‘Guru Poornima’ is celebrated in India as a tribute to Gurus. Guru Poornima is basically the festival of ‘seekers’ who seek the Divine knowledge from their Gurus. So, the disciples offer special worship to their Guru. Guru is one who dispels the darkness of ignorance in his disciples. Guru is the one who knows God and who shows the way to Him. ‘Guru Poornima’ is traditionally celebrated by Hindus on the occasion of Maharshi Veda Vyasa’s birthday on every Aashada Pournami. According to an Indian ancient saint Kabirdas, the importance of Guru is more than the God. Thus, the role of Guru is paramount in the society.

The tributes began with Ganesh bhajan followed by the bhajans ‘Guru Karuna…, Nigama Nigamantavarnita …, Thu Hai Ananthabandhu….., Guru Hamare Mana Mandir Me …, Irabeku Iruyante…, Aavo Gurudeva Darshan Dhejo…, Guru Mahima …’ etc. that highlighted the importance of ‘Guru’ and his ‘Divinity’ as well. The students of classes IV to X sang bhajans rhythmically and sincerely to honour and worship Guru – Sri Paramahansa Yogananda.

Intellectuals say, “Deep se Deep Jalaao – Gyan se Gyan Badhavo.”  Therefore, on this auspicious occasion of ‘Guru Poornima’, some students presented the teachings preached by our beloved great Guru Sri Paramhansa Yogananda very eloquently. These knowledgeable views of our Guru were taken from his books ‘Man’s Greatest Adventure, Habit – Your Master or Your Slave?, Manifesting Divine Consciousness in Daily Life, Why God Permits Evil and How to Rise About It, Developing Dynamic Will’. 

Sri Paramahansa Yogananda said in his books that ‘God Likes Silence’ and that silence occurs in meditation alone which assures us peace, consciousness and eternal happiness. Sri Paramahansa Yogananda clarifies to us that the knowledge of the Divine and practice of meditation alone can nullify the karmaphalas and unite the soul with the divine’s spirit. Our Guru showed the path for salvation by giving simple techniques to realize the God through meditation. Sri Paramahansa Yogananda affirmed that Kriya Yoga is a traditional, spiritual and specific technique of meditation. Hence, every one practised meditation in two regular intervals for a period of 5 minutes each during the celebration. 

The celebration was ended by offering ‘Aarti’ and the ‘Pranaam’ to ‘Guru’. The programme was concluded at about 1:10 p.m. At the end of the spiritual programme, all the students were blessed with prasadam. 

One ought to realize that one can lead a happy life by meditating, trusting Guru, obeying Guru and seeking the blessings of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda.

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