गुरुर्ब्रह्मा ग्रुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः।
गुरुः साक्षात् परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥
“Guru” holds an important place in our lives by showing us the path, guiding us, nurturing us and inculcating values and morals, thus shaping our lives and steering us away from the darkness of ignorance by showering the light of knowledge.
Guru Purnima is an auspicious day celebrated to pay gratitude to our “Gurus” (Mentors or Guides) and seek their blessings. Ved Vyasa, the embodiment of intelligence and learning, and the most revered Gurus of ancient India, was born on this day, hence it is also called as Vyasa Purnima. Veda Vyasa’s contributions to making our land the most sacred place on earth are colossal. He systematically arranged the Vedic literature into four separate Vedas namely the Rigveda, the Samveda, the Yajurveda and the Atharvaveda and taught them to his five shishyas (disciples), one whom was his son Shuka. It is Shuka along with the other four disciples namely, Paila, Jaimini, Vaishampayana and Sumantu who took his legacy forward. Veda Vyasa also wrote the Mahabharata, the Puranas as well as the Brahmasutras. Vyasa Puja is performed on this day to honour his contributions.
MIT School of Vedic Sciences celebrated Guru Purnima on July 24, 2021 as per Hindu traditions and culture. The celebration was marked by lighting a diya (deepa prajwaalanam) and paying respect to our Guru by performing Vyasa Puja. Professors Suryanarayana and Dayananda performed the puja according to Vedic traditions. They chanted stotras offering gratitude to the Guru (stotra pathanam) and seek blessings.
Dr. Anupama Ryali, Head of Department of School of Vedic Sciences enlightened all on the tradition behind celebrating Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima and explained the significant role of Maharishi Veda Vyasa in the Guru-shishya Parampara. Geetamanjari – songs sung in praise of the Guru, was performed by Prof. Sagar Vidwans.
Vyasa Puja was concluded by performing arati and distribution of prasadam.
Dr. Asawari Bhave-Gudipudi our Dean, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Dr. Ashwini Pethe, Principal, School of Architecture and Smt. Shalini Puthiyedam, Head of Operations, School of Vedic Sciences graced the occasion.
Teaching and non-teaching faculty members from School of Education & Research, School of Architecture, School of Humanities and School of Vedic Sciences attended the celebration with zeal and zest.
