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{{ToBeEdited}}Guru (Samskrit : गुरुः) means preceptor, who imparts valuable life lessons to anyone who seeks knowledge. He is one who takes charge of immature children, moulds them and makes them worthy useful citizens of the world.<ref name=":0">Altekar, A. S. (1944) ''Education in Ancient India.'' Benares : Nand Kishore and Bros.,</ref> Thus such a preceptor was naturally held high in reverence. Gurus held an esteemed position in the society due to their [[Vidya (विद्या)|Vidya]] or knowledge they possessed (Manyasthana).

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Guru (Samskrit : गुरुः) means preceptor, one who imparts valuable life lessons to anyone who seeks knowledge. He is one who takes charge of immature children, moulds them and makes them worthy useful citizens of the world. Thus such a preceptor was naturally held high in reverence. Gurus held an esteemed position in the society due to their [[Vidya (विद्या)|Vidya]] or knowledge they possessed (Manyasthana).<ref name=":0">Altekar, A. S. (1944) ''Education in Ancient India.'' Benares : Nand Kishore and Bros.,</ref>

 

The importance which in modern times is attached to the Institution, of study, was in ancient days attached to the teacher in India.

 

While parents are revered and one owes their physical birth to them, the Guru is revered and designated as the spiritual and intellectual father of the student. No education is complete without the help and guidance of the teacher.<blockquote>आचार्य उपनयमानो ब्रह्मचारिणं कृणुते गर्भमन्तः । तं रात्रीस्तिस्र उदरे बिभर्ति तं जातं द्रष्टुमभिसंयन्ति देवाः ॥३॥ (Atha. Veda. 11.7.3)<ref>Atharva Veda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0% Kanda 11 Sukta 5])</ref></blockquote>Acharya bears the Brahmachari (one who is undergoing the Upanayana samskara) in his womb (of jnanasharira) for three nights. The devatas come down to congratulate and support him just as he emerges from the womb (Adhyatmaka janma).

 

Here the night is indicative of Ajnana, state of darkness devoid of knowledge. It also represents the kinds of darkness signified by lack of concepts (thoughts), enquiry (examination) and content (subject matter), and incapability which are removed by the teacher.

=== Manu Smrti ===

=== Manu Smrti ===