GURU POORNIMA DR SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Student: Sir, what is the significance of Guru Poornima? Teacher: Some say that it is the day, on which Adi Guru Shiva taught the yoga to seven sages (Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadwaj, Gautam, Atri, Vasishtha and Kashyap). Some maintain; that it is the day, on which the great sage Vyasa was born to sage Parashara and Satyavati. Some say that is a day, on which the Guru principle (the benevolence of individual and universal blossoming) is 1000 times more. Some say that the Brahma sutras were completed by Vyasa on this day. Student: What is the message for us? Teacher: The message is clear. We should try to rededicate ourselves to our Guru by trying to practice and spread His message. Student: How should we celebrate Guru Poornima? Teacher: The loving remembrance; of Guru and His message; is exciting, inspiring, rejuvenating, revitalizing and empowering! The ecstasy of reverence for Him manifests as a celebration in a spontaneous manner in different ways; with a common feature of practice and promotion of NAMASMARAN and sharing of PRASAD!
Student: Sir, but there is still one problem. Teacher: What is it? Student: Sir, many people ridicule the practice of NAMASMARAN as a useless activity. They call it wastage of time. They say that it is escapism from real problems; such as poverty, injustice, hunger, disease, violence! Teacher: This hurts! Isn’t it? It unnerves us, disheartens us! This is because we are weak in our conviction! We are still vulnerable! Let us understand once and for all; that these people say so; because; they are not as evolved as our Guru! They do not and cannot “see” the vital role (like that of oxygen) of NAMASMARAN in the individual and universal blossoming. But if we are firmly convinced about it then we are engaged in its practice (and vice a versa), then we would certainly spread it; at least; till we reach the stage of being totally engrossed in it for 24 hours! However; we practice NAMASMARAN and promote it; according to our constitution, aptitude, inclination, flair, skill, knowhow; and expertise; as our Guru decides!