Industrialist and Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra used Guru Purnima this year to share one of the most lasting lessons his parents passed on to him, that a guru does not have to be one person, and that the willingness to stay curious and humble is what keeps the learning going. Mahindra posted on X on Wednesday, reflecting on what the occasion means to him each year. "Every year, on Guru Purnima, I reflect on one of the most enduring lessons my parents gave me: that wisdom isn't the preserve of a single Guru," he wrote. "If we remain curious and humble, every person we meet has something to teach us." He also extended his gratitude to his followers on the platform, crediting their perspectives, questions, and even their disagreements for keeping him in the role of a student. "Your insights, perspectives, questions and your disagreements have helped me keep learning. I hope I never lose that privilege," he added.— anandmahindra (@anandmahindra) What is Guru Purnima and why is it celebrated Guru Purnima falls on the full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Ashadha, which typically lands in June or July. This year it falls on 29 July. The occasion is one of the oldest traditions of gratitude in Indian culture, dedicated to honouring teachers, mentors, and guides who shape a person's life and understanding. The word guru comes from Sanskrit, where gu means darkness and ru means the one who dispels it. A guru, in the traditional sense, is someone who leads you from ignorance toward knowledge. The day holds significance across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions. In Hindu tradition, it is believed to be the day the sage Vyasa, who is credited with composing the Mahabharata and codifying the Vedas, was born. It is therefore also called Vyasa Purnima. In Buddhist tradition, it marks the day the Buddha is said to have delivered his first sermon at Sarnath after attaining enlightenment. Over centuries, the occasion has evolved beyond its religious roots into a broader cultural moment where students acknowledge the role of their teachers, and people reflect on all the sources of wisdom in their lives, which is precisely the spirit Mahindra captured in his post.