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In this section we discuss the most common yet significant terms used in Sanatana Dharma regarding those who impart and seek knowledge. It is unfortunate that such sacred terms such as Guru are loosely used in society in the present days.

In this section we discuss the most common yet significant terms used in Sanatana Dharma regarding those who impart and seek knowledge. It is unfortunate that such sacred terms such as Guru are loosely used in society in the present days.

Sanatana Dharma has held a high place for the preceptors, the seers who imparted knowledge and built a lineage of students. Whether living in recluse in forests or in cities or Gurukulas, shaping the future generations had always rested on the shoulders of Gurus and Acharyas. The difference between the different terms referring to preceptors are explained as follows in almost all texts namely the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas and the dharmashastras.  

Sanatana Dharma has held a high regard for the preceptors, the seers who imparted knowledge and were founders of a lineage of students. Whether living in recluse in forests or in cities or Gurukulas, shaping the future generations had always rested on the shoulders of Gurus and Acharyas. The difference between the different terms referring to preceptors are explained as follows as compiled from different texts namely the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas and the dharmashastras.  

'''आचार्यः ॥ Acharya''' - The one who follows what he preaches is an Acharya. Taittriya Upanishad says<blockquote>वेदमनूच्याचार्यो’न्तेवासिनमनुशास्ति - सत्यं वद , धर्मं चर ... (तैत्तिरीयोप. शीक्षावल्ली)</blockquote><blockquote>उपनीय तु यः शिष्यं वेदमध्यापयेद्द्विजः । साङ्गं सरहस्यं च तमाचार्यं प्रचक्षते ॥ (Manu. Smrti 2.140) (similar - Shan. Smrt. 3.1 and 2)</blockquote><blockquote>आचिनोति च शास्त्रार्थम् आचारे स्थापयत्यपि । स्वयमाचरते यस्मात् आचार्यस्तेन चोच्यते ॥  (Vayu. Pura. 59.30) (and Nirukta)</blockquote>Brahmanda Purana<blockquote>वृद्धाश्चालोलुपाश्चैव त्वात्मवन्तो ह्यदांभिकाः ।। सम्यग्विनीता ऋजवस्तानाचार्यान्प्रजक्षते ।। ३२.३१ ।। (Brah. Pura. 1.2.32.31)<ref>Brahmanda Purana (Purvabhaga, Anushangapada, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 32])</ref></blockquote>They call these persons Acharyas - old men devoid of greediness, who are self-possessed and devoid of arrogance, straight-forward and who are educated and self disciplined.<blockquote>स्वयमाचरते यस्मादाचारं स्थापयत्यपि ।। आचिनोति च शास्त्राणि आचार्यस्तेन चोच्यते ।। ३२.३२ ।। (Brah. Pura. 1.2.32.32)</blockquote>An acharya is one who fully understands the conclusions of the revealed scriptures

=== आचार्यः ॥ Acharya ===

An Acharya is one who follows what he preaches is an Acharya. A brief compilation of various definitions of Acharya from different texts are given below.

'''उपाध्यायः ॥ Upadhyaya''' -  <blockquote>एकदेशं तु वेदस्य वेदाङ्गान्यपि वा पुनः । योऽध्यापयति वृत्त्यर्थमुपाध्यायः स उच्यते ॥ २.१४१ (Manu. Smrti 2.141)</blockquote>'''गुरुः ॥ Guru''' - The one who imparts that knowledge for the attainment of Moksha is a Guru. (Manu Smrti 12.83)  

 

 

=== उपाध्यायः ॥ Upadhyaya ===

<blockquote>एकदेशं तु वेदस्य वेदाङ्गान्यपि वा पुनः । योऽध्यापयति वृत्त्यर्थमुपाध्यायः स उच्यते ॥ २.१४१ (Manu. Smrti 2.141)</blockquote>'''गुरुः ॥ Guru''' - The one who imparts that knowledge for the attainment of Moksha is a Guru. (Manu Smrti 12.83)  

Atharvaveda clearly extols the greatness of the mother, the father and the Guru. 11.5.3 <blockquote>निषेकादीनि कर्माणि यः करोति यथाविधि । सम्भावयति चान्नेन स विप्रो गुरुरुच्यते ॥ २.१४२ ॥ (Manu. Smrti 2.142)</blockquote><blockquote>गृणाति उपदिशति तात्त्विकमर्थम् इति गुरुः -- शिवसूत्रविमर्शिनी</blockquote><blockquote>यिक्तियुक्तं वचो ग्राह्यं न ग्राह्यं गुरुगौरवत् । सर्वशास्त्ररहस्यं तद् याज्ञवल्क्येन भाषितम् ॥ याज्ञवल्क्यशिक्षा , 232</blockquote>Student

Atharvaveda clearly extols the greatness of the mother, the father and the Guru. 11.5.3 <blockquote>निषेकादीनि कर्माणि यः करोति यथाविधि । सम्भावयति चान्नेन स विप्रो गुरुरुच्यते ॥ २.१४२ ॥ (Manu. Smrti 2.142)</blockquote><blockquote>गृणाति उपदिशति तात्त्विकमर्थम् इति गुरुः -- शिवसूत्रविमर्शिनी</blockquote><blockquote>यिक्तियुक्तं वचो ग्राह्यं न ग्राह्यं गुरुगौरवत् । सर्वशास्त्ररहस्यं तद् याज्ञवल्क्येन भाषितम् ॥ याज्ञवल्क्यशिक्षा , 232</blockquote>Student