The Hindu Education Foundation and the Westchester Chapter of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh will conduct a Teacher Appreciation Day or Guru Vandana to honor local teachers on Saturday.
Guru Vandana means salutation to teacher with utmost respect.
Sivadasan Nair of the Westchester chapter explains the concept thus:
The word “Guru” cannot be easily translated to other languages. “GU” means darkness and RU means one who dispels it, Guru is the one who dispels the darkness of ignorance and in essence guru means light. Hindu scriptures say:
“Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu,
Gurur Devo Maheswarah,
Guru sakshat Parabrahmam,
Tasmai Sri Guruve Namaha”
Meaning, a teacher is like Brahma the creator who creates the knowledge, like Vishnu who organizes ideas and knowledge unto right path and Maheswara who destroys the ignorance and enlightens us.
What: Guru Vandana
When: Saturday, May 19, 5:30 p.m.
Where: YWCA (Lower Lounge), 515 North Street, White Plains
