Guru Poornima - Definition and Importance of a Guru

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Guru Purnima day the full moon day in Ashadh is of great importance in relation

to a guru and disciple. On this day a disciple, expresses his gratitude to his

Guru and makes some offerings. This is the day that strengthens the teacher

student bond.

Whatever the old poets and writers have written in the past, holds good even

today. Kabir wrote, "Guru is a washer-man, his disciple a cloth, soap the

creator, washed on the stone of knowledge, this gives out utmost light

brightness." This couplet of Kabir throws light on the relation of a guru

(master) to a disciple; Who washes away the dirt (bad element) in the mind of

the disciple and thus makes him clean, pure and pious. He expects from almighty

that by his blessings, he should enlighten his inner conscience.

Guru in Hinduism

The word guru means teacher in Sanskrit and other Sanskrit-derived languages

like Hindi, Bengali and Gujarati. It originated in a Hindu context and holds a

special place in Hinduism, signifying the sacred place of knowledge (vidya) and

the imparter of knowledge. The word comes from the sanskrit root "gru" literally

meaning heavy, weighty. Another etymology claimed in Hindu scriptures is that of

dispeller of darkness (wherein darkness is seen as avidya lack of knowledge both

spiritual and intellectual), 'gu' meaning darkness, and 'ru' meaning

dispeller.

The syllable gu means shadows

The syllable ru, he who disperses them,

Because of the power to disperse darkness

the guru is thus named.

Another popular etymology claims that the syllables gu (गु) and ru

(रू), stand for darkness and light, respectively, providing the

esoteric meaning that the guru is somebody who leads the disciple from the

darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge.

In the sense mentioned here above, guru is used more or less interchangeably

with "satguru" (literally: true teacher) and satpurusha. Compare also Swami.

The disciple of a guru is called sishya or chela. Often a guru lives in an

ashram or in a gurukula (the guru's household) together with his disciples. The

lineage of a guru, spread by worthy disciples who carry on that guru's

particular message, is known as the guru parampara or disciplic succession.

In the traditional sense, the word guru describes a relationship rather than an

absolute and is used as a form of address only by a disciple addressing his

master. Some Hindu denominations like BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha hold that a

personal relationship with a living guru, revered as the embodiment of God, is

essential in seeking moksha. The guru is the one who guides his or her disciple

to become a jivamukta, liberated soul that achieves salvation in his or her

lifetime through God-realization.

The role of the guru continues in the original sense of the word in such Hindu

traditions as Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and Bhakti schools. Indeed, it is now a

standard part of Hinduism (as defined by the six Vedic streams and the Tantric

Agamic streams) that a

guru is one's spiritual guide on earth. In some more mystical Hindu circles, it

is believed that the guru could awaken dormant spiritual knowledge within the

pupil, known as shaktipat.

In Hinduism the guru is considered a respected person with saintly qualities who

enlightens the mind of his disciple, an educator from whom one receives the

initiatory mantra, and one who instructs in rituals and religious ceremonies.

The Vishnu Smriti and Manu Smriti regards the teacher, along with the mother

and the father as the most venerable gurus (teachers) of an individual.

Some influential gurus in the Hindu tradition (there have been many) include Adi

Shankaracharya, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Shri Ramakrishna. Other gurus

whose legacy of continuing the Hindu yogic tradition grew in the 20th century

were men like Shri Aurobindo Ghosh, Shri Ramana Maharshi, Swami Sivananda and

Swami Chinmayananda. See also the list of Hindu gurus.

In Indian culture having not having a guru or a teacher (acharya) was looked

down upon as being an orphan, and a sign of misfortune. The word anatha in

Sanskrit means "the one without a teacher". An acharya is the giver of shiksha,

or gyan which means knowledge. Guru also gives diksha (initiation) that is the

spiritual awakening of the disciple by the grace of the Guru. Diksha is also

considered to be the procedure of bestowing the divine powers of a Guru to the

disciple, through which he progresses continuously on the path of divinity.

The institution of the guru has evolved various basic tenets of Indian culture

and transmitted spiritual and fundamental knowledge. Gurus formed the axis of

ancient educational system and ancient society, and enriched various fields of

learning and culture by their creative thinking. In this lies the lasting

significance of gurus and their contribution to the upliftment of mankind.

The origin of guru can be traced back as far as the early Upanishads, where the

conception of the Divine Teacher on earth first manifested from its early

Brahmin associations. Indeed, there is an understanding in some sects that if

the devotee were presented with the guru and God, first he would pay respects

to the guru since the guru had been instrumental in leading him to God. Saints

and poets have sung the glory of the guru and the God such as Kabir and

Brahmanand:

Guru Bhakti (literally "devotion to the guru") is considered important in many schools.

In the Upanishads five signs of sat guru (true guru) are mentioned.

In the presence of the satguru; Knowledge flourishes (Gyana raksha); Sorrow

diminishes (Dukha kshaya); Joy wells up without any reason (Sukha aavirbhava);

Abundance dawns (Samriddhi); All talents manifest (Sarva samvardhan).

The importance of finding a true guru is one of the tenants of Hinduism. Lord

Krishna says to Arjuna:

Acquire the transcendental knowledge from a Self-realized master by humble

reverence, by sincere inquiry, and by service. The wise ones who have realized

the Truth will impart the Knowledge to you. (Bhagavad Gita, c4 s34)

On the role of the guru, Swami Sivananda asks: "Do you realize now the sacred

significance and the supreme importance of the Guru's role in the evolution of

man? It was not without reason that the India of the past carefully tended and

kept alive the lamp of Guru-Tattva. It is therefore not without reason that

India, year after year, age after age, commemorates anew this ancient concept

of the Guru, adores it and pays homage to it again and again, and thereby

re-affirms its belief and allegiance to it. For, the true Indian knows that the

Guru is the only

guarantee for the individual to transcend the bondage of sorrow and death, and

experience the Consciousness of the Reality."

Some Hindu gurus have warned against false teachers, have recommended the

spiritual seeker to test the guru before accepting him, and have outlined

criteria how to distinguish false from genuine ones:

Swami Vivekananda said that there are many incompetent gurus and that a true

guru should understand the spirit of the scriptures, have a pure character and

be free from sin, and should be selfless without desire for money and fame.

Sathya Sai Baba said in a discourse (Sathya Sai Speaks, vol I, p. 197) that the

hunt for rich disciples who can be fleeced has become a tragicomedy, and said

in the booklet Sandeha Nivarini that the seeker should test the guru by

assessing whether his words are full of wisdom, and whether he puts into

practice what he preaches.

Jai Sairam

Gathered by Anita Sakthi

 

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