Guru Purnima is an opportunity to honour all those who guide and mould us

Guru Purnima is a celebration of learning, wisdom, and gratitude.

India’s cultural legacy is rich in values, wisdom, and timeless teachings. Its many cosmopolitan festivals are celebrations of cultural consciousness, reflections of our connection with nature’s rhythms, backed by scientific insights. Guru Purnima, whose significance spans religions, disciplines, and centuries, is one such occasion, giving us a moment to pause and reflect. It encourages us to ask what has changed — what have we carried forward, and what have we left behind? And who played the most profound role in the journey, holding our hands on the muddy, slippery path of life? A mentor’s hand, a divine thought, a mother’s care, a teacher’s word, a friend’s faith — any can become our guiding light. Guru Purnima is a sacred opportunity to honour every element that guides us, moulds us, and walks with us on the path of growth.

Guru Purnima, observed on the full moon day of the Ashadha month, marks the day Lord Shiva (Adiguru) imparted the knowledge of yoga to the Saptarshis, the seven sages. It also commemorates the birth anniversary of Maharshi Veda Vyasa. Additionally, it marks the beginning of Chaturmasya, a four-month holy period during the monsoon when sadhus and monks stay in one place and teach their disciples. It’s considered an ideal time for deep meditation, chanting, fasting, and connecting with divine energy.

The word “guru” in Sanskrit is a combination of gu (darkness) and ru (removal of darkness), meaning the one who dispels darkness. In ancient Vedic traditions, the guru-shishya parampara (teacher-disciple lineage) was the foundation of learning, which went hand in hand with character building, a continuous process of imparting values through actions. A guru is not just a teacher; their presence is a living force, a feeling, a constant source of strength, direction, and inspiration. The mother, as the first guru, introduces a child to this new world and guides the first steps of life. The guru imparts knowledge to the seeker, while the sadguru nurtures wisdom.

The saint Kabir beautifully compares the guru to a kumhar (potter) and the shishya to an unbaked clay pot: Guru kumhar shish kumbh hai, garhi garhi kadhe khot/Antar hath sahar de, bahar mare chot. Just as a potter uses one hand inside the pot to support it gently, and the other hand outside to beat and shape it, a true guru disciplines, corrects, and refines the disciple from outside — through strictness, challenges, and feedback. At the same time, the guru supports and strengthens the disciple internally, with love, compassion, and understanding.

The bond between Vishwamitra and Lord Rama, Guru Ravidas and Meera Bai, Ramanand and Kabir, Guru Nanak Dev ji and the successive Sikh gurus — all exemplify the enduring legacy of spiritual and intellectual exchange in Indian civilisation. These sacred relationships offered a moral framework to society, as did the bonds between Samarth Guru Ramdas and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Swami Virajanand Saraswati and Swami Dayanand Saraswati in the modern era. Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa transformed Swami Vivekananda into a spiritual giant who carried Indian philosophy to the West. Similarly, the divine lineage of Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda continues to inspire seekers worldwide.

Guru Purnima is a celebration of learning, wisdom, and gratitude. In an era often overwhelmed by information and competition, the presence of a true teacher — whether spiritual master or coach, educator, parent, or even a digital mentor — becomes more crucial, going beyond religion and rituals. The absence of ethics has shattered the social fabric; the mere shadow of the guru keep one from the path of wrongdoing.

As we move further into the digital age, the timeless message of Guru Purnima encourages us to seek knowledge, rediscover inner guidance, honour our mentors, and become sources of light for others — helping to build a value-driven humanity.