“Gururbrahma gururvishnuh gururdevo maheshwarah Gurursakshath parabrahma tasmai sreeguravenamah” “I pay obeisance to the Guru who is Brahma, who is Vishnu, who is Shiva, who is the Supreme Brahman itself.” The full moon day of the Ashadha month in the Hindu calendar is dedicated to the Guru and is celebrated as ‘Guru Poornima’. This year it falls on July 25th. This day is also known as ‘Vyasa Poornima’ as it is the birthday of Guru Vedavyasa, who divided the scriptures into the 4 Vedas – Rik, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. He also wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Vedavyasa is considered as the Adi Guru. Since times immemorial the ‘Guru’ or teacher has occupied a prominent place in India. The Guru is considered greater than God Himself as he is the person who makes it possible for one to realise God. That is why he is worshipped with great fervour. In ancient India, the ‘Gurukul’ system of schooling was prevalent. The Guru’s house was the school and the students had to stay there till they completed their education. Even a prince who was under a guru’s tutelage had to stay with him leading a simple life. The concept of ‘Guru-bhakti’ or ‘devotion to the guru’ comes across strongly in the Mahabharata in the episode involving Guru Dronacharya and Ekalavya, the Bhil prince. Dronacharya was the Guru of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Arjuna, the Pandava, was his favourite student. Ekalavya had a great desire to learn archery from Dronacharya. When he went to Drona with his request, he was turned down as he belonged to a low caste. Ekalavya did not lose heart. He had an idol of Drona made and he considered it as his guru. He trained hard in its presence and soon excelled in archery. When Arjuna indicated this development to Drona, he was perturbed. He had promised Arjuna that he would make him the best archer. Drona however found a way out. He demanded the thumb of Ekalavya’s right hand as ‘Guru dakshina’ or the repayment due to a teacher. He knew fully well that Ekalavya could not … [Read more...]
Diwali: Festival of Lights
Diwali also called Deepawali is one among the most important Hindu festival celebrated across India and Nepal. The name Deepawali has its origin from Sanskrit meaning “rows of deepam” and this festival is commonly called as “The Festival of lights”. It is also being celebrated by Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. Though the customs of celebrating Diwali varies from place to place the origin of traditions and the feel of joy spread an oneness amongst human. Diwali is known in different names in various places and is celebrated for various reasons but there is no Diwali without crackers at any place. Crackers play the vital role during Diwali and as there are crackers available for all age groups now, it has become a custom that people at all age groups have to burst crackers on this great day. In India and Malaysia, it is celebrated on the seventh month of the solar calendar and is celebrated for the success of Lord Rama over the ten head Ravana. This success is considered as the victory of good over evil. On this day, people start the celebrations by having oil bath. In some places of India, lamps made out of clay are lit using oil but in all places it is celebrated with crackers, homemade sweets, new dresses and delicious dishes. People also share the sweets with their neighbors and by this way people of all castes and creeds are brought together on this day. The lamps and the crackers that are burst on this great day symbolize the victory of success over darkness and to drive away the evil from everyone’s lives. In Nepal, Deepawali is known as Tihar and this festival is attributed to the elephant God, Ganesha and the Goddess Lakshmi. Here, they celebrate Diwali for five days and on the fifth day, sisters in the family pray for their brother’s well being and this day is known as Bhhaya Dooj; The most recent and the exciting news about this year’s Diwali is that it was celebrated by U.S President Barack Obama on Thursday 16th Oct 2009 by lighting the ceremonial lamp at the White house. Author: Vinupradha (Chennai) … [Read more...]
