Guru Purnima means,the full moon day when the Guru is
specifically honoured.This day is also called
Vyas Purnima because on that day the revered sage Vyas
was born.
Vyas Ji happened to be the world's greatest Guru.It was
Vyas who divided the Veda(sacred texts)into four
parts,namely the four Vedas .The four Vedas are the
Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda,the Sama Veda and the
Atharva Veda.
He expanded the four Vedas into Brahmana,Aranya and
Upanishad.To further simplify the Vedas,Vyas wrote the
eighteen Puranas(simplification of Vedas).
The celebration or the observance of Guru Purnima was
first done by the disciples of Vyas.It is observed in
the month of Aashada (July-August)on the full moon day.
On this day,his students visited him and ceremoniously
worshipped him. Many years after,the observance
expanded beyond the constraints of Vyas and became
known as Guru Purnima.
Today in Trinidad and indeed elsewhere,wherever hindus
are present,they visit their Gurus and pay homage to
him as this day is dedicated in his honour.
Raksha Bandhan the celebration,started tens of
thousands of years ago.In the Bavishya Purana,it is
written that on this day whosoever accepts a Raksha
Sutra (a sacred cord tied around the wrist of the
right hand)is protected from disease and evil.
This celebration was first celebrated by the wife
tying the Raksha Sutra on the husband for his
protection.It was first tied by Indrani to Lord Indra.
It later became a celebration related to brothers and
sisters.At the time of the Mogul invasion of India,the
women folk tied or sent Raksha Sutras to the powerful
rulers to secure their protection.The brother-sister
relationship started here as Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan.
The celebration is still observed by Hindus in India
today and is fast gaining momentum in Trinidad.
Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.
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