Wishesh Magazine August 2016

COVER STORY
22
Guru Purnima is an Indian
festival dedicated to spiritual
and academic teachers.
This festival is traditionally
celebrated by Hindus, Jains
and Buddhists, to pay their
respects to their teachers
and express their gratitude.
The festival is celebrated on
the full moon day (Purnima)
in the Hindu month of
Ashadha (June–July) of
the Shaka Samvat, as it is
known in the Hindu calendar
of India. This day marks the
first peak of the lunar cycle
after the peak of the solar
cycle.
Hindus attach paramount
importance to spiritual gurus.
Gurus or teachers are often
equated with God and are
always regarded as a link
between the individual and
the Immortal. Just as the
moon shines by reflecting
the light of the sun and
glorifies it, all disciples can
dazzle like the moon by
gaining from their Gurus.
The word “Guru” in Sanskrit
is translated as “dispeller
of darkness.” Hence the
Guru dispels the darkness
of ignorance and leads the
aspirants on the path to
enlightenment. The day of
Guru Purnima is traditionally
the time when seekers offer
WWW.WISHESH.COM | AUGUST 2016