A Wisdom Archive on Guru

Introduction and links to related topics

Below are some short introductions. Click on the blue hyperlinked word to get more related articles.


Guru - (Sanskrit) "Weighty one," indicating an authority of great knowledge or skill.

A title for a teacher or guide in any subject, such as music, dance, sculpture, but especially religion.

For clarity, the term is often preceded by a qualifying prefix. Hence, terms such as
kulaguru (family teacher),
vinaguru (vina teacher) and
satguru (spiritual preceptor).

In Hindu astrology, guru names the planet Jupiter, also known as Brihaspati. According to the Advayataraka Upanishad (1418), guru means "dispeller (gu) of darkness (ru)."
See: guru-shishya system, satguru.

Guru - A personal spiritual teacher or guide who has himself achieved spiritual insight. From at least the time of the Upanisads, India has stressed the importance of the tutorial method in religious instruction. Classically, the pupil lived at the home of his guru and served him with obedience and devotion.

Guru - A spiritual master who has attained oneness with God and who is able both to initiate seekers and to guide them on the spiritual path to liberation. A true Guru is required to be learned in the scriptures and must belong to a lineage of masters..

Guru - Guru (Sanskrit) Spiritual Teacher; a master in metaphysical and ethical doctrines; used also for a teacher of any science.

Guru - Refers to the ''Spiritual Master''. One who has attained perfection in yoga. Also refers to the name for Jupiter as well as the general title for a ''teacher''. Guru literally means ''heavy'' and refers to ''heavy with knowledge''. Jupiter is also the largest planet.

The blessings of the real guru are totally necessary for material and spiritual advancement. This stands for Jupiter as well as teacher or guru in life. Guru ninda, or guru aparadha, offenses to the guru for a follower of the pure vedic path are completely detrimental for all aspects of life. In the vedic tradition when approaching one''s guru and requesting spiritual instructions, one should approach very humbly and bow down.

In the Bhagavad-Gita Lord Krishna recommends approaching a real guru, asking sincere meaningful questions ready to render menial services in return and thus receive from the tattva-darshini or seer of the truth the real meaning and essence of life.

Guru-deva - Guru-deva (Sanskrit) (from guru teacher + deva divine being)

Deva-teacher; a title of respect and reverence used by chelas for their instructors.

Guru-shishya System - (Sanskrit) "Master-disciple" system. An important education system of Hinduism whereby the teacher conveys his knowledge and tradition to a student.

Such knowledge, whether it be Vedic- Agamic art, architecture or spirituality, is imparted through the developing relationship between guru and disciple.

The principle of this system is that knowledge, especially subtle or advanced knowledge, is best conveyed through a strong human relationship based on ideals of the student''s respect, commitment, devotion and obedience, and on personal instruction by which the student eventually masters the knowledge the guru embodies.
See: guru, guru bhakti, satguru.

Guru-yoga - ("Yoga [relating to] the teacher"): a yogic approach that makes the guru the fulcrum of a disciple''s practice; all traditional forms of yoga contain a strong element of guru-yoga

Guru Bhakti - (Sanskrit) Devotion to the teacher.

The attitude of humility, love and loyality held by a student in any field of study. In the spiritual realm, the devotee strives to see the guru as his higher Self.

By attuning himself to the satguru''s inner nature and wisdom, the disciple slowly transforms his own nature to ultimately attain the same peace and enlightenment his guru has achieved.

Guru bhakti is expressed through serving the guru, meditating on his form, working closely with his mind and obeying his instructions.
See: guru, satguru, guru-shishya system, Kularnava Tantra.

Guru Deva - Guru Deva (Sanskrit) Lit., "divine Master".

Guru Gita - (lit., song of the Guru) A sacred text consisting of mantras that describe the nature of the Guru, the Guru-disciple relationship, and techniques of meditation on the Guru. In Siddha Yoga ashrams, the Guru Gita is chanted every morning.

Guru Jayanti - (Sanskrit) Preceptor''s birthday, celebrated as an annual festival by devotees. A padapuja, ritual bathing of his feet, is usually performed. If he is not physically present, the puja is done to the sri paduka, "holy sandals," which represent the guru and hold his vibration.
See: padapuja.

Guru Purnima - (Sanskrit) Occurring on the full moon of July, Guru Purnima is for devotees a day of rededication to all that the guru represents. It is occasioned by padapuja- ritual worship of the guru''s sandals, which represent his holy feet.
See: guru-shishya system.

Gurukula - In Vedic times, spiritual aspirants would serve the Guru at his house or ashram for a period of time, studying the scriptures, and practicing self-inquiry and other spiritual disciplines under the guidance of the Master. Siddha Yoga ashrams are modeled on these Gurukulas of old.

Holy Feet - The feet of God, a God, satguru or any holy person, often represented by sacred sandals, called sri paduka in Sanskrit and tiruvadi in Tamil.

The feet of a divine one are considered especially precious as they represent the point of contact of the Divine and the physical, and are thus revered as the source of grace. The sandals or feet of the guru are the object of worship on his jayanti (birthday), on Guru Purnima and other special occasions.
See: padapuja, paduka, satguru.

Jayanti - (Sanskrit) "Birthday."
See: Guru Jayanti.

Jyota Se Jyota - A chant; an invocation to the Guru asking for the flame of divine love in the disciple''s heart to be kindled with the Guru''s own heart flame.

Kayavarohana - (Sanskrit) Birthplace of Lakulisha, most prominent guru of Pashupata Saivism, in India''s presentday state of Baroda.
See: Lakulisha.