Guru poornima or Buddha poornima

…contd….

Significance of this day : 

‘Guru’ is a compound word. In Sanskrit language, ‘Gu’ means ‘darkness’ and ‘ru’ means ‘dispeller’ and put together it means ‘a person who is dispeller of darkness’. ‘Guru’ is thus a person who removes ‘darkness’ called ignorance from us and leads us from ‘darkness’ to ‘light’ i.e., ignorance to Truth. 

Guru is one who imparts the knowledge that he has earned through his ‘sadhan’ or ‘penance’ to his student/s which is expression of ‘ultimate expression of selfless love’ in the world and hence the ‘love of guru is considered the ultimate ‘possession’ or ‘earnings’ of one’s life. He guides the student through the maze of karma, karmic imprints called ‘samskaras’, quagmire of desires and pushes him ever into the world of ‘Light’ or ‘Realization of Self’.

This day is a day of remembrance of all his deeds and love for his students and a day of gratitude in the life of his students. It’s a day a student reiterates his ‘receiving’ from his Guru and pays his ‘gratitude’ to his Guru in various forms.

It is not Guru’s ‘Happy Birthday’ that you wish him ‘happy guru poornima’.  Thanks to western influence and degeneration of right values, saying ‘hi’ to elders and Guru may be considered ‘cool’ thing but that shows one’s values and his understanding of this day and the role of Guru.

Where is respect in this ‘happy guru poornima day’ wish? It’s not about me being of old school. It reflects ones character.

And please don’t send ‘I am sorry’ words………it’s not about saying those words…it’s about understanding what we are doing and for what reason….not just blindly doing things assuming we are right (and funnily we expect even positive results for these mundane illogical acts since we assumed that we have shown our gratitude so we should get results in the form of blessings et all! How funny!)

 Gratitude doesn’t show in this ‘western hallow way of uttering words’. It is shown in action. One reaches Guru’s place with due respect and heart full of gratitude and some flowers, incense sticks and such dakshina. No real Guru doesn’t look forward for it and many times doesn’t even accept it. But it is not about the Guru. It is an excuse to show your gratitude. Many therefore go and do ‘seva’ at Guru’s place. Many even partake of ‘theertham’ – water used to wash guru’s feet and take it as ‘prasada’. They massage the feet of their Guru and ‘cry tears of pain’ when they see their Guru in pain while they are massaging the feet. Physically, these are just few ways “gratitude” is expressed towards one’s Guru.

As a Reiki channel, one can send reiki for the financial well-being, for the Guru’s family members to be healthy, wealthy and peaceful for atleast ½ an hour today. One can chant ‘Mrutyunjaya Mantram’ atleast 11 malas for his Guru’s well being.

‘jahan chah hai wahan raah hai’

Where there is love, love will find its way to express itself…..

But, ofcourse, the main criteria is ‘love’ and ‘gratitude’. Is it really there? That is the question that one needs to answer honestly to self.  If it’s only outwardly and a show of hand then yes, whatever you do counts as respect and gratitude….no questions asked there……

….contd……