The Advayataraka Upanishad states that the true teacher is a master in the field of knowledge, well-versed in the Vedas, is free from envy, knows yoga, lives a simple life that of a yogi, has realized the knowledge of the Atman (Soul, Self).
Some scriptures and gurus have warned against false teachers, and have recommended that the spiritual seeker test the guru before accepting him.
Swami Vivekananda said that there are many incompetent gurus and that a true guru should understand the spirit of the scriptures, have a pure character and be free from sin, and should be selfless, without desire for money and fame.
According to the Indologist Georg Feuerstein, in some traditions of Hinduism, when one reaches the state of Self-knowledge, one's own soul becomes the guru. A true guru is, one who lives the simple virtuous life he preaches, is stable and firm in his knowledge, master yogi with the knowledge of Self (soul) and Brahman.
It is true that one has to learn from the Guru. In earlier days, the gurus were simple, pious, well informed, unassuming, and student-oriented. The present-day gurus are different, with pride and fanfare, money minded and undependable. So the people have to learn on their own.
Arjuna learned archery from his Guru Drona. But Ekalaiva was denied the opportunity to learn from him due to his status. So he learned the art by himself by keeping a replica of Guru Drona. He was found to be far better than Arjuna in Archery.
To protect Arjuna, Drona asked Ekalaiva to give his right-hand thumb as Guru dhashina so that he could never compete with Arjuna. Without any hesitation, Ekalaiva immediately obliged his Guru by cutting off his thumb. Who is great? Whether the Guru or Sishya?
Some scriptures and gurus have warned against false teachers, and have recommended that the spiritual seeker test the guru before accepting him.
Swami Vivekananda said that there are many incompetent gurus and that a true guru should understand the spirit of the scriptures, have a pure character and be free from sin, and should be selfless, without desire for money and fame.
According to the Indologist Georg Feuerstein, in some traditions of Hinduism, when one reaches the state of Self-knowledge, one's own soul becomes the guru. A true guru is, one who lives the simple virtuous life he preaches, is stable and firm in his knowledge, master yogi with the knowledge of Self (soul) and Brahman.
It is true that one has to learn from the Guru. In earlier days, the gurus were simple, pious, well informed, unassuming, and student-oriented. The present-day gurus are different, with pride and fanfare, money minded and undependable. So the people have to learn on their own.
Arjuna learned archery from his Guru Drona. But Ekalaiva was denied the opportunity to learn from him due to his status. So he learned the art by himself by keeping a replica of Guru Drona. He was found to be far better than Arjuna in Archery.
To protect Arjuna, Drona asked Ekalaiva to give his right-hand thumb as Guru dhashina so that he could never compete with Arjuna. Without any hesitation, Ekalaiva immediately obliged his Guru by cutting off his thumb. Who is great? Whether the Guru or Sishya?
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