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26 hinduism today apri l /may/ june, 2010

What is Guru Purnima?Guru Purnima is the annual festival whichhonors spiritual teachers, preceptors andmentors who dispel the darknessof ignorance by bringing forthwisdom and illumination. Pur-nima is the Sanskrit word for fullmoon.

What are the customsof Guru Purnima?

On this special day all of onesthoughts are focused on the holypreceptor, tuning into his mind,meditating on his teachings andexpressing gratitude for his bless-ings and guidance. In ashrams,monasteries, halls and homeshrines, Hindus gather to veneratethe guru of their lineage. The daysprimary activity is a formal ritual,

called puja, in which his holy feet or a pair of his sandals are honored. At the gurus majorcenters, the puja is a grand event, preceded

by a festive procession. It is especially auspi-cious to pilgrimage to the gurus ashram ormonastery on this day.

Why is the full moon of Ashadathe day of the guru?

In India, this day marks the start of the four-month monsoon season. Traditionally, men-dicant saints do not wander during this in-clement time, but settle in temporary campswhere devotees gather to partake of theirwisdom. The rst day of learning was dedi-cated to honoring the preceptor, and it isbelieved this custom became established as

Guru Purnima. The full moonis also known as a propitioustime for attaining fulfillment,completeness and spiritual ad-vancement, and for beginningall new endeavors.

Why are the gurus feet

the focus of veneration?According to tradition, Godspresence can be most clearlyand completely felt in the il-lumined satguru. To sit at hisfeet is to be close to God andour own deepest Self. All nervecurrents terminate in the feet.Vital energy points relating toevery organ of his physical and

Honoring the Illumined TeachersGuru Purnima

s. rajam

hinduism today

Hindu scriptures assert that more valuable than gold, and far morerare, is a guru, a knower of spiritual truths, also called a satguru. Aguru is the devotees best friend, a father and a mother, a trusted

con dant and a demanding mentor and guide on the path to God. The

guru embodies all that the spiritual seeker aspires to be; in the guru, onesees his own in nite potential. Hindus honor these rare leaders on GuruPurnima, the full moon day in June/July, the Hindu month of Ashada.

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Traditional OfferingsWhen visiting a guru, just as when going toa temple, devotees bring an offering, suchas owers, fruits (a lime is traditional) and,for renunciate gurus, a piece of unstitchedcloth. These items are presented in a basketor on a metal tray. A monetary gift, calleddakshina,

wrapped in a betelleaf, is often included.In ancient days, guruswere given gold bythe king and cowsby the wealthyto sustain theirschools andallow them tofreely sharewisdom.

Fact & FictionFACT: Hindus consider the mother tobe a childs rst guru. She and the fatherare responsible for their off springsupbringing, welfare and education.Upon coming of age, youth may turn to asatguru to begin their spiritual training.FICTION: Some incorrectly criticizeHinduism as a world-negating faiththat overemphasizes asceticismand austerity. In fact, while its largecontingent of celibate monks pursuethe path of renunciation, yoga and deepmeditation, the vast majority of Hindusare householders dynamically engaged infamily life, career and community service.Tradition affi rms the pursuit of fourgoals: righteousness, wealth, pleasure(including sensual) and liberation.

What is the gurus role? It is the gurustask to lead aspirants to God. He sets soulson the spiritual path, corrects those whostray, softens karmas, inspires lifelongpractice and, through initiations, awakensthe seekers superconscious knowing. Hehelps us become aware of our shortcom-ings and strengths and gives us tools toovercome weaknesses and re ne ourselves.The guru, knowledgeable in Hinduismsscriptures, its sacred, practical and philo-sophical treatises, has the ability to helpus unlock their esoteric meaning and gaininsight as we study. He guides us in ourmeditations, helping us navigate the mindand ultimately transcend it.

What is darshan? Darshan, literallysight, is the mystical meeting of guru anddevotee. Hindus travel great distances toexperience darshan and receive the bless-ings of a illumined soul established in hisenlightenment. Hindus believe that thespiritual power, called shakti, comingfrom a great soul accelerates their spiri-tual evolution, changes patterns in their

life by purifying their subconscious mind,renewing their spirit and commitment toreligious life.

Are all gurus renunciate monks? Hinduspiritual teachers may be either unmar-ried renunciates or householders. ManyHindu institutions are led by luminarieswho follow the householder path. Most gu-rus, however, are celibate monksswamis,sadhus or acharyaswho have renouncedworldly life and received initiation into amonastic order.

Are gurus centrally organized? Hindu-ism is actually a multitude of faiths and

lineages loosely bound together by com-mon beliefs and practices. There is no cen-tral organization. Each guru within his orher own sphere of devotees is the author-ity on religious matters, his or her wisdomsought and words obeyed. Some are headsof institutions with large followings, whileothers are reclusive sadhus who rarely ap-pear in public.

inner bodiesastral, mental and soularethere. Touch the feet and we touch thespiritual master. Venerating the feet of theguru is also an acknowledgement of ourdeep respect and our knowledge that byfollowing his footsteps we will attain spiri-tual perfection.

Are gurus worshiped as God?A few Hindu denominations worship theirgurus as the embodiment of God, and mayeven revere him as an avatar. But mostHindus see their guru as a great illuminedsoul in whom Gods presence is most pow-erfully apparent.

Tidbits About the Guru

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, af, is often included.

ancient days, gurusere given gold bye king and cowsthe wealthysustain theirhools andlow them toeely shareisdom.

s. rajam

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