The full moon day of Ashadh is well known all over the country as 'Guru Vyas or Ashadh Purnima'. This festival dates back to time immemorial. This auspicious day is set apart for the veneration and worship of the Guru. In ancient days the students or brahmcharis used to get their education in Ashrams and Gurukuls. The students would worship their teachers on this day and pay them their Gurudakshina (fee and presents) according to their means and capacity. The devotees and disciples fast on this day and worship their gurus for seeking their blessings.

It is also known as Vyas Purnima, because Rishi Vyas himself was a great Guru. Vyas or Veda-Vyas, the son of Rishi Parashar and Satyavati, is also known as Krishna Dwaipayna, because he was dark complexioned and was born on an island or dwipa. He is said to have compiled the four Vedas, the Mahabharata and the eighteen Puranas.

This day reminds one, the story of a devoted student Eklavya, and the matchless Nishad archer youth, who gladly gave his right hand thumb as dakshina to his relentless guru and teacher Dronacharya. He gave it too gladly. Eklavya is one of the greatest examples of devotion to the teacher, and it is right that he is remembered on this day.