Guru And Teacher

Dear Children,

A 'Guru' is a 'teacher'. But yet it is different. A teacher makes you learn various subjects. She could teach you to read, write, play an instrument, sing, dance etc. A guru teaches you about how to understand what is written in the Spiritual books. She also helps in making you a good person and teaches you how to live your life in the best possible spiritual way. Sometimes the guru gives you a 'mantra', which you should chant. It is a 'mantra' that is best suited to your personality. Because the 'Guru' introduces you to God, the Hindus place him on a very high pedestal. 'Placing the guru on a high pedestal' means that the Guru is given a very high position. Since the Guru becomes the means by which one aspires to attain the Lord, it is not uncommon for the Hindu to treat God and the Guru as one.

Gur-Poornima is the day on which one expresses ones gratitude to ones Guru. The syllable 'Gu' means darkness, the syllable 'Ru' means 'Remover'--So the word 'Guru' would mean 'the one who removes the darkness of ignorance.' According to another interpretation 'Guru' means the 'weighty one'. It means that the guru is heavy with wisdom and learning and ever ready to pour to the thirsty.

One must remember that the Scriptures ask us to use our mind and intellect before making any commitment, even if it is to ones Guru. One can also be ones own 'Guru' but that would be difficult. It would be like finding ones way through a jungle without the help of a guide.

Let me give you an example that you might understand. Would it not be difficult to pass your school examinations without the help of a school and/or tuition teacher?

Until one decides to make a commitment, ones Guru may be a parent, a friend or 'The Guru Granth' (The Book of the Guru). A Guru Granth may also be the Geeta, The Bible or the Koran.