Guru (Vyasa) Purnima
Disappearance Day of Srila Sanatana Gosvami
Festival
All day
What is Guru (Vyasa) Purnima?
Guru (Vyasa) Purnima is the full moon of Ashadha, the day on which disciples honour their spiritual master and Srila Vyasadeva, who compiled the Vedic literature. In 2027 it falls on Sunday, 18 July. Devotees observe the disappearance of Srila Sanatana Gosvami on the same day.
Significance
Srimad-Bhagavatam relates that Srila Vyasadeva divided the one Veda into four and gave the Puranas and the Mahabharata as a fifth Veda. Within the Mahabharata is the Bhagavad-gita, spoken at Kurukshetra. That knowledge still reaches each disciple through the spiritual master, and on this day the disciple honours him. Lord Krishna Himself asks for this respect:
One should know the ācārya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.17.27
How to observe it
Offer respects to your spiritual master and to Srila Prabhupada. Read a few verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita, and chant some extra rounds of the holy names. Then take a moment to thank those who first gave you Krishna consciousness, in a short note or simply aloud. The heart of the day is gratitude.
Read more: Guru Purnima: Meaning, Respect and Gratitude for Gurus
Questions
When is Guru Purnima in 2027?
Guru Purnima is on Sunday, 18 July 2027, the full moon of the month of Ashadha. It is also known as Vyasa Purnima.
Why is Guru Purnima also called Vyasa Purnima?
The day honours Srila Vyasadeva. As Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.4 describes, he divided the Veda into four and compiled the Puranas and the Mahabharata.
How do Vaishnavas honour the guru on Guru Purnima?
They offer respects to the spiritual master, hear or read Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita, and chant the holy names. Throughout the day they keep in mind Lord Krishna's instruction to know the acarya as Himself.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Sunday, 18 July 2027
- Also on this day
- Disappearance Day of Srila Sanatana Gosvami
- Honours
- Srila Vyasadeva and the spiritual master
- Month
- Ashadha
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.