7th July 2009
Guru Purnimā

Loving Devotees and Seekers,

I am writing from the holy city of Vrindāvana to confer my blessings on this auspicious date of Guru Purnimā. This date stands out as the single most important day in the whole year that is dedicated to all spiritual masters and teachers — a day of remembrance and offering to the Guru-preceptors.

Full moon in Sanskrit is called Purnimā and is symbolic of an enlightened mind filled with knowledge and love imparted by the preceptor. Guru Purnimā is a time-honoured tradition of celebrating the birthday of the great seer and compiler of Sanskrit scriptures, Shri Dwaipayana Vyasa. Vyasa was born on the full moon day in the month of July. Vyasa’s birthday is celebrated as the day when all teachers and preceptors are recognized. Therefore it is Guru’s day.

Seekers and devotees honour their lineage of spiritual masters in recognition of the contribution of their lineage in preserving and disseminating spiritual knowledge. They meditate on the Guru and participate in functions near and far honouring their teachers. Those who are able to be in the direct presence of their spiritual master often perform Guru-puja which entails worshipful felicitation of the master. In turn, the Guru confers special blessings on this day to all disciples and sincere seekers.

A Guru Purnimā function is based on the ideals that the Guru-shakti or the blessings of an enlightened master confer grace that the practice of techniques alone cannot fructify. Although all preceptors are recognized and remembered on this day, a Sadguru (one who is revealed the highest truth or whose life is touched by God) or realized master is especially hailed on this day. The blessings of a Sadguru are considered more important that any meditation technique practice and such grace is traditionally conferred on the devotees today.

On this day of enlightenment, steeped in the divine proximity of Krishna (considered in Sanskrit literature as the foremost among Guru-preceptors) and the presiding divine mother Srimathi Rādhārani of holy Vrindāvana, I confer my choicest blessings on you and your families. May you all embrace and reinforce your spiritual path and meaningful meditation practices transmitted by the lineages of spiritual masters.

With my abounding holy blessings,

Swami Vidyadhishananda