The meaning of Guru is one who removes (Ru) darkness (Gu) from our lives. Devotees worship their Guru on this particular day in recognition of the Guru showing the light to his (or her) shishya (disciples). Guru Puja commemorates the communion of Guru and Shishya (the teacher and the taught).  The student seeks the highest knowledge by which the Imperishable Reality is realized. The teacher is one capable of taking the pupil from the finite to the infinite, from the darkness of ignorance to the light of awareness, and from death to immortality. Such a self realized soul is called a Satguru. Such a Satguru was Maharishi Ved Vyas, after whom Guru Purnima is also known as Vyas Purnima. Maharishi Vyas classified the Vedas and wrote the 18 Puranas including the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Mahabharata. Maharishi Vyas is considered by all Hindus as a Chiranjivi, one who is still living and roaming throughout the world for the well-being of his devotees.

 

 

When: Thursday, July 17.

Puja beginning 6 PM, followed by aarti.  

 

Celebration of Guru Purnima will also take place on Sunday, July 20.  

 

Program:

• Satsang begins at 3 PM. Gurukul students will perform a puja.
•  
• Shrimati Jayshreeben Pandya will grace the satsang with bhajans and her discourse on Bhagwan Dattatreyaji, followed by aarti at 5 PM.

 

Sponsors: Mahendra and Madhu Dave

 

Where: Shiv Mandir, Niagara Hindu Samaj, 5284 Second Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 4K2.

Adapted from

http://www.yogausa.co m/saints_vyasa.htm, http://www.hinducosmo s.com/guru_purnima.ht ml, and http://www.boloji.com/ hinduism/055.htm