- Festival Name:: Guru Purnima
- Also Known as:: Parabrahma - The Supreme Energy
- Language: Vyasa Purnima
- Celebrated On: Ashadha Purnima
- Festival Date 2026: Wednesday, 29th July
- Key Rituals: Guru Puja, temple visits, and charity
- Significance: Birthday of Sage Veda Vyasa
- Traditions: Expressing gratitude to Guru and offering fruits.
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| Sage Veda Vyasa,Courtesy: Google Images |
An Insight into Guru Purnima
Ashada Purnima (also known as Pournami) is observed as Guru Purnima. The day is also revered as Vyasa Purnima and it marks the birth anniversary of Sage Veda Vyasa (also spelled as Ved Vyas), the compiler of Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagawad Geeta. The day is also revered as Vyasa Purnima.
Veda Vyasa is the son of Satyavati and sage Parasara. He is known as Krishna Dwaipayana. He not only compiled the great epic of Mahabharata but also classified the sacred Vedas. In addition, he also wrote the 18 Puranas (the ancient Hindu texts).
Guru has a highly revered and special place in the Hindu society. As per the famous Kabir ka Doha, Guru is superior to God and occupies the first place as it is Guru who shows us the path to reach or know God.
As sage Veda Vyasa is revered as Adi Guru or the foremost guru and also known as Guru of Gurus, his birth anniversary is observed as Guru Purnima. Sage Veda Vyasa is the Guru of Sri Guru Dattatreya who is regarded a great guru. Hence Veda Vyasa is the Guru of gurus.
Guru Purnima is one of the most sacred days dedicated to express gratitude to Gurus esp spiritual mentors and honour them.
Most of the South Indians especially Telugu people celebrate Guru Purnima. It is not celebrated much by the people in the North. This day is highly auspicious for performing Aksharabhyasam. Telugu people from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and also people from Maharashtra perform Aksharabhyasam of their kids on this day at Basara Sri Gnana Saraswati Temple.
Guru Stotram Sanskrit Lyrics
अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम् ।
तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ १ ॥
अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशलाकया ।
चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ २ ॥
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।
गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ३ ॥
स्थावरं जङ्गमं व्याप्तं यत्किञ्चित्सचराचरम् ।
तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ४ ॥
चिन्मयं व्यापि यत्सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् ।
तत्पादं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ५ ॥
सर्व-श्रुति-शिरोरत्न विराजित-पदम्बुजः ।
वेदांतम्बुजसूर्यो यः तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ६ ॥
चैतन्य-श्शाश्वत-शान्तः व्योमतीतो निरञ्जनः ।
बिंदुनादकलातीतः तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ७ ॥
ज्ञानशक्तिसमारूढः तत्त्वमालाविभूषितः ।
भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदाता च तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ८ ॥
अनेक-जन्म-सम्प्राप्त-कर्म-बन्ध-विदाहिने ।
आत्म-ज्ञान-प्राप्तेन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥९॥
शोषणं भवसिन्धोश्च प्रत्यक्षं सारसम्पदाः ।
गुरोः पादोदकं सम्यक् तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ १० ॥
न गुरुरधिकं तत्त्वं न गुरुरधिकं तपः ।
तत्त्वज्ञानात् परं नास्ति तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ ११ ॥
मन्नाथः श्रीजगन्नाथः मद्गुरुः श्रीजगद्गुरुः ।
मदात्मा सर्वभूतात्मा तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ १२ ॥
गुरुरादिरानादिश्च गुरुः परमदैवतम् ।
गुरो परतं नास्ति तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥ १३ ॥
त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव । त्वमेव बंधुश्च सखा त्वमेव ।
त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव । त्वमेव सर्वं मम देवदेव ॥
Guru Stotram English Lyrics
Akhanda-Mandalakaram Vyaptam Yena Characharam ।
Tatpadam Darshitam Yena Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 1 ॥
Agyana Timirandhasya Gnananjana Shalakaya ।
Chakshur-Oonmeelitam Yena Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 2 ॥
Guru-Brahma Gurur-Vishnu Guru-Devo Maheshwarah ।
Guru-Sakshat Para-Brahma Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 3 ॥
Sthavaram Jangamam Vyaptam Yat Kinchit Sacharacharam ।
Tatpadam Darshitam Yena Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 4 ॥
Chinmayam Vyapi Yat-Sarvam Trailokyam Sacharacharam ।
Tatpadam Darshitam Yena Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 5 ॥
Sarva-Shruti Siro-Ratna Virajita-Padambujah ।
Vedantambuja Suryo Yah Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 6 ॥
Chaitanya Sashwatah Santo Vyomatito Niranjanah ।
Bindunaada Kalatitah Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 7 ॥
Gyanshakti-Samaroodhah Tattwamala Vibhooshitah ।
Bhukti-Mukti-Pradata cha Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 8 ॥
Aneka-Janma-Sampraptah karma-bandha-vidahine ।
Atma-gyana-Pradanena Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 9 ॥
Soshanam Bhavsindhoshcha Gyapanam Saarsampadah ।
Guroh-Padodakam Samyak Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 10 ॥
Na Guror-Adhikam Tattvam Na Guror-Adhikam Tapah ।
Tattva-Gyanaat-Param Nasti Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 11 ॥
Mannaathah Sri Jagannathah Mat-guru-Si Jagad-Guruhu ।
Madatma Sarva-Bhutatma Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 12 ॥
Gururadi-Ranadish-cha Guruh-Parama-Daivatam ।
Guroh-Parataram Nasti Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah ॥ 13 ॥
Tvameva Mata cha Pita Tvameva Tvameva Bandhushcha Sakha Tvameva ।
Tvameva Vidya Dravinam Tvameva Tvameva Sarvam Mama-Dev-Deva ॥
Guru Purnima: For Present Gen Students
Just drop card of gratitude to your teachers. In case of a customised card, just mention how their harsh corrections and timely encouragement shaped your life. Just a small gesture of gratitude means a lot.
If possible donate notebooks and or stationery items to the underprivileged children. And finally, spend 15 minutes in silent meditation and try to focus on God realisation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- When is Guru Purnima celebrated
On Ashada Purnima day - What is Guru Purnima date this year (2026)?
Wednesday, July 29, 2026. - Why the day is called Guru Purnima
Sage Veda Vyasa is the Adi Guru and Guru of Gurus. Hence his birth anniversary is named as Guru Purnima. - Why is Guru Purnima also called Vyasa Purnima?
Because the day marks the birth anniversary of sage Veda Vyasa. - Why do Buddhists celebrate this day?
Because it marks the day when Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath after He attained enlightenment. - How to do Guru Purnima puja at home?
You can simply perform puja to your family deity. Apply chandan paste and kumkuma on the forehead of the idols. Decorate or offer fresh flowers to the idols. Light up lamp with either ghee or sesame oil. And chant Guru Stotram. In Hindu tradition mother and father are the first Gurus and occupy a place higher than God. The sloka: Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava says father and mother are in fact visible gods. So honour mata and pita just by touching their feet and get their blessings. This may sound rubbish to the present generation. But there is nothing wrong in following a good practive on the contrary it always generates positive vibes only.
Closing Thoughts
Just as the full moon illuminates the night sky by driving away the darkness, so also a true Guru removes ignorance from the minds and kindles it with knowledge and wisdom. Guru Purnima reminds us of the importance of Guru, both academic and spiritual, who shapes our lives through his selfless care and patience.
ॐ Insights into Hinduism by Sobha Kalyani Chivukula