Homages 2011 (1)

The principle of serving the guru is central to Vedic culture, for no one can make spiritual advancement or lead a pious life without the guidance and blessings of a guru.

The basic principle of guru etiquette is spoken by Lord Krsna in the Srimad Bhagavatam (11.17.27):

acaryam mam vijaniyan
navanmanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyasuyeta
sarva-deva-mayo guruh

"One should know the äcärya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods."

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has pointed out that the original cause of offending the Lord and falling down from one's position is one's not learning how to properly worship a bona fide spiritual master. One who is trained to offer respectful obeisances and worship to the bona fide spiritual master automatically offers proper worship to the Supreme Lord. Without the mercy of a bona fide spiritual master, even a so-called religious man will gradually become atheistic, offend the Lord by foolish speculation and fall into a hellish condition of life. (SB 11.5.3 purport)

Srila Vyasadeva is the original Spiritual Master for anyone who is following the Vedic way of spiritual realization. Spiritual Master is the representative of Vyasadeva because he carries the message of Vyasadeva throughout the world. As you know it very well that Vyasadeva compiled all Vedic literatures wonderfully. Srila Vyasadeva summarized the whole Vedic knowledge in the shape of Srimad-Bhagavatam which is known as the ripened fruit of the desire tree known as Vedic knowledge. The ripened fruit is received hand to hand through disciplic succession and anyone who does this work in disciplic succession from Srila Vyasadeva is considered as representative of Vyasadeva and as such the bonafide Spiritual Master's Appearance Day is worshiped as Vyasa Puja. Not only that, the exalted seat on which the Spiritual Master sits is also called Vyasasana.

In the Mayavadi Sampradaya they observe the Guru Purnima day to offer respect to the Spiritual Master. This system of offering respect to the Spiritual Master is current in all sections of Vedic followers, but so far we, the Gaudiya Sampradaya is concerned, we offer on the Appearance Day of the Spiritual Master our humble homage annually and this particular auspicious moment is called Vyasa Puja.

We thank all the devotees who had sent in their homages in time. We would like to thank Sri Rasa Priya Gopika mathaji and Sri Sugopi mathaji for editing the English homages.  If you had sent your homage before the deadline announced and don`t see it listed here, please contact our editors.

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