This Thursday was Guru Purnima day. Guru Purnima falls on a full moon Thursday in the months of July-August. Guru is a Sanskrit word for master, teacher, trainer. Gu- mean ignorance and Ru- means destroyer, so Guru means ignorance destroyer, the teacher. Guru also denotes the planet Jupiter and Guruvar means Thursday. Purnima means full moon day. On this day the gurus (teachers) are worshipped, especially the teachers of fine arts, some people worship the ancient sacred texts, the Vedas, still others worship their spiritual leaders.
The teacher holds a lot of respect and has been worshipped since ages in our culture. They are considered destiny changers and hold a very important place in the life of a child. Even as adults there are people who remember and stay in touch with their teachers and seek guidance in decisions too. The presence and blessing of the bride and grooms teacher is considered holy during marriage rituals.
Worshipping involves touching the teachers feet and asking for his/her blessings. Children sometimes present flowers and gifts for their teachers too. It’s something similar to teacher’s day.
For me the day started as usual getting to work and……well… working… what else. I work as a lecturer and my students are adults ranging form 19 to 48 year olds. I had a workshop to conduct in the afternoon. I was setting up the workshop room with my colleague when my students walked in and started touching my feet and asking for my blessings. That was the ritual and tradition alright but still it was pretty embarrassing. I like touching my teachers or my parents feet and asking for blessings, but to be at the receiving end wasn’t …..erm ……a comfortable experience. The fact that they were students older than me, far too older and have them touching my feet, I wasn’t ready for that or for that matter having younger ones too, or just about anyone touching my feet to and asking blessings is quite uncomfortable. After the first few I just stopped them, moved back and hugged and wished them all instead. That was much better.
In the evening I went to my Kathak classes, Yessss I am learning Indian classical dance and it was my first day. And…yes now I touched Kathak teacher’s feet and gave guru dakshina.
The teacher holds a lot of respect and has been worshipped since ages in our culture. They are considered destiny changers and hold a very important place in the life of a child. Even as adults there are people who remember and stay in touch with their teachers and seek guidance in decisions too. The presence and blessing of the bride and grooms teacher is considered holy during marriage rituals.
Worshipping involves touching the teachers feet and asking for his/her blessings. Children sometimes present flowers and gifts for their teachers too. It’s something similar to teacher’s day.
For me the day started as usual getting to work and……well… working… what else. I work as a lecturer and my students are adults ranging form 19 to 48 year olds. I had a workshop to conduct in the afternoon. I was setting up the workshop room with my colleague when my students walked in and started touching my feet and asking for my blessings. That was the ritual and tradition alright but still it was pretty embarrassing. I like touching my teachers or my parents feet and asking for blessings, but to be at the receiving end wasn’t …..erm ……a comfortable experience. The fact that they were students older than me, far too older and have them touching my feet, I wasn’t ready for that or for that matter having younger ones too, or just about anyone touching my feet to and asking blessings is quite uncomfortable. After the first few I just stopped them, moved back and hugged and wished them all instead. That was much better.
In the evening I went to my Kathak classes, Yessss I am learning Indian classical dance and it was my first day. And…yes now I touched Kathak teacher’s feet and gave guru dakshina.
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