Why is Guru Purnima observed ?
24 July 2021
My Dear Young and Little Indians,
Today is Guru Purnima गुरु पूर्णिमा. The is the day to worship our Guru/ Teacher.
Upnishad उपनिषद says…..
गु शब्दस्त्वन्धकारः स्यात् रु शब्दस्तन्निरोधकः।
अन्धकारनिरोधित्वात् गुरुरित्यभिधीयते॥
Purnima पूर्णिमा means Full Moon.
Guru Purnima is observed on the Full Moon Day of the month of Asadh (आषाढ़) of the Vikram Samvat विक्रम संवत. Today is the Full Moon Day of the month of Asadh (आषाढ़)
Guru Purnima is also known as Vyas Jayanti व्यास जयंती or Vyas Purnima व्यास पूर्णिमा.
Rishi Vyas or Rishi Ved Vyas वेद व्यास is considered as the original Guru or Teacher. Every knowledge of Sanatan Sanskriti सनातन संस्कृति (now known as Hinduism) is touched by Rishi Vyas be it Ved, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads Brahma-Sutras or Puranas. He also wrote Mahabharata which also includes Bhagavad Gita.
A Guru blesses his disciples with knowledge or Vidya विद्या
Here we need to understand that the Indian concept of ‘Vidya’ विद्या is much bigger, higher, deeper and greater than that of the so-called advanced and modern western world.
For the rest of the world, ‘Vidya’ विद्या is what we are taught in schools and universities –Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, Hindi, Biology, Astronomy, Geography etc.
As per the Indian concept, this is not Vidya विद्या. This is Avidya अविद्या
Now what is Avidya अविद्या ?
One, Avidya अविद्या is not the opposite of Vidya विद्या! ......Two, Avidya अविद्या is not bad or unwanted.
Avidya अविद्या is the knowledge that we acquire to fulfill our worldly wishes and requirements.
Now what is Vidya विद्या ?
As per Vishnu Puran विष्णु पुराण …."सा विद्या या विमुक्तये"
Meaning- विद्या वही है जो मुक्ति का मार्ग दिखाये. Vidya विद्या is what liberates or the knowledge that leads to self-realisation.
Sounds complicated ? Let us understand with an example.
Arjun, one of the Pandav brothers, was an expert at archery and one of the best warriors of his times. He had the best Avidya अविद्या (worldly knowledge) possible.
When the Mahabharat battle started, this great warrior found it difficult to even lift his bow and point an arrow towards his cousins ‘Kaurav’ कौरव and Bhishma Pitamah भीष्म पितामह.
Then his Guru- Lord Krishna- blessed him with Vidya विद्या (Knowledge for Self realization)……
विद्या was - Fight for what is right. Fight to uphold Dharma (Righteousness).
Let us take a student’s example.
A student is studying hard for his examinations. A few days before the examination, a friend drops in and informs that the question paper pattern is expected to be changed this year.
Now the student gets down thinking-
What would be the new pattern ?
Will I be able to score 95+ marks?
What will happen if I do not get 95+ marks?
Inspite of all Avidya अविद्या, this student is feeling nervous.
Here विद्या can guide him and make him realise that result is beyond your control. Don't think about it. Just hope for the best. Study diligently and sincerely. Be honest with your efforts.
My Dear Young and Little Indians,
We all need a combination of अविद्या and विद्या.
Our Best Wishes to all of you on Guru Purnima गुरु पूर्णिमा.
You all are born with a good luck because you are born in India.
Grow up with India in your hearts and make India proud.
Jai Hind !
Gaurav Negi
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