THE GURU

Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnuhu Gurur Dhevyo Maheshwaraha
Gurur Saakshaathh Parabrahmaathh Thasmai Shri Gurave Namaha

-Satguru Aadi Shankarar

Guru is the creator, preserver and the destroyer. I offer my deep hearted salutations to the Guru who is the direct supreme spirit. This is the Sanskrit Sloka (Gurustotra) given by Aadi Shankarar. Most of the religions in the world emphasis the importance of Guru because he is believed to impart knowledge of life to a common man.

The word GuRu is composed of two syllables - Gu and Ru

The syllable gu means shadows
The syllable ru, he who disperses them,
Because of the power to disperse darkness
the guru is thus named.

-Advayataraka Upanishad 16, verse 5

The word is as such termed as a sanskrit word. It signifies Guru as a person who has the knowledge of the dark and light. He is also considered as a person who helps the common man to know the difference between ignorance and enlightenment. Some philosophies depict him as the one who dispells darkness and provides light to the human soul.The nearest word in English for Guru is "great". Guru is not paramaathma; Guru is not jeevaathma. He is just a simple human being who improves the life of other human being. For this act of his, he can be even greater than jeevaathma and paramaathma.

Guru is Shiva without his three eyes,
Vishnu without his four arms
Brahma without his four heads.

- Brumhaanandha Puraanam

In Hindu mythology, the importance of Guru is described by the relationships of Rama and Hanuman, and Krishna and Arjuna. The Sathguru is considered as the Supreme being of the Hindus. Gurukul was once a famous method wherein the disciples stay with the Guru and acquire knowledge. The teacher-disciple lineage or the "Guru Parampara" occurs when the knowledge is passed on to the next successful generation.


In Tantric culture, which is a part of Buddhism, The Guru is termed as "Vajra" meaning diamond. Diamond is considered to be the most precious of all the gems. But it can be used constructively as well as destructively. So a Guru's duty is not only to give wisdom to his disciples, but also to make him aware of how to use his wisdom.

Rely on the teachings to evaluate a guru
Do not have blind faith, but also no blind criticism

-Dalai Laama

In Sikhism, Guru is the supreme spirit as in Hinduism. Guru is the God. It is the fundamental philosophy of Sikh religion. The scripts are written in Gurmukhi, which itself explains that the Guru is the one who is able to create scripts that teaches the art of life to human existence. There is no difference among people on caste, creed, sex or race. Guru is common to all humans.

Let no man in the world live in delusion.
Without a Guru none can cross over to the other shore.

-Guru Nanak

Guru Bhakthi or the devotion to Guru is very important to gain true wisdom. Anyone and everyone we see in our day-to-day life can be our Guru. Each human being may have distinct potentials and knowledge which could be learned by others. So respect fellow beings and look upon them as your Gurus. A Guru need not necessarily be one who teaches how to live, but also how not to live. Do not underestimate anyone. Learn from the lives of others and accept everyone as your Guru.