Every year, the sacred festival of Guru Purnima is observed on a full moon day of the Ashadha month (June – July) to honour the Guru (spiritual master), who guides us from the darkness of ignorance to the light of self-realisation.

On this auspicious day, we also offer our heartfelt reverence to the great sage Vyasadeva, the literary incarnation of Lord who compiled the Vedas, Mahabharata, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, that illuminate our path back to Krishna.

Therefore, Guru Purnima is a day of immense gratitude, a day we bow down to our guru who is leading us from this material world of suffering to the blissful spiritual world.

The Role of a Guru

“Gu” means darkness or ignorance and “Ru” means remover of that darkness. Srila Prabhupada says, “Everything in this material world is dark.” Although our eyes may be open, we are unable to perceive the truth. In such a state, the guru with his light of knowledge guides the soul towards the ultimate goal of life.

Srila Prabhupada, would often glorify his own spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. In a talk given in England, he said:

“I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torchlight of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.”

In Bhagavad-gita 4.34, Lord Krishna Himself instructs:

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.”

A genuine guru represents Krishna. Thus surrendering to the guru is as good as surrendering to Krishna.

Finding a Guru

A guru acts as a sacred bridge, with one foot in the spiritual world and the other in the material world, helping sincere seekers cross over the ocean of ignorance through the light of knowledge. Choosing a guru is one of the most crucial spiritual decisions in a person’s life.

The Bhagavad-gita provides clear guidance on identifying such a bonafide guru:

“This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way.”

(Bhagavad-gita 4.2)

A genuine spiritual master must be part of an unbroken disciplic succession (parampara), faithfully carrying the same teachings that originate from Lord Krishna Himself.

This is the mark of a real spiritual master, one who represents the Supreme Lord and speaks on His behalf, leading souls from darkness to light.

Following the Guru’s Teachings Faithfully

For anyone who sincerely desires to understand the truth of spiritual life and awaken a loving relationship with the Lord, accepting shelter under a bona fide spiritual master is essential. Because only a real guru has realized the Absolute Truth and can guide others out of illusion.

On this sacred day of Guru Purnima, let us humbly bow down at the lotus feet of our spiritual master Vishwa Guru Srila Prabhupada and continue following his instructions with faith and dedication.