrets, as they wanted to experience what the yogi was experiencing. However, he resumed his meditation after giving them a preparatory step. After 84 years, the yogi opened his eyes again. It was the day of the summer solstice, when Dakshinayana begins. The yogi found that the 7 men had turned into shining receptacles and were ready to receive his teachings. He became their teacher on the next full moon day.

This article explores 7 reasons why this day is very important for spiritual seekers.

Why Guru Purnima is Important for Spiritual Seekers?

1. The Guru tattva/principle is 1000 times more active on this day compared to other days. Hence, Guru Purnima is an auspicious day for seekers to begin their spiritual sadhana or deepen it.

2. The mind and body have a deep connection with the moon. According to scientific research, the moon can affect animal behavior. This applies to human beings, too. The full moon or Purnima signifies completion, the pinnacle of energy. On Guru Purnima, the student or the disciple experiences gratitude and fullness.

3. Guru Purnima is the day to express thanksgiving to your Guru. It’s a day to reflect and take stock of how you have used your teacher’s wisdom in your life in the previous year. It’s also a time to focus on your life goals. Gratitude and humility are very essential for success in life. It brings the grace of God into our life.

4. On this day, we should honor and remember all our teachers and Gurus, past and present. Their guidance has the power to shape our destiny.

5. The Sadguru (spiritual master) enables knowledge to flourish and talents to manifest. The Guru’s presence eliminates sorrow and brings joy and abundance.

6. The strong bond and connection between the Guru and the student on Guru Purnima brings about remarkable changes in life that enable the disciple’s growth.

7. Fears, karmic blocks, and doubts can be removed on this day. The presence - physical or virtual - of the Guru and their blessings have the power to remove the negative factors that prevent you from self-realization.

Conclusion

People have been celebrating Guru Purnima since ancient times. Gurus and teachers have important roles in our lives. Hence, it is essential to cherish, honor, and respect them. The day is also ideal for self-reflection and meditation. It is a time to introspect on our personal and spiritual journeys and re-commit to the teachings of our Guru. One can also take vows and resolutions to improve one’s spiritual practices on this auspicious day.

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