Guru Purnima: The True Meaning

Guru Purnima, a full-moon day, coincides with the monsoon season being in full swing across the country. It marks the end of the oppressive summer season and scorching temperatures. We witness rapid growth everywhere, trees and plants are in full bloom; it’s a time when the energies are exponentially high. This particular Purnima, combined with monsoon, marks the beginning of a period leading to Raksha Bandhan purnima and the start of the next phase of Sadhna or spiritual practices. In ancient times, people would ‘SEEK” the ‘GRACE’ of their ‘GURUS’ or masters on this day.

In the period leading up to Guru Purnima, Gurus go in intense Sadhnas to prepare themselves for Saadhnapad—they become extremely intense before this period given they prepare themselves, their bodies and their energies.

On Guru Purnima, simply being in the presence of a master significantly increases the possibility of the master accepting a disciple and guiding them on the path of dissolution.

The real challenge that Gurus face? They don’t find the true seekers. And, when they do find them, Gurus themselves might not be prepared.

Guru Purnima is a customary moment clearly cast in the cycle when seekers meet their masters and seek the Guru’s grace. And, at the same time, Gurus also actively seek the seekers. For this reason, the day is called Guru Purnima—the light of the Guru, comparable to the sun, shines on the disciple, who is like the moon. The full-moon or Purnima signifies that the Guru’s light can illuminate the truth in the disciple. In addition, the planetary alignment between the moon and the sun on this day enhances the energies and centrifugal forces, making the day conducive for Sadhna.

On Guru Purnima, preparations are made, Sadhnas are performed and the period dedicated to further Sadhna (Saadhnapad) is initiated for the disciples.

Essentially, it’s the day for selection of a seeker of dissolution by the master.

For a seeker to be selected on this day, they must have prepared thoroughly; being physically present before the Guru is imperative. It can be compared to a student preparing for an exam but failing to appear for it. If a seeker is seeking but can’t present themselves before the master, tradition states that the Guru will not select them unless in case of real physical disability.

Physical disability means that one of the fives senses or vital organs is damaged beyond repair, like kidney or liver failure, or if the ‘Karma-Indriya’ or action organs (for instance, legs or feet) are decapitated.

In cases of mental health issues or severe organ failure, physical absence might be condoned. Traditionally, even in case of organ failure or decapitation, seekers have still presented themselves before their masters.

There are numerous occasions where the lack of physical presence has been pardoned and situations where it hasn’t been.

So, true seekers are the ones who genuinely want to dissolve their individual identities. They must present themselves before the master.

If a seeker doesn’t aim for dissolution but to merely become something/ accumulate knowledge, being physically absent is pardonable. It doesn’t mean that the master or the Guru will not accept the seeker but they will accept them for purposes other than dissolution.

The window for the choice of dissolution is open only on the day of Guru Purnima, highlighting the day’s profound significance. Traditionally, Gurus, for the purpose of Guru Purnima, are the ones who offer dissolution. Those who don’t can be paid gratitude but they can’t seek a disciple.

In summary, Guru Purnima is a day of selection. It is the day when a bond between the Guru (Master) and the Seeker (disciple) is established. It’s NOT an opportunity to go under the aegis of a Guru to learn, train or shine and become something. Instead, it’s about surrendering to become ‘No-Thing.’

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