Who is a Guru? In the present context, it may not be easy to understand the depth of this word that Hindu philosophy believes in. In Sanatan parampara, Guru is the one who guides us on our path to righteousness and teaches us the purpose of life. He/she is the one who enlightens our lives with the lights of knowledge and wisdom. Their guidance helps us evolve as human beings and prepares us with the skills and knowledge,ā further to steer the journey of life in a more fulfilling way.
The Sanskrit word Guru is derived from two words, gu and ru. In Sanskrit, Gu means Darkness or Ignorance, and Ru indicates the Remover Of That Darkness. Therefore, a Guru is one, who removes the Darkness of our Ignorance, Awakens the Innermost Spiritual Being, and Leads us to a more Informed and Enlightened Life.
Here are a few shlokas that speak volumes about how Sanatan Philosophy venerates the status of a Guru and how sacred the relationship between a Guru and Shishya (learner) is.
गुरूर्ब्रह्मा गुरूर्विष्णुः गुरूर्देवो महेश्वरः ।
गुरूर्साक्षात परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः ।।
अर्थ : गुरू ही ब्रह्मा हैं, गुरू ही विष्णु हैं । गुरूदेव ही शिव हैं तथा गुरूदेव ही साक्षात् साकार स्वरूप आदिब्रह्म हैं । मैं उन्हीं गुरूदेव के नमस्कार करता हूँ ।
ध्यानमूलं गुरोर्मूर्तिः पूजामलं गुरोः पदम् ।
मंत्रमूलं गुरोर्वाक्यं मोक्षमूलं गुरोः कृपा ।।
अर्थ : ध्यान का आधार गुरू की मूरत है, पूजा का आधार गुरू के श्रीचरण हैं, गुरूदेव के श्रीमुख से निकले हुए वचन मंत्र के आधार हैं तथा गुरू की कृपा ही मोक्ष का द्वार है ।
अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम् ।
तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ।।
अर्थ : जो सारे ब्रह्माण्ड में जड़ और चेतन सबमें व्याप्त हैं, उन्हीं गुरूदेव के श्री चरणों को देखकर मैं उनको नमस्कार करता हूँ ।
ब्रह्मानन्दं परमसुखदं केवलं ज्ञानमूर्तिं
द्वन्द्वातीतं गगनसदृशं तत्त्वमस्यादिलक्ष्यम् ।
एकं नित्यं विमलमचलं सर्वधीसाक्षिभूतं
भावातीतं त्रिगुणरहितं सदगुरूं तं नमामि ।।
अर्थ: जो ब्रह्मानन्द स्वरूप हैं, परम सुख देने वाले हैं, जो केवल ज्ञानस्वरूप हैं, (सुख-दुःख, शीत-उष्ण आदि) द्वंद्वों से रहित हैं, आकाश के समान सूक्ष्म और सर्वव्यापक हैं, तत्वमसि आदि महावाक्यों के लक्ष्यार्थ हैं, एक हैं, नित्य हैं, मलरहित हैं, अचल हैं, सर्व बुद्धियों के साक्षी हैं, सत्व, रज, और तम तीनों गुणों के रहित हैं – ऐसे श्री सद्गुरुदेव को मैं नमस्कार करता हूँ ।
The shlokas are just an expression of how the Gurus in the Sanatan tradition are revered by their followers. A Guru is much more than an academician or a mentor dedicated to teaching some skills in a particular field of education needed for survival. The guru is the one who guides us each and every moment and familiarises us with the purpose of life.
Guru Purnima is celebrated to mark the birthday of Maharishi Ved Vyas, the author of the Mahabharata and the compiler of the Vedas. He is one of the greatest Gurus, Scholars, Philosophers, and Guides of all times, an epitome of Guru-Shishya parampara (tradition).
Remembering him on this day, Guru Purnima (also celebrated as Vyas Purnima) is dedicated to all the spiritual and academic gurus, teachers, and mentors; who are evolved in their fields and are enlightened individuals, ready to impart their knowledge, skills, and wisdom, to develop a better and more evolved and fulfilling life for their pupils.
It is the day to be grateful to all our gurus who have played a vital role in our lives. It is the day to be thankful for everything we received from our gurus, and celebrate their presence in our lives in every form!
