1. The Prominent Place Of Gurus In Hinduism
In Hinduism, gurus occupy a very prominent place. The source of the earth is the Guru who freely chooses to have his presence on the earth, in a living form. Many prominent deities are gurus in Hinduism that teach specific skills or release divine knowledge. Such respect has never been given to gurus in any other tradition.
In the present times, such respect or similar ethical standards are not enjoyed by teachers in academia. In fact a lot of negative publicity and public scrutiny is being dealt by spiritual teachers propagating Hindu spirituality or Hinduism these days. Different schools of Hinduism continue and are preserved through the important role played by the tradition of gurus or else it would be lost forever.
The Significance And Meaning Of Gurus In Hinduism
The word Guru means prominent, large, important, extended, long and weighty. Guru also means excellent, arduous, best, intense, venerable etc. The meaning applies to a spiritual guide, religious master, spiritual master or venerable person known as Guru in the spiritual and religious traditions in India.
Vedic Tradition
As per Vedic tradition, a Guru is a Brahmana or a reputed priest who teaches Vedas (Brahma Vidyas) to young students and performs purification ceremonies. Liberation (Moksha) and higher knowledge of the Vedas have been taught in ancient India by spiritual leaders who commanded highest respect. These leaders from all backgrounds and castes provided selfless service and performed obligatory duties while providing instruction in the secret knowledge of liberation. They also indulged in public discussions on spiritual and religious matters and visited kings in their royal courts.
Not All Gurus Are Spiritual Leaders
It must be noted that all the gurus were not spiritual teachers. They mastered other professions, crafts, witchcraft, vocations and professions, making deadly potions and poisons, weapon making, medicine, casting spells, taming animals, hypnotism, metallurgy, spying etc and depending upon their integrity, virtue and knowledge, the attained status and reputation. While most gurus were men, there were women gurus too.
What Does A Guru Symbolize
A guru symbolizes responsibility, greatness, status, importance, size, etc in Hinduism. Words (guru vac) spoken by the guru are like words of God (brahma vac). Upadesam are teachings of the guru, very much same as verbal testimony (pramana). At the beginning the guru gives a mantra called the guru mantram to his student. The mantram has power to cleanse the body and mind and like a boat helps the disciple cross the samsara ocean to arrive at the shore of liberation.
Gurus As Per Hindu Astrology
Planet Jupiter (angaraka) is known as the Guru. Guru mahadasa is a favorable and auspicious period in a human beings life as per Hindu astrology. Demons and gods too have their very own gurus. Shukracharya is the teacher of the Asuras while Brihaspati is the teacher of Gods.
A guru was an institution in ancient politics in India. Rajgurus (royal gurus) were employed by kings to provide advice in crucial times and also assist children of royal families to develop various crafts and arts and skills. At times Gurus fought against the enemies on behalf of the kings especially if the guru was skilled in warfare or was a Kshatriya.
2. Ancient Texts Of Hinduism And The Importance Of A Guru
Importance of admiration for a guru is emphasized in the Svetasvatara Upanishad (6.23). Great souls having acclamation for God as well as Guru are illuminated with the teachings of the Upanishads.
The teacher is treated as God himself (acharya devobhava) by the students as per the Taittirya Upanishad (1:11.2). A guru ‘the Supreme Absolute’ – is equated to Shiva the God himself in the Guru Gita from the Skanda Purana. A well known Hindu prayer declares, ‘The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru is Shiva.
Qualities Of A True Guru – A Satguru
As per the Katha Upanishad (1.2.8) it is imperative for a guru to obtain knowledge of a Brahmin and there is no going further, without him. Various desirable qualities are sought by the teacher from the God or Gods, as per the prayers and invocations found in the Taittiriya Upanishad which include:
Intelligence (Medha)
- Radiance of Brahman (Brahmavarchas)
- Vigorous body (Vicarsanam)
- Fame (Yasah)
- Right wisdom (Sumedha)
- Immortality (Amritasya)
- Wealth of knowledge
- Sweetness of speech (madhumattama)
- Pure mind
- Good hearing capacity
- Students of chaste conduct
- Knowledge of the Vedas (Sruti)
- Material abundance and prosperity
- How Should A Spiritual Guru Be
- Liberated (jivanmukta)
- Knowledgeable
- Detached
- Self-realized
- Truthful
- Free from delusion and lust
- Chaste
- Austere
- Virtuous
- Devoted and dedicated towards God
- Wise
- Indifferent
- Absorbed in God
- Egoless
- Firm in enforcing disciple through his personal example
- Selfless
- Humble
What Does A True Guru Practice
A true guru shuns worldly pleasures, name, fame, publicity, luxuries, ownership and public attention. In terms of deeds and words he practices renunciation and no matter what the dualities of life are, he remains the same.
Once a guru achieves liberation and directs himself towards guiding and teaching as service to God or out of compassion, instead of filling his own coffers then he can be called as a true guru. A true guru does not charge money, nor attract attention or promote himself but has no ego, has no selfishness, is liberated and does not desire fame or name. His identity is merged into that of a Brahmin, fully.
Guru Tattva The Book By Swami Sivananda
Swami Sivananda in his book Guru Tattva states that one having direct knowledge of Atman through Anubhava and one who has studied Vedas is a Guru, a spiritual preceptor. He states that at times the Satguru may exhibit Siddhis or miracles for convincing aspirants that super physical things exist, encourage them and inculcate faith in their hearts. He possesses the wealth of the Lord that is the divine Aisvarya and is an ocean of mercy, knowledge, a fountain of joy and bliss.
He eradicates obstacles, sorrows and troubles in life, shows the right divine path, makes you divine and immortal, saves you from drowning in the ocean of Samsara and transforms your lower diabolical nature. These days finding a guru fitting into this description is difficult. Hence it is better that your guru is your personal God from whom you can seek guidance and grace instead of wasting time on a fraud or hoax.
3.The Guru Tradition In India
The guru tradition has existed in India since 5000 years back and more. Grandfathers and fathers acted as gurus in few cases to their own family members and children and taught the Vedas or the Self to them. Husbands too played the role of gurus to their wives and enlightened them about liberation of self.
Divinities As Prominent Teachers
A number of divinities also acted as prominent teachers. The original transmitter and teacher of all the Vedas was Brahma. A world teacher is Shiva as recognized in the Tantra tradition. Shiva is Parvathi (his wife’s) teacher who transmits secrets of transcendental knowledge to selected disciples. Other universal teachers are Krishna and Vishnu. Other great spiritual teachers in ancient India were scholars and saints. Sri Aurobindo, Shirdi Baba for example initiated many aspirants in into their paths, in the modern day times and helped in reviving Hinduism.
Spiritual Tradition Of Gurus In Hinduism
As per etymology a guru means (gu+ru) one who brings wisdom and light (ru) into the dark cavern (gu) or hearts of the bound souls. A guru illuminates hearts and minds of the ignorant and liberates them. The guru is equated to God himself in many Hindu traditions and after parents, is treated with utmost respect.
The word of a guru is inviolable and has secret knowledge hidden in scriptures. He reserves right to select his students and encourage them into transcendental knowledge as per choice. Guru Dakshina is the dues the students pay for benefiting from the Guru’s teachings.
A guru is respected by taking care of his personal needs, serving him, touching his feet, seeking his blessings, meditating and remembering his name as part of Hindu spiritual tradition.
Is A Guru Needed For Spiritual Practice
Depending upon the sect of Hinduism, the grace of a guru is considered. A guru is Shiva’s embodiment and hence a guru’s grace is equal to the grace of Shiva. It is necessary to have a guru’s guidance in such traditions. Relationship between students and the guru varies from tradition to tradition, in Hinduism. In olden days, students sought instructions and help from the teacher as no texts were available. In today’s times, knowledge of scriptures is within easy reach, in public domain. However a guru may be needed if a person lacks conviction in his own spirituality. In such a case finding a yogi who is self realized, truthful and reliable, is very necessary. Your primary goal to find a guru should be to attain mental peace and liberation.
