Talk:Guru

By Swami Harshananda

guru (‘one who is praised [due to his great qualities]’ ‘one who teaches [the śāstras like the Vedas]’)

In Hindu religion and culture, every science or art or craft has to be learnt directly from a competent teacher in that field. Since learning is considered as a tapas (austerity, discipline), the teacher has to be looked upon with great respect and reverence.

A teacher of the scriptures is called an adhyāpaka or an upādhyāya or an ācārya. The former two teach the chanting of the Vedas whereas the last one teaches their meaning and significance also.

The word ‘guru’ is used in a more comprehensive sense. It has sometimes been defined as one who dispels the darkness of ignorance. It invariably refers to a spiritual teacher, an advanced soul, who is an expert not only in the knowledge of the scriptures but also well-established in Brahman or God (vide Mundaka Upanisad 1.2.12).

A guru should be a person of pure parentage, of a sinless life and great self-control. Apart from having a deep knowledge of the scriptures, he should be an adept in the various modes of meditation and worship also. He must be the very personification of compassion and love towards his disciples.

A disciple is expected to look upon his guru as if he is God himself. However, the Hindu scriptures also warn the people against false gurus.

Bṛhaspati, the teacher of the gods in heaven is also known as Guru.

Guru is also the name of the planet Jupiter. (See BRHASPATI.)

‘Guru’ was also the nickname of Prabhākara (A. D. 700?), a prominent teacher of the Purvamīmāmsā school of philosophy.

The word ‘guru’ has been used widely in the Sanskrit works in several other senses such as: father, mother, husband, any teacher in any field of knowledge and God himself.

See also ĀCĀRYA.

References

* The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

OLD CONTENT

guru (‘one who is praised [due to his great qualities]’ ‘one who teaches [the śāstras like the Vedas]’) In Hindu religion and culture, every science or art or craft has to be learnt directly from a competent teacher in that field. Since learning is considered as a tapas (austerity, discipline), the teacher has to be looked upon with great respect and reverence. A teacher of the scriptures is called an adhyāpaka or an upādhyāya or an ācārya. The former two teach the chanting of the Vedas whereas the last one teaches their meaning and significance also. The word ‘guru’ is used in a more comprehensive sense. It has sometimes been defined as one who dispels the dark¬ness of ignorance. It invariably refers to a spiritual teacher, an advanced soul, who is an expert not only in the knowledge of the scriptures but also well-established in Brahman or God (vide Mundaka Upanisad 1.2.12). A guru should be a person of pure parentage, of a sinless life and great self-control. Apart from having a deep knowledge of the scriptures, he should be an adept in the various modes of medita¬tion and worship also. He must be the very personification of compassion and love towards his disciples. A disciple is expected to look upon his guru as if he is God himself. However, the Hindu scriptures also warn the people against false gurus. Bṛhaspati, the teacher of the gods in heaven is also known as Guru. Guru is also the name of the planet Jupiter. (See BRHASPATI.) ‘Guru’ was also the nickname of Prabhākara (A. D. 700?), a prominent teacher of the Purvamīmārhsā school of philosophy. The word ‘guru’ has been used widely in the Sanskrit works in several other senses such as: father, mother, husband, any teacher in any field of knowledge and God himself. See also ĀCĀRYA. gurudaksiṇā (‘honorarium [paid to the] guru’) Education was considered in ancient and medieval India as too sacred an act to demand or accept any fee. If, however, a disciple wanted to give something to his guru, at the time of his departure from the gurukula, as a mark of his gratitude, the guru could accept it. This could take two forms: accepting whatever the disciple gave, or, asking for something which one really wanted. Though offering of money, cows or land was common, uncommon or even odd or novel things were sometimes asked for as gurudakṣiṇā. Droṇācārya wanted the Pāṇḍavas to capture the king Drupada and bring to him! Udaṅka, a sage, had to take a lot of trouble to bring and give the ear-rings of the queen Madavatī to Ahalyā, the wife of his guru, Gautama. However, the idea has always been there that the debt to one’s guru can never be repaid.