Guru Purnima

The Story

Birth of Veda Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipayana), compiler of the Vedas, author of the Mahabharata, the Brahma Sutras, and the 18 Mahapuranas. Also Buddha's first sermon at Sarnath. Sacred for honouring all teachers in one's life.

Vidhi · How It's Done

• Bath in holy waters or at home
• Vyasa Puja
• Visit one's guru (or guru's seat) and offer dakshina, flowers, prostrations
• Recite Guru Stotra (Guru Brahma...)
• Vow of further sadhana
• Sannyasis begin chaturmasya — 4-month rainy retreat

Key Mantras

• गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥
• ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः

Bhog · Festival Foods

Khichdi · Halwa · Khir

Regional Variants

• · Sannyasis: Chaturmasya begins this day
• · Buddhists: Asalha Puja / Dharma Day
• · Sikhs: Honour the Guru Granth Sahib
• · Hindu monasteries (Sringeri, Kanchi, etc.): Vyasa Puja by the acharya