Report On Guru Poornima

August 1, 2026vibhufoundationNews

29th July 2026, was very special in the lives of the students of “Vedanta”! The reason being it was “Aashadha Poornima” – the auspicious “Tithi” when Maharshi Ved Vyasa was born. It is a day which is celebrated as “Guru Poornima” or “Vyasa Poornima” to honour and show gratitude to the rich legacy of “Guru-Shishya Parampara” in our culture.

Vibhu Foundation celebrated “Guru Poornima” at the Gayathri Parishath. Swamiji was received by his followers with Poorna Kumbha to the chants of Guru Stotra and escorted to the hall. The Alter was kept ready for the “Guru-Shishya Parampara” pooja with pictures of Adi Guru Dakshinamurthy (Lord Shiva had appeared in this form), Maharshi Ved Vyasa (who organized the eternal spiritual knowledge into the 4 Vedas and also wrote the Mahabharata and the Puranas), Adi Shankaracharya and Swamiji’s Guru Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji. Approximately 30 people were already seated and more continued to come! Sharp at 10:00 a.m. Swamiji started the Guru pooja, with Mr. Radhakrishna assisting him. Slowly the hall was full – around 60-70 people were attending the program!

As part of the celebration, the program had a Bhajan and 3 talks by Swamiji’s shishyas besides the discourse by Swamiji. After Guru’s Paad-pooja, people sought his blessings and finally there was distribution of Prasada!

*Program:*
Namita Kejriwal expressed her surrender to her Guru through the bhajan “Guru Maat Pita” wherin she elaborated that Guru is everything to her – mother, father, friend, beloved, bhakti, her strength and her inspiration. Hence she surrenders herself at her Guru’s feet.

Mrs. Jayasree V. chanted Sanskrit shlokas with meanings. She explained that a Guru is a cosmic principle – the Tatwam. Quoting from Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya’s Manisha Panchakam, Verse 2 , she clarified that a true Guru is anyone who removes our ignorance. Navayogi Upakhyanam of Srimad Bhagavatam was quoted to establish how the disciple should view the Guru. She stressed on the need to drop our stubbornness and ego, re-committing ourselves to do Selfless Seva to Guru to be able to progress on our spiritual path.

Dr. Ranjan spoke in Kannada on the “Relevance of a Guru in Today’s Society”. He had a very practical approach. Drawing examples from day to day life, he stated that today’s society and lifestyle offer all types of material comfort but no true happiness or peace! He also stressed that internet makes spiritual knowledge easily accessible to all…yet there is no transformation in individuals due to lack of implementation! This is evident in the overall degradation in society. The only solution is to physically go to a Guru, do Seva to him and learn at his feet.

Speaking in English about “A Student’s Attitude Towards the Guru”, Mrs. Malathi said that a seeker of self knowledge should approach a qualified Guru from a Guru Parampara. The shishya should first prepare his mind through the four fold qualification called “Sadhana Chatushtaya Sampatti” to receive this knowledge. Thereafter he can approach the Guru with humility, reverence and an attitude of surrender. By being in Guru’s proximity and doing Seva to him, a student receives the Supreme Knowledge systematically.

Then came the moment for which everyone was waiting – Guru’s Ashirvachanam! Swamiji spoke in English as well as Kannada for wider audience penetration.

*Summary of Swamiji’s Ashirvachanam:*
In his talk Swamiji said that a statement in Sanskrit says – “Knowledge is the greatest wealth” – no one can steal it, it can neither be taxed nor be divided into shares and it is the lightest. It’s burden is not felt – we can easily carry it with us wherever we go. The Guru gives us knowledge. “Adhyatma Vidya” – the knowledge of the ultimate reality – is the greatest knowledge as it makes life meaningful. “Laukik” or worldly knowledge is useful only for worldly transactions, it does not make life meaningful. One who imparts Adhyatma Vidya is the greatest guru or the teacher. Therefore on “Guru Poornima” the Guru who imparts “Adhyatma Vidya” i.e. the knowledge of the Reality/Brahman/Atma is worshipped. The Guru is not just one person. There is a lineage or “Parampara” of Gurus. This unbroken lineage of Gurus began with Sadashiva or Paramatma himself. Ishwara himself came in the form of Dakshinamurthy. That is why we worship the Dakshinamurthy form of Shiva in the Guru Parampara. Then he taught his shishyas – Sanaka, Sanandana etc., who in turn taught their shishyas. Thus there were multiple Gurus (many of whom are not even known to us) right from the begining of creation! From them the knowledge of Adhyatma came to Swamiji’s Guru (Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji) who gave it to our Guru (Swami Shivprakashananda Saraswati ji) and who in turn is passing it on to those of us who are willing to receive! This is the lineage of the Gurus – the Guru Parampara. On the occasion of Guru Poornima, the entire lineage is worshipped. Swamiji prayed to the Guru Parampara to bless us all with the knowledge and also to make us follow the path of “Dharma”, as life without Dharma is meaningless. Also, “Atmagyan” is not possible without Dharma. Hence the Guru not only teaches Dharma to his Shisyas, he also inspires them to follow it. With this prayer Swamiji concluded his Ashirvachanam.

Feeling ignited with Swamiji’s enlightening talk, the students, represented by Shyam, expressed their gratitude and love for their beloved Guru by doing a Paad-pooja for him while the hall reverberated with the chants of the Guru Stotram.

Finally it was time to seek the Guru’s blessings! Over 100 people came in queus and showed their gratitude by doing Namaskara and offering Dakshina to the Guru. Everyone was given Prasada. They went back feeling happy and satisfied with a morning well spent!

Om Tat Sat