- Hinduism recognises the ‘Guru-shishya’ institution of education as a significant factor in the spiritual evolution of the individual’s life so much so that it has placed the spiritual guide second only to that of one’s parents, and like them, equates him to the Divine. As such, the maxim “Aachaarya Devo Bhavah” (Guru is God) is borne out clearly through the different scriptures as various personages pay tribute to their spiritual master – the One who brought spiritual illumination to their lives, having dispelled their darkness of ‘agyaan’ or ignorance.
1. Sant Tulsidas: Growing up as a street-child, being orphaned from a baby, the young boy met his Guru Narhari Das who initiated him into the powerful mantra of ‘Raam-naam’. He brought up the young child on a diet of Hindu scriptures. He was advised by the Guru to study and chant Raamaayan which he did. After many disappointments, Tulsidasji finally wrote Raamayan in Avadhi which received the stamp of Lord Shiva Himself. Today, this text is one of the world’s most renowned Hindu scriptures.
2. Shavari: Also an orphan, Shavari was initiated by Matang Rishi who advised her to chant her Guru-mantra and contemplate on the name “Raam”. He also told her that she would have the ‘darshan’ of the Lord some day. These words of her Guru were fulfilled many years later while Shri Raam was in exile.
3. Sutikshan: Another devotee found in the pages of Raamaayan, Sutikshan met his Guru Agastyaji who initiated him in ‘Raam-naam’ mantra as well. He, like the others, was also advised to maintain his worship and it yielded him a visit by Shri Raam, Lakshman and Sita Devi during their fourteen years of exile.
4. Kaak-bhushund: This crow was a devotee of Lord Shiva who never accepted worship of any other form of Divinity, despite the Guru’s teachings. Once while offering worship to Lord Shiva, the Guru entered. Showing gross disrespect for his Guru, he refused to accord him the necessary respect. Such a display of arrogance and egoism earned him a curse of Lord Shiva where he was to be consigned to live lives of lower forms of creation. However, the compassionate Guru pleaded on behalf of the Lord and sought His intervention. The Lord granted him ‘darshan’ of Divinity.
5. Sage Surdas: The blind Surdas had a chance meeting with Sant Vallabhacharya who, by his words of advice, teachings and foresight, put him on the path of spirituality. Today, many bhajans of Surdas are quite popular worldwide.
Such is the power of the Guru that Shri Raam, in outlining to Shavari the nine steps of devotion, included the worship of this teacher as follows: “Guru Pada Pankaj Teesri Bhakti Amaan” – “The third stage in devotion is the worship of the lotus-like feet of the Guru.” Indeed, the role of the Guru is essential to everyone’s spiritual development. Most certainly, the Guru’s words bring all nourishment, sustenance and fulfilment. He is an illumined, self-realised being, the living embodiment of truth and an agent of change, who releases one from the bondage of the material world, lifting him to the realm of the spiritual world. Most certainly, he is the awakened God, awakening the sleeping God in the disciple.
