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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>

== 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) who include different beings 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.   

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.