Significance of Guru Purnima :
Guru Purnima is the pure full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of ashadh (usually coincides with July of the English calender). This day is celebrated every year to express gratitude unto the Guru Principle. The ArchGuru, Sage Vyas (founder of the Guru-disciple lineage), is worshipped on this day. This festival is the greatest festival in the life of a seeker. Of course, even this celebration in gratitude to the Guru is done for the seeker's spiritual progress, since the Guru is a manifest form of The Lord Himself. The Guru Principle is most active on this day than on any other through out the year. Under the pretext of this celebration, the festival provides an unmatchable opportunity to progress spiritually through service and sacrifice unto the Truth. That is why seekers and Disciple participate in this mission for the Truth whole heartedly.
Guru Purnima is not the festival of spiritual masters only. You may also express reverence to your school teacher or any other kind of teacher/ guide/ mentor on this auspicious day.
The planet of Jupiter – kind, optimistic, giver of knowledge and wisdom that it is – is also referred to as Guru, and thus, myriad literature also associates Guru Purnima with the worship and offering of reverence to the Lord Jupiter or Guru – the benign planetary teacher! You may also please the Lord Jupiter this Guru Purnima or offer respect to your Gurus by instituting an attuned (Siddha) Guru Yantra on this day.
It is also believed that Lord Dattatrey considered some animals and birds as his Guru. So, the enstire idea is to look for positive powers around you, and take them as a blessing, imbibe them whole-heartedly, from anyone who has them.
Guru is also equivalent to ‘Tridev’ – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, and as per the Indian culture, only Guru (the spiritual master) is considered as someone who can show the path that leads to one of these Gods. The following Shloka confirms this belief –
Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnuhu, Guru Devo Maheswaraha
Guru Saakshaat Parabhrahma, Tasmai Sri Gurve Namah
In the contemporary scenario, this festival is celebrated or observed in various ways in schools, institutes of higher learning and creative arts organisations. The creative art forms of dance and music follow this tradition of the Guru-Shishya Parampara very dearly. Students trained under the Hindustani Classical music tradition express their high regards towards their Gurus by giving public performances on this day. In various cities of India, Indian classical music shows are also arranged on this auspicious day.
The place of Guru is very high in the Indian culture and mythology. And, they are filled with the famous legends wherein the pupils have gone to lengths to please or appease their mentors. We are also aware of Sandipani Rushi, Eklavy, Baiju Bawra and many other stories related to Guru Shishya.
Guru Poornima is basically the festivals of the ‘seekers’ – the seekers of the divine wisdom, knowledge, spirituality, peace and greater prudence.
On this auspicious day you can do the following -
Take blessings of your Guru, and offer Dakshina if possible.
You may recite Guru Leelamrut or Datta Bawani.
You may also recite Saai Charitra.
If you do not have an appointed Guru, you may also perform the Pooja of your family deity.
You may also offer yellow clothes or Sandalwood, yellow pulses (daal) at a temple or to any Brahmin on this day.