Today is Guru Purnima, a full moon day which is observed in the month of Ashaad. Guru' in India, holds a supreme significance. Guru is a person with revered personality, who by his teachings enlightens us. He introduces us to the vast world of knowledge and shuns our ignorance. He teaches us, he guides us; he protects us from all sorts of dangers and sins. Perhaps, that's the reason why Kabir in one of his Doha (songs) says, that if God and Guru stand side by side, the first adoration and worship should be offered to Guru and then to God. This is because through Guru we can recognize and realize the significance of God.
Among the 12 full moons in a year, the aashadha full moon is dedicated to the memory of masters. This is Guru-Purnima or Vyas Purnima, which is now more commonly known as Guru Purnima.It is celebrated in respect to all Gurus. Vyas Purnima is celebrated in worshipping Guru Ved Vyas. Vyasa was the son of the sage Parashara and a fisherwoman Satyavati, and the grandson of the renowned sage Vasistha. He personifies the combination of sagely wisdom of his father and the practical approach of the fisherwoman. It is essential to cultivate both to excel in life. Vyasa was born on the full moon day (Purnima) of Asadh (a month of the Hindu calendar).
Purnima' denotes illumination and Vyasa Purnima points to spiritual Enlightenment. On Vyas Purnima, the shishya (student or devotee) offers pujas to the Guru. In Sanskrit, 'Gu' means darkness and 'Ru' is to remove the darkness.Vyasa was the author of the epic Mahabharata.Ved Vyas is remembered on this day because he had taken on the great task of actually classifying the Vedas. In ancient times, people passed on the Vedas from one generation to the next by word of mouth, but Ved Vyas collected them so that they could be read. He studied the Shastras under Sages Sanaka and Sanandana and others. He arranged the Vedas for the good of mankind and wrote the Brahma Sutras for the quick and easy understanding of the Srutis; He also wrote the Mahabharata to enable women, shudras and other people of lesser intellect to understand the highest knowledge in the easiest way. Vyas wrote the eighteen Purans and established the system of teaching them through Upakhyanas or discourses. In this way, He established the three paths, viz., Karma, Upasana and Jnana. Vyas' last work was the Bhagavad which He undertook at the instance of Devrushi Narad, who once came to Him and advised Him to write it as, without it, His goal in life would not be reached. Since he provided the world with such great knowledge, he is known as the original Guru of Hindu Dharma.
Writing of the world's longest epic - Mahabharat
Maharushi Vyas knows the secret of all Creation. His vast knowledge of the past, present and future made Him apt to author the Mahabharat, the greatest epic in the Hindu scriptures. As Vyas knew all about prayers, Karma, Vedas, practice of asceticism and yog, Dharma (Religion and duty), Artha (material wealth) and Kama (desire), Shastras and the society, He put all this knowledge in the Mahabharat.
Vyas wanted someone to write the epic as He spoke the Shlokas to be included in the epic. So He went to Brahma and requested Him to provide Him a writer who would pen the epic. Brahma told Vyas that He should ask Ganapati to write the epic for Him. Ganapati agreed to write but on the condition that Vyas would not stop dictating even for a minute. Vyas also laid down His condition, "Whatever I say should be written only after comprehending its meaning thoroughly, not blindly scribbled." Thus, Maharushi Vyas recited the Mahabharat, which has more than one lakh verses, without stopping even once, in order to fulfill Lord Ganapati's condition!
Lord Ganapati had a sharp intellect. As Vyas kept reciting, He kept comprehending the meaning and writing it down. Vyas had no time to think. But He too was clever; when He needed time to mentally organise the next verse, He would recite a difficult verse, which could have two or three interpretations and hence, was difficult to comprehend at once. This would force Lord Ganapati to stop and ponder over its meaning and this gave Vyas the time to mentally compose the next few verses. In this manner the Mahabharat was recited by Vyas and written by Ganapati. That which is not found in the Mahabharat, is not found anywhere else in the world.
Mahabharata is not only a work of art, poetic excellence and entertainment, it has inspired generations of Indians through the ages with its useful instructions on life and the immortal message of the Bhagavad Gita. Apart from that he composed 18 Puranas, Upapuranas, and Vyas Samhita etc. To teach mankind as to how to lead our lives. All teachers bow to Vyasa before taking the seat. He is revered as the first guru although the guru-sisya parampara started long before his time.
Such a genius and gifted personality is not to be found in the annals of literary history of mankind. We all adore and worship him on this day through our own preceptor, who is regarded to be Maharshi Vyas incarnate. So every devout Hindu worships his/her own guru regarding him as Vyas Dev, our Adiguru. This worship of the preceptor or guru has been running from time immemorial when during the ancient Vanaasram period the disciples residing in their Guru's house used to learn various Shastras. On this auspicious day the disciples used to worship their guru and offer him honorarium in order to propitiate him and obtain his blessings. Everybody should observe this day. This is observed by those who are under the guidance of a guru. But those who are not can pay their respects to their parents. Scriptures say that the mother is the first teacher followed by the father." Realizing this and feeling grateful for all that has come your way; celebrating this and the tradition of masters who preserved this knowledge is Guru Purnima.
One must reflect, "Where was I before I got this knowledge? Where am I now?" When you see the contrast of where you were without this knowledge, then gratitude wells up. More gratefulness and gratitude means more grace. More grace means more happiness, more knowledge. How fortunate you are to perceive the infinity within you, in this finite framework of the body-mind complex. The current scene however is different. The cricketers, movie heroes and heroines have become the ideals of everyone. Also the two vices of selfishness and narrow mindedness have become dominant at present which is causing lot of harm to the whole society. Under such circumstances it has become essential to study and follow the life of Saints who have imparted the teaching of sacrifice, love. Devotion to righteousness, devotion to nation, helping the society.
Let we thank all those in the past, present and the future for the continuation of wisdom on this planet. Life begins with wisdom. In our consciousness, wisdom comes to life when the guru comes to life. When all the boundaries drop; you feel one with the whole universe, that's called- 'Guru'. Do you ever wish to do something for someone without expecting anything? If yes, you have played the role of the guru.
Vyasaya Vishnu Roopaya, Vyasa Roopaya Vishnave |
Namove Bhrama Nithaye, Vasishtaya Namo Namaha:||
Meaning: Salutation to Vyas who is in the form of Vishnu and Vishnu who is in the form of Vyas and one who is the treasure house of the Vedas. Salutation to one who was born in the noble family of Vasishta. The honour of being equal to Vishnu belonged to Maharushi Vyas.
Aano bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah.(- RIG VEDA)
"Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions"
REGARDS
Miss.Shaija Vallikatri Bhaskaran
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