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The tradition of carrying `samit’ to the Guru.


1.       The tradition of carrying `samit’ to the Guru.

India has been a country of great ancient culture and heritage.  In Indian culture there is Guru-Sishya tradition.
The student is traditionally supposed to reach the teacher with`Samit’, A sacrificial faggots that are used as fuel or ahuti in the vedic rituals. In order to obtain knowledge of the Eternal, the student has to take sacrificial –fagots and approach the Guru who is well versed in the Vedas and is established in Brahman. In vedic age the Guru used to conduct regular `homas’ and yajnas   In the Gurukulam . So there was a dire need of samits. Samits represents sevatatatparata(act of service). Offering samits to guru is assuring the readiness of offering service whatever needed.
Symbolically offering ``samit” shows the readiness of the disciple to extend service to the teacher. It represents his sevabhava towards the teacher.  By offering `samit’ the sishya surrenders Guru by assuring ``o guru I am at your service. Your word is my command and your desire my will. The disciple has to prostate before the Guru and has to do service to him.

Dr A. Tara Lakshmi,
Srikalakasti

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