Concept of ‘Guru’ (Teacher) of the Yore: A True Definition
In ancient India, there was a Gurukul System. The student was required to stay with the Guru for the specified period of study. Guru’s ashram was a kind of boarding school. Every one, irrespective of richness or higher status, lived together, was treated same even princes stayed with poor in the Gurukul, like Krishna and Sudama. Education in Gurukul was free. But to support the Gurukul, everyone had to beg alms- (Madhukari), which taught them humility indebtedness to society for supporting them as student. Also, it helped in minimizing caste hierarchy, and treating all the students equal.
Guru was the head of Gurukul, a father figure, parent and guardian of the inmates. He taught students without charging any fees. For Guru, charging fees was a taboo. He considered (Vidya-dan) as the best dan(Dan), and condemned the very idea of selling knowledge. The Gurukuls were supported by the donations from kings, philanthropists, and rich of the society, and the Gurudakshina (offerings of the students as parting gift to Gurukul at the end of the study). It was enough to support ashram and inmates as they practiced austerity and no accumulation of wealth was permitted.
Must Read:
Only a real scholar, proven master, spiritually enlightened person, was recognized, appointed, and respected as Guru. As you know, India has a very old Guru Shishya tradition. For his self less service, teacher, the Guru, was held teacher taught in a very high esteem by the society and was respected by even kings. He was revered more than parents and enjoyed a unique status, even higher than that of gods:
Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gururdevo Maheshwara!
Guru Sakshat Parambrahma Tasmai Shree Guruve Namah!!
The Guru was an epitome of good qualities of head, heart and hand, spirituality, knowledge, scholarship. A true teacher was supposed to be a student till the end of his life*. It is like our concept of L3 teacher- a lifelong learner. He was “Guide by the side”, not the “Sage on the stage.”
Gurus were an institution by themselves- famous for their scholarship and sacrifices. The students all over the world used to get attracted to reputed Gurus in India. When the number of students was large, the Gurus involved senior or brilliant students in the management of teaching learning process. This provided the much needed assistance to Guru in his work, and also provided teacher training, opportunity for learning art of teaching to prospective teachers, under the direct supervision of guru.
Sneh monitorial system is a contribution of ancient Indian education system to induct pupils, either son of the teacher or older senior abler student as teachers. Later, during Manu’s period, when caatuva-Nya (Chaturvarnya) became social order, anyone, born Brahmin, became Guru whether scholarly or not. Father will teach and train son as a teacher. Teaching became a family profession of Brahmins only.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment