Last Updated on 6 July 2025 IST| Guru Purnima (Poornima) is the day to celebrate the relationship of a Guru-disciple. This is the day to honor the Guru globally for the knowledge they imparted. Admittedly, not only in academics but in Spiritualism also, Guru (Teacher) plays an imperative role who guides us and prepares us for the rest of our lives.

Key Highlights About Guru Purnima 2025

• Guru Purnima is also known as Vyas Purnima.
• It marks the birth anniversary of Ved Vyas.
• All religions celebrate this day to show gratitude towards their teachers.
• It is observed on the full moon day(Purnima) in Ashadha month (June -July).
• People perform Guru purnima Puja and Yajna on this day to seek blessings of Gurus.
• People keep fast on this day that can start from sunrise and ends with the sighting of the moon.
• On this full moon day, Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon.
• In Vedic literature, Brihaspati Dev is also known as “Guru”.
• People wear “Yellow Sapphire” gemstones to seek blessings of planet Jupiter or planet “Guru”.

The date of Guru Purnima 2025 in India?

Guru Purnima 2025, will be celebrated on Thursday, July 10, 2025. “Guru Purnima” falls on Purnima (full moon day). Guru Purnima is celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Asadha (June-July of the Gregorian Calendar). Since the date is determined according to the Hindu Calendar, the date per the Gregorian calendar varies yearly.

Meaning of Guru on the occasion of Guru Purnima 2025

As per Hindu mythology, particularly in Advaytaraka Upanishad (16), the meaning of Guru is mentioned. Here “Gu” means darkness and “Ru” means the one who dispels. In other words, it means “Guru” is the one who is capable of dispelling darkness.

“Undoubtedly, a Guru is the one who guides students by showing them the correct path to follow in life.”

Significance of Guru Purnima 2025

Guru Purnima is celebrated to express gratitude to the spiritual teacher. It is observed in several South Asian countries, including India, Nepal, and Bhutan, by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. A spiritual teacher holds a significant place in human life, guiding disciples on the path to attaining salvation.

This is why Guru Purnima carries great importance for Indian academics and scholars. According to Sanskrit scholars, the word “Guru” means “the remover of darkness.” While people commonly use the term guru for academic teachers and religious preachers, in its true sense, it refers to a spiritual guide who enlightens disciples with true spiritual knowledge.

Exploring the Origins of Guru Purnima Through Stories Across Religions

On the occasion of Guru Purnima 2025, we will delve into the diverse stories found in different religions that shed light on the origins of the Guru Purnima celebration.

Hinduism

Guru Purnima is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa, the writer of the major Hindu Texts including Mahabharata, Puranas, and the Vedas.

Buddhism

Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on this day.

Jainism

Lord Mahavira gave initiation to his first disciple Gautam Swami

Guru Purnima 2025 Puja 

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, many people observe fasting, they visit temples and a special puja is offered to the spiritual guru by his disciples. Let’s now read a special Story on Guru Purnima to know how a Guru transforms this and the afterlife of a soul.

The Inspirational Story of Kakbhushundi

This Story of Kakbhushundi Ji is quoted from the spiritual Discourse of Tatvadarshi Saint Rampal Ji. This True Story is based on the Holy Sat Granth Sahib of Respected Sant Garibdas Ji Maharaj. The Story is as follows:

Once Garud, a bird who serves as a vehicle of Lord Vishnu, asked Kakbhushundi as to how he reached the state, where he had the body of a deity and the head of a crow, and why did he feel peaceful in his company? To answer his question, Kakbhushundi narrated his story.

How Did Kakbhushundi Ji Start His Journey of True Worship?

He informed Garuda that he had wasted a lot of human life without adopting any true way of worship. In one such life he had to witness his entire family die due to starvation as the region where they were living was struck by a severe famine. Since he was young he survived the famine and he left the place and reached Avantika where he saw a priest delivering spiritual discourse to a group of people and he sat there expecting a communal meal to be distributed after the spiritual discourse.

Once the spiritual discourse was over the priest noticed that everyone had left except him and questioned him as to why he did not leave. To answer his question Kaagbhushundi said that he had nowhere to go and his entire family had died so the priest asked him to live with him in the temple. Everyday the priest used to ask him to take initiation but he refused and finally took the initiation from the priest after six months.

Benevolence of a Guru

Over a period of time, he learnt how to deliver spiritual discourses and started delivering the spiritual discourses in the absence of his guru (the priest). Since he was young, the devotees of the priest started liking the way he used to narrate the stories of Shiva. One such day, while delivering the discourses when the priest returned to the temple all the devotees stood up and bowed to the priest except him thinking that all the devotees would stop respecting him as their guru. This angered Lord Shiva who cursed him to go to hell. 

When the priest heard the furious Lord Shiva, they both pleaded for mercy and asked Lord Shiva to forgive Kaagbhushundi. The pleas of the priest melted Lord Shiva’s anger and he gave some concession in the punishment stating that he wouldn’t suffer during his time in hell.

Respected Sant Garibdas Ji says here:

Bahot ae pyara baalak maa ka|

Unte bhi pyara shishya Guruon ka||

■ Meaning: A mother loves her child unconditionally but a Guru loves His disciple even a hundred times more than a mother.

Second Human Life of Kakbhushundi

In the next human life attained by Kaagbhushundi, he was spiritually inclined. Due to this pride, he entered into an argument with sage Lomas, who got angry with his misbehavior and cursed him to become a Chandaal (half human and half bird) in his next birth. Understanding that he made a mistake, he asked for forgiveness and requested that the sage bless him to always remember doing worship whatever life form he takes. The sage granted his wish. Kakbhushundi says, “I got this body from the union of kaagchand and the pen (female swan) of goddess Saraswati.”

A True Spiritual Guru and Salvation

During this life, Kaagbhushundi met a sage named Jogjit who gave him information about the position of Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; what is the true way of worship; how can salvation be attained? Kaagbhushundi took initiation from the sage Jogjit and undertook the true way of worship.  Although, he hasn’t attained salvation yet. He will have to take birth in human life to attain salvation as this is the only life form where salvation could be attained. Other life forms do not have the seven chakras in their body.

■ Also Read: Guru Purnima-Let’s worship the true Guru 

This story highlights the vital role a truly enlightened sage plays in an individual’s life. A true sage guides one toward actions that lead to liberation from the cycle of birth and death and shows the correct way to live in this world. Another incident that underscores the importance of an enlightened guru is that of Sage Sukhdev.

Vishnu Ji Returned Sage Sukhdev From Heaven for Not Having a Guru

Sage Sukhdev (Shukdev) was the son of Sage Vedvyas and is a very well known entity as he was the one who had to be called from heaven to narrate the Holy Srimad Sudhasagar to king Parikshit before a snake bit him and he was to die.

Sukhdev Rishi took initiation from King Janak

He attained his name Sukhdev (Shuk means parrot) as he attained true mantras of devotion in the form of a parrot when lord Shiva was giving initiation to his wife Parvati. At that time Lord Shiva ensured that they were alone as these mantras were supposed to be kept absolutely secret. Lord Shiva was unaware of the fact that the tree under which they are sitting has a nest of a parrot with a rotten egg.

When Lord Shiva gave those mantras to his wife, the soul in that rotten egg also heard the mantras and immediately rebounded to life and became a young parrot. Lord Shiva heard the parrot’s voice. Chasing the sound, he saw the parrot in the nest. Lord Shiva tried to kill the parrot. Fearing that Lord shiva would kill him, the soul entered the womb of sage Vedvyasa’s wife’s womb when she was yawning.

Sukhdev’s Birth & His Life Changing Journey

While still in the womb, this soul realized the rare value of human life and how quickly one becomes entangled in karmic deeds upon birth. Fearing this entanglement, the soul chose to remain in the womb for 12 years. As the mother experienced no discomfort during this time, she named him Sukhdev (meaning “bringer of comfort or happiness”).

After taking birth, following 12 years in the womb, Sukhdev left his family in search of the path to salvation. Owing to the spiritual merit of his past deeds, he had the power to fly freely across the three lokas. One day, desiring to reside in Lord Vishnu’s heavenly realm, he flew to Vishnu Loka. However, at the entrance, the gatekeepers stopped him, saying he could not be allowed entry because he lacked a guru.

Vishnu Ji advised Sukhdev to accept King Janak His Guru

Sage Sukhdev, proud of his spiritual powers, was displeased at being stopped by the gatekeepers. He asked gatekeepers to call Lord Vishnu. When Lord Vishnu arrived at the gate, having already been informed of the situation, He asked Sage Sukhdev why he had come. Expecting praise from the Lord, Sukhdev was taken aback by the unexpected response and grew somewhat humble. He explained that he was being denied entry. Lord Vishnu affirmed the gatekeepers’ decision and advised Sage Sukhdev to first accept a guru if he wished to enter the heavenly realm.

Sage Sukhdev then requested Lord Vishnu to guide him on whom he should accept as his guru. Lord Vishnu instructed him to approach King Janak, receive initiation from him, and only then would he be permitted to enter the heavenly realm.

After seeking advice from lord Vishnu, sage Sukhdev took initiation from King Janak and that made him eligible to enter lord Vishnu’s heaven. This story teaches us that without a true spiritual teacher, one cannot gain entry into any heaven.

How to Identify a Truly Enlightened Guru?

Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj imparts scripture-based worship. The Supreme God Kabir is the giver of true contentment and peace, as affirmed in Holy Yajurveda, Chapter 5, Verse 32. Today, Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj is revealing the scripture-based method of worship that leads to the Supreme God and complete salvation.

He guarantees the attainment of the Supreme Almighty and freedom from worldly sorrows, provided one follows the prescribed code of conduct throughout life. The sole purpose of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj is to guide all souls toward complete salvation, enabling us to return to our true home, Satlok, a realm free from death, old age, labor, and filled with everlasting peace. The worldly benefits and profound inner peace experienced along the way are natural outcomes of this true worship.

Who Is the Truly Enlightened Sage (SatGuru) Today?

All the holy scriptures emphasize the need to seek guidance from a truly enlightened sage in order to unite with our Father in heaven. This highlights how important it is to find such a sage. But the real question is: how can one identify whether a sage is truly enlightened? The answer to this too is found in our scriptures. In Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 15, Verses 1–4, it is clearly explained how one can recognize a truly enlightened sage.

Today, Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj of Barwala, Hisar, Haryana, India, is the truly enlightened sage imparting true spiritual knowledge based on all our holy scriptures, including the Vedas, Gita, the Bible, the Holy Quran, and Guru Granth Sahib. He is the only one authorized to reveal the true method of worship needed to attain salvation and reunite with our Creator, our Father in Satlok, Kabir Saheb.

Guru Purnima 2025 Teachings of God Kabir Ji and Respected Garibdas Ji

Human life is so precious. We get human life only to attain Salvation. A Guru is imperative for that. Here are the Messages from God Kabir Ji and His Beloved Saint Respected Garibdas Ji about the Importance of a Guru:

Maat Pita mil jayenge lakh chaurasi mahi|

Satguru Sewa aur Bandagi fir milan ki nahi||

Kabir, Guru Govind kar jaaniye, Rahiye shabad samaye|

Mile toh Dandavat bandagi, Nahi pal pal dhyan lagaye||

Kabir, Guru Gobind dono khade, Kis ke laagu paaye|

Balihari Guru aapne, Jin Gobind diyo milaye||

These verses emphasize the importance of considering a Guru equivalent to Almighty and doing His Worship first before worshiping Almighty.

Kabir, Saat samandar ki masi karun, Lekhni karun banrai|

Dharti ka kaagaz karu, Guru Gun likhya na jaye||

Meaning:– Kabir Ji says ‘make the ink of seven oceans, make a pen from all the trees on earth, make the whole earth a writing page and start writing qualities of a True Saint / Satguru; even then the qualities will not finish since they are in abundance’.

Guru Purnima 2025 Quotes

• Guru is the mentor, Guru is the belief. He only shows the path of good deeds.
• A guru is like a candle, which consumes itself to light the way for others.
• Guru bin ved pdhe jo prani, smjhe na saar rhe agyaani.
• Guru bin mala fetre, guru bin dete daan।
•  Guru bin dono nishfal Hain, chahe pucho ved puran।।
• Garib, bin updesh achambh hai, kyun jeewat hai praan।
• Bin bhagti khan thaur hai, ye nar nahin pashaan।।
• A Guru is not someone who holds a Torch for you, He is the Torch.
• Guru aapke upkaar ka, kaise chukau main mol. Laakh keemti dhan bhala! Guru hai mera Anmol.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Guru Purnima 2025

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