Guru

Guru

The Guru, a very inspiring personality, a very respected position and a very holy relation.Not only in the ancient days, even in the previous generation, the position of Guru is very much respected and honoured. We know about Ekalavya, a great archer, who did not hesitate even for a moment to sacrifice his thumb, a very important part of the body for an archer specifically,when demanded by his 'imaginary' guru Dronacharya. In fact Guru Dronacharya did not accept Ekalavyaa as his student for the reason that he belongs to low caste, and so did not teach him any thing.But it is Ekalavya, despite of that, honoured and worshipped him as Guru and keeping his idol before practised archery. Such 'nistha' and belief for guru made him equal to Arjun in archery.

As we know,even sant Kabir gave top priority for Guru. Mostly he placed Guru equal to God and sometimes he said Guru is far above God. In one doha/poem, he expressed his dilemma and even gave conclusion after a logical discussion. It has been our tradition to salute, when ever some elder comes in our way. In the days of Kabir, salutation is not just waving right hand above in the air, by which now-a-days we are saluting even thousands of people at a time. It used to be making Saastanga Namaskara, that is spreading our body upside down on the ground while making namaskara extending two hands and joining two palms, so as asta anga of ourbody touch the groud while making Namaskara.This way only one can be saluted at a time.

When once Kabir is about to move out, he said, Guru and God came opposite to him standing side by side. He has to salute them. Both came from the same side, together and standing side by side. Whom to salute first...that was the problem Kabir faced then. If chooses Guru first, then God may feel something and if God is chosen, Guru may feel something. That was the dilemma he faced.Then he went on thinking deep in the matter. In those days there are several ways of attaining God, like through Bhakti, prema, Gnana etc. Kabir stongly believes that God can be achieved by Gnana/Knowledge. It is only Knowledge that takes us to God. Such Knowledge is given by Guru. Hence without Guru no Knowledge, and without knowledge no question of reaching God. If there is no knowledge , even God is helpless in our issue..according to Kabir path. So Guru is the media between sishya and God. Such guru gave kabir such a knowledge that God himself has chosen to come down to the doorsteps of Kabir along with Guru. Hence, Kabir came to the conclusion that Guru is greater, because it is only he who made the God come to his house. So, he decided to Salute the Guru first and then God.Thus, in several instances, Kabir said Guru is far above God. He even said..Guru bin koun batavai maarg.

Now-a-days, Guru. Mostly Guru is not Guru and Guru is not considered as Guru. Mostly people have forgotten the term Guru in its original sense and the same term is being used for a friendly and very informal addressing.. saying.. hello guru, how aru u..not seen now a days? Though in several schools and colleges, the sloka...Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Gurur devo Maheswaraha; Guru ssakshatParabrahma, Tasmai Sri Guravenamaha...is recited, it remains just oral recitation. No true sense of it is made known to the younger generation and for that neither schools/colleges nor parents find time. All are busy in education-industry and production of marks and ranks. Parents are busy in making efforts in making money and investing the same for the career of their wards. Thus the education became just an instrument to mint money.

In this process ultimate aim of life is getting changed. Money which is supposed to be the instrument/comforter in reaching the ultimate goal of life i.e peace and happiness, is gradually becoming ultimate goal by itself. As a result, parents became just sponsors/bankers and Guru remained just instructor. Education became a good business. Teachers are not recognised for their knowledge and values, but for their hard-work, politeness and are paid accordingly. Art of teaching is forgotten and only art of training valued. Hence Guru is not Guru now. No faith and no nistha and no belief in Guru. No sacred relation or love between guru and sishya. Guru became sir and sishya became student. The result is seen today..no value for any relation, everything in terms of money, for that wife and husband staying away for the sake of job, children are left aloof in boarding school for both parents are employed, for all these reasons no one to lookafter old parents, hence money is paid and they are sent to old age homes.Surprising thing is that even the old parents have started feeling that there is no other way except that, in view of the bright future of their children and grand children.

What a pitiable situation.The way itself became the goal. Downfall of Guru status and commercialisation of education system is the root cause for all this, in my opinion.