Guru: important part of life

Guruh Brhama Guru Vishnu, Guruh Devo Maheshwaray

Guruh Sakshat Parbharm Tasmay shree guruvey namahay

The above mentioned ‘sloka’ amply explains the importance of ‘Guru’ in our lives.

According to the Hindu mythology, Guru Purnima is celebrated every year on Ashaad month’s Purnima. This year it is being celebrated on 3^rd July. The day is also celebrates as Maharishi Vedvyas Jayanti who is called the father of Vedas. In Hindu religion, Guru has the supreme level and is considered almost equal, even above, the God.

In the ancient Indian education system, the students (Shishy) used to go to the Gurukulas for education and lived there until the completion of education. Before sending them the Gurukulas, parents taught the child primary education.

Gurus always contributed their best to the development of society. If we look into past that there are many examples which prove the dignity and importance of the Gurus. For example the Hindu epic Mahabharata tells us about the story of Eklavya, who had cut off his thumb and offered it as a ‘Guru Dakshina’ to his Guru Dronacharya.

There are numerous such examples in the Hindu mythology, which prove that the Gurus held the highest position in the society in the ancient times.

But as time changed, the education system and Guru-Shishy relation has also changed. In this era of technology, teachers are giving techno friendly education to their students. In ancient times, teachers did not only give the course education but they also tried to groom the students’ personality. But now the teachers focus more on imparting lessons according to the syllabus and often ignore the other needs and aspirations of the students.

Let us take a pledge on this Guru Purnima to once again strive to accord the same place to the Gurus, which they had in the ancient times.