Changes

Gautama Dharmasutras also emphasize that the Acharya is the person from whom one receives second birth (at Upanayana) or instruction in the Veda.  <blockquote>तद्द्वितीयं जन्म ॥  तद् यस्मात् स आचार्यः ॥  वेदानुवचनाच् च ॥ (Gaut. Dharm. Sutr. 1.1.8-10)<ref>Gautama [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Dharmasutras]</ref></blockquote>

Gautama Dharmasutras also emphasize that the Acharya is the person from whom one receives second birth (at Upanayana) or instruction in the Veda.  <blockquote>तद्द्वितीयं जन्म ॥  तद् यस्मात् स आचार्यः ॥  वेदानुवचनाच् च ॥ (Gaut. Dharm. Sutr. 1.1.8-10)<ref>Gautama [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Dharmasutras]</ref></blockquote>

== गुरोर्लक्षणानि ॥ Qualities of a Guru ==

== गुरोर्लक्षणानि ॥ Qualities of a Guru ==

While greatest importance was attached to a teacher in ancient education for his vedic knowledge and learning, people always <blockquote>ज्ञानं स्वानुभवः शान्तिर्वैराग्यं वक्तृता धृतिः। षड्गुणैश्वर्ययुक्तो हि भगवान् श्रीगुरुः प्रिये॥१७२॥ (Guru. Gita.2.172)<ref>Guru Gita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6_%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 2])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>चातुर्यवान् विवेकी च अध्यात्मज्ञानवान् शुचिः। मानसं निर्मलं यस्य गुरुत्वं तस्य शोभते॥२७०॥</blockquote><blockquote>गुरवो निर्मलाः शान्ताः साधवो मितभाषिणः। कामक्रोधविनिर्मुक्ताः सदाचाराः जितेन्द्रियाः॥२७१॥</blockquote>Shabdakalpadruma<ref name=":3" />

While greatest importance was attached to a teacher in ancient education for his grounding in his own branch of vedic knowledge and learning, people always sought for Gurus for their idealistic personality. He was the ideal person and the students were naturally inclined to follow in the footsteps of his teacher. A student was to regulate his own conduct by the example of his teacher. Thus the character and moral conduct of a Guru was of high standard. He was expected to be a pious, patient person and treat all students impartially. Apart from profound scholarship, one became an exemplary teacher by having fluent delivery, presence of mind, wit, and a great stock of interesting anecdotes to explain difficult concepts in an interesting manner.

 

Gurugita aptly summarizes the characteristics of a Guru  <blockquote>ज्ञानं स्वानुभवः शान्तिर्वैराग्यं वक्तृता धृतिः। षड्गुणैश्वर्ययुक्तो हि भगवान् श्रीगुरुः प्रिये॥१७२॥ (Guru. Gita.2.172)<ref>Guru Gita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6_%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 2])</ref></blockquote>One who has these six qualities - jnana (ज्ञानं । knowledge), personal experience (स्वानुभवः), peace (शान्तिः), disinclination towards worldly objects (र्वैराग्यं), eloquence in speech (वक्तृता), consistency (धृतिः) - is none other than the supreme Guru.<blockquote>चातुर्यवान् विवेकी च अध्यात्मज्ञानवान् शुचिः। मानसं निर्मलं यस्य गुरुत्वं तस्य शोभते॥२७०॥</blockquote><blockquote>गुरवो निर्मलाः शान्ताः साधवो मितभाषिणः। कामक्रोधविनिर्मुक्ताः सदाचाराः जितेन्द्रियाः॥२७१॥</blockquote>Shabdakalpadruma<ref name=":3" />

: मन्त्रदगुरोर्लक्षणं यथा ।

: मन्त्रदगुरोर्लक्षणं यथा ।

: गकारः सिद्धिदः प्रोक्तो रेफः पापस्य हारकः । उकारो विष्णुरव्यक्तस्त्रितयात्मा गुरुः परः ॥

: गकारः सिद्धिदः प्रोक्तो रेफः पापस्य हारकः । उकारो विष्णुरव्यक्तस्त्रितयात्मा गुरुः परः ॥