kathmandu: Gurupurnima, also known as Asad Shukla Poornima, is being celebrated today by honouring and expressing gratitude towards mentors and teachers alike. The festival holds religious and cultural significance, serving as a day to honour the gurus who impart wisdom and guide their followers towards the path of knowledge and awakening.
According to National News Agency Nepal, academic institutions observe the day as Teachers’ Day, with students honouring their teachers and professors while recalling their contribution to academic growth and excellence. The term ‘Guru’ is explained by Prof Dr Devmani Bhattarai, a theologian and member of the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Bikas Samiti, where ‘Gu’ means darkness and ‘Ru’ means light. A Guru is thus described as the one who destroys the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge.
Today also marks Vyas Jayanti, in memory of Ved Vyas, who composed 18 Puranas and 18 Upapuranas to elucidate the Vedas, dividing them into four parts – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samave
da, and Atharvaveda. As per legends, Ved Vyas is believed to have been born on the full moon day of the month of Ashadha, and hence Vyas Jayanti is celebrated on this day.