Sage Wedawyaasa

This day is believed to be the birth day of Sage Wedawyaasa who is called as ‘Jagadguru’ Preceptor of the world) since he systematically organized the study of Wedas, which forms the base of Indian culture and heritage.

Both Sanskrit words ‘Guru’ and ‘DakShiNaa’ can only be loosely translated as ‘Preceptor’ and ‘Fees’ respectively, since there is no real word in English that can bring out the complete sense of what a Guru means to a disciple in the Indian tradition.

The word Guru literally means ‘huge’ or ‘heavy’ and in the sense of a preceptor, would mean ‘a person who is heavy with knowledge’. A Guru not only imparts training to a disciple and disciplines him but also endows him with a vision towards life and thus, he is more like a mentor than a mere teacher.

It would be worthwhile to understand the traditional educational system and the of India, which happens to be the base of the rich cultural heritage of this country.

The word Paramparaa literally means ‘tradition’. In this context, it means an unbroken lineage of a Preceptor and disciple. The concept of Guru-Shishya Paramparaa can be traced back to the time of Wedas, where disciples of Waidik Rishis (Sages who envisioned the Wedas) stayed with them and the Gurus imparted them the knowledge of Wedas, who then passed it on to their disciples, thus continuing the Wedic tradition in India.

In ancient India, children, after the age of about 8 years, underwent Upanayanam Initiation  or thread ceremony) and thereafter, stayed at the Guru’s home, as a part of his family, called the Gurukulam  Guru’s Family). The student performed all daily tasks for taking care of the household, like collecting firewood for cooking, fodder for cattle and other allied activities, along with taking regular classes. Grammar, Logic and Mathematics were kind of obligatory subjects which all students studied up to a basic level irrespective of their specialization.

Students were subjected to tests and assessments which were designed to force students to think beyond what was taught in the texts and scriptures.

Education in the  generally went on for about 12 years. Upon completion of this, there would be a formal DiikSaantam  Convocation) ceremony wherein students were awarded degrees, titles and rewards for outstanding performances. This would generally be the day, when a disciple offered DakShiNaa to the Guru as a token of gratitude and indebtedness towards him. DakShiNaas would be in the form of wealth, cattle, land donation, donating a grant to the Gurukul or any other form deemed fit by the Guru and the disciple.

1. Wasishtha-Arundhatii : Arundhatii, originally a disciple of Saawitrii later on joined Sage Wasishtha’s Gurukulam for advanced studies. Extremely impressed by Wasishtha’s knowledge and noble character, she decided that she would have only him as her husband. Wasishtha then married Arundhatii. Later when Wasishtha had gone for a pilgrimage for about a year, Arundhatii alone took care of the entire Gurukulam in his absence, thereby proving Wasishtha’s efficiency, in not only creating Arundhatii as a great disciple but also a great preceptor. This story also dismisses a popular belief that ancient Gurus were only males and not females.

2. Saandiipanii-Shriikrishna It is believed that Shriikrishna, along with elder brother Balaraama, studied at the Gurukulam of Sage Saandiipanii at Ujjain (where the Saandiipanii Ashram stands even today). Shriikrishna was one of his favorite disciples. The sage’s son was captured by a demon living beneath the ocean. Krishna plunged into the ocean and having killed the demon, rescued the tutor’s son and restored him back to Sandiipanii. This unparallel DakShiNaa given by Shriikrishna befits the great disciple of a great tutor.

3. Shankaraachaaya-Gowindaachaarya Aadi Shankaraachaarya is considered to be a great Aacharya who revived the principles of Hinduism in India during the 5th century, while it was undergoing a downfall due to intrinsic sectarianism and external threats from Non-theism, Jainism & Buddhism.

Shankaraachaarya is believed to have set off in search of a Guru and on the banks of river Narmadaa, came across Gowindaachaarya. The latter asked him his identity, in reply to which Shankaraachaarya composed an extempore hymn which contained the gist of Adwaita-Wedaanta Non-dualistic philosophy). The overwhelmed Gowindaachaarya accepted Shankara as his disciple and imparted to him all the knowledge he possessed. Shankaraachaarya traveled all over the country for propagating the noble principles of Hindu philosophy and earned a lot of disciples who spread his word and work. He has authored innumerable Sanskrit texts about philosophy, commentaries on Wedas, UpaniShads & Bhagawad-Giitaa. He has also composed many devotional hymns in praise of all those deities which he visited during his tour.

4. Raamakrishna-Vivekananda Swami Vivekananda is by far the most celebrated Hindu philosopher and Yogi of the 20th century. He is especially known to have introduced Hindu culture and philosophy in its truest sense to the western world, thereby establishing its roots in many foreign lands. He was the disciple of Yogi Swami Raamakrishna Paramahamsa During his initial acquaintance with Swami Raamakrishna, Vivekananda, declined to agree with his philosophical, religious and spiritual beliefs, often ending up in a debate with the former. But Raamakrishna’s patient and self-controlled nature and noble character had a lasting effect and Vivekananda finally submitted himself completely to Swami Raamakrishna, and served him with utmost devotion till the Guru’s death. His entire later life was an attempt to bring his Guru’s preachings into practice, ‘service to man is service to God’ being the most primary and dictative among them.

5. There are many more Guru-Shishya duos and it would be really worthwhile for readers to research more about this, since only recently Indian educational system has been receiving appreciation from educationalists all over the world and people are looking forward to India as a promising leader of the 21st century.

6. It is also important to note, that much as a person is revered in the form of a Guru, many ancient Indian texts also suggest that the greatest Guru is a person’s Conscience and Transcendental Self.