Understanding Guru

Guru literally means ‘dispeller of darkness’. There is no English equivalent to this term. The relationship between a Guru and Sishya is considered the highest as this can spawn across lives unlike other worldly relationships. Our history is replete with examples of Guru watching over the development of a sishya across lives – the most recent one being Lahari Mahasaya and Mahavtar Babaji as expounded in the treatise Autobiography of a yogi. Indian heritage and culture is rich with the Guru Sishya relationship. Science and wisdom have been handed over from generation to generation through this relationship. Hence, the cornerstone of the foundation of Indian arts and sciences is Guru. The importance and responsibility attached to this position is supreme.

The greatness of Indian approach towards Arts and Sciences lies in the fact that these were considered as a means towards the common end – dedication to God and self-real

ization. Hence, we find no parallel in the world to the level of development of these streams of knowledge in our country. We have produced saints in music, arts, science, philosophy and much more. At the heart of this success lies in feeding the right attitude to the student – hence the importance of Guru. The hoary Vedas declare that knowledge is of two types – one that liberates (Paravidya) and everything else related to the world (apara Vidya). The qualifications laid down for being a Guru disseminating paravidya is well described in our Scriptures like Siva Samhita, Srimad Bhagavata, Mahabharata among others. One should look at one’s spiritual Guru from this light before total surrender. Swami Vivekananda’s first question to Ramakrishna Paramahansa was “Did you see God”? When the answer was in the affirmative, he proceeded to the next question “Can you show me”. There is a lesson to us all in this episode.

When one studies our History to understand the nature of Gurus produced in this country, one notices unfailingly that they were personalities of strong and noble character. There are stories of Sishyas who gained knowledge by merely being dedicated to their Gurus.

Ramana Maharshi once said in the context of a Guru “They are like sugarcane. Whether sugarcane is bitten, eaten after removing the skin or crushed under the wheel or any other form, the only outcome is sweet juice. Similarly, knowledge and nobility of character is the outcome from any Guru.” 

Hence, this title is not for all. In order to reiterate the pivotal role played by Guru in our lives, even the avatars like Rama and Krishna studied under Guru before completing the missing of their incarnations. They were complete in themselves and need no Guru to teach them, however they respected the role of a Guru and taught us all to respect them.

Recognizing this important role played by a Guru in the formation of a civilized and mature society, there is a day dedicated every month to the worship of ‘Brihaspati’ – Guru of the gods. Every full moon night, all Hindus should worship Brihaspati (also part of the navagraha). The fullmoon represents knowledge in its complete expression symbolizing the attributes of a Guru. The full moon night in the month of Margasira Maasam is called as Guru Pournami.