Changes

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

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

 

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

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 । gururupāyaḥ । (Shiva Sutra 2.6) and गृणाति उपदिशति तात्त्विकमर्थम् इति गुरुः । gr̥ṇāti upadiśati tāttvikamartham iti guruḥ । (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 । gururupāyaḥ । (Shiva Sutra 2.6) and गृणाति उपदिशति तात्त्विकमर्थम् इति गुरुः । gr̥ṇāti upadiśati tāttvikamartham iti guruḥ । (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>

=== गुरुगीता ॥ Gurugita ===

=== गुरुगीता ॥ Gurugita ===

Said to be a part of Skanda Purana, Gurugita comprehensively summarizes the various aspects of Guru in Uma Maheshvara samvada (dialogue between Uma and Maheshvara).<blockquote>गुकारश्चान्धकारो हि रुकारस्तेज उच्यते। अज्ञानग्रासकं ब्रह्म गुरुरेव न संशयः॥४४॥ </blockquote><blockquote>gukāraścāndhakāro hi rukārasteja ucyate। ajñānagrāsakaṁ brahma gurureva na saṁśayaḥ॥44॥</blockquote>गु-कारः stands for अन्धकारः (darkness in the form of Ajnana) and रु-कारः denotes तेजः (light in the form of Jnana). The one who dispels Ajnana by the light of Brahmajnana is a Guru, without any doubt.<blockquote>गुकारो भवरोगः स्यात् रुकारस्तन्निरोधकृत्। भवरोगहरत्याच्च गुरुरित्यभिधीयते॥४५॥</blockquote><blockquote>gukāro bhavarogaḥ syāt rukārastannirodhakr̥t। bhavarogaharatyācca gururityabhidhīyate॥45॥</blockquote>गु-कारः stands for भवरोगः (worldly inflictions) and रु-कारः denotes भवरोगनिरोधकः (preventing worldly inflictions). One who removes the  diseases of worldly attachments is called a Guru.<blockquote>गुकारश्च गुणातीतो रूपातीतो रुकारकः। गुणरूपविहीनत्वात् गुरुरित्यभिधीयते॥४६॥</blockquote><blockquote>gukāraśca guṇātīto rūpātīto rukārakaḥ। guṇarūpavihīnatvāt gururityabhidhīyate॥46॥</blockquote>गु-कारः stands for गुणातीतः (one who is above the three gunas - satva, rajas and tamas) and रु-कारः denotes रूपातीतः (one who is formless). A Guru is so called because he is devoid of the gunas (three states) and form.<blockquote>गुकारः प्रथमो वर्णो मायादिगुणभासकः। रुकारोऽस्ति परं ब्रह्म मायाभ्रान्तिविमोचनम्॥४७॥ (Guru. Gita.1.44-47)<ref name=":2">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%A7 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>gukāraḥ prathamo varṇo māyādiguṇabhāsakaḥ। rukāro'sti paraṁ brahma māyābhrāntivimocanam॥47॥ (Guru. Gita.1.44-47)</blockquote>गु-कारः the first varna is गुणभासकः (indicates Maya and other such qualities) and रु-कारः denotes परं ब्रह्म (the highest Brahman which dispels Maya and other delusions).<ref>Gurugita Hindi Translation of selected [http://ashram.org/Portals/0/Books/GuruGita.pdf Slokas]</ref><blockquote>अत्रिनेत्रः शिवः साक्षात् द्विबाहुश्च हरिः स्मृतः। योऽचतुर्वदनो ब्रह्मा श्रीगुरुः कथितः प्रिये॥९२॥ (Guru. Gita.1.92)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>atrinetraḥ śivaḥ sākṣāt dvibāhuśca hariḥ smr̥taḥ। yo'caturvadano brahmā śrīguruḥ kathitaḥ priye॥92॥ (Guru. Gita.1.92)</blockquote>Guru is none other than Shiva devoid of three eyes (Guru has two eyes), a two shouldered Vishnu and Brahma devoid of four faces (heads).  

Said to be a part of Skanda Purana<ref>Guru Gita, Uttarakhand, Skanda Purana<nowiki/>https://tinyurl.com/y6e7e77p</ref>, Gurugita comprehensively summarizes the various aspects of Guru in Uma Maheshvara samvada (dialogue between Uma and Maheshvara).<blockquote>गुकारश्चान्धकारो हि रुकारस्तेज उच्यते। अज्ञानग्रासकं ब्रह्म गुरुरेव न संशयः॥४४॥ </blockquote><blockquote>gukāraścāndhakāro hi rukārasteja ucyate। ajñānagrāsakaṁ brahma gurureva na saṁśayaḥ॥44॥</blockquote>गु-कारः stands for अन्धकारः (darkness in the form of Ajnana) and रु-कारः denotes तेजः (light in the form of Jnana). The one who dispels Ajnana by the light of Brahmajnana is a Guru, without any doubt.<blockquote>गुकारो भवरोगः स्यात् रुकारस्तन्निरोधकृत्। भवरोगहरत्याच्च गुरुरित्यभिधीयते॥४५॥</blockquote><blockquote>gukāro bhavarogaḥ syāt rukārastannirodhakr̥t। bhavarogaharatyācca gururityabhidhīyate॥45॥</blockquote>गु-कारः stands for भवरोगः (worldly inflictions) and रु-कारः denotes भवरोगनिरोधकः (preventing worldly inflictions). One who removes the  diseases of worldly attachments is called a Guru.<blockquote>गुकारश्च गुणातीतो रूपातीतो रुकारकः। गुणरूपविहीनत्वात् गुरुरित्यभिधीयते॥४६॥</blockquote><blockquote>gukāraśca guṇātīto rūpātīto rukārakaḥ। guṇarūpavihīnatvāt gururityabhidhīyate॥46॥</blockquote>गु-कारः stands for गुणातीतः (one who is above the three gunas - satva, rajas and tamas) and रु-कारः denotes रूपातीतः (one who is formless). A Guru is so called because he is devoid of the gunas (three states) and form.<blockquote>गुकारः प्रथमो वर्णो मायादिगुणभासकः। रुकारोऽस्ति परं ब्रह्म मायाभ्रान्तिविमोचनम्॥४७॥ (Guru. Gita.1.44-47)<ref name=":2">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%A7 Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>gukāraḥ prathamo varṇo māyādiguṇabhāsakaḥ। rukāro'sti paraṁ brahma māyābhrāntivimocanam॥47॥ (Guru. Gita.1.44-47)</blockquote>गु-कारः the first varna is गुणभासकः (indicates Maya and other such qualities) and रु-कारः denotes परं ब्रह्म (the highest Brahman which dispels Maya and other delusions).<ref>Gurugita Hindi Translation of selected [http://ashram.org/Portals/0/Books/GuruGita.pdf Slokas]</ref><blockquote>अत्रिनेत्रः शिवः साक्षात् द्विबाहुश्च हरिः स्मृतः। योऽचतुर्वदनो ब्रह्मा श्रीगुरुः कथितः प्रिये॥९२॥ (Guru. Gita.1.92)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>atrinetraḥ śivaḥ sākṣāt dvibāhuśca hariḥ smr̥taḥ। yo'caturvadano brahmā śrīguruḥ kathitaḥ priye॥92॥ (Guru. Gita.1.92)</blockquote>Guru is none other than Shiva devoid of three eyes (Guru has two eyes), a two shouldered Vishnu and Brahma devoid of four faces (heads).  

Thus Mahesvara extols the greatness of a Guru in many ways to Umadevi.

Thus Mahesvara extols the greatness of a Guru in many ways to Umadevi.

== गुरोर्लक्षणानि ॥ Qualities of a Guru ==

== गुरोर्लक्षणानि ॥ Qualities of a Guru ==

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.<ref name=":0" />  

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.<ref name=":0" />

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><blockquote>jñānaṁ svānubhavaḥ śāntirvairāgyaṁ vaktr̥tā dhr̥tiḥ। ṣaḍguṇaiśvaryayukto hi bhagavān śrīguruḥ priye॥172॥ (Guru. Gita. 2.172)</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॥ (Guru. Gita. 3.270)<ref name=":5">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%A9 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>cāturyavān vivekī ca adhyātmajñānavān śuciḥ। mānasaṁ nirmalaṁ yasya gurutvaṁ tasya śobhate॥270॥ (Guru. Gita. 3.270)</blockquote>In one who is skilled, intelligent, knowledgeable about the Supreme, virtuous (pure) and tranquil at heart - such a person is endowed with greatness.<blockquote>गुरवो निर्मलाः शान्ताः साधवो मितभाषिणः। कामक्रोधविनिर्मुक्ताः सदाचाराः जितेन्द्रियाः॥२७१॥ (Guru. Gita. 3.271)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>guravo nirmalāḥ śāntāḥ sādhavo mitabhāṣiṇaḥ। kāmakrodhavinirmuktāḥ sadācārāḥ jitendriyāḥ॥271॥ (Guru. Gita. 3.271)</blockquote>A guru is one who is peaceful, virtuous, a person of few words, clean of kama (desires) and krodha (anger) and who conducts himself well, and has overcome the senses.

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><blockquote>jñānaṁ svānubhavaḥ śāntirvairāgyaṁ vaktr̥tā dhr̥tiḥ। ṣaḍguṇaiśvaryayukto hi bhagavān śrīguruḥ priye॥172॥ (Guru. Gita. 2.172)</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॥ (Guru. Gita. 3.270)<ref name=":5">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%A9 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>cāturyavān vivekī ca adhyātmajñānavān śuciḥ। mānasaṁ nirmalaṁ yasya gurutvaṁ tasya śobhate॥270॥ (Guru. Gita. 3.270)</blockquote>In one who is skilled, intelligent, knowledgeable about the Supreme, virtuous (pure) and tranquil at heart - such a person is endowed with greatness.<blockquote>गुरवो निर्मलाः शान्ताः साधवो मितभाषिणः। कामक्रोधविनिर्मुक्ताः सदाचाराः जितेन्द्रियाः॥२७१॥ (Guru. Gita. 3.271)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>guravo nirmalāḥ śāntāḥ sādhavo mitabhāṣiṇaḥ। kāmakrodhavinirmuktāḥ sadācārāḥ jitendriyāḥ॥271॥ (Guru. Gita. 3.271)</blockquote>A guru is one who is peaceful, virtuous, a person of few words, clean of kama (desires) and krodha (anger) and who conducts himself well, and has overcome the senses.

: uddharttuṁ caiva saṁharttuṁ samartho brāhmaṇottamaḥ । taṣasvī satyavādī ca gr̥hastho gururucyate ॥

: uddharttuṁ caiva saṁharttuṁ samartho brāhmaṇottamaḥ । taṣasvī satyavādī ca gr̥hastho gururucyate ॥

The best of brahmins, he who is having the capacity to uplift or destroy (by the power of pronouncing a boon or a curse), is engaged in tapas, and follows satya (the righteous way) and is a grhastha, is called a Guru.

The best of brahmins, he who is having the capacity to uplift or destroy (by the power of pronouncing a boon or a curse), is engaged in tapas, and follows satya (the righteous way) and is a grhastha, is called a Guru.

Thus we have a clear picture about the qualities present in a Guru in ancient days. With the fall of the ashramas and the change in educational system, the Guru- shishya parampara has been destroyed completely.

Thus we have a clear picture about the qualities present in a Guru in ancient days. With the fall of the ashramas and the change in educational system, the Guru- shishya parampara has been destroyed completely.

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.

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>

'''Manusmrti''' : 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 ।

: gīryyate stūyate'sau jñānatapovr̥ddhatvāt । jñānaprabhāvānvitatvāt tapobalaprādhānyād vā pūjyatamomahātmā । yathā, manuḥ । 2 । 130 ।

: gīryyate stūyate'sau jñānatapovr̥ddhatvāt । jñānaprabhāvānvitatvāt tapobalaprādhānyād vā pūjyatamomahātmā । yathā, manuḥ । 2 । 130 ।

With the rise of persons seeking knowledge in Vedanta and darshana shastras, the reverence for the Guru became still more intensified; for adhyatmik upliftment depended entirely upon his proper guidance.<ref name=":0" />

With the rise of persons seeking knowledge in Vedanta and darshana shastras, the reverence for the Guru became still more intensified; for adhyatmik upliftment depended entirely upon his proper guidance.<ref name=":0" />

The Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 7, Adhyaya 15) says that guru (the spiritual master) should be considered verily the Supreme Being as he gives transcendental knowledge for enlightenment. Consequently, for one who maintains the material conception that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being, everything becomes useless. His enlightenment, Vedic studies and knowledge are like the bathing of an elephant (which besmears itself with dust immediately after the bath).<ref name=":6">Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, P.no.[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n115/mode/2up 985-996].</ref><ref>A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam (Seventh Canto), [http://prabhupadabooks.com/pdf/SB7.3.pdf Part 3-Chapters 10-15], 1976: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.</ref> Because, the guru (spiritual preceptor) whom people regard as merely a human being, is directly the Almighty, Supreme Ruler of both Prakrti and Purusha whose feet are sought after by masters of Yoga.<ref name=":6" /><blockquote>यस्य साक्षाद्भगवति ज्ञानदीपप्रदे गुरौ | मर्त्यासद्धीः श्रुतं तस्य सर्वं कुञ्जरशौचवत् ||२६||</blockquote><blockquote>एष वै भगवान्साक्षात्प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः | योगेश्वरैर्विमृग्याङ्घ्रिर्लोको यं मन्यते नरम् ||२७||<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB Adhyaya 15].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>yasya sākṣādbhagavati jñānadīpapradē gurau | martyāsaddhīḥ śrutaṁ tasya sarvaṁ kuñjaraśaucavat ||26||</blockquote><blockquote>ēṣa vai bhagavānsākṣātpradhānapuruṣēśvaraḥ | yōgēśvarairvimr̥gyāṅghrirlōkō yaṁ manyatē naram ||27||</blockquote>

'''The Bhagavata Purana''' (Skandha 7, Adhyaya 15) says that guru (the spiritual master) should be considered verily the Supreme Being as he gives transcendental knowledge for enlightenment. Consequently, for one who maintains the material conception that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being, everything becomes useless. His enlightenment, Vedic studies and knowledge are like the bathing of an elephant (which besmears itself with dust immediately after the bath).<ref name=":6">Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, P.no.[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n115/mode/2up 985-996].</ref><ref>A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam (Seventh Canto), [http://prabhupadabooks.com/pdf/SB7.3.pdf Part 3-Chapters 10-15], 1976: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.</ref> Because, the guru (spiritual preceptor) whom people regard as merely a human being, is directly the Almighty, Supreme Ruler of both Prakrti and Purusha whose feet are sought after by masters of Yoga.<ref name=":6" /><blockquote>यस्य साक्षाद्भगवति ज्ञानदीपप्रदे गुरौ | मर्त्यासद्धीः श्रुतं तस्य सर्वं कुञ्जरशौचवत् ||२६||</blockquote><blockquote>एष वै भगवान्साक्षात्प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः | योगेश्वरैर्विमृग्याङ्घ्रिर्लोको यं मन्यते नरम् ||२७||<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB Adhyaya 15].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>yasya sākṣādbhagavati jñānadīpapradē gurau | martyāsaddhīḥ śrutaṁ tasya sarvaṁ kuñjaraśaucavat ||26||</blockquote><blockquote>ēṣa vai bhagavānsākṣātpradhānapuruṣēśvaraḥ | yōgēśvarairvimr̥gyāṅghrirlōkō yaṁ manyatē naram ||27||</blockquote>

== बहुविधा गुरवः ॥ Kinds of Preceptors ==

== बहुविधा गुरवः ॥ Kinds of Preceptors ==

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) the Avadhuta has [[Twenty-four Preceptors (चतुर्विंशतिगुरवः)|twenty-four preceptors (चतुर्विंशतिगुरवः)]] who include many different beings in nature, from whom he learnt valuable lessons. This legend is described in the Bhagavata Purana (Skanda 11 Adhyayas 7-9) in the Avadhutopakhyana (अवधूतोपाख्यानम्). <blockquote>सन्ति मे गुरवो राजन्बहवो बुद्ध्युपश्रिताः यतो बुद्धिमुपादाय मुक्तोऽटामीह तान्शृणु ३२</blockquote><blockquote>पृथिवी वायुराकाशमापोऽग्निश्चन्द्र मा रविः कपोतोऽजगरः सिन्धुः पतङ्गो मधुकृद्गजः ३३</blockquote><blockquote>मधुहा हरिणो मीनः पिङ्गला कुररोऽर्भकः कुमारी शरकृत्सर्प ऊर्णनाभिः सुपेशकृत् ३४</blockquote><blockquote>एते मे गुरवो राजन्चतुर्विंशतिराश्रिताः शिक्षा वृत्तिभिरेतेषामन्वशिक्षमिहात्मनः ३५ (Bhag. Pura. 11.7.32-35)<ref>Bhagavata Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4% Skanda 11 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote>Summary: These twenty-four have been adopted by me as Gurus.   

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) the Avadhuta has twenty-four preceptors (चतुर्विंशतिगुरवः) who include different beings, both animate and inanimate in nature, from whom he learnt valuable lessons of life. This ancient legend namely [[Avadhuta Yadu Samvada (अवधूतयद्वोः संवादः)]] is described in the Bhagavata Purana (Skanda 11 Adhyayas 7-9) in the Avadhutopakhyana (अवधूतोपाख्यानम्). <blockquote>सन्ति मे गुरवो राजन्बहवो बुद्ध्युपश्रिताः यतो बुद्धिमुपादाय मुक्तोऽटामीह तान्शृणु ३२</blockquote><blockquote>पृथिवी वायुराकाशमापोऽग्निश्चन्द्र मा रविः कपोतोऽजगरः सिन्धुः पतङ्गो मधुकृद्गजः ३३</blockquote><blockquote>मधुहा हरिणो मीनः पिङ्गला कुररोऽर्भकः कुमारी शरकृत्सर्प ऊर्णनाभिः सुपेशकृत् ३४</blockquote><blockquote>एते मे गुरवो राजन्चतुर्विंशतिराश्रिताः शिक्षा वृत्तिभिरेतेषामन्वशिक्षमिहात्मनः ३५ (Bhag. Pura. 11.7.32-35)<ref>Bhagavata Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4% Skanda 11 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote>Summary: These twenty-four have been adopted by me as Gurus.   

{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|style=width: 600px; font-style: italic;|#पृथिवी  Prthvi (Earth)

{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|style=width: 600px; font-style: italic;|#पृथिवी  ॥ Prthvi (Earth)

# वायु Vayu (Air)

#वायु ॥ Vayu (Air)

# Akasha (Ether)

#आकाशम् ॥ Akasha (Ether)

# Apah (Water)

#आपः॥ Apah (Water)

# Agni (FIre)

#अग्निः ॥ Agni (FIre)

# Chandra (Moon)

#चन्द्रः ॥ Chandra (Moon)

# Surya (Sun)

#रविः ॥ Surya (Sun)

# Kapota (Pigeon)

#कपोतः ॥ Kapota (Pigeon)

# Ajagar (A Boa-Constrictor snake)

#अजगरः ॥ Ajagar (A Boa-Constrictor snake)

# Sindhu (Sea)

#सिन्धुः ॥ Sindhu (Sea)

# Patanga (A Moth)

#पतङ्गः ॥ Patanga (A Moth)

# Madhukrd (A Bee)

#मधुकृत् ॥ Madhukrd (A Bee)

# Gaja (An Elephant)

#गजः ॥ Gaja (An Elephant)

# Madhuha (A honey-gatherer)

#मधुहा ॥ Madhuha (A honey-gatherer)

# Harini (A deer)

#हरिणः ॥ Harini (A deer)

# Meena (A fish)

#मीनः ॥ Meena (A fish)

# Pingala (A courtesan)

#पिङ्गला ॥ Pingala (A courtesan)

# Kurara (A fish)

#कुररः ॥ Kurara (A Bird)

# Arbhaka (A child)

#अर्भकः ॥ Arbhaka (A child)

# Kumari (A maiden)

#कुमारी ॥ Kumari (A maiden)

# Sharakrt (A Black-smith)

#शरकृत् ॥ Sharakrt (An arrow-sharpner)

# Sarpa (A Snake)

#सर्पः ॥ Sarpa (A Snake)

# Urnanabhi ( A Spider)

#ऊर्णनाभिः ॥ Urnanabhi ( A Spider)

# Supeshakrt (A Wasp)}}  

#सुपेशकृत् ॥ Supeshakrt (A Wasp)}}  

Among the deities, Dakshinamurty (Shiva) Brhaspati (the Devaguru), and Shukracharya (Asura Guru) are revered and have important roles in shaping their students.  

Among the deities, Dakshinamurty (Shiva) Brhaspati (the Devaguru), and Shukracharya (Asura Guru) are revered and have important roles in shaping their students.