GURU

1.       GURU

Etymologically the word guru is formed by tow words gu+ru.  Gu means ignorance ru means dispeller so guru means one who removes ignorance of the sishya. Literally one who enlightens his disciple in a particular subject.  Guru is the person who removes the ignorance of the Self. Even in our day today life if one has to learn anything guru and his guidance is necessary.  In particular in the field of Spirituality a spiritual guru is a must.   A spiritual guru must possess two main qualities they are

 1. Sotriya

 2. Brahma- nishta.

SOTRIYA: A guru must be well versed in Vedas and Vedhantic lore. He should have well versed in vedhantic texts. In order to instruct the students he must possess comprehensive understanding of the meaning of the Vedanthic lore.

BRAHMA-NISTA: A spiritual guru must be a person of direct experience with Brahma. He must have a direct experience of the Soul as being identified with Brahman and he should be ever established in this experience. Such mahatma is called a Brahma- nista. Mere bookish knowledge is not enough so for becoming an effective teacher.  The Spiritual guru must be a  Sotriya and Brahma-nista.

-          He must be free from vasanas

-          He must be free from trivividha papas i.e, kaika,vachika and manasika papas.

-          He must be santha and nirvikara .

-          He should be kind hearted and h has to receive his disciples whole heartedly.

Dr A. Tara Lakshmi,
Srikalakasti