Ashadha Purnima (Guru Purnima) आषाढ पूर्णिमा (गुरु पूर्णिमा)
Ashadha • Purnima
Also known as: Vyasa Purnima
Story — Significance of Ashadha Purnima (Guru Purnima)
Birthday of Sage Veda Vyasa — compiler of Vedas, Mahabharata, Bhagavata, Brahma Sutras. Also the day Lord Shiva became Adi Guru by teaching the Saptarishis. Disciples honor their guru with offerings, gratitude, and seva.
Benefit
Guru's grace; spiritual progress; remembrance and honoring of teachers
Special Note
Most important Purnima for spiritual seekers. Ashrams, sampradayas, and lineages hold special celebrations. Traditional offering: dakshina at guru's feet.
Vrat Vidhi (Procedure)
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1
Pre-Sunrise Bath
Wake before sunrise. Take a holy bath — ideally in a sacred river, otherwise add Ganga jal to water. Wear clean white or yellow clothes.
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2
Satyanarayan Vrat (most common)
Setup a kalash, Vishnu/Satyanarayan murti or photo. Offer panchamrit, banana, panchamrit prasad (banana-flour-jaggery-ghee mix). Recite the 5 chapters of Satyanarayan Katha. Distribute prasad.
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3
Day Observance
Maintain saatvik food. No grains in some traditions; others permit one full meal. Visit a temple, give donations, feed Brahmins. Practice Vishnu Sahasranama or naam-japa.
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4
Moonlight Offering
After moonrise, offer arghya (water libation) to the Moon. Place kheer or sweet rice in moonlight to absorb lunar nectar (especially on Sharad Purnima). View the moon with reverence — Purnima is the day to gaze at the Moon as a deity.
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5
Charity
Donate white items: rice, milk, sugar, white cloth, silver. Feed cows. Light lamps in temple — 108 lamps is especially meritorious.
Mantras
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