Meaning of the Word Guru
Its Etymology And Spiritual Significance

    Etymologically, the term Guru means one who gives light by eradicating the darkness of ignorance. According to the philosophical Hindu text Advayataraka Upanishad (14Ð18), Guru means ‘dispeller (gu) of darkness (ru).’ The Guru concept is essentially an ancient Indian concept, having no parallel in the spiritual tradition of other societies. In common parlance the term ‘Guru’ means ‘teacher.’ To learn anything in life, let it be material or spiritual, one needs the help of a teacher. The Gurus vary according to the attainment of knowledge and the levels at which they impart guidance. Therefore, one should be diligent in locating and identifying a real Guru.

    A Guru worth the name should be atmajnani -one who can see the intricacies of your soul and its past, present and future in order to give the correct guidance towards mukti -spiritual liberation. He can guide his followers in their material, emotional and spiritual life so as to lead them to the supreme aim of human life, which is the communion with the Supreme Light.

    We are living in a materialistic age where all of us are mainly concerned about money, sex, beauty, power and a high status in society. Lust for power, material greed, sensual excitement, selfishness, envy, passion for wealth and lower appetites have drawn man from his true life in the spirit into the materialistic life, forgetting about the existence of the Almighty. Though he can regain his lost spirituality through a fully realized Guru, who can give him the correct guidance and transmute animal nature into divine nature, leading man to the pinnacle of spiritual evolution -mukti.

     Guru: leads from ignorance to wisdom, from disharmony to harmony, from hatred to love, from want to fullness, from weakness to strength, from limitation to infinitude, from diversity to unity, from darkness to Light, and from imperfection to perfection. He gives hope to the sad and forlorn, strength to the weak, health to the sick and wisdom to the ignorant.

    The Guru is the veritable physical manifestation of God and the seeker of Truth should have a total faith and surrender in the saving grace of the Guru. A word from him is a word from God. His very company is self-illumination. We must remember that, three things, devotion, faith and surrender are essential for any progress. I have seen in darshans -spiritual visions- that having a strong devotion, faith and surrender towards the Guru, the spiritual seeker will be able to establish a strong spiritual connection with the Guru’s Light, evolving at a tremendous speed towards spiritual liberation. This path is called Guru margam, the way of the Guru, and according to revelations received by great seers, this is the most dynamic way towards liberation. I have studied religions and several philosophical paths for more than 20 years and the benefits offered by the Guru margam, are much greater than what any other religion can offer us. I am completely sure of what I am saying, because I have confirmed it through my personal experience and internal visions received since 8 years back, realizing that the benefits acquired by the Guru margam are much greater than whatever of the existent creeds or doctrines around the World can give us. This is an experienced truth and at least 300 people around the World can testify about this reality

    Two things are necessary for a beautifully finished sculpture. One is a strong piece of marble and the second is the expert sculptor. The piece of marble should but unconditionally remain in the hands of the sculptor, in order to be carved and chiselled into the fine image. The seeker placing himself under the expert guidance of a fully realized Guru, will allow to be carved out and chiselled into the image of perfection. It is also absolutely necessary for the disciple to purify himself through positive karma -righteous words, thoughts and actions in order to attain liberation. If the disciple does not perform this kind of karma, then the benefits that he could receive from his Guru will be eclipsed.

    The dictum: "Guru Sarva Dharmatma" -Guru permeates in all Dharma (Spiritual Law) brings about in short, the Guru concept in the Indian spiritual tradition.

Next Chapter: Necessity of a Guru in Our Life

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