V.N. Gopalakrishnan
Guru Purnima is the annual occasion for expressing gratitude towards the Guru or the Divine Teacher. Guru Purnima is observed in memory of the great sage Veda Vyasa who is considered as the supreme preceptor of mankind. The word Guru means remover of darkness. Hence Guru Purnima is the day of eradicating ignorance and illuminating our lives with knowledge. There are 12-13 full moons in a year. While Vaishakha full moon is dedicated to Lord Buddha, Jyeshtha full moon is dedicated to Mother Earth and Ashada full moon is dedicated to the memory of masters. Guru Purnima is observed as an auspicious day to review how much one has progressed in life and to turn back on the spiritual path. The day is significant for students who desire to get the blessings of their teachers.
Popularity: 62% [?]
The idea that an animal should be killed during a sacrifice is — and was — a misinterpretation of the scriptures by ignorant or cunning Brâhmins.
The 26th chapter of the Uttara Kânda of the Tantric text, Rudra Yâmalam, says
Punyâpunya Pasum Hatvâ Jnâna Khadgena
This means:
the cow of Punya and Apunya should be killed with the sword of knowledge
Punya means all deeds done with the egoistic pride — ‘I have done it’. Apunya means sins done out of ignorance. Both these are done due to lack of the correct knowledge about one’s Self, the relation between God and Soul, and the Life-Centric Laws of the universe. They must be removed with the ‘sword’ of correct knowledge, given by the Sadguru.
Killing of animals goes against the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (World Is One Family).
Such ignorant acts are cases of two-legged animals killing four-legged animals!
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