Students from Pre-primary to Senior Secondary of Amrita Vidyalayam, Juinagar celebrated Guru Purnima, also known as Vyas Purnima, on July 18th and 19th, 2016 with great reverence. This month is also observed as Ramayana month and the week started on an auspicious note with the melodious rendition of the bhajan, “Sree Rama Chandra Kripalu Bhaja Mana” by the school choir.
Principal Brni. Rekha spoke to students about the significance of this auspicious day through the inspirational story of Sukhdev Muni, who realized that merely being the son of the great guru Veda Vyas would not make him a learned man. For a disciple, initiation from a guru is of utmost importance for establishing the guru-shishya relationship. The Guru Purnima puja began with the chanting of the Guru Stotra, followed by Guru Paduka puja wherein the holy lotus feet of “Amma” was bathed with panchamrutham. Amma’s Ashtotharam was chanted while offering flowers at her holy feet. After the puja, teachers and students sang bhajans in praise of the Guru and the Supreme. The puja concluded with arthi to “Amma” and a guided meditation led by the Principal. Students offered flowers at the feet of Amma and received panchamrutham and prasad from the Principal. The programme concluded with the chanting of Shanthi Mantra.
Although we have moved away from the guru-shishya parampara which was followed during the Vedic ages, the importance of the guru or teacher in the Indian sub-continent has never declined. Stories of great disciples like Ekalavya, Uddalaka Aruni, Upamanyu, Sutikshana and many others always teach us about the impact gurus had on their disciples. Even great warriors like Chandragupt Maurya, Shivaji Maharaj and Maha Rana Pratap who revered their gurus prove that mere strength is not enough. It is the path shown by their gurus that led them to live their lives in the way that they did. No action would be taken by the kings without first consulting the Guru. The knowledge given by the guru can be imbibed by the disciple only if he/she is able to surrender to the guru completely. A Guru can show us the purpose of our lives and help us to evolve without stifling our individuality. Hence, the Guru is also considered to be the living God, next to parents (Matha and Pitha).
“Attachment to the Guru makes one detached from all worldly concerns and worries. It helps the spiritual seeker forget about the world and concentrate on God. The spiritual progress of a disciple or a devotee depends on the intensity of his or her remembrance of his Guru or God, which is also meditation; and this will culminate in total Oneness” – Amma
