Guru Shishya Parampara is an integral part of learning in Indian culture. A Guru is a teacher who imparts knowledge to their students or Shihshyas. Parampara is an uninterrupted succession of teachers and students that have been teaching and learning for generations in India. It emphasises the importance of passing knowledge from one generation to the next. Through this transferral process, Indian culture, rituals, and traditions remain alive and vibrant today. Indians have widely accepted the ancient practice of Guru Shishya Parampara. It continues to practice in many parts of India even today.
“Gu” means dark, and “Ru” means light. So, “Guru” can be roughly translated as darkness to light, or possibly one who leads from darkness to light. The Guru is a teacher who guides the Sishya’s (student’s) life or a spiritual mentor who leads the Sishya from blindness or ignorance to bliss, wisdom, and enlightenment.
This blog post will explore the history, purpose and evolution of the guru-sishya relationship. It examines its effect on Indian culture and society today.
Table of Contents
History
The guru-Shishya tradition is a traditional method of spiritual relationship and mentoring in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism. It involves the transmission of teachings from officiated gurus or lamas to their disciples through an initiation ceremony known as Diksha. The paramparas that make up this system are part of specific sampradayas, which may have their akharas (training centers), gompas, viharams or temples where one can train under these teachers. The concept of the guru-Shishya relationship found in Hinduism has its roots deeply embedded within ancient oral traditions. We can trace its origin back to the scriptures, such as The Upanishads and epics, including the Mahabharata and Ramayana providing timeless examples.
Process
Guru-Shishya, an ancient tradition with roots in Indian culture, is based on the paramparā system of shared knowledge and experiences. It involves a student living as part of their teacher’s family to learn from them over time – forming a special bond between both parties. This unique relationship has been passed down for generations through successive teachers and students alike.
Guru Gotra is an ancient custom in India that allows individuals to adopt the name of their Guru as a surname instead of taking on one at birth. This practice has long-established relationships between those who follow and study under the same master, fostering meaningful bonds similar to siblings known as ‘Guru Bhratas’ (brothers) or ‘Guru Bhaginis’ (sisters). Depending on lineage, some paramparas may contain only one active Guru, while others might have multiple gurus working simultaneously.
The sampradaya is a tradition of spiritual teaching passed down through generations of teachers and students. It comprises four elements; the Guru, Sishya, knowledge and lineage.
Types of Sampradaya in Guru Shishya parampara
There are three main types of sampradaya in the guru Sishya parampara
- The Śruti sampradaya is a Vaidika dharma tradition through generations from Guru to Sishya. It emphasizes the ancient learning system, with young brahmacharis being sent away for extended periods – potentially up to 48 years – to become versed in Vedas and other important scriptures. After this period at Gurukul (the traditional Hindu institution for education), these students return home joyfully after completing the samavartana ceremony.
- The Shaktipat Sampradaya is a mystical tradition in which the Guru transmits knowledge to students by “purified consciousness” that flows between them, creating spiritual bonds and familial ties. Bhakti Yoga – another form of this relationship – focuses on devotion to God or Guru as an act of surrender; three primary beliefs are its foundation: trust, faithfulness, and servitude.
- Prapatti sampradaya is a powerful ego-destroying principle involving selfless surrender to God. Popularized by the teachings of four Samayacharya saints, it emphasizes deep humility and admission of one’s sinful nature to forge an intimate spiritual relationship with Siva, which resembles that of the bridegroom and beloved – known as bridal mysticism.
Attributes of Guru in Guru Shishya Parampara
- His immense knowledge and wisdom make him the ultimate figure of power and intelligence.
- He is known to give precious advice that pulls his devotees out of any difficult situation they may be in.
- Guru is believed to possess supernatural powers that help him keep away evil and negativities and bring forth positivity.
- He guides his disciples with compassion and patience and helps them reach their spiritual goals.
- He also provides mental and emotional support to his followers, thus making him an ideal figure of guidance.
- His aura can heal any physical or psychological sufferings one may face.
Hence, Guru is a figure of immense respect and adoration for which one must be thankful. He is t the epitome of divine grace and mercy.
Attributes of Sishya in Guru Shishya Parampara
- Humbleness and obedience to the Guru’s teachings, display of common sense and intelligence, ability to practice patience and self-control, willingness to learn new things, respect for elders and knowledge about Hindu traditions.
- Sishya is expected to be disciplined in his pursuit of knowledge and has a strong commitment to learning from his Guru.
- He should strive hard to develop his skills and talent and strive for excellence in whatever field of knowledge he chooses.
- In return, the Guru will provide him with knowledge, guidance and support as he moves forward.
Guru -Shishya Parampara Tradition
In the Guru Sishya tradition, a student formally requests admission to a Guru’s expertise by initiating the “Shishyvruthi” process. Upon acceptance, the student and Guru take in a formal initiation ceremony known as “Gandabandhan”, where the Guru takes responsibility for his student’s spiritual well-being and growth.
Shishya must undergo an Ashtavadhanam test. After passing the test successfully, the shishya is declared an expert and promoted to vidwan.. The Guru will then invite Gurus from other Gurukuls and experts in the field to assess the Shishyas knowledge and skills. Upon passing this test, the Sishya must show their appreciation to the Guru for his expertise by presenting a token of respect known as “Gurudakshina”. This is similar to the Arangetram ceremony in Bharatanatyam and Shyamrang in Kathak.
Gurudakshina
After receiving wisdom from a Guru, it is customary in India for the student to offer Gurudakshina as repayment. This is an essential aspect of the Guru-Sishya tradition, as it serves as a gesture of gratitude to the Guru for imparting his knowledge and expertise. In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna received divine teachings from Lord Krishna. Hence Arjuna showed his gratitude by bowing down at his feet and performing Gurudakshina. This act of reverence and adoration shows the deep respect that a Sishya has for his Guru.
How the Guru-Shishya Relationship has Evolved?
During British rule, the British replaced the Gurukul education system with more formal institutions, weakening the guru-disciple relationship. This led to the loss of many traditional customs and rituals, including those associated with a guru-Sishya parampara.
In recent years, however, interest has been resurgent in this type of knowledge transfer. With the rise of modern technology, there are more avenues to connect with Guru without their physical presence.
In addition, there have been efforts to preserve and promote Indian culture. Initiatives such as the revival of Indian arts like Yoga, music and dance have been undertaken to do so.
Conclusion
Finding a guru is an essential step in a student’s spiritual journey. To ensure equal growth and learning, choosing the Guru best suited for you is necessary. The guru-sishya parampara, meaning guru-student tradition, illustrates the commitment that individuals have made throughout time to maintain the guru-disciple relationship. It entails mutual trust, respect, and dedication on both sides. Explore your options carefully to find the Guru who suits your personal needs.
In musicmaster, we will connect you with the right Guru who is perfect for you and your needs. Once you’ve done your research, you must talk to the Guru directly. Get a sense of their energy and teachings before making any commitments. This way, you can find someone who resonates with you individually and create a connection that will last for years.
