By Swami Harshananda
Guruvṛtti literally means ‘behavior before the guru’.
In the ancient days, education was imparted in the gurukulas or the houses of the gurus, the preceptors. A brahmacārin[1] was expected to strictly follow a code of conduct prescribed for him. The conduct which concerned his behavior towards the guru, was called ‘guruvṛtti’.
Rules[edit]
Some of the rules to be observed by the student as per Manusmrti, are [2]:
- Desire the welfare of his guru
- Diligent in his studies even if he was not specifically directed to do so
- Cultivate a very pure and reverential attitude towards the guru
- Avoid any type of ostentation before him
- Never sit in his Guru's presence, unless permitted to do so
- Never speak ill of or criticize his guru before anyone at anytime nor should he listen to such words if others are doing so
- Never address his guru by his name
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore