"gu" (गु) — means darkness or ignorance
"ru" (रु) — means dispeller or remover
In its original context, the guru is one who helps his students to overcome the darkness of ignorance. The term is usually reserved for one who is well versed in the subject and capable of transferring the knowledge. Aspiring students are sent to stay with the guru and they offer him service in return for the learning he imparts.
In a wider context, guru is any source from which one learns. We can learn by observing the sun and rain, the rivers and trees. We can learn from the way animals interact. There is much to learn from observing children at play. We can learn from any person we encounter. Even the person who gives one a hard time is imparting a lesson. For the willing student, gurus can be found everywhere.
In a previous Blog Post, I explained how a person receives inputs, processes and experiences those inputs and finally expresses his experience. The student is constantly perceiving the world around him and growing his knowledge and understanding of the world by experiencing what he has perceived. One who expends much effort into expressing himself has little opportunity to process and learn.
This is the archetype behaviour between guru and sishya (student) - the student maintains silence unless instructed to speak up. Of course, in these days of liberation, students demand their right to speak up. But then, the teachers of today generally do not inspire awe so it is easy for students to become outspoken. One cannot say whether it is a good or a bad thing. It's simply a sign of the times.
Today is Guru Purnima - the full moon of the the fourth month of the Hindu solar year. It is believed to be the day when Adiguru (the First Guru) imparted his knowledge to the sapta rishi. It is the day when the guru is celebrated, not only by Hindus but also by Buddhists and some Jains. The day is celebrated with pujas and offerings at temples or ashrams, scriptural recitations by groups of followers and the performance of charitable acts, especially to the needy. Some also perform Paduka Pooja - the symbolic worship of the guru’s feet (or sandals) in a show of humility and devotion.
But all one really needs to do is to offer any gesture of appreciation to any person whom one deems to be a guru and who has imparted knowledge. With the sun and moon in opposition to each other, the tidal pull is the strongest and the fluids in our spine and brain are stretched to impart the maximum spiritual learning potential. It is a good day to be meditative. Radiate positive thoughts and be grateful for the opportunities and learnings the world (the master guru) has offered to you.
Blessed Guru Purnima.
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