Happy Guru Purnima!

Guru Purnima is celebrated by people across India and Nepal on the full moon day during the month of Ashadha (according to Hindu and Nepali calendar) to pay their respects to their spiritual gurus or teachers.

This year, Guru Purnima is being celebrated on 31 July.

The day holds significance for followers of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, who offer prayers to their spiritual gurus, who can be enlightened human beings or even God.

In India, some people consider spiritual leaders such as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the late Osho as their gurus and seek their blessings on the auspicious day by performing guru puja. 

The founder of Art of Living (AoL) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explains the importance of the festival that is solely dedicated to gurus from all walks of life.

According to him, not only should the existing gurus be thanked for their blessings and the knowledge they have imparted to people, but also gurus who guided people in the past. 

"Thank all the masters of the tradition who have preserved this knowledge from ages, and brought it to us. It is very significant," Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says.

His foundation says every human being in his life plays the role of a guru in some or the other form, hence this day is also dedicated to each one of us. 

"Like there is fatherhood and motherhood, there is something called Guruhood as well, and you all have to play the role of Guruhood to someone or the other. Anyways, consciously or unconsciously you are all a Guru to somebody already because you do give advice, guidance, love and care to people, isn't it? So now do it consciously, giving your hundred percent without expecting anything in return. This is living the Guru Principle." 

"It is a day of reflection; to review on one's credits and debits and look at the balance sheet. It is a day to be grateful for all that we have achieved in the past year, and a day to resolve to do what we are here to do in the coming year. That is the essence of Guru Purnima," the foundation says.

"So feel grateful for all the blessings that you have received. Be grateful for all the knowledge, and see how knowledge has transformed life. Without the knowledge we will be no where - realizing this, feel grateful for all that has come our way, and celebrate!" it adds.

Quotes and Messages to share on Guru Purnima

May guru's blessings always shower on you. Wish you a very Happy Guru Purnima 2015!

Being loyal to those who lifted you up in your life, Saluting for the help they rendered you, I always respect you as my Guru, Happy Guru Purnima!

Walked through with the guidance of you, Succeeded my life with the teachings of you, Happy Guru Purnima! 

 You are the inspiration, Made me win with a spirit, It wouldn't have been possible without you, Happy Guru Purnima!

Everyone in their life will have a Guru to lead them, I had you in my life as my Guru, You made me come out of my ignorance, I learnt to handle the problems all because of you, I always pay my tribute to you, Happy Guru Purnima! 

It is an incomparable journey where the Guru leads you from the visible to the invisible, from the material to the divine, from the ephemeral to the eternal. Thanks for being my Guru "Happu Guru Poornima"

Below are a few famous Sanskrit shlokas, translated in English, dedicated to the masters of our life

Salutation to the noble Guru, who is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara, the direct Parabrahma, the Supreme Reality.

Salutation to the noble Guru, who has opened the eyes blinded by darkness of ignorance with the collyrium-stick of knowledge.

Salutation to that noble Guru, who is established in the power of knowledge, adorned with the garland of various principles and is the bestower of prospority and liberation.

(Oh Guru!) You are my mother and father; you are my brother and companion; you alone are knowledge and wealth. O Lord, you are everything to me.

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