Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Who is a Guru? Let me first convey what the Vedas has declared
about who a Guru is. II Jnana Tatvena Sampurnaha
Yoga Tatvo Upa sthithaha Para Brahmaradho nithyam
Guror Namasya Uchyathe II The Vedas declare Guru as the one, who has
practiced penance through all four paths of yoga, to realize that oneself, and the manifest
universe which appears to be separate from oneself, are but one’s own Self or Eashwara
Himself. Secondly, let me share the Vedic definition
as quoted by Sri Sankaracharya. II Gu Shabdhasthanthakaarasyath
Ru Shabdhasthannirodhagaa Anthakaara Nirodhithwaadh
Gururithya Vidheeyathe II The syllable ‘GU’ represents darkness
(anthakaara) while the syllable ‘RU’ represents radiance which dispels the darkness. The darkness
spoken of in the Vedas, is not the literal darkness that spreads after sunset. The darkness
here represents the state of mind of the ignorant. This universe is created by Eashwara out of
Himself. Everything that we see as the manifest world is no different from Eashwara. The one
who possesses a mental status, wherein he is unable to perceive this entire manifestation
as Eashwara Himself, is said to be immersed in darkness. For example, a person who sits
in darkness after sunset is unable to recognize someone who enters his room, because of absence
of light. Similarly, it is Eashwara who has created this universe out of Himself; one
who lacks the mental capacity to see this universe as Eshawara, is in darkness. As per
a Guru’s guidance, when one performs intense Tapas (penance) he gets his darkness dispelled.
There upon, Guru is the one who guides others from darkness to light and helps them perceive
the entire universe as Eashwara. II Sri Rama mayam Jagathsarvam ennurakkumbol
Sri Ramachandran thannodu Aikyavum Prapicheedam II
We have now seen 2 classifications of Guru. Apart from this, the Vedas speak of Sakshat
Guru or Supreme Guru. Should we not know who the Sakshat Guru or the Supreme Guru is?
IIGurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshwara
Guru Sakshat Para Brahmaa Tasmai SreeGurave Namah II
The Vedas proclaim that it is the Sakshat Guru, who is Para Brahman Himself, who has
created the universe and imparted knowledge to all manifest living beings for their day
to day existence. It is the Sakshat Guru or Para Brahman who imparts knowledge through
Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, and Guru Maheshwara to mankind. Our pranams to The Sakshat Guru
and all Gurus of the world!!