Guru Purnima: 3rd July, 2023

 Lord Shiva as Adi Dakshinamurthy

The highest form of a Guru is Lord Shiva Himself ( *Adi Dakshinamurthy) or ultimate knowledge, whereas a guru is the manifestation of that knowledge. Shiva, the supreme Vaishnava, is often venerated as the Adi Guru who resides in the spiritual mentors of this mundane world. Guru Purnima is such an important annual festival that most Indians visit the ashrams of their respective gurus or spiritual preceptors in Rishikesh, Haridwar, Mathura and Vrindavan.

Lord Shiva Bestows Religious Devotion to Krishna

Lord Shiva, 'The Auspicious One', works for our well being, is the refuge of loving tenderness, is splendidly generous, bestows religious devotion to Krishna and is Maha Yogeshwar. 

Easily pleased, Lord Shankar manifested for Usha Bahenji (fondly known as Bobo), a great saint of Vrindavan, and made the spectral revelation that He was her guru who would take her to the pivotal concept of Krishna's madhurya or sweet love.

Highly Revered Usha Bahenji in Vrindavan

The incident dates to the time when Bobo had come to Vrindavan. After a bath in the Yamuna she was heading homewards accompanied by Sushila Bahenji, Vijayji and others. It was Guru Purnima, (the full moon day in the month of Ashadh of the Hindu calendar).

Guru Purnima

 "Today is Guru Purnima and everyone says one can not attain salvation without a spiritual mentor-then who is my guru," she wondered.

Yugal Ghat, Vrindavan

As she walked in the fields opposite the Yugal Ghat.  Instantly the great Vaishnava, Lord Shankar with his wife Parvati and son Ganesha were  clearly visible in the sky, which soared slightly higher than the temple's platform.

 Lord Shiva Assures Bobo that He is her Guru 

Mother Parvati was clad in a red sari and adorned in the best of finery. Child Ganesha was also present with His spirited antics. Whereas Lord Shankar was resplendent with matted yellow hair which shone like heated gold.The holy Ganges and crescent moon rested on His head and a beautiful blue hue was apparent in His throat. 

Garlanded with a serpent, He assured her in a deep-throated voice," I am your guru." She reverentially bowed before Him there itself. 

Shiva's Trident

While He repeatedly touched Bobo's forehead and blessed her with His radiant trident.

* Dakshinamurthy literally describes a murti (idol) of Shiva facing dakshina (the south). This form represents Shiva in his role as a teacher of yoga, music and wisdom, expounding the shastras at the same time. This iconographic form depicting Shiva seated upon a deer-throne, surrounded by sages receiving his instructions, is mostly from Tamil Nadu.