Guru Purnima 2023: 6 Great Teachers of Ancient India? Written By-Dr.Rashmi Vajpayee ~ Indian Culture

Image Credit: BR Chopra's Mahabharat via dailymotion.com & Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan

The festival of Guru Purnima is observed on the Shukla Purnima of the month of Ashada to give Honor to the Guru. This year Guru Purnima will be celebrated on 3rd July 2023, Monday. This day is very significant because on this day, Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata, was born. Vyasa divided the four Vedas, wrote 18 Puranas, the Brahma Sutras, and uttered the Mahabharat which lord Ganesha penned down.

That is why Guru Purnima is additionally called Vyas Purnima. When one encounters a true Guru, then all the darkness of his life fades. This festival is ideal to determine the value of Guru or teacher in life to the next generation. Therefore, this festival dedicated to Guru has great significance.

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, I am going to enlighten you about the six incredible gurus of India who were not only respected by the gods but also by demons who have been educated through them. Let's know about the well-known guru of Indian Mythology.

1)Ved Vyas-

Image Courtesy BR Chopra's Mahabharat via dailymotion.com

As indicated by the ancient Indian writings, Maharishi Ved Vyas has the authority of the first guru. That is the reason, Guru Purnima is devoted to Ved Vyas. Maharishi Ved Vyas was considered a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. His full name was Krishnadaipayan Vyas. Maharishi Ved Vyas formed the Vedas, 18 Puranas, and the epic Mahabharata. Maharishi Ved Vyasa is one Chiranjeevi who is yet alive.

2) Valmiki-

Image Courtesy Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan

Ramayana was written by sage Valmiki. Maharishi Valmiki is regarded as the creator of many weapons. Lord Rama's sons Luv-Kush were the pupils of Maharishi Valmiki. When Lord Ram sent Sita to the forest, she reached Valmiki rishi’s hermitage on the banks of the river Tamasa. There Sita gave birth to twins named Lav and Kush.

Image Courtesy Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan via Instagram/ramayan2020

Sage Valmiki tutored both of them the Shastras and the skill of practicing weapons. Luv and Kush were warriors like their father Ram. Because their power and ability are clearly observed during the fight with Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughan. They were great warriors. They learned everything from sage Valmiki and were extremely sharp and intelligent.

3) Dronacharya-

Dronacharya and Arjun(Image Courtesy BR Chopra's Mahabharat via dailymotion.com)

Dronacharya was a great archer; his father's name was sage Bharadvaja. He was the royal mentor of Kauravas and Pandavas. Arjun was his beloved disciple. Dronacharya had assured Arjun that he would make him the greatest archer in the world. And therefore to Honor his word, he assured no one else surpasses Arjun. Eklavya strongly aspired to study under Dronacharya.

Image Courtesy BR Chopra's Mahabharat via dailymotion.com

Dronacharya could not accept him as his student because in those days, as a rule, a mentor of the royal line was not permitted to train anybody else. Eklavya in his heart had already assumed Dronacharya as his Guru. He made a sculpture of his Guru and practiced archery before the statue. When the growing Kauravas and Pandavas, went to the forest for sport, they met Eklavya who shot five arrows at their barking dog to seal its mouth without harming it.

Image Courtesy BR Chopra's Mahabharat via dailymotion.com

Surprised by his talent, Drona and his pupils went to Eklavya and inquired about his Guru. Eklavya showed them Drona’s statue. Since Drona previously assured Arjun that he would make him the greatest archer, Drona had demanded Eklavya to cut his thumb for Guru Dakshina. And Eklavya did not think twice before cutting it off. Famous disciples of Guru Drona were Duryodhan, Dushasan, Arjun, Bhīma, etc.

4) Parashurama-

Parashurama and Karna(Image Courtesy BR Chopra's Mahabharat via dailymotion.com)

Lord Parashurama is acknowledged as the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to religious faith, he is also alive in Kali-Yug. Parashurama was a Brahmin by origin but a Kshatriya by strength, Parashurama was a powerful and brutal warrior who emerged in an aggressive manner for punishing the cruel Kshatriya kings and freeing the earth from their wrongdoings. Parashurama's pupils include the name of famous heroes like Bhishma, Dronacharya, and Karna.

5) Shukracharya-

Image Courtesy: BR Chopra's Vishnu Puran

Shukracharya was the son of Bhrigu Rishi who wrote Bhrigu-Samhita. Guru Shukracharya is acknowledged as the god of the devils. He did hard penance to Lord Shiva and got the "Sanjeevani Mantra" (the mantra which can restore the dead to life). He practiced this Sanjeevani Mantra against Gods in the battle among devils and consequently, devils won many battles and became more and more dominant.

Guru Shukracharya also trained sons of Gods simultaneously with demons. Shukracharya had tremendous knowledge. In Mahabharata, he is introduced as one of the trainers of Bhishma who guides him in political science. Shukracharya's notable pupils include Prahlad, Bali, and Devguru Brihaspati's son Kach.

6) DevGuru Brihaspati-

Jupiter has been bestowed with the authority of the Guru of the Gods. Devguru Brihaspati nourishes and shields the gods from devils. Warriors invoke Brihaspati for their victory in battle.

Happy Guru Purnima !!😍😍🙏🙏

About Rashmi Vajpayee

Hello friends I am DrRashmi Vajpayee,PhD Awardee,Assistant professor and founder of Rashmi Vajpayee's Confessions on Culture.Here I share everything about Indian Culture and Festivals.I hope you guys enjoy my content so keep reading!.