31st July,2015: Guru Purnima

Lord Shiva as Adi Dakshinamurthy

The highest form of a Guru is Lord Shiva Himself ( *Adi Dakshinamurthy) or ultimate knowledge. A guru or spiritual preceptor 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 in Rishikesh, Haridwar, Mathura and Vrindavan.

Shiva Grants Religious Devotion to Krishna

Lord Shiva or '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 Yogeshwara.

Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji, Fondly Known as Bobo

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 spiritual preceptor.

Madhurya of Shri Radha-Krishna

He who would take her to the pivotal concept of Shri Radha-Krishna's madhurya or sweet love.

Yamuna River, Vrindavana

The incident dates back to the time when Bobo had come to Vrindavan. After a bath in the Yamuna she was heading homewards, accompanied by Sushila Bahenji, Vijay and others. It was Guru Purnima (the day of full moon in the month of Ashadh of the Hindu calendar).She wondered while walking in the fields opposite the Yugal Ghat, "Today is Guru Purnima and everyone says one can not attain salvation without a spiritual mentor-so who is my guru,". 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.

Shiva, Parvati & Ganesha

Mother Parvati was clad in a red sari and adorned in the best of finery. Child Ganesha was also present with his spirited antics.

Lord Shiva Assures Bobo that He is her Guru  

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

Dakshinamurthy

* 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.