As the name indicates, Guru Purnima is a day that falls on the full moon and is celebrated for the Guru. As per the Hindu calendar, on Ashadha month’s Purnima, Guru Purnima is celebrated. This year Guru Purnima is on July 5, Sunday. The glory of the Guru is unimaginable. Without a Guru, knowledge can’t be attained. It is believed that on this day, Adiguru, the composer of the Mahabharata, and the four Vedas’ lecturer, Maharshi Ved Vyas, was born and that’s why the day is also called as Vyas Purnima.  In fact, worship of the guru is important because, by his grace, one can achieve anything.

The Guru concept is prevailing in Indian civilization and culture since ages. A Guru is important for the study of all sciences- educational and spiritual. The guru is not only an instructor, but also a guide, a mentor, a role model, a friend, and the parent. A guru is one who removes the ignorance with his knowledge and experience.

Now the question comes who can become a Guru?

Following are some of the qualities of a Guru:

• 1. He must have unflinching faith in God.
• 2. He must be free of egotism, jealousy, and corruption.
• 3. He must understand the sacred mantras along with the meaning.
• 4. He must be able to explain the meaning of the ancient Scriptures to others in a skillful manner.
• 5. He should be free from any attachment.
• 6. He should be compassionate and have unimpeachable conduct

Not everyone can be chosen as Guru but who is experienced and have the knowledge and can impart good thoughts and habits to others can be treated as Guru. Guru Purnima is a day to pay gratitude towards our Gurus/ teachers who helped us to gain knowledge in every form.

In India, to honor every relationship and to show gratitude towards it, a festival is there. With the same trend, the festival of Guru Purnima is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country.  On the full moon of the Ashadh Shukla, Guru Poornima is celebrated. Guru is considered as Lord in Indian culture and he is worshiped like Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.

On Guru Purnima worship of the Guru is done. In fact, worship of the master is also important because, by his grace, one can achieve anything. The glory of the master is unimaginable. Without a master, knowledge can’t be attained. The master has been elevated above even God.

It is believed that on this day, Adiguru, the composer of the Mahabharata, and the four Vedas’ lecturers, Maharshi Ved Vyas, was born. Guru Purnima is the birth anniversary of Maharishi Ved Vyas. He was a great scholar of Sanskrit.