| A Guru, is a teacher in Hinduism, Buddhism, | | | | interpretation of the term "guru" is based on |
| and Sikhism, as well as in many New religious | | | | a metaphorical interplay between darkness and |
| movements. Based on a long traditional line | | | | light, in which the Guru is seen as the |
| of philosophical understanding as to the | | | | dispeller of darkness . In some texts it is |
| importance of knowledge, the guru is seen in | | | | described that the syllables gu and ru |
| these religions as a sacred conduit, or a way | | | | stand for darkness and light, respectively. |
| to self-realization. The importance of | | | | |
| finding a true guru is described in the | | | | The syllable gu means shadows |
| scriptures and teachings of religions in | | | | |
| which a guru plays a role. | | | | The syllable ru, he who disperses them, |
| | | | |
| "Guru" also refers in Sanskrit to Brihaspati, | | | | Because of the power to disperse darkness |
| a Hindu figure analogous to the Roman planet | | | | |
| god Jupiter. In Vedic astrology, Guru or | | | | the guru is thus named. |
| Brihaspati is believed to exert teaching | | | | |
| influences. Indeed, in many Indian languages | | | | Advayataraka Upanishad 14-18, verse 5) |
| such as Hindi, the occidental Thursday is | | | | |
| called either Brihaspativaar or Guruvaar | | | | A similar interpretation describes the guru |
| (vaar meaning day of the week). | | | | as the one that "removes the darkness of |
| | | | ignorance" is based on the Guru Gita |
| In contemporary India, "guru" is widely used | | | | (literally "song of the spiritual teacher"), |
| within the general meaning of "teacher". In | | | | a spiritual text describing a dialogue |
| Western usage, the original meaning of guru | | | | between Shiva and his consort Parvati on the |
| has been extended to cover anyone who | | | | nature of the guru and the guru/disciple |
| acquires followers, though not necessarily in | | | | relationship. |
| an established school of philosophy or | | | | |
| religion. In a further metaphorical | | | | Reender Kranenborg a Dutch religious scholar, |
| extension, guru is used to refer to a person | | | | dismisses the etymology based on the |
| who has authority because of his or her | | | | Upanishads, the Guru Gita, the Sikh |
| perceived knowledge or skills in a domain of | | | | scriptures, the writings of Krishnamurti, and |
| expertise. | | | | other scholar's opinions such as those of |
| | | | John Grimes, Thomas Murray, and others, by |
| The word guru means "teacher" in Sanskrit, as | | | | stating that the etymology of darkness and |
| well as in other languages derived from | | | | light has nothing to do with word guru and |
| Sanskrit, such as Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and | | | | describes it is as "people's etymology". |
| Gujarati. The word is attested from the | | | | |
| Rigveda as an adjective meaning "heavy", its | | | | In the Western Esotericism and the Science of |
| opposite being laghu "light". It derives from | | | | Religion, Pierre Riffard, the author, makes a |
| PIE *gwrus, cognate to Greek barus, Latin | | | | distinction between "esoteric etymologies" |
| gravis, both likewise meaning "heavy". | | | | and "scientific etymologies" presenting as an |
| | | | example the etymology of "guru", in which the |
| The word holds a special place in Hinduism, | | | | former is presented as ru ("to push away") |
| signifying both the sacred place of knowledge | | | | and gu ("darkness"), and the latter as "guru" |
| (jnana) and the imparter of knowledge. The | | | | as "heavy". |
| adjective meaning "heavy, weighty" is used in | | | | |
| the sense of "heavy with knowledge" , "heavy | | | | Another etymology of the word "guru" found in |
| with spiritual wisdom", "heavy with spiritual | | | | the Guru Gita, includes gu as "beyond the |
| weight", "heavy with the good qualities of | | | | qualities" and ru as "devoid of form", |
| scriptures and realization", "heavy with a | | | | stating that "He who bestows that nature |
| wealth of knowledge". | | | | which trascend the qualities is said to be |
| | | | guru. |
| A notable esoteric etymology or | | | | |