GAUTENG SPIRITUAL TASK TEAM:
“Striving for excellence through unity and harmony” AUM SAI RAM
Guru Poornima
Background to Festival (Why is it celebrated)
We celebrate Guru Poornima every year to acknowledge the important role played by our Guru in shaping our lives. It is celebrated every year in the month of Ashad. Today very few remember the occasion in its true concept. "Gu" signifies a person who can transcend all the Gunas or attributes. "Ru" signifies one who is beyond forms or Rupas. It is difficult to find such a person, because there is only one divine entity i.e. God. "God is and has been the true Guru." Guru is a person who guides us on the path to overcome ignorance. What can be the qualities and the underlying principles that define a true "Guru". A true Guru is capable of enjoying and spreading supreme happiness. He neither has a birth nor a death, beginning nor an end. He is God. He is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara – as he is the creator; he has quality of all pervasiveness; and he commands all that happens in the Universe. So a Guru is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.On the occasion of Guru Poornima the shishyas take the opportunity of making an offering of his love and respect to the Guru. If one can understand the true spirit behind Guru Poornima then we need not limit ourselves by celebrating the occasion on a single day. The feelings of love and respect should be reciprocated everyday. Actually this occasion is originally associated with Rishi Vyas and was celebrated as "Vyas Poornima". Rishi Vyas was born on a full moon day and finished the classification of the Vedas on the same day. Hence he became known as Ved Vyas and the occasion was celebrated as Vyas Poornima. The individual's mind is educated and enlightened with regard to the true nature of happiness. The goal that is kept before him is not merely one of physical enjoyment; that is not going to give him lasting happiness. For that, he has to rise beyond his dependence on the physical objects and plunge into the depths of his own being and discover the eternal and boundless ocean of joy and bliss within. He will then realize that the people around him are also manifestations of the same spirit and the enjoyment of the fruits of his labor by them is equivalent to his own enjoyment. It is against the background of this life-attitude that a balance could be achieved.
How should it be celebrated?
Every Religion has their own culture dictates as to how they would celebrate this function in their specific way to revere their Guru.
Recommendation will be very interesting for all religious groups to come together and do an exposition of their Master at one forum, either as a talk, or a study circle or an exhibition, or even an evening of plays and drama. Also handouts and leaflets should be given out explaining their significance of Guru Poornima.
Inner significance & symbolism of festival
What is the significance of Guru Purnima? Guru is one who illumines the path to divinity. Purnima stands for the cool full moon light. Full moon stands for a mind with total illumination. It is spotless and blemishless. Even if there is a trace of blemish in the mind, it will lead to darkness. It cannot give you total bliss.
Aum Sai Ram! Allah Malik! Satnem Wahe Guru! Amen! As the rivers merge into ocean so do religions into God.........that ONE GOD
How does it affect us in our spiritual transformation?
The annual function of Guru Poornima presents a moment of introspection for us to check up how far we have progressed in the spiritual path over the previous years, and take lessons from it and resolve to march faster in the current years.
A person may boast of the vast treasures in the vaults of his bank, but he will get credit only for that which he has actually earned and deposited therein. Do not fritter away the
time allotted to you; offer it to Keshava, who is Kaalaswaruupa (time personified). Know that waking from sleep is but birth and going into sleep is death. On waking, pray every morning of your life, "Oh Lord, I am born now from the womb of sleep. I am determined to carry out all tasks this day as offerings to Thee, with Thee ever present before my mind's eye. Make my words, thoughts and deeds sacred and pure; let me not inflict pain on any one; let no one inflict pain on me; direct me, guide me, this day." And when you enter the portals of sleep at night, pray, "Oh Lord! The tasks of this day, whose burden I placed on you this morning, are over. It was You who made me walk and talk and think and act; I therefore place at Thy feet all my words, thoughts and deeds. My task is done. Receive me, I am coming back to you." Adopt these as your daily prayers. The best thing is to have your own self as the source of light, as the Guru. The inner intelligence, the inner Guru will reveal the truth. This prayerful attitude will so educate your impulses that the inner intelligence will be fully revealed.
. Strengthened by Swami’s Grace, encouraged by Swami’s Blessings, engage in Saadhana (spiritual practice) and achieve success by realizing the Goal of Life.
On this day we must make Sarvaswa Sharanagathi ( complete surrender ) to the Sadguru. Mere questioning is not enough. The question must not be made with any improper motive ot attitude or to trap the Guru and catch at mistakes in the answer, or out of idle curiosity. It must be serious and with a view to achieve moksha of spiritual progress.
What does Swami say about the festival?
Today we are celebrating Guru Purnima. Purnima means full moon day. Then who is a Guru? The modern Gurus whisper a Mantra into the ear and stretch their hand for money. Such people are not fit to be called Gurus. Gukaro Gunateethaha Rukaro Rupavarjithaha (one who is attributeless and formless is a true Guru.) A Guru is necessary to make you understand the formless and attributeless Divinity. Since it is difficult to get such Gurus, consider God as your Guru.
Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Guru Devo Maheswara; Gurur Sakshat Para Brahma Thasmai Sri Gurave Namaha Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Maheswara. Consider Guru as your everything. In this world, everything is a manifestation of Divinity. Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma (verily all this is Brahman). All are the embodiments of Divinity. In fact, all that you see is nothing but the Divine Cosmic Form (Viswa Virat Swarupa). Sahasra Seersha Purusha Sahasraksha Sahasra Padh (With thousands of heads, thousands of feet and thousands of eyes, Divinity pervades everything). This means all the heads, all the feet and all the eyes that we see in this world belong to God. When the Vedic statement, Sahasra Seersha... was made, the population of the world was only a few thousands, but now it runs into a few hundred crores. In those days, people considered everybody as Divine. They believed in the Vedic dictum, Sarva Bhuta Namaskaram Kesavam Pratigachchati (salutations to all beings reach God). Easwara Sarva Bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings). Isavasyam Idam Sarvam (the entire universe is permeated by God). Divinity is not restricted to a particular place. God is here, God is there and He is everywhere. You are developing differences out of delusion, but Divinity is One and only One. It is the duty of a Guru to propagate such principle of oneness. Divine Discourse: July 5, 2001
Today we are celebrating the festival of Guru Poomima. Who is Guru? 'Gu' stands for Gunatheeta (attributeless). 'Ru' signifies Rupavarjita (formless). There is another interpretation for the word Guru. 'Gu' signifies darkness and 'Ru' denotes that which dispels darkness. (Gukaaro Andhakaarasya, Rukarasthannirodhakaha). So, God, who is attributeless and formless, is the true Guru. In the word 'Bhagavan', the letter 'Bha' stands for effulgence. An ordinary electric bulb illumines only a limited area, but God who is all pervasive illuminates the entire creation. Divinity shines forth in everybody. So, do not hate anybody. Guru is one who dispels the darkness of ignorance, arising out of body attachment. Body is but an instrument. God has given you the body to take to the Path of action. Body is God's gift. Deho Devalayah Prokto jeevo Devah Sanathanaha (body is the temple and the indweller is God)! Consider all bodies as temples of God and offer your salutations. Salute even your enemies. Sarva Jeeva Namaskaaram Kesavam Pratigachchathi and likewise Sarva Jeeva Tiraskaaram Kesavam Pratigachchathi (whomsoever you salute, it reaches God and whomsoever you censure, it also reaches God). Give up ignorance, light the lamp of wisdom in you and ultimately merge in the Divine. This is Swami's message for you today. Develop love. Through love alone can you annihilate the mind and through love alone can you get cured of any disease. Only love can eradicate the evil qualities in you. So love all. Love the Hridaya, not the physical body. Love the Divinity that is installed in your heart. Body, mind, intellect and senses are merely instruments, you are the master. So, master the mind and be a mastermind. Never become a slave to your mind.
Contemplate on the Divine day in and day out. That alone can bring about transformation in you. You may chant any name, contemplate on any form; but understand the truth that God is One and only one. Divine Discourse: July 16, 2000
Today is Guru Poornima. What is its significance? Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheswarah Guru Sakshath Parabrahma Thasmai Sri Gurave Namah. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are within us. That is why I often say you are not one, but three. This is the meaning of the three words Bhur, Bhuvah, Suvah in the Gayathri Mantra. Bhur means Bhuloka (earth). The earth is made up of materials. Therefore, the human body, which is also made up of materials, is called Bhuloka. This can also be referred to as materialization. Bhuvaha means life force.(Prana) It is this life force that makes the body move. It is known as vibration. Suvaha means wisdom. This is known as radiation. The Veda declares: Prajnanam Brahma. This Prajnana is nothing but radiation. Human being is a combination of materialization, vibration and radiation. You don't need to search for God outside. Turn your vision inward. There you will find God. Today is full moon day. The Veda says: Chandrama Manaso Jathaha Chaksho Suryo Ajayatha Mukhadindrascha Agnishcha. Moon is the presiding deity of the mind. That day is Poornima in the true sense of the term, when the mind is filled with pure love. Let your mind shine brilliantly like the moon on a full moon day. This is possible only when you fill your mind with love. Fill your hearts with love. There is no wealth, no Dharma, no meditation greater than love. I expect all of you to live in unity like brothers and sisters. If you become the embodiment of love, you will become divine. Divine Discourse: July 28, 1999
What is the significance of the Guru Purnima, which we are celebrating today? People consider a person who imparts knowledge as a preceptor. But most of them are mere teachers, not preceptors (gurus). There is only one guru and He is God. The letter "Gu" signifies one who transcends all attributes. "Ru" signifies one who has no form. Only God can be regarded as one who is beyond attributes and forms. In another sense, the term "Guru" means one who dispels ignorance. Although one's mother, father and preceptor are to be adored as divine beings, they are not God. God should be worshipped as mother, father, preceptor, kinsman and friend. Father, mother, and preceptor dwell in their respective abodes. But God dwells in your heart. Love the Lord who resides in your heart. All other objects of love are impermanent.
People should understand the distinction between worldly love and spiritual love. Worldly love is based on the desire to receive. Divine love yearns to give. God's love goes on giving. This is the true mark of divinity. It is a sign of purity. Spirituality is opposed to the ways of the world. Worldly activities cannot always be avoided. But if whatever is done is made an offering to please God, it gets sanctified. Whatever you achieve, treat it as a gift from God. You will then realize your true humanness. True humanness consists in the unity of good conduct, good thoughts and good speech. Never depart from truth. Let love flow freely from your heart. Divine Discourse: July 9, 1998
The term "Guru" means one who dispels the darkness of ignorance. "Gu" means one who is beyond attributes (gunas), "Ru" implies one who is beyond forms (rupas). This refers only to God. That is why the "Guru" is hailed as Brahma, Vishnu or Siva. Only God is the true Guru. All others are merely teachers, like the teachers of different subjects in a college. "Guru" is the one who reveals the "Guri" (target) to the disciple. "Guri" here refers to the Atmic Principle. Divine Discourse: July 20, 1997
Today is described as Guru Purnima Day. This is not quite correct. The day got its name because of some gurus who wanted to have an occasion for receiving offerings from their disciples. The right name for this day is Vyasa Purnima. Vyaasa was born on this full moon day. He completed the codification of the four Vedas on this day. He completed the writing of the eighteen puranas on this day. Owing to the passage of time Vyasa Purnima came to be called Guru Purnima. When this Self is within you where is the need to search for someone to teach you? A teacher who teaches others has had a teacher himself. The one who has no Guru above him is the true Guru. The Sanskrit stanza which hails the Guru as Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara and as Parabrahman is misinterpreted. The right approach is to consider Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara as the Guru. These three are symbolised by the three gunas: Brahma is Rajas, Vishnu is Sathva and Siva is Thamas. The whole cosmos is constituted by the three gunas. The three gunas are present in man. The trinity are present in the form of the three gunas in every human heart. Divine Discourse: July 30, 1996
Embodiments of Divine Atma: Today is Guru Purnima. What is meant by Gurutwa? Truth in the world is Gurutwa. Observe truth with steady feelings and with a selfless heart. That truth is your protection. That truth is your armour. Truth will follow you and protect you. Satyam Naasti Paramo Dharma - there is no Dharma higher than Truth. Dharmo Rakshati Rakshithaha - if you protect Dharma, that Dharma will in turn protect you. Do not waver by this agitation. Keep your
truth as you aim. Fill your heart with sanctity. Love every one. Do not hate anybody. Then only true divinity will originate in you. Divine Discourse: July 3, 1993
Who is a true Guru? What is the truth underlying the Guru principle? Is he the one that teaches worldly education? Is he the one that explores the properties of matter, a Guru? Is he the one that describes in detail Natural Sciences, a Guru? No, they are only teachers. A true Guru is the embodiment of Brahmaanandha (transcendental bliss). A true Guru is one who enjoys and confers changeless supreme happiness. He is beyond space and time; and there is nothing higher than Him. He is the very form of truth and infinite. He has neither birth nor death, neither beginning nor end. He is God Himself: He is the Guru. Guru is Brahman. He is the Creator; He Himself is the creation and He is the One that exists in the creation. The universe is filled with Brahman. It becomes clear that the One who Himself has become the universe is the Guru. Guru is Vishnu. Who is Vishnu? Vishnu is one who has the quality of pervasiveness. He is the Doer and also what is done. The universe is the action, God is the Doer. God is the consciousness behind the cause and effect. The whole universe is the form of Vishnu. This Vishnu is the Guru. Guru is Maheshvara. Who is Maheshvara? He is the one who rules all beings in the Universe. He commands and ordains everything in the universe in the right manner. Sun-rise and Sun-set go on according to His command. Seasons, rain, the day and night are His commands. Eeshvara is one that makes everything--follow its discipline without any lapse. Guru is not one who merely teaches. A Guru is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, He is God himself. Gurupuurnima means full moon without any defect or lacuna. Moon is nothing but mind. When the mind is completely perfect, it sheds light. Gurupuurnima is not performed by circumambulation and offerings to the Guru. What is the real offering? It is the offering of one's love. To know that God exists everywhere is circumambulation. If you understand these terms, everyday is Gurupuurnima. There is only one Guru, that is God and there is no other Guru. Contemplate on that Guru. Divine Discourse: July 14, 1992
1.
References & prescribed readings on the festivals
Sathya Sai Speaks Summer Showers
Sathyam Shivam Sundaram
Integrated Nature of festival
On this day special seva activities can be planned and all the different wings can participate jointly. EHV teachers can educate the children about the significance of Guru Poornima, which is about the enlightenment of a Great Teacher who removes darkness and replaces it with light , through spiritual teachings.
Summarize document into study circle for centres to discuss. Emphasize that people must take values out of the festival and put it into practice, only then, will the festival be a success. Swami’s teachings should be practiced on a daily basis, not just on the day of the function. “Purity , Unity and Divinity must be our watch words; they alone can ensure material and spiritual well - being. With Purity and Unity , we can disclose our Divinity and develop genuine devotion to God”.