Guru Purnima 2025: Honouring the Light That Removes All Darkness

By Dr. Neeti Kaushik

Close your eyes for a moment. Breathe.
Can you think of someone whose presence brought you clarity when you were lost…
…whose words were simple, but they healed like magic?
…who may not have called themselves your Guru, but through love, wisdom, or even silence, they shaped you?

That, dear one, is your Guru.

And on Guru Purnima, falling this year on Thursday, 10 July 2025, we are not merely observing a tradition—we are entering a space of sacred remembrance. A portal of gratitude. A moment to bow, not out of habit, but out of deep recognition of those who helped us rise from within.

What is Guru Purnima?

Guru Purnima—also known as Vyas Purnima—is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the month of Ashadha (June–July). This sacred day commemorates the birth of Maharishi Ved Vyas, the sage who classified the Vedas into four (Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva), authored the monumental Mahabharata, and composed the 18 Puranas.

He is known as the Adi Guru—the original spiritual teacher of Sanatan Dharma. Without him, much of the sacred knowledge we cherish today might have remained scattered or lost.

But Guru Purnima is not just about celebrating a sage from ancient times.
It’s about honouring the Gurus in our lives—seen or unseen, living or departed, named or unnamed—who helped us become who we are today.

Who is a Guru?

The word ‘Guru’ comes from the Sanskrit root:

• ‘Gu’ meaning darkness or ignorance
• ‘Ru’ meaning remover

Thus, a Guru is one who removes darkness—not just around us, but within us. They ignite the lamp of consciousness, so we no longer stumble in ignorance.

A Guru doesn’t impose answers.
A true Guru inspires your questions.
They don’t control your path—they reveal your wings, so you can fly with inner strength.

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Why Do We Need a Guru?

We live in an age overflowing with information—but starving for wisdom.
There’s noise in the world, confusion in the mind, and longing in the soul. And in this chaos, the Guru becomes our compass.

The Shrimad Bhagavatam recounts a powerful dialogue between Jadbharat, an enlightened soul, and King Rahugan.
Jadbharat says—you may perform all rituals, penance, renunciation, even study the scriptures—but without the dust of a realized Guru’s feet, true spiritual knowledge remains elusive.

This isn’t about blind obedience. It’s about humble surrender—to someone whose life itself radiates what they teach.

The Guru:

• Reminds you of your true purpose
• Keeps you anchored when storms arise
• Pulls you away from maya (illusion)
• Guides you toward moksha—freedom, peace, inner truth

The Guru’s Glory in Our Scriptures

Our spiritual texts overflow with verses celebrating the Guru’s grace:

📿 Guru Gita – Skanda Purana

“Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwaraha,
Guruh Sakshat Parabrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.”

“The Guru is the Creator, the Preserver, the Transformer. The Guru is the embodiment of Supreme Consciousness. To such a Guru, I bow.”

🪔 Saint Kabir’s Wisdom

“Guru Govind dou khade, kaake laagu paay?
Balihari Guru aapki, jin Govind diyo bataye.”

“If both my Guru and God stand before me, whom should I bow to first? I bow to my Guru, for he is the one who showed me the path to God.”

📚 Mundaka Upanishad & Adi Shankaracharya

The Upanishads call the Guru a “Shrotriya”—one who not only knows the scriptures but has realized their truth.

Adi Shankaracharya beautifully explains—”Even a learned person must not explore the divine without the guidance of a Guru. Only a true Guru can unveil the path to Brahman—the Supreme Self.”

🌍 Gurus Across Faiths – A Universal Principle

The light of the Guru is not confined to any one religion.
It shines across traditions and times:

• Sikhism is founded entirely on the teachings of Gurus. The Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal Guru, guides Sikhs even today.
• In Buddhism, Lord Buddha was referred to as the Enlightened Teacher who showed the Middle Path.
• Jainism honours the 24 Tirthankaras as spiritual masters.
• In Christianity, Jesus is often seen as the Divine Teacher, spreading the light of truth and love.
• Islamic mysticism (Sufism) reveres the Murshid (spiritual guide), who leads the soul toward union with the Divine.

No matter the name, form, or scripture—the presence of a Guru is the thread that unites all spiritual progress.

Also read: Activate Your Planets for Abundance in Wealth, Health & Luck

🪐 The Planetary Guru – Jupiter’s Blessing in Vedic Astrology

In the vast sky of Vedic astrology, the planet Jupiter (Guru or Brihaspati) is seen as the cosmic teacher—the planet of dharma, prosperity, truth, and higher knowledge.

When Jupiter is strong in your chart, you:

• Walk your path with confidence
• Attract the right mentors and opportunities
• Experience financial and spiritual abundance
• Grow through wisdom, not just struggle

🔆 To Strengthen Jupiter’s Energy:

• Chant: Om Graam Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah (108 times)
• Meditate with Yellow Sapphire, Amethyst, or Citrine
• Wear yellow or offer turmeric, bananas, or yellow sweets
• Teach someone without expecting anything in return
• Be humble in your knowledge. True wisdom begins where pride ends.

🌺 How to Celebrate Guru Purnima Meaningfully

Don’t just light a lamp—become the light.

Here are some heartfelt ways to honour your Guru, spiritual or personal:

✨ Simple & Powerful Rituals:

• Guru Puja: If you have a living Guru, offer flowers, a shawl, or a simple heartfelt prayer.
• Silent Meditation: Sit in stillness and feel your Guru’s presence within.
• Write a Gratitude Letter to a mentor, teacher, parent, or friend who transformed your life.
• Charity in Honour of Learning:
  • Donate books or stationery to the underprivileged
  • Sponsor a child’s education if you can
  • Teach students free for one week—online or offline
• Visit a Gurudwara, Ashram, or Temple, and offer seva (selfless service)
• Journaling Prompt:
  “Who has been my guiding light, and how can I honour them today?”

💛 Remember Your Guru… Who Was It For You?

Let’s pause and reflect.

Was your Guru:

• A parent who stood by you when the world doubted?
• A friend who offered wisdom in a moment of pain?
• A sibling who taught you compassion through their struggles?
• A teacher who saw your potential when you didn’t?
• Or was it life itself, with its trials and turns?

On this Guru Purnima, remember them. Honour them. Whisper a thank you. Or write to them. Or simply light a diya and send them your love.

🌼 Gratitude is the bridge between ego and awakening.

💛 A Personal Note from My Heart

Before I found spiritual mentors and guides outside, my first Guru was my father.
He didn’t just teach me with words—he embodied discipline, resilience, and quiet dignity. His values laid the foundation for every role I play today. And even though he may no longer walk beside me in the physical realm, his teachings walk with me every single day.

And then, there’s my mother—whose simple wisdom, nurturing strength, and unwavering faith continue to guide me even today.
Her ability to lead with softness, to stand tall with devotion, and to love without conditions—these are lessons that no book could ever teach.

I also carry deep admiration for Mrs. Vanti Sharma, my teacher during my early primary school years.
She was the kind of teacher who truly listened to every child—with patience, warmth, and genuine care. She always had a kind word, an encouraging smile, and a belief in each student’s uniqueness.
Her presence left a gentle but lasting imprint on my heart, shaping how I later chose to lead and teach—with presence, empathy, and love.

Every Guru Purnima, I don’t just celebrate a name or a photograph.
I rededicate myself—to living more consciously, more truthfully, and more gratefully.
To being a light, even in the smallest corner.
To becoming what my Gurus saw in me—not a follower, but a flame.

In Closing: Become the Disciple, Become the Guru

You don’t need to wear robes to be a seeker.
You don’t need a stage to be a Guru.

Every time you inspire someone, uplift someone, or lead someone out of confusion—you carry the essence of a Guru.

So today, bow in gratitude…
Then rise in grace…
And walk forward—with a heart full of light and a spirit full of truth.

🪔 May your Guru’s blessings guide you forever.
🪐 May Jupiter expand your wisdom, purpose, and peace.
🌸 May you remember who you are—and become someone else’s guiding light.

With deep reverence and love,
Dr. Neeti Kaushik

For more information, visit our YouTube Channel “Nitty Gritty with Dr Neeti Kaushik”