Sunday, November 12, 2006

Importance of a Guru (Teacher)

We all know the four important beings that shape our life, Maatha, Pitha, Guru and Dheivam that is Mother, Father, Teacher and God. The teacher plays an important role in shaping up who we are. But most of us neglect such great beings that helped us to grow what we are now. Teacher, being the eliminator of our oblivion and darkness in our mind, showers light and knowledge; and shows us the world. So what is his importance and what would happen if one misses a good teacher in his life. Luckily by God's grace I got one good teacher whom I consider my Guru. He is Mr. B. Anandakumar, who taught me Mathematics when I was doing my High School. For without him I would not have been the one I am now. I owe him lots of gratitude. Well, lets not get into my personal history. We will get back to what happens if one does not have a good teacher in his life. As usual let's resort to Tamil Literature! Thirumoolar gives an excellent explanation for the importance of a guru and the answer to our question. The song goes like this










"Kuruttinai Neekkum Guruvinai Kollaar
Kuruttinai Neekkaa Guruvinai Kolvaar

Kurudum Kurudum Kurudaatam Aadi

Kurudum Kurudum Kuzhi Vizhumaarae"

- Thirumoolar


meaning, The ones who don't have a Guru who can eliminate their ignorance are blind. The ones who have a person as a Guru, who is not capable of removing the ignorance of their minds, are blind. Both these blind people live their life as the real blind people play a blindfolded game. Both these blind persons, fall into a quagmire where they cannot be recovered, as would the real blind people who would fall into a deep pit.

Kurudu - Blindness, Ignorance

Neekkum - Remove, Eliminate
Guru - Teacher

Kollaar - People not having something

Neekkaa - Negation of Neekkum

Kurudaatam - Blindfolded game

Aadi - play

Kuzhi - Pit
Vizhum - Fall


As Thirumoolar explains, without a Guru, we would not be able to get across the ocean of ignorance. So how do we need to treat such a noble person. This song also states that a Guru has to have qualities of removing a person's ignorance. So we should hold such a person in great respects in our hearts. There is a legend from the Ramayana that states how one should respect a Guru.


Lord Rama defeated Ravana and Ravana was in his deathbed breathing the last few breaths of his life. At that time Lakshmana felt happy that a cruel and bad person was defeated atlast. Then Lord Rama told Lakshmana, "Don't underestimate or consider Ravana badly. He is a great person. A learned man, a great ruler and a great warrior. He knows what is just and what is unjust. The greatness of such a person went down just because he was uxorious. Other than that there is no learned man as Ravana is"

Lakshmana got a bit surprised when his brother had a very good respect in his heart for Ravana. In fact, there are only two persons who are adorned with the sacred name Eashwaran (Lord Shiva). One is Saneeshwaran (Saturn, for his unbiased testing of human endurance and truth) and the other Elangeshwaran (King of Lanka - Ravana). So this itself shows how great should Ravana have been to attain such an adornment to his name.

Lord Rama, now told Lakshmana, "If you still have doubts about Ravana's learnedness, go ask him about the protocol to wage a war?"

In those days, there was a protocol to wage a war. The war would be waged in a separate area of the country normally the boundaries, without disturbing the civil life and only the people in the army would fight. The civilians will be unharmed. Also prior information would be given to the parties involved in the war.


So Lakshmana honouring his brother's order, went straight to Ravana who was in his deathbed and stood near his head and told, "My brother told me to ask you about the protocol to wage a war"


Ravana calmy replied, "Haven't your learned in your Gurukulam about how you should ask a question to a Guru?"


Lakshman was confused when Ravana asked this question. Ravana continued, "You have asked me a question and am going to answer it. So I am in the position of a Guru and you are in the position of a student. So, now stand near my feet and ask your question"


Lakshmana was shocked at this reply, he felt bad that he forgot the basic qualities of a good student. And Ravana's reply really pricked his conscience. He went to Ravana's feet and got the answer from him. Then he realised that what Lord Rama said was absolutely true.


So this legend is an example of how a Guru should be given respect. But, nowadays...! Even, if we don't follow such protocols, we can at least have it at heart. So we shall put a thought about it and remember our Gurus, the ladders of our life. As a final note,


IF YOU CAN READ THIS, THANK A TEACHER!

More to come, until then...

8 comments:

Srihari Yamanoor said...

A good story. I think when people are inspiring teachers, they automatically command respect.

Anonymous said...

It is an inspiring tale. Is it from Kamba Ramayanam? Arjuna standing at the feet of Krishna is what decided the fate of Kurukshetra. I guess rules of learining is the same thru the Yugas.

R. Prabhu said...

@Srihari
Thanks man, indeed true about your statement

@Anon
Thanks, yes it is from Kamba Ramayanam. However Arjuna standing at Krishna's feet is from Mahabharatha. And of course the rules of learning is always the same at all times

Anonymous said...

this helped me much thanks alot

R. Prabhu said...

@Anon
Good to hear that it helped. Thank you very much.

Anuradha said...

The wordly science has done a lot of progress but it has not been possible to enter or fully understand the phenomenon called God. No fasting, penances, donations, study of scriptures, chanting of mantras are of any help either. To understand it, one has to bow and surrender self towards Satguru, the True Master of the Time. Because he only can dispell the darkness from our lives and we all knows Guru is the only person who given us the light of devine knowledge, the path towards God. Through guru only we can get bliss, peace and salvation in our lives and reach the peak of success.

Anonymous said...

Great Study and research on tamil literature and to translate it in english for readers like us who are far from the country but still have thirst to read.. Keep up the good service for humanity Prabhu!!

R. Prabhu said...

Thanks Anuradha and Anon