Information AboutGuru |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT GURU | |
| buddhism | |
| hindu gurus | |
| sanskrit words and phrases | |
| shabd paths | |
| sikhism | |
| spiritual teachers | |
| titles and occupations in hinduism | |
|
A Guru (), is a Teacher in Hinduism , Buddhism , and Sikhism , as well as in many New Religious Movement s. The guru is seen in these religions as a sacred conduit for wisdom and a way to Self-realization , and the importance of finding a true guru is emphasised. "Guru" also refers in Sanskrit to Brihaspati , a Hindu divine figure (on which is based the analogous Roman planet/god Jupiter ). In Vedic Astrology , Guru or Brihaspati is believed to exert teaching influences. Indeed, in many Indian Languages such as Hindi , the occidental Thursday is called either ''Brihaspativaar'' or ''Guruvaar'' (''vaar'' meaning day of the week). In contemporary India , the word "guru" is widely used with the general meaning of "teacher". In Western usage, the original meaning of guru has been extended to cover anyone who acquires followers, though not necessarily in an established school of philosophy or religion. In a further Western metaphorical extension, guru is used to refer to a person who has authority because of his or her perceived secular knowledge or skills. ETYMOLOGY The word '''', a noun, means "teacher" in Sanskrit , as well as in other languages derived from Sanskrit, such as Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and Gujarati . The word holds a special place in Hinduism, signifying both the sacred place of knowledge ( Jnana ) and the imparter of knowledge. As an adjective, it means "heavy," or "weighty." The adjective is used in the sense of "heavy with knowledge," Tirha, B. B. ''A Taste of Trascendence'', (2002) p.161, Mandala Press. ISBN 1-886069-71-9 "Guru: a spiritual master; one who is heavy with knowledge of the Absolute and who removes nescience with the light of the divine.""heavy with spiritual wisdom",Lipner, Julius J.,''Their Religious Beliefs and Practices'' p.192, Routledge (UK), ISBN 0-415-05181-9 "heavy with spiritual weight,"Cornille, C. ''The Guru in Indian Catholicism'' (1991) p.207. Peeters Publishers ISBN 90-6831-309-6 "heavy with the good qualities of scriptures and realization,"Hopkins, Jeffrey ''Reflections on Reality'' (2002) p.72. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-21120-0 "heavy with a wealth of knowledge."Varene, Jean. ''Yoga and the Hindu Tradition'' (1977). p.226. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-85116-8 The word has it roots in the Sanskrit ''gri'' ("to invoke", or "to praise"), and may have a connection to the word ''gur'', meaning "to raise, "to lift up", or "to make an effort."1 Barnhart's "Dictionary of Etymology" compares ''gravis'' (Latin: grave, weighty, serious) as cognate with the Sanskrit "guru".2 A notable esoteric etymology of the term "guru" is based on a metaphorical interplay between darkness and light, in which the Guru is seen as the one who "dispells darkness of ignorance" .Grimes, John. ''A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy: Sanskrit Terms Defined in English'' (1996). p.133. SUNY Press. ISBN 0-7914-3067-7 "The etymological derivation of the word guru is in this verse from Guru Gita: 'The root ''gu'' stands for darkness; ''ru'' for its removal. The removal of the darkness of ignorance in the heart is indicated by the word "guru'" (Note: Guru Gita is a spiritual text in the Markandeya Purana, in the form of a dialog between Siva and Parvati on the nature of the guru and the guru/disciple relantionship.) the meanings of ''gu'' and ''ru'' can aslo be straced to the ''Panini-sutras gu samvarane'' and ''ru himsane'', indicating concealment and its annulment.Ibid. "Guru: remover of darkness, bestower of light'"Krishnamurti, J. '' The Awakening of Intelligence'' (1987) p.139. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-064834-1 In some texts it is described that the syllables ''gu'' () and ''ru'' () stand for darkness and light, respectively.Murray, Thomas R. ''Moral Development Theories-Secular and Religious: A Comparative Study'' (1997). p.231. Greenwwod Press [... the term is a combination of the two words ''gu''(darkness) and ''ru'' (light), so together they mean ''divine light that dispells all darkness.''" "guru is the light that disperses the darkness of ignorance." | |||
|
|||
|
|