Kathmandu : Today, on the day of Ashad Shukla Purnima, Guru Purnima is celebrated, which is a day to recite Gayatri Mantra, receive teachings, and show reverence towards the gurus.
The word “Guru” is derived from “Gu,” meaning darkness, and “Ru,” meaning light. The guru is considered the one who dispels the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge. This is mentioned in the scriptures of Tantra and Dharma Shastra, as explained by the former chairman of the Nepal Panchang Determination Committee, Prof. Dr. Ramchandra Gautam.
The personality who spreads light in life by dispelling darkness is called a guru. Our scriptures also equate such gurus to Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. Various scriptures mention the following:
Gurur-Brahmaa Gurur-Vishnu Gururdevo Maheshwarah Guruh Saakshaat Param Brahma Tasmai Shri Guruve Namah
The guru is revered and respected like a mother and father, and it is said, “Acharya Devo Bhava” (May the guru be like God).
On the occasion of Guru Purnima, various educational institutions and organizations organize programs to honor and pay respect to gurus by imparting knowledge and initiation.
Today is also Vyas Jayanti.
On this day, the Vedas are divided into four parts: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda, and the understanding of their meaning is simplified in the simple Sanskrit language. This day is also celebrated as Vyas Jayanti because Veda Vyasa, who divided the Vedas into four parts, was born on the day of Ashad Shukla Purnima.
Veda Vyasa, through Puranas and Upapuranas, has conveyed the following message:
“Ashtadasha Puraneshu Vyasya Vachan Dvayam Paropakara Punyaya, Papaya Parapidanam.”
Meaning, by doing good to others, one attains virtue, and by causing harm to others, one incurs sin. This is the message of humanism. Mahabharata, including the five Vedas, was also authored by Veda Vyasa.
Note: Some of the names and terms have been transliterated from Nepali to English.