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Kinds of Gurus - adding translation
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In the context of Guru and Shishya, various definitions are seen in the ancient texts. [[Vidya (विद्या)|Vidya]] as in Adhyatma vidya or Paravidya is held in high reverence by the ancient seers (Mundakopanishad clearly explains it). While an acharya contributes to the growth of student's knowledge during the formative years, a Guru guides him all through his life, keeps him on the path of dharma, and leads him to practice the higher knowledge (Paravidya). The Shivasutras explained by the Shivasutra vimarshini highlight this aspect  <blockquote>गुरुरुपायः । (Shiva Sutra 2.6) and गृणाति उपदिशति तात्त्विकमर्थम् इति गुरुः । (Shivasutra Vimarshini)<ref>Dr. Korada Subrahmanyam in Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad Forum ([https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/bvparishat/WzOL81dApIQ/yDp0WTycAQAJ A question: Guru-Shishya])</ref></blockquote>
 
In the context of Guru and Shishya, various definitions are seen in the ancient texts. [[Vidya (विद्या)|Vidya]] as in Adhyatma vidya or Paravidya is held in high reverence by the ancient seers (Mundakopanishad clearly explains it). While an acharya contributes to the growth of student's knowledge during the formative years, a Guru guides him all through his life, keeps him on the path of dharma, and leads him to practice the higher knowledge (Paravidya). The Shivasutras explained by the Shivasutra vimarshini highlight this aspect  <blockquote>गुरुरुपायः । (Shiva Sutra 2.6) and गृणाति उपदिशति तात्त्विकमर्थम् इति गुरुः । (Shivasutra Vimarshini)<ref>Dr. Korada Subrahmanyam in Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad Forum ([https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/bvparishat/WzOL81dApIQ/yDp0WTycAQAJ A question: Guru-Shishya])</ref></blockquote>
 
One who teaches the meaning of tattvas (higher knowledge) is a Guru.  
 
One who teaches the meaning of tattvas (higher knowledge) is a Guru.  
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Once can understand why the preceptor is called a Guru from the following sloka as given in Mahabharata. <blockquote>पञ्चैव गुरवो ब्रह्मन्पुरुषस्य बुभूषतः। पिता माताग्निरात्मा च गुरुश्च द्विजसत्तम॥ (Maha. Vana. Parv. 3.214.27)</blockquote>The following five are to be considered as gurus; the father, mother, the preceptor, Agni and Atma.
    
== व्युत्पत्तिः॥ Etymology ==
 
== व्युत्पत्तिः॥ Etymology ==
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Great importance was attached to the proper accent and pronunciation of Vedas, and a particular [[Vedapatha Paddhati (वेदपाठपद्धतिः)|vedapata paddhati]] could only be learnt from the lips of a qualified teacher. The continuous transmission of the store of vedic knowledge, which has a priceless position in the society, was possible only through the instrumentality of the teacher, thus he is highly revered all through the ages.
 
Great importance was attached to the proper accent and pronunciation of Vedas, and a particular [[Vedapatha Paddhati (वेदपाठपद्धतिः)|vedapata paddhati]] could only be learnt from the lips of a qualified teacher. The continuous transmission of the store of vedic knowledge, which has a priceless position in the society, was possible only through the instrumentality of the teacher, thus he is highly revered all through the ages.
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Guru are thus respected and praised due to superiority in knowledge and rigorous penance. Due to their great knowledge and penance they are to be highly revered.<ref name=":4">Pt. Girija Prasad Dvivedi. (1917) ''The Manusmriti or Manavadharmashastra. Translated into Hindi with notes, index and critical introductions.'' Lucknow : Newul Kishore Press. ([https://archive.org/details/ManuSmritHindi-GpDwivedi/page/n184 Adhyaya 2 Page 46])</ref>
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Gurus are thus respected and praised due to superiority in knowledge and rigorous penance.<ref name=":4">Pt. Girija Prasad Dvivedi. (1917) ''The Manusmriti or Manavadharmashastra. Translated into Hindi with notes, index and critical introductions.'' Lucknow : Newul Kishore Press. ([https://archive.org/details/ManuSmritHindi-GpDwivedi/page/n184 Adhyaya 2 Page 46])</ref>
 
: गीर्य्यते स्तूयतेऽसौ ज्ञानतपोवृद्धत्वात् । ज्ञानप्रभावान्वितत्वात् तपोबलप्राधान्याद् वा पूज्यतमोमहात्मा । यथा, मनुः । २ । १३० ।
 
: गीर्य्यते स्तूयतेऽसौ ज्ञानतपोवृद्धत्वात् । ज्ञानप्रभावान्वितत्वात् तपोबलप्राधान्याद् वा पूज्यतमोमहात्मा । यथा, मनुः । २ । १३० ।
 
: मातुलांश्च पितृव्यांश्च श्वशुरानृत्विजो गुरून् । असावहं इति ब्रूयात्प्रत्युत्थाय यवीयसः ॥ २.१३०॥ (Manu. Smrti 2.130)<ref name=":1" />
 
: मातुलांश्च पितृव्यांश्च श्वशुरानृत्विजो गुरून् । असावहं इति ब्रूयात्प्रत्युत्थाय यवीयसः ॥ २.१३०॥ (Manu. Smrti 2.130)<ref name=":1" />
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The teaching profession had a very high code in ancient India.  However, where ever there was a learning, the source of such a learning was attributed to a Guru. Dattatreya (Vishnu avatara as the son of [[Atri (अत्रिः)|Atri]] and Anasuya) was said to have 24 gurus including nature, which taught him valuable lessons. Among the deities, Dakshinamurty (Shiva) is called as a Guru.
 
The teaching profession had a very high code in ancient India.  However, where ever there was a learning, the source of such a learning was attributed to a Guru. Dattatreya (Vishnu avatara as the son of [[Atri (अत्रिः)|Atri]] and Anasuya) was said to have 24 gurus including nature, which taught him valuable lessons. Among the deities, Dakshinamurty (Shiva) is called as a Guru.
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Gurugita is one text that highlights the different kinds of Gurus. They are classified based on how they contribute to the knowledge of the seeker.  
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Gurugita is one text that clearly highlights the different kinds of Gurus. They are classified based on how they contribute to the knowledge of the seeker. Classified as Suchaka and others, Gurus are of many kinds, an intelligent person should review and seek the  guidance of a right guru.  
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सूचकादिप्रभेदेन गुरवो बहुधा स्मृताः। स्वयं सम्यक् परीक्ष्याथ तत्त्वनिष्ठं भजेत्सुधीः॥२७२॥
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Suchaka (सुचकः)
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Vachaka (वाचकः)
    
वर्णजालमिदं तद्वद्बाह्यशास्त्रं तु लौकिकम्। यस्मिन् देवि समभ्यस्तं स गुरुः सुचकः स्मृतः॥२७३॥
 
वर्णजालमिदं तद्वद्बाह्यशास्त्रं तु लौकिकम्। यस्मिन् देवि समभ्यस्तं स गुरुः सुचकः स्मृतः॥२७३॥
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O Devi! One who is well versed in the subject matter (knowledge) that makes up laukika shastras (worldly subjects) such a guru is to be understood as Suchaka (सुचकः).
    
वर्णाश्रमोचितां विद्यां धर्माधर्मविधायिनीम्। प्रवक्तारं गुरुं विद्धि वाचकं त्विति पार्वति॥२७४॥
 
वर्णाश्रमोचितां विद्यां धर्माधर्मविधायिनीम्। प्रवक्तारं गुरुं विद्धि वाचकं त्विति पार्वति॥२७४॥

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