Guru - An Interpretation - Role of Parents

In the last few posting, it was said, the Guru's role is superior to even Parents.
Then what is the role of the parents?
We often here, "Matru Devo Bhava", "Pitru Devo Bhava", "Acharya Devo Bhava".
In this The word of Acharys name comes the last.
Chandokya Upanishad says "Acharyavan Purusho Veda" अचार्यवान् पुरुषों वेद
A beholder of a SATGURU, attains Gyana.
Similarly there are words like Matruman (मात्रुमान्) and Pitruman (पित्रुमान्).

Matrumaan means - one who has been imparted knowledge (Bhudhimati) by the mother.

Pitrumaan means - one who has been imparted knowledge (Bhudhimati) by the father.
A child when born is first taken care of by the mother. He become matrumaan

When it grows, the father starts imparting knowledge. He then becomes a Pitrumaan.

After UPANAYANAM, the Acharya takes over and takes him in the right DIRECTION.

HE THEN BECOMES ACHARYAVAAN ( अचार्यवान् )
What is important to note is that, the parents lay the foundations.

The GURU then takes over.

Therefore a person is refined by three people. Mother, Father and the Acharya.

Till the child attains the age of eight and leaves for GURUKULA, the parents themselves act as GURU.

Therefore parents themselves are GURU.

In KATOPANISHAD, YAMA DHARMARAJA in his UPADESAM on AGNIVIDYA to Nachiketa, remraks thus

One who performs this kriya (AgniVidya) three times, AND

One who has been associated with the three types of GURU, AND

(Refence to Matrumaan, Pitrumaan and Acharyamaan)

One who performs the sacred duties of a Brahman,

(Sacred duties of a Brahman are - Chanting Veda, Chanting for others, Perform Yagna, Making other perform Yagna, accepting charity, giving charity)

crosses the ocean of janana and marana.

(Need to get the exact quotation for this)

Is this the one?

त्रिणाचिकेतस्त्रिभिरेत्य सन्धिम् त्रिकार्माक्रुत्तारती जन्म म्रृत्यू

ब्रह्नाजज्ञम्

Source : Deyvathin Kural

Guru - An Interpretation - 7

To Summarize the 6 messages.
1. Direction/DISHA is a must in everyday of life.
2. Without direction, the mind will wander.
3. The "DESAM" in "UPADESAM" in derived from the word DISHA.
4. We need someone to show us the way.
5. It can be done only by GURU's with his UPADESAM
6. The word "UPA" in UPADESAM refers to nearness to GURU.
7. Nearness to GURU, can take place only when mind and heart, is always in the lotus feet of the GURU.
8. The GURU, will always be near his SISHYA, either in SUKSHMA/STHULA rupam

Guru - An Interpretation - 6

The word "DESAM" in the word "UPADESAM" is used as a verb.
The word UPA requires further analysis.
If u take the Hindi equivalent of VICE PRESIDENT it is called UPA RASHTRAPATHI
In vedic lore we come across the word ANGAM and UPANGAM.
Here the word UPA acts in way to REDUCE the possition of an entity.
UPA also means near. CLoser.
In "UPANAYAM", the word UPA is bring the Sishya nearer to the GURU.
In olden days, post UPANAYANAM, the boy is sent to "GURUKULAM" for VEDA ADHYANAM"
Post UPAVEETAM, the GURU takes the responsibility of the boy, by giving UPA DESA
In the UPA DESA by the GURU, the one which which is the ultimate and fianl is "UPA NISHAD"
(The last of the UPA DESAM by the GURU?)
The word "UPA" in "UPA NISHAD" refers to nearness to BRAHMAN.
What is the greatness of UPA DESA.
GURU not only directs his Sishya, but he helps him to do so by bieng "NEAR" (UPA) to him.
Those of you who had the previlege of receiving "MANTROPADESAM" "VIDYA UPASAKAM" from SANNIDHANAM, would have observed that apart from directing you,
he would have also been with you (nearer to you)
The sheer DEVOTION and BAKTI which is unmatched and unparalelled, with which SISHYA recevives in his "HEART", the "DIRECTIONS" of the GURU is clled UPADESAM.
If a Sishya performs as per the directions of the GURU,
he will always be NEAR(UPA) to him and guide him, be it in STHULA/SUKSHMA rupam.
By his UPA DESA, the GURU also does UPAKARAM.
In "UPAKARAM", UPA refers to Love and Care.
By straing his own body, the GURU gives "UPADESA", with great love and care to the Sishya.

Source : Deyvathin Kural

Guru - An Interpretation - 5

The word "DESAM" is also derived from the Sanskrit word "DISH"
What is "DESAM"?. It is space drawn using the four "DIRECTION/DISHA"
EAST, WEST, NORTH ans SOUTH.
The words "AA DESAM", "UPA DESAM", "SUN DESAM" are "DIRECTIONS" to do certain things.
AA DESAM refers to order
SAN DESAM refers to message.
UPA DESAM - We immediately think of GURU - SISHYA relationship
GURU gives his Sishya UPA DESAM.
For UPA DESAM, GURU SISHYA relationship is a pre-requisite.
SAN DESAM refer to general message.
Ther are no obligations on the receiver to act accordingly.
An AA DESAM is an order given by the KING.
One has to follow it whether one likes it or not.
An order by an King has two characteristics associated with it.
The KING is at a higher level.
The Praja is at a lower level.
The same is the case of GURU SISHYA.
However GURU is at a far higher level then even the RAJA in the RAJA/PRAJA relationship.
In both the cases "AA DESAM" by the Raja and "UPA DESAM" by the GURU, demands implict obidience.
But in case of UPA DESAM by the GURU, it connotes a sense of "Love and Affection", a sense of "Madhuryam".
It is sacred and very few words can describe it.

Source : Deyvathin Kural

Guru - An Interpretation - 4

The Guru teaches us you to perfrom Sandhya.
He shows us the way of doing it.
He shows the Desciple the "WAY" of doing it.
He isntructs us thus "Do it this way", "Dont Do it that way"
This is also referred as "DIRECTING" us.

Source : Deyvathin Kural

Guru - An Interpretation - 3

We often refer to the word "PURVASHRAM" of a Sanyasi.
For e.g we say the "PURVASHRAMA" name of BHARATHI TEETHA SWAMIGAL is "Shri ANJANEYULU"
Here the word "PURVA" refer to "PRIOR" period.
Similary the word "UTHARA" refer "POST" a refernce point.
Please note in the instant case, the words "PURVA" and "UTHARA" are also derivatives of SPACE!!!
In sanskrit, "PURVAM" is referred to EAST. "UTHARAM" refers to "NORTH"
We always talk of "PRDHAKSHINA".
It is a circular movment about a point.
For e.g. when we go to a temple, we do "PRADHAKSHINA" around the presiding Diety and Dwijasthmbha
Some of us do "ANGA PRADHAKSHINA"
Only when we take a Pradhakshina route, we start in "EAST", move to "SOUTH". move to "WEST" then finally to "NORTH"
If we cut across, and move to WEST from EAST, we are said to move in an opposite "DIRECTION/DISHA".
If we cut across and assuming we can do so, we will be trepassing the Sanctum Santorum of the Temple.
In a PRADHAKSHINA movement, we come back to EAST.
And PRADHAKSHINA is associated with MANGALA or GOOD.
This is also substantiated by the fact any Puja or Japa, we start in the "DIRECTION/DISHA" of EAST.

Surce : Deyvathin Kural

Guru - An Interpretation - 2

Life is also associated with "DIRECTION" or "DISHA"
We often come across the word, he lead his life in a Dharmic way.
He lead a righteous livining
In Tamil, we say "Nalla Vazhi" meaning "Right Direction"
In Tamil, we say "Thai Pirandal Vazhi Pirakkum"
Thus "DIRECTION/DISHA" is also associated with journey called LIFE.
In English we often use the word "WAY of Life".
Any journey be it life or otherwise (as simple as travelling to the US), involves travelling from one point to another.
We travel fron one place to another.
Please note the place here refers to SPACE.
Similarly TIME (What we call as KALAM) also travels from one from point to another then to another and so on..
We often use the saying "Life Goes On"!!!
As Life goes on, so does our mind. It does not stay in one PLACE.
It moves at a rapid space.
We use the word "MANA CHALAN". Chalan, here menas to walk, movement.
This ever changing mind of ours, is what perhaps what we refer to as "Journey of Life"
Obviously our mind should go in the right "DIRECTION/DISHA".
If we do not know the right "DIRECTION/DISHA", we will go the wrong "WAY"
The word "DISHA" is derived from the Sanskrit word "DISH"

Source : Deyvathin Kural