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GURU

In Sanskrit, the word “guru” literally means “heavy” (garishtha). In the Vedas the word Guru refers to someone who gives initiation (diksha) of the Gayatri Mantra and teaches sacred knowledge from the Vedas.

“sah gururyah kriya kratva vedamasmai prayacchat” (Yagyavalkya smruti)

An elder who is able to teach, has vast knowledge, experience and good qualities can be known as a Guru. In the spiritual lineages of today, the leader or head that gives initiation (diksha) and creates followers is referred to as a Guru. The basic qualities to recognize in a Guru are shown in sacred writings as:

“Agyan timirandhasya gyananjan shalakaya
chakshurunmilitam yen tasmai shri gurave namah”

“I bow to the guru who has removed my ignorance by applying “anjan” (knowledge) on my eyes. Therefore a teacher who is able remove the ignorance of a person and endow them with spiritual knowledge can be referred to as a “Guru”.

Generally there are two categories of Gurus:

1. Diksha Guru
2. Siksha Guru.

Diksha Guru:
A diksha guru is someone who initiates others into a particular lineage or group in order to illuminate the path of devotion to God.

Shiksha Guru:
A shiksha guru is someone who, by his own vast life experience and knowledge shows another how to live with good morals. In this category come parents, teachers, role models, elders etc.

FORM OF GURU

“Gurur brahma gurur Vishnu gurur devo maheshwarah
Guruh sakshat parabrahma tasmai shri gurave namah.”

This verse cites that the Guru himself is considered to be Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. He is supreme Brahman and I bow to that Guru.
The Guru instills knowledge, way of life and behavior into others. His worthy guidance transforms narrowness of mind to broadness of thoughts. He teaches others to follow truth and depart from falsehood.
A disciple or student should obey and respect the Guru.

SIMILARITY OF GURU AND BHAGWAN TO DEVOTEE

One should be aware of the similarity between Guru and Bhagwan. A verse from the Upanishads states:

“yasyadeve parbhakti yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyete kathitha hyarthah prakashante mahatmanah”

This verse reveals that these secret teachings are disclosed to that fortunate Mahatman who has similar feelings of devotion towards Brahmma and Guru. The devotee should adopt such high thinking.

Yasya sakshat bhagawati gyaan deeppradeGurau.
Bhaktirna syacchrutam tasya manye kunjarshochvat”
{Shrimad Bhagwat}

Anyone who lacks devotion for the Guru who removed the darkness of their ignorance should be understood as an elephant who covers himself with dirt after a bath.

GURU IS SUPERIOR

The superiority of the Guru and Bhagawan is also revealed in this famous verse:

“Guru govind dono khade kake lagu pay balihari guru ki govind diyo bataye”

Both guru and God are standing before a devotee. The devotee is confused as to whom he should bow first. He decides to honor the guru first as it is due to his grace that he found God.
In the famous stories of Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya’s 84 Vaishnavas, it is taught that the donation is not greater than the donor. Similarly Bhagwan is considered as the donation to the Devotee by the Guru and therefore the Guru is superior.
It is also noteworthy to mention that when Bhagawan is angry with a devotee for any reason, the Guru is able to remedy the situation but when the Guru himself is angered, no one can help.

“Harirushte Gurustrata Gururrushte nakashchana”.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A GURU IN THE PATH OF GRACE

According Jagadguru Shrimad Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhu, the qualities of a Guru are as follows,

“Krishnasewa param vikshya dambhadirahitam naram.
Shribhagwattatvajgyam bhajet jigyasuradarat”

1. The Guru should be totally devoted to Shri Krishna and His service.
2. He should be free of pride.
3. He should know the essence of the Shrimad Bhagawat.
4. He must belong to Shri Vallabhacharya’s divine lineage.

Other qualities found in Gurus from the Shri Vallabh Sampradaya:

He should give secret teachings after assessing the devotee’s interest and eligibility.
He should remain impartial to followers at the time of conveying general moral knowledge.
He himself should follow the conventions and rituals as prescribed in his respective lineage. He must live with discipline, morality and dignity.
He is a mediator between Bhagawan and his devotee.
He should be able to deliver spiritual speeches which can remove a person from worldly affliction and transform all evil thoughts into affection towards Shri Krishna.
Whatever he teaches his devotee must be followed by him as well.

In the Path of Grace, all Acharyas who are male descendants of Jagadguru Shrimad Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhu are gurus. They can give initiations and teachings in the capacity of Shri
Vallabhacharya as he himself established divine qualities in his lineage.

”swavanshe sthapita ashesha swamahatmya”

Therefore he is also known as:

”Shri Krishna gyan do guru”

Shri Vallabhacharya gave spiritual speeches on the Shrimad Bhagwat etc and bestowed the fruit of pushtimarg (Bhajananand) to his devotees.

In the Path of Grace it is also said that:

“kondinyo gopikaha guravah proktaha”

This states that in the Path of Grace the gopis are the gurus and their feelings are the devotional means to attain Shri Krishna.

DUTY TOWARDS THE IDEAL GURU

“Gurusewa Guroragya Gurau shri Haribhavana.
Gurau bhayam Gurau siddhi: prapanna paribhavayet.
(sadhan deepika)

A devotee in the Path of Grace should serve the guru, follow his instructions, consider him as bhagawan, fear him, feel the guru’s power and take his shelter.

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