Guru Purnima: On the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, heartfelt salutations to all the supreme gurus… Heartfelt gratitude to the Gurus who enrich us with the light of their knowledge and inspire us to achieve our goals. The Guru guides us in our life journey by making us aware of knowledge, pride and destination. In the Guru-disciple tradition, self-realization is possible through the knowledge of the Guru. Guru Purnima is the witness of the experience of this knowledge. Guru Purnima is also called Vyas Purnima. It is believed that Guru Purnima is the revelation day of Maharishi Ved Vyas. Maharishi Vyas compiled Vedic hymns and enriched Indian literature with the classification of the Vedas, Mahabharata and other works. The Indian Guru-disciple tradition is very ancient. It is from this tradition that the Gurus guide us in the inspiration from personality development to nation building.
On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, I remember Guru Sandipani Ji, who was dedicated to personality development, society development and nation building. The life story of Guru Sandipani Ji, who dedicated his entire life for his disciples and society about 5 thousand years ago, is an ideal for all of us. There was no limit to the pain and sorrow in his life. His dedication towards the nation and love for his disciples has been amazing, unique and supernatural, which has no parallel in the world. Sandipani Ji's ashram was originally established in Banaras on the banks of the Ganga, where he ran a Gurukul to train his disciples by imparting them education in 64 arts, 14 disciplines, 18 Puranas and 4 Vedas.
At that time, as soon as Kansa took over the reins of power by removing Maharaja Ugrasen from Mathura, Acharya Sandipani and other world acharyas had to close their Gurukuls. They left their ashrams and set out on pilgrimages. How can anyone run a Gurukul in an environment of anarchy and unrest? Acharya Sandipani, his 6-month-old son Punardatta and his wife were on pilgrimage through the region of Prabhas Patan in western India (present-day Dwarika). This was the time when demonic forces had taken over India in various ways.
Acharya Sandipani's fame had spread all over the world. Everyone wanted their children to be educated by Acharya Sandipani. At that time, the leaders here were known by the name Yama. They pressured Acharya Sandipani to educate their children. Since Acharya Sandipani's education was for nation and society building, he did not succumb to any kind of pressure and outrightly rejected the proposal to educate anti-national elements. Even when Yama threatened, intimidated and tortured him, Acharya did not bow down and remained firm on his decision. While torturing the Acharya, the rulers freed his child and humiliated the Acharya and his mother and drove them away.
After this, Acharya came to Ujjain and established Sandipani Ashram and started education for the future building of the children of the country in the city of Lord Mahakal, Ujjain. Lord Krishna and his brother Balram were sent to the city of Mahakal, Ujjain, to get education in Sandipani Ashram, where they became friends with Sudama. After education, Krishna asked Gurumata to give Guru Dakshina. On this, Gurumata considered Krishna to be unique and asked for her son back in Guru Dakshina. When Acharya Sandipani came to know the whole thing, he got angry and said that why did you involve my disciple in my sorrow and my personal problem.
Shri Krishna wanted weapons to bring back his son. Acharya asked him to go to Lord Parashuram's ashram in Janapav. Lord Parashuram gave Shri Krishna the Sudarshan Chakra and told him its speciality. Taking permission from Lord Parashuram, Shri Krishna went to Prabhas Patan. Where he fought with a demon named Yam and killed him and brought Acharya's son back to Ujjain and presented him with Guru Dakshina.
Shri Krishna gives the kingdom of Prabhas Patan to King Raivataka. Balarama marries the king's daughter Revati. After this, Shri Krishna departs for Mathura. In this era, another example of destroying the demonic powers and handing over the kingdom to a deserving person is that Lord Krishna killed Kansa in Mathura and reinstated Maharaja Ugrasen on the throne.
It is important to know the unique contribution of Acharya Sandipani to our country in the flow of time. Acharya Sandipani's creation of disciples with his knowledge and his dedication towards his nation is a unique example. On Guru Purnima, this inspiring aspect of Acharya Sandipani should come in front of everyone.
In my view, five Gurus have special importance in our life. First Guru is mother who gives us the values of birth and life, second is father who creates a sense of effort and valor with support, strength and cooperation. Third, teacher who enriches us with academic knowledge by imparting education prescribed in the syllabus. Fourth Guru, from whom we receive spiritual education, who awakens our self and gives us the realization of self-knowledge and inspires us to new heights and new goals in our life. Fifth Guru is the mirror, which introduces us to our real form, it awakens self-consciousness and we can achieve excellence in our personality and work.
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