The Hindu sastras attach a wealth of deep significance to this word ‘Guru’. The rsis of yore took no small pains to charge this word with lasting and deep imports. Its sweep of suggestiveness is so vast as to even replace at times the sacred syllable ‘Om’. But we have made it a most cheap and common place word. Any teacher, including the one who teaches the art of pick-pocketing, is now called Guru!
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The word ‘Guru’ is made of two syllables – ‘Gu’ and ‘ru’. ‘Gu’ means darkness (ignorance) and ‘ru’ means to counteract. Thus, one who dispels ignorance (avidyā) is called Guru. He is a destroyer of nescience, a giver of Knowledge. Guru is a spiritual preceptor, a divine guide.
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A true Guru as painted on the canvas of the literature of Vedanta is he who has a thorough knowledge of the scriptures and deep experience of the Supreme. The knowledge of such Masters, who are free from all bias and mental obsessions, is not esoteric. They are available to all. Their song of Truth is not meant for a selected few. .
The role of a true Guru is to make disciples think clearly and freely and help them to understand the mysteries about themselves and of the world. His words are the least part of his teaching. The effect of his life is always out of all proportion to the words he speaks. Though he does not transform his disciples all at once into spiritual giants, his life and teachings have a lasting influence on their evolving minds.
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A Guru does not ‘condition’ the minds of his disciple by the walls of his own ideas but points out to them new and untried realms of contemplation. In fact, he only tries to paint in words his blissful experience of Truth and the path that led him to it, which the disciples must reflect, meditate and realise.
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