The full-moon day (purnima) in July (22nd July 2013) is the auspicious (Poornima) day when Guru Poornima is celebrated by worshipping our Guru, the spiritual master, who taught us divine love, by performing poojas performed in prostration to him. The festival is usually celebrated as an occasion for initiation of new disciples by their Gurus.
Bhagavad Gita, 4:34
The Need for a Guru
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Verse 34
Achieving spiritual perfection by oneself through yoga (meditation) is impractical. One must learn spiritual practices under the guidance of a genuine spiritual master. We repose our faith in a Guru whose feet are roots of worship and the root of liberation. He opens our eyes blinded by ignorance and darkness and guides us to our goals.
Qualities of a Guru
How is a guru identified from the array of Gurus and spiritual teachers? Bhagavadgita gives guidelines and qualities of a genuine Guru. A true Guru has credentials to impart true knowledge free from speculation and never claims he is god. He knows god is supreme and we are subordinate to him. He knows the truth and lives it, is free from lust, anger, and greed. He exemplifies wisdom, peacefulness, self-control, austerity, piety , tolerance and strong faith in God. He must be from a succession (eg.Brahma, Narada, Vyasa, Shankaracharya).
At the time of deeksha (initiation), the Guru absorbs the past sins and karmas of his disciples and reveals true spiritual knowledge. The disciple develops strong love for the Guru who delivers him from the bondage of birth and death. Bhagavadgita shows that when Arjuna was confused about his duties, put his faith in Krishna, regarded him as his Guru - then Krishna showed him the right path. The Guru is a man of profound intellectual and spiritual sensitivity and compassion. The scriptures state that initiation must be taken from a Guru. On Guru Poornima day, we pray "Oh Guru, you are father, mother, brother, friend, knowledge and wealth. You are to me everything and god of all gods.
The Guru Mantra
Guru Saakshaat Para Brahma, Tasmai Shree Guruve Namaha
Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Shiva
Guru is the Absolute Brahman incarnate, Obeisance to Guru
Audio (mp3) Snippets of the Guru Mantra
- Listen to the Guru Mantra (mp3 201K, 23sec)
- Download a rendition of the Guru Mantra in mp3 format from the "Chants of India" CD by Ravi Shankar. This CD is a must for anyone interested in exploring hindu mantras.
)
