Guru Pournami
Guru Brahma gurur Vishnuh,
Gurur dhevo Maheswarah,
Gurussaakshaath Parabrahma,
Thasmai Shri Gurave namah
Vyasa Purnima (Veda Vyas Poornima) or Guru Pournami is one of the most auspicious purnima days as per the Hinduism. Some scriptures described that on Ashada Poornima day,Vyasa Sage the presenter of Chaturvedas (four Vedas), Astadasha Puranas (18 Puranas) and the ithihas Mahabharata completed writing and editing the compilations of Chaturveds.Thus Ashada Purnima is also called as Vyas Poornima. Vyas Purnima is also observed as Guru Pournami because Veda Vyas Bhagawan is considered as the Aadi Guru (first teacher). During Vyasa Jayanthi people worship Veda Vyas along with Guru parampara and Lord Sri Krishna. In some regions, the day is also celebrated as Guru Puja.
Vyasa Purnima – Chautur Mas Vrata – Shiva Shayanotsava Vratam:
In some sects, on Vyasa Purnima is considered as the beginning of Chaturmas vrata. During the four holy months in Hinduism, Lord Vishnu goes into cosmic sleep. Some Shaiva sects observe Vyasa Jayanthi as the Shiva Shayanotsav Vrata arambham. It marks the first day of Shiva Shayanotsav Vratam. On this day, Shiva Dolotsav is also celebrated. In Veda Vyasa temple at Basar where Goddess Gnana Saraswati Devi temple is located, Vyasa Pournami celebrations are held with utmost devotion.
Merits of Observing Vyasa Purnima – Vyasa Jayanthi Phal Stuthi:
Worshipping Veda Vyasa bhagwan and observing Vyas Purnima with reverence is highly meritorious. The one who donates Vishnu Purana on Ashada Purnima would attain salvation and reaches Vaikuntam, the Vishnu lokam, after the death. Reciting the stotra of Veda Vyasa on Vyas Pournami routes the devotee to Brahmatva (salvation). Lord Shiridi Saibaba said that Guru Purnima is the compulsary festival that his devotees should celebrate. Saint of Shirdi - Shri Sai Baba - Saguna Brahma - Guru:
The saint of Shirdi recognized and emphasized the beauty of a Guru-guided life. Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi is the Guru incarnate to live on this earth in the late part of last century and early part of this century. Shri Sai Baba gave tremendous importance to the adoption of the Guru in one's spiritual "Sadhana"(pursuit). With an innate compassion Shri Sai Baba often declared -"I am your savior, not only from the weight of sin, but from the weight of care and misery". "Guru is all the Gods", said the Saint of Shirdi. Moreover, the Baba declared reassuringly though as the all pervading Guru he would naturally expect complete surrender, obedience and loyalty, he promised that through his supreme powers he would extend complete protection to those who put their implicit faith in him.
Has Shri Sai Baba qualified to be a Guru? Not only did the Saint of Shirdi perform his duties of Guruship during his life, but was able to establish a lasting Guru-parampara(successors of Guru's) through his vision and foresight.
Shri Sai Baba was not content to transfer his messiahship to his descendants. In the last years of his life, he said to his devotees with a mother's solicitude, "Do not grieve when my body passes away. My tomb will live and move and speak with all those who make me their sole refuge." Sai Baba's promise is abundantly fulfilled even to-day. Millions of devotees flock to his Samadhi regularly to seek his blessings. Through decades of void there comes echoing down the years the gracious message- " I am beside you always".
Celebration of Guru Poornima Day in Shirdi The celebration of Guru Poornima began in Shirdi around 1908. One day Shri Baba told his disciple Shri Dada Kelkar, "Do you know this day is the day to approach Gurus? Bring your worship articles". Then Shri Kelkar and his friends looked up the calendar and found that the day was Guru Poornima day. They started worshipping Shri Sai Baba as their Guru, and that practice has continued till today not only in Shirdi but all over the world where prayers are offered to Shri Sai.
How does one celebrate Guru Poornima?
Guru Poornima is celebrated by devotees by performing Guru Pooja(offering prayers to the Guru) to our Lord Shri Sai Baba. Each Sai Devotee can either perform the Sai Guru Pooja(prayer) at home or attend a Sai Guru Pooja or sponsor a Sai Guru Pooja being performed at a Sai temple by offering donation or other articles used in Pooja(Pooja samagri).
One can attend a bhajan or visit a Sai Mandir where ever possible. For those of us who do not have the fortune of visiting a Sai temple or attending a Bhajan, this web site organization has teamed with Sai temples from various areas to help devotees participate in Sai Guru Pooja by sponsoring Guru Pooja. For those who are unable to do so, humming songs about Sai or repeating Sai slokams or SaiNama would be a good way to spend Guru Poornima day.
The Guru's Advice
Swami Sivananda recommends: "Wake up at Brahmamuhurta (at 4 a.m.) on this most holy day. Meditate on the lotus feet of your Guru. Mentally pray to him for his Grace, through which alone you can attain Self-realisation. Do vigorous Japa and meditate in the early morning hours.
"After bath, worship the lotus feet of your Guru, or his image or picture with flowers, fruits, incense and camphor. Fast or take only milk and fruits the whole day.
In the afternoon, sit with other devotees of your Guru and discuss with them the glories and teachings of your Guru.
"Alternatively, you may observe the vow of silence and study the books or writings of your Guru, or mentally reflect upon his teachings. Take fresh resolves on this holy day, to tread the spiritual path in accordance with the precepts of your Guru.
"At night, assemble again with other devotees, and sing the Names of the Lord and the glories of your Guru. The best form of worship of the Guru is to follow his teachings, to shine as the very embodiment of his teachings, and to propagate his glory and his message."
