Guru Shishya Parampara in Hinduism

Guru-shishya parampara (traditional transmission of knowledge from teacher to student) is one of the long-standing features of Hinduism. In fact, it is a feature that distinguishes Hinduism and other dharmic traditions from Abrahamic religions. How? In Hinduism the guru is considered equivalent to a deity capable of expressing the deity’s power completely and capable of transmitting spiritual knowledge as a complete independent authority. In contrast to this, Abrahamic religions reject the idea that a living person can attain spiritual enlightenment and teach. So they are restricted to their holy books.

However, due to not being regulated by any central authority, guru-shishya parampara can develop eccentricities that could potentially deviate to a greater or lesser degree from the broad main “marga” traditions based on Vedic spirituality. My personal view is that the closer a tradition is in age to classic Vedic period, the closer its practices are to genuine Vedic spirituality. This also corresponds to the period of India’s history that was relatively free of foreign invasions that created a lot of tumult and disruption in the parampara’s.

Philosophies coming out of Vedanta dominated 90% of the scene for centuries. Among these, the ones that rely on primary texts (Veda, Upanishad, Gita, Brahma sutra) to explain their ideas are more authentic. Advaita of Shankara fully relies on these texts. Vishishtadvaita of Ramanuja relies mostly on these texts, with some dependence on Vishnu Purana, and Panchatantra & Vaikhānasa Agamas. Dvaita of Madhva relies heavily on Vaishnava puranas like Vishnu, Bhagavatam, Padma as well as Mahabharata and Ramayana.

The other later systems are even more “specialized” in their focus, and only rely on secondary texts like Puranas and are very specific about a particular aspect. If the founder of the tradition has written a knowledgeable commentary in Sanskrit on the Brahma sutra or the Gita, it is a safe bet that this tradition is closer to the source. Innovations are not a bad thing. Most of the traditions after Madhva have new ideas that resonated with majority of the masses of their time.

But then, we cannot deny that there are weird or eccentric practices or theories in some of the systems that are not part of the ancient source in the Veda, despite constant claims of the adherents that they “are based on the Vedas”. The disconcerting aspect of these later traditions is their claim of being based on the Vedas and their attempt to twist the meaning of some Vedic mantra to suit their ideas. Instead, they should claim their ideas as their own.

Sanatan Dharma was discovered and propagated by Gurukul. I have seen the Divine Being who shines with the splendour of a thousand suns beyond the realm of darkness. Declared the sages. Sushmana Nadi is of Akash tattva it is pitch dark inside. For yogis Nirakara Niranjan- Formless Mind- God gave the appearance of thousand Suns. Thus started Gurukul in the Satya -Treta yuga. Guru removes darkness and enlighten our heart with his Spiritual power. The Three Levels of Gurus; 1. Guru Worships God- he is below God, 2. Guru is equal to God- I am Brahma. 3 Sadguru; Higher than God- Knower of Truth- - Guru Hi Bade Govind Se.

Sanatan Dharma started with Gurus, who had visions of inner self in the deepest meditation. Human body is a reflection of Cosmos- maya. Combination of three Gunas influenced their higher dimensional experience. They have sourced illumination from different power centers within their Body. Therefore a wide range and diverse outcome can be noticed. Compiling these experiential knowledge of masters into vedas, Ved Vyas Ji says; O Best of kings! ( Janamejaya) The Dharma Shastras, Puranas and the Angas the Vedas are full of diverse opinions on any one point under consideration for their composers were under the influence of the different Gunas. Vyas Ji divided them into three not one. The fourth one Atharva is made from three. There were more than 1100 upanishads from Gurukuls. Earlier Gurus in India contributed to most enriching understanding of God’s creation.

However, temples and rituals degraded devotional path in Kali yuga into a money making and wealth creating business for families. These families keep control of organisations and sects. The Acharyas of the Sampraday are administrative heads, leaders and the gurus of their followers. Since the acharyas are supposed to refrain from contact with the opposite sex, except close relations, the acharyas' wives are the gurus for female members of the sect, and must avoid contact with unfamiliar men. Thus these sects does not follow Nirbandhan and Nirvasana. Atma Gyani see no male or female or individuality based on physical relationship, they are free from senses. Many religious organisations have started fast food chains, serve eatable that will create health problems to their followers, than some of them sell holy medicine there is nothing Spiritual anyway, exhibitionism and pure business presence sense prevails

Kali also gave birth to three sects. They are based on authoritative texts of the basic beliefs of Indian culture in the Dharmic field, the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutra, and the Bhagavad Gita. All sects of Hinduism that claim to be authentic and orthodox accept the Three Sources as their basic texts, whether they are dualists, qualified nondualists, or nondualists. Whoever desired to propagate a new interpretation or a new attitude or theory; Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhvacharya, Vallabhacharya, or Chaithanya— had to propagate it through commentaries from that standpoint on only the Three Sources. They are Scholars and few had Siddhi power. Those who close their eyes and contemplate on“I am Brahma (Aham Bramhasmi)” and suffer from the egotism it confers get only misery as their reward. Kali is the era of confusion.

God is omnipresent, but He isn’t amenable to people unless they do Yoga practice (sadhana- Self effort- Yoga). Oil is in the sesame seed; butter is in milk; water is underground; fire is latent in wood. Similarly, the omnipresent God is in the human body as the human mind ( Gita 10.22). Purification of Mind- Consciousness by Yoga Sadhana leads one to Atmic Realisation( Soul + Mind) and heaven of Gods. In the Sagun path; Karma Yog and Bhakti Yog, Guru is not very important, one may use scriptures. Nirgun Yog that leads to Jnana and divine powers needs Guidance of experienced Yoga Guru. Ved Vyas Ji sent his son Shuka muni to Raja Janak to seek his Higher Yoga of Unmani Mudra. Shuka Muni was born Brahma Gyani yet he has to seek Raja Janak as Guru.

That is why Vasudev Krishna has spoken in favor of the worship of a Knower of Truth-Sadguru BG 2.16 &4.34. Sant Kabir Sahib who raised the level of Guru above God and; Guru Hi Bade Govind Se. Guru Bin Gyan Na Upje, Guru Bin Mitey Na Dosh Guru Bin Lakhe Na Satya Ko, Guru Bin Miley Ne Moksh None can attain the spiritual knowledge without the grace of the Guru and none can free himself from the sins without his grace Soul cannot free itself from Mind and maya. In fact, it is the Guru who shows the path of Truth and enables the disciple attain liberation.

Characteristics of an Ideal Guru as expounded by Sant Kabir; He should live on his own earnings. If he depends on the offerings of the disciples or lives on begging, he can in no case be called as a Sant. He should have the needed knowledge to clear the misconceptions of the disciples. Nirvasana & Nirbandhan ; Free from lust:-it means the one who doesn't reside in company of a woman. Marriage means the seeking of sensual pleasure and the person lost in this pleasure could not be a true Guru, he is not known the pleasure of the Soul 'Atma'. If he is a celibate from childhood then he has never fell into the web of maya. He should be free from all sorts of worldly relations. If he is not so, then he will work for them and at the time of departure he will hand over the Guru Gaddi to one among his relations and as per the prevailing trend the worldly people will start worshiping his heir taking him as a Sant. Beej Bindu Nahin Chale Guruai, Naad Bind Se Chale Guruai. He should be a follower of truth. There is nothing greater than truth in the eyes of the Sant's.. He should be impartial in his behavior. Power of Truth; His soul must be absorbed in Param Purush- The higher Un manifested Truth ( BG 8.20). Only preaching with bookish knowledge about Param Purush and His Amarlok to others can’t serve the purpose.

Gurus who are below God; Bodhi Guru teaches the Sastras (and secular education)and encourages the pupil to act upon Shastric/religious injunctions. Veda Guru imparts the inner meaning of the Vedas/scriptures and turns his mind towards Gods/Kalpurush. Nihita Guru imparts knowledge about rites and duties and shows how to improve one’s welfare. Art of Leading life. Kaamya Guru makes one engage himself in meritorious deeds to secure happiness in both the worlds earth and heaven. Vaachaka Guru imparts knowledge of Yoga and prepares the disciple for the spiritual life. Soochaka Guru teaches how the senses are to be controlled through various types of discipline. Kaarana Guru reveals the unity of the Jiva and the Atma. Vihita Guru clears all doubts, Shows Vairagya, detachment.

Guru who are equal to God; Maha Yogeshwars Gorakhnath, Ved Vyasa, Shuka Muni, Raja Janak, Dattatreya, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. They serve the cause of Almighty Formless God. Guru who is higher than God: Knower of Truth- Sadguru, They do not Subscribe to any particular religion to hate any of them, But they will not worship the Cosmic God and the deities who assist him. They have Paras Surati, Power of Truth in their Concentration, with which they give Soundless Naam. This Satya Naam frees Soul from the grip of Mind and Maya, and lead them to immortal world.

Never remain without a Guru in this world, till you find a Sadguru, Knower of Truth. 'Jab Tak Guru Miley Nahin Saacha, Tab Tak Karo Guru Dus Paancha'. There is no harm in seeking the shelter of even 5 to 10 Gurus, by the time one finds a real Sadguru, Sadguru is hard to find, His appearance on this planet should coincide our birth time. Mind and Intellect are useless in the spiritual path, Even in meditation Mind and intellect create obstacles. Surrender helps attain Grace of Guru. Dhyan Moolam Guru Roopam, Moksh Moolam Guru Kripa. Meditate on Guru, Grace of Guru confers Salvation. Jay Shri Gurudev Datta