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आध्यात्मिक अर्थवत्त्व गुरुपूर्णिमायाः (ādhyātmika arthavattva gurupūrṇimāyāḥ - spiritual significance of gurupurnima)

  

श्री   गुरुभ्यो   नमः  (śrī gurubhyo namaḥ - salutations to the Divine Preceptor)


श्री व्यासमहऋषि महात्म्यम् ( śrī vyāsamahaṛṣi mahātmyam - greatness of Sri Vyasa Maharishi )

Today is the sacred   गुरु  /  व्यास   पूर्णिमा  (guru / vyāsa pūrṇimā)  the auspicious   महा   जयन्ति   दिन  (mahā jayanti dina - Divine Birthday )  of his Holiness   श्री   कृष्ण   द्वैपयन   महऋषि  (śrī kṛṣṇadvaipāyana mahaṛṣi),  better known as   व्यास   महऋषि  (vyāsa mahaṛṣi).




Original Transliteration Translation
व्यासं वसिष्ठनप्तारं शाक्तेः पौत्रमकलषम्।
पराशरात्मजं वन्दे शुकतातं तपोनिधिम्॥
व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यास रूपाय विष्णवे।
नमो वै ब्रह्मनिधये वासिष्ठायय नमो नमः॥ 		vyāsaṁ vasiṣṭhanaptāraṁ śākteḥ pautramakalaṣam|
parāśarātmajaṁ vande śukatātaṁ taponidhim||
vyāsāya viṣṇurūpāya vyāsa rūpāya viṣṇave|
namo vai brahmanidhaye vāsiṣṭhāyaya namo namaḥ||
I salute Sage Vyasa, the great grandson of Sage Vasishtha, the grandson of sage Shakti, the son of sage Parashar and the father of Sage Shuka and who is (by Himself) an abode of “tapas” and who is blemishless.
I bow to Vyaasa, who is the treasure house of Brahma Jnana, who is verily one with Vishnu, who is in the form of Vishnu and to Vishnu who is in the form of Vyaasa. Salutations to him again and again, who is an abode of the Vedas and who is of the lineage of Vasistha
Sanskrit Reference: श्री विष्णुसहस्रनामं (śrī viṣṇusahasranāmam)


As you must be aware, in Hinduism,  व्यास   महऋषि  (vyāsa mahaṛṣi).  is worshipped as one of the foremost of  गुरु  (guru -preceptor)  because of his unparalleled contribution to Hindu spiritual wisdom. This is because, He is one of the earliest  व्यास   (vyāsa -compiler) 's of the  अपौरुषेय   वेदश्रुति  ( apauruṣeya   veda   śruti   - super human Vedic wisdom ) originally revealed to various  ऋषि   मुनि  ( ṛṣi   muni – seer sage ) who played an unparalleled role in collating, compiling and classifying the  वेद   संहिता  (veda saṁhitā – vedic corpus) vertically into the four-fold structure viz.  रृक् ( ṛ k), यजुर् (yajur), साम (s ā ma) & अथर्वण (atharva ṇ a) and each of the further horizontally into मन्त्र (mantra), ब्राह्मन (br ā hmana), आरण्यक ( ā ra ṇ yaka) & उपनिषद् (upani ṣ ad).   
In fact, that is why he is popularly addressed by the title  व्यास   महऋषि  ( vyāsa   mahaṛṣi  -  Supreme   Seer-Compiler) . Further, he also summarized the essence of the  वेदान्त  ( vedānta  -  final conclusions of Vedic wisdom ) into to simpler  ब्रह्म   सूत्र  ( brahma   sūtra  -  divine aphorisms ).  The beauty of  ब्रह्म   सूत्र  ( brahma   sūtra  -  divine aphorisms ) is that it cryptic polymorphic messaging model is so masterly designed that it has paved the way for so many kinds of philosophical interpretations.  Variety is the spice of Hinduism. This formed the basis for  उत्तर   मीमाम्सा   दर्शन  ( uttaramīmāmsā   darśana ) , which forms the founding stone for all other popular  वेदान्त   दर्शन  (vedānta darśana)  further elaborated upon and formally established by eminent  वेदान्तआचार्य  ( vedānta   ācārya )  including:



#

दर्शनस्य नाम  ( darśanasya nāma – name of philosophy )

प्रवार्तक परमाचार्य  (pravārtaka paramācārya – primary founding preceptor)

A

केवलाद्वैतदर्शन     (kevalādtvaita darśana – absolute nondualstc philosophy)

श्री आदिशंकराचार्य भगवद्पाद  ( śrī ādiśaṁkarācārya bhagavadpāda)

B

विशिष्टाद्वैत दर्शन  ( viśiṣṭādvaita darśana – qualified  nondualistic philosophy)

श्री रामानुजाचार्य   (śrī rāmānujācārya)

C

द्वैत  दर्शन     ( dvaita  darśana – dualsitic philosophy )

श्री मद्वचार्य  ( śrī madvacārya )

D

औपाधिक भेदाभेद दर्शन   (aupādhika bhedābheda  darśana  – different yet non-different philosophy)

श्री   भास्कराचार्य  ( śrī bhāskarācārya )

E

अचिन्त्य भेद अभेद   दर्शन  ( acintya bheda abheda  darśana )

श्रील रूपा गोस्वामि   (śrīla rūpā gosvāmi)

F

शुद्धाद्वैत दर्शन  (śuddhādvaita darśana – pure nondualstic philosophy)

श्री वल्लभाचार्य  (śrī vallabhācārya)

G

स्वभाविक द्वैताद्वैत दर्शन   (svabhāvika dvaitādvaita darśana –  dual yet nondualistic philosophy)

श्री निम्बार्काचार्य  (śrī nimbārkācārya)

H

विशिष्टशिवाद्वैत दर्शन  (viśiṣṭaśivādvaita darśana – qualified auspicious nondualstic philosophy)

श्री श्रीकण्ठाचार्य  (śrī śrīkaṇṭhācārya)

I

विशेषाद्वैत दर्शन  (viśeṣādvaita darśana – special nondualistic philosophy)

श्री श्रीपति  (śrī śrīpati)

J

अविभागाद्वैत दर्शन  (avibhāgādvaita  darśana – undivided nondualistic philosophy)

श्री विज्ञानभिक्षु  (śrī vijñānabhikṣu)



              His famous  भाष्य  (bhāṣya - commentary)  on the  योग   सूत्र    (yoga sutra – yoga aphorisms)  of the noble saint  मह ऋषि पतञ्जलि  (mahaṛṣi patañjali)   is yet another unparalleled contribution of    व्यास   महऋषि  (vyāsa mahaṛṣi).  Till date, it is considered as one of the best commentaries on the subject.   The contribution of  व्यास   महऋषि  (vyāsa mahaṛṣi)  does not end here, as he is also considered to be the  ऋषि   कवि   (ṛṣi kavi - seer poet)  of  महाभारत   (mahābhārata) , the  महाइथिहस   काव्य   (mahā ithihasa kāvya - mega historical poetry) . Moreover, he is also believed to be the  व्यास   (vyāsa - compiler)  of the  अष्टदशमहापुराणानि  (aṣṭadaśamahāpurāṇāni – eighteen mega legends)  


#

Name

Metrics

(# verses)

Revealed by

A

ब्रह्मा   (brahmā)

1

ब्रह्म पुराण   (brahma purāṇa)

10000

Lord  अग्नि देव   (agni deva)   to  वसिष्ठ महऋषि   (vasiṣṭha mahaṛṣi)

 

2

पद्म पुराण   (padma purāṇa)

55000

पुलस्त्य  महऋषि  (pulastya mahaṛṣi)    to  भीश्म  (bhīśma)

B

विष्णु  (viṣṇu)

3

विष्णु पुराण   ( viṣṇu  purāṇa)

23000

परासर महऋषि  (parāsara mahaṛṣi)   to  मैत्रेय  (maitreya)

 

4

श्रीमद् भागवतपुराणम्  (śrīmad bhāgavatapurāṇam)

18000

महऋषि शुक्राचार्य  (mahaṛṣi śukrācārya)   to  परिक्षित् महा राज  (parikṣit mahā rāja)

5

गरुड पुराण   (garuḍa purāṇa)

19000

महा विष्णु   (mahā  viṣṇu )   to   गरुड  (garuḍa)

6

नारद पुराण   (nārada purāṇa)

25000

नारद महऋषि  (nārada mahaṛṣi)    to  सनत् कुमार  (sanat kumār)

C

शिव  ( śiva )

7

सिव पुराण   (siva purāṇa)

24000

परमशिव   (paramaśiva)

8

लिङ्ग पुराण   (liṅga purāṇa)

11000

अग्नि लिङ्ग   (agni liṅga -Lord Shiva)

 

9

स्कन्द पुराण   (skanda purāṇa)

81100

Muruga

10

ब्रह्माण्ड पुराण   (brahmāṇḍa purāṇa)

12000

         ब्रह्म  (brahma)      

11

मार्कन्देय पुराण   (mārkandeya purāṇa)

9000

मार्कण्डेय  महऋषि  (mārkaṇḍeya mahaṛṣi)    to  जैमिनि  महऋषि   (jaimini mahaṛṣi)          

12

मत्स्य पुराण   (matsya purāṇa)

14000

        मत्स्य अवतार  (matsya avatāra)    to  सत्य व्रत  (satya vrata)

     

13

वामन पुराण   (vāmana purāṇa)

10000

         पुलस्त्य  महऋषि  (pulastya mahaṛṣi)    to  नारद महऋषि  (nārada mahaṛṣi)          

14

वराह पुराण   (varāha purāṇa)

24000

         वराह अवतार  (varāha avatāra)    to  भूम देवी   (bhūma devī)          

15

वायु पुराण   (vāyu purāṇa)

24000

.    वायु भग्वान   (vāyu bhagvān) .     

16

कूर्म पुराण   (kūrma purāṇa)

17000

.    कूर्म  अवतार  (Kūrma avatāra)    to  नारद महऋषि  (nārada mahaṛṣi)

.     

 

सूर्य  (sūrya)

17

भविश्य  /  ब्रह्मविवर्त पुराण    (brahmavivarta /bhaviśya purāṇa)

14500

.    व्यास  महऋषि  (vyāsa mahaṛṣi)

 

अग्नि  (agni)

18

अग्नि पुरान्ण  (agni purānṇa)

15400

हयग्रीव  (hayagrīva)    to   अगस्त्य महऋषि  (agastya mahaṛṣi)  



This forms a very vast corpus of eulogical literature (which according to an estimate is running to almost 4,06,000 verses) providing  the most sacred independent yet holistically henotheistic accounts of theology, cosmology, genealogy, history etc,, of the  तिरुंउर्ति  ( tiruṁurti  -  three primary Deities)  of Hindu pantheon viz.  ब्रह्म  ( brahma ),  वीश्णु  ( vīśṇu ) &  शिव  ( śiva ) . The beauty of these accounts is that in every  पुराण   (purāṇa)  one of these deities is primary hero of the show, while others are supporting Him. At the same time, there is a fair share of prominence given to each of them, on the whole. In fact, that is why, the  अष्टदश   महा   पुराण   (aṣṭadaśa mahā purāṇa - Eighteen supreme mythologies)  forms  an integral part of the six main theological belief systems viz.  षण्मत संप्रदायाः   (ṣaṇmata saṃpradāyāḥ – six theological traditions) viz.



#

मत संप्रदायम्  ( matasaṃpradāyam – theological tradition )

अधिकार देवत   ( adhikāra devata – Presiding Deity )

1

शैवमतसंप्रदायम्   ( śaivamatasaṃpradāyam – shaiva theological tradition )

श्री परमशिव   ( śrī paramaśiva )

2

वैष्णवमतसंप्रदायम्   (v aiṣṇavamatasaṃpradāyam – vaishnava theological tradition)

श्री महाविष्णु   ( śrī mahāviṣṇu )

3

शाक्तमतसंप्रदायम्   ( śāktamatasaṃpradāyam – shakti theological tradition )

श्री पराशक्ति  ( śrī parāśakti )

4

गाणपत्यमतसंप्रदायम्  ( gāṇapatya matasaṃpradāyam  – Ganesha  theological tradition )

श्री गणेश   ( śrī gaṇeśa )

5

कौमारमतसंप्रदायम्   ( kaumāramatasaṃpradāyam – kaumara theological tradition )

श्री स्कन्द   ( śrī  skanda )

6

सौरमतसंप्रदायम्  (saura matasaṃpradāyam  – sun  theological tradition )

श्री सूर्य   ( śrī  sūrya )


1

That is why, while there are thousands of gurus in Hinduism, yet very unique importance is given to  व्यास   महऋषि   (vyāsa mahaṛṣi)  as he is considered as the  குருவின்   குரு   (guruvin guru - teacher of teachers) .    In fact, he is considered as none other than an incarnation of Lord  श्री   महाविष्णु   (śri mahāviṣṇu) Himself, as testified in the popular saying   कृष्णद्वैपायनं   व्यासं   विद्धि   नारायणं   प्रभुम्।   (kṛṣṇadvaipāyanaṁ vyāsaṁ viddhi nārāyaṇaṁ prabhum|) . In fact,  श्रीआदि   शंकराचार्य   (śrī ādi śaṁkarācārya)  in the  मङ्गल   श्लोक  (maṅgala śloka - benedictory verses) of his famous  भाष्य (bhāṣya - commentary) on the sacred  श्री   विष्णुसहस्रनामं    (śrī viṣṇusahasranāmam) very clearly declares 



Original Transliteration Translation
सच्चिदानन्दरूपाय कृष्णायाक्लिष्टकारिणे
नमो वेदान्त वेद्याय गुरवे बुद्धि साक्षिणे॥
कृष्णद्वैपायनं व्यासं सर्वलोकहितैषिणम्।
वेदाबजभास्करं वन्दे समादि निलयं मुनिं॥ 		saccidānandarūpāya kṛṣṇāyākliṣṭakāriṇe
namo vedānta vedyāya gurave buddhi sākṣiṇe||
kṛṣṇadvaipāyanaṁ vyāsaṁ sarvalokahitaiṣiṇam|
vedābajabhāskaraṁ vande samādi nilayaṁ muniṁ||

 		OM! Adoration to Krishna whose nature is Sat, Cit & Ananda
Who performs His acts without effort,
Who is cognized through the Vedanta,
who is the teacher and who is the Witness of all Cognitions.

I adore the sage Krishnadvaipayana Vyasa,
devoted to the welfare of all beings,
who is the sun to the lotus of the Vedas, and who is the abode of self-control etc.
Sanskrit Reference: श्री विष्णुसहस्रनाम भाष्य (śrī viṣṇusahasranāma bhāṣya)



Moreover, the Lord is called as ‘ व्यास  ( vyāsa )’,  which is His 572nd  திரு   நாமம்   (thirun naamam – sacred name)  according to  श्री   विष्णुसहस्रनामं   (śrī viṣṇusahasranāmam – thousand names of Lord Vishnu)  wherein the Lord is glorified as “ सर्वदृगव्यासः   (sarvadṛgavyāsaḥ -  Omniscient compiler) ”.   Further,  श्रीमद्   भगवत्गीता   (śrīmad bhagavatgītā),  none other than   भगवान्   श्री   कृष्ण   परमात्मा  (bhagavān śri kṛṣṇa paramātmā)  Himself very categorically declares that




Original Transliteration Translation
मुनीनामप्यहं व्यासः munīnāmapyahaṁ vyāsa
 		among the contemplative sages, I am vyāsa
Sanskrit Reference: श्रीमद् भगवत्गीता (śrīmad bhagavatgītā)


Again,  श्री   आदि   शंकराचार्य   (śrī ādi śaṁkarācārya),  in his famous  भाष्य  (bhāṣya - commentary)  on the above verses, further euologizes ‘ व्यास  ( vyāsa )’,  as


Original Transliteration Translation
मुनीनां मनन शीलानां सर्वपादार्तज्ञानिनां अपिह्ंव्यासः। munīnāṁ manana śīlānāṁ sarvapādārtajñānināṁ apiahṁvyāsaḥ|। Among professional thinkers who know about all objects, I am Vyasa
Sanskrit Reference: श्रीमद् भगवत्गीता शंकरभाष्य (śrīmad bhagavatgītā śaṃkarabhāṣya)


Similarly,  श्री   रमानुजाचार्य   (śrī ramānujācārya)  in his famous famous  भाष्य (bhāṣya - commentary)  on the above verses, further eulogizes ‘ व्यास  ( vyāsa )’,  as   


Original Transliteration Translation
मुन्यो मननेन अर्थयाथाम्य्दर्शनिः तेषां व्यसः अहम्। munīnāṁ manana śīlānāṁ sarvapādārtajñānināṁ apiahṁvyāsaḥ|। Among professional thinkers who know about all objects, I am Vyasa.
Sanskrit Reference: श्रीमद् भगवत्गीता रमानुज भाष्य (śrīmad bhagavatgītā ramānujabhāṣya)




These are some of the reasons as to why the  महाजयन्ति   दिन   (mahā jayanti dina - divine birthday)  is commonly celebrated as  गुरु   पूर्निमा   (guru pūrnimā)  by almost all the  वैदीह   गुरु   परंपरा   (vaidīha guru parampard - orthodox Vedic Guru lineages) . On this day, each tradition pays their special homages to the respective  गुरु   परंपरा   (guru paraṃparā – preceptor lineage),  and through them offer their prayers to  व्यास   महऋषि   (vyāsa mahaṛṣi)  who is rightfully regarded as the “ குருவின்   குரு   (guruvin guru - teacher of teachers).”  
 Just like in these days. the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is celebrated nationwide as “ Teachers Day” , thereby honoring the entire community of teachers as a whole, similarly on this holy occasion of  व्यास   पूर्णिमा   (vyāsa pūrṇimā) , the reverence is extended to all spiritual Gurus cutting across all the sub faiths of Hinduism –  वैदीक  (vaidīka – vedic) ,  आगमिक   (āgamika – agamic) ,  तान्त्रिक   (tāntrika - tantric)  etc.


  गुरु वैभवं  (guru vaibhavam – greatness of preceptor)

 In Hinduism celebrate this day very great religious pious. Thus, this sacred day is considered as  गुरु   पूर्णिमा   (guru pūrṇimā)  for all. With this basic historical background of the  गुरु   पूर्णिमा   (guru pūrṇimā)  celebration, let us understand why after all so much importance is given to  गुरु   (guru - preceptor)  in Hinduism. In fact, people, who do not understand the value of a guru are considered the greatest of fools.


Original Transliteration Translation
यज्ञो व्रतम् तपो दानम्
जपस्तीर्थम् तथैव च
गुरुतत्त्वम् अविज्ञय
मूधास्ते चरते जनाः। 		yajño vratam tapo dānam
japastīrtham tathaiva ca
gurutattvam avijñaya
mūdhāste carate janāḥ|
Those people who blindly engage in sacrificial rites, vows, penance,
chanting, charity and also pilgrimages without
understanding the Guru principle are fools
Sanskrit Reference:


According to Hinduism, a  गुरु   ( guru – preceptor)  plays an indispensable role in grooming spiritual  साधक  (sādhaka –seeker ) by removing the  तम अविद्यस्य   (tama avidyasya -  darkness of ignorance )  and lighting the    ब्रह्मज्ञानस्य ज्योति  (brahmajñānasya jyoti–  lamp of spiritual wisdom),  as explained in the following verses of the  गुरु गीता  (guru gīta)

Original Transliteration Translation
गुकारस् त्वन्दकारश्च रुकारस् तेज उच्यते।
अज्ञानग्रासकं ब्रह्म गुरुरेव न संशयः॥

गुकारः प्रथमो वर्णो मायादि गुणभासकः।
रुकारो द्वितीयो ब्रह्म माया भ्रान्ति विनासनम्॥

गुकारं च गुणतीतं रुकारं रूपवर्जितम्।
गुणतितस्वरूपं चा यो दद्यात्स गुरुः स्मृतः॥
 		gukāras tvandakāraśca rukāras teja ucyate।
ajñānagrāsakaṃ brahma gurureva na saṃśayaḥ॥

gukāraḥ prathamo varṇo māyādi guṇabhāsakaḥ।
rukāro dvitīyo brahma māyā bhrānti vināsanam॥

gukāraṃ ca guṇatītaṃ rukāraṃ rūpavarjitam।
guṇatitasvarūpaṃ cā yo dadyātsa guruḥ smṛtaḥ॥
The syllable “Gu” is the darkness and the syllable “Ru” is said to be light. There is no doubt that the Guru is indeed the Supreme Knowledge that dispels (the darkness of) ignorance.

“Gu” Kara means the darkness and “Ru” Kara means the remover of the darkness. On account of the power of removing darkness, the teacher is known by the significant name “Guru”.

The first syllable “Gu” represents the principles such as maya and the second syllable “Ru” the supreme knowledge that destroys the illusions of maya
Sanskrit Reference: गुरुगीता (gurugītā) (23, 24, 46)

. 

In fact, our scriptures very categorically declare that  गुरु   (guru - preceptor)  is non-other than the absolute Divinity itself – “ குருவே   திரு ,   திருவே   குரு   (guruv ē  tiru, tiruv ē  guru - Preceptor himeself is God, God Himself is preceptor)!”.   The famous verse from  गुरुगीता   ( gurugītā )


Original Transliteration Translation
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुर् गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः।
गुरुरेव परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुर्रवे नमः॥ 		gururbrahmā gururviṣṇur gururdevo maheśvaraḥ।
gurureva parabrahma tasmai śrī gurrave namaḥ॥ 		Know the Guru to be Brahma. He is Vishnu.
He is also Shiva.
Know Him to be the Supreme Brahman,
and offer thy adorations unto that peerless Guru.
Sanskrit Reference: गुरुगीता (gurugītā) (32)


    Moreover, as seekers of such enlightenment, it becomes necessary for us to sincerely follow their footsteps, not blindly but with a commitment to fully understand the inner meaning and purpose of their lives, the challenges they faced and overcame, they message they carry, their sacrifices for humanity, their love for God, their mystical ecstasies etc. For after all they are all our role models, and it is because of their compassion for us they have gifted us with such priceless treasure house of wisdom in the form of the scriptures about which we briefly touched upon earlier. In fact, that is why the great Saint and Guru  -   திருமூலர்   (tirumūlar ) ,  sings thus:

Original Transliteration Translation
தெளிவு குருவின் திருமேனி காண்டல்
தெளிவு குருவின் திரு நாமம் செப்பல்
தெளிவு குருவின் திருவார்த்தை கேட்டல்
தெளிவு குரூவுரு சிந்தித்தல் தானே.
 		teḻivu guruvin tirumēni kāṇḍal
teḻivu guruvin tiru nāmam ceppal
teḻivu guruvin tiruvārtai kēṭṭal
teḻivu guruvuru sindittal thānē 		It is but to see the Guru’s Holy Form
It is but to chant the Guru’s Holy Name
It is but to hear the Guru’s Holy Word,
It is but to muse on Guru’s Holy Being,
That it is the soul its illumination receives.
Into His own, all difference lost
He sure doth make the soul Divine
This is the path called great Siva Bhoga.

-translation by T.N. Ramachandran.
Tamil Reference : திருமந்திரம் (tirumandiram)


But to be honest, I have not done enough homework. I have so far made very little (almost nil) progress in this regard of understanding my  गुरवः  (guravaḥ -  preceptors )  and hence I do not have much to share about them, than my awe and respects to them from the deepest of my hearts. All that, I can do at this point of time is share whatever little I have learnt about them, even if it is just knowing their names.

Having said thus,  let me try now to paint a picture of my views on the spiritualists, religious leaders and philosophers. Although many of my views may not conform to theirs, I do not undermine their greatness. Their greatness has been proved over the years and the massive followings they have left behind them. I in no way deserve to comment on them. The devil does not deserve to comment on the Divine! However, I am of the opinion that the genuine spiritualists who have realized the Truth mean the same though their approaches may differ.

But please be noted that I am not referring here to the fake spiritualists and pseudo religious leaders who are exploiting our ignorance, rather than enlightening us. To hell with them! Yes, we have to neglect them. I am here considering only the genuine  गुरु   (guru -  preceptor ) . But how does one identify a genuine one from the fake imitatons? In other words, what qualifies a real  गुरु   (guru -  preceptor ) ? Well,  जगत्गुरु श्री आदिशंकराचर्य भगवत्पाद   (jagatguru śrī ādiśaṁkarācarya bhagavatpāda)   in his  famous treatise  विवेकचूडामणि   (vivekacūḍāmaṇi)


Original Transliteration Translation
श्रोतियोऽवृजिनोऽकामहतो यो ब्रह्मविदुत्तमः।
ब्रह्मण्यूपरतश्शान्तो निरिन्धन इवानलः॥

 		śrotiyo'vṛjino'kāmahato yo brahmaviduttamaḥ|
brahmaṇyūparataśśānto nirindhana ivānalaḥ|| 		The guru is well-versed in the Vedas; he is sinless; he is not smitten by desire; he is a knower of Brahman; he is super-eminent; withdrawing himself into Brahman, he is ever at peace; he is like a smoldering fire unfed by fuel.
Sanskrit Reference: विवेकचूडामणि (vivekacūḍāmaṇi) (34)



And such an evolved  गुरु   (guru -  preceptor )  plays an unparalleled role in the life of a  साधक   (sādhaka -  student )  not only in  மலபரிபாகம்   /  मलपरिपाक   (malaparipākam / malaparipāka  – fetter ripening / sublimation) ,  but also helps in kindling the higher realms of  ब्रह्मचैतन्य   (brahmacaitanya – spiritual consciousness)  which is latent in the  शिष्य   (śiṣya -  disciple ).  Thus, a  गुरु   (guru -  preceptor )  formally inducts him into the  Rites Of Spititual Passage , technically called as  समयदीक्षा  (samayadīkṣā – spiritual  initiation ).  In the  शारदातिलकतन्त्रम्   ( śāradātilakatantram ),  the concept of  दीक्षा   (dīkṣā -  initiation )  is well defined by   श्री लक्ष्मणदेशिकेन्द्र   ( śrī lakṣmaṇadeśikendra )


Original Transliteration Translation
ज्ञानं दिव्यं यतो दद्यात् कुय्यार्त पापन्दयं यतः।
तस्माद्दीचेति सा प्रोक्ता टोशिकैस्तन्त्तवेदिभिः॥ 		jñānaṁ divyaṁ yato dadyāt kuyyārta pāpandayaṁ yataḥ|
tasmāddīceti sā proktā ṭośikaistanttavedibhiḥ||
Since it is illuminer of knowledge and destroyer of sins, it is called Diksha by the Tantric scholars.
-translation by a board of scholars (Satguru Publications)
Sanskrit Reference:  शारदातिलकतन्त्रम्   ( śāradātilakatantram ) ) (4.1)


According to  कुलागम तन्त्र  ( kulāgama tantra ), there are essentially six milestones in the process of such spiritual  दीक्षा  ( dīkṣā  -  initiation ); in other words, a  गुरु  ( guru - preceptor ) typically plays the following six roles in initiating his  शिष्य  ( śiṣya  -  disciple )  



#

गुरु  (guru - preceptor)

Primary Role Focus

1

प्रेरक  (preraka - initiator)

The  गुरु   (guru- preceptor)  urges the  शिष्य   (śiṣya - disciple)  to the path of  दीक्षा   (dīkṣā   - initiation)

2

सूचक   (sūcaka - inagurator)

He then indicates / recommends the specific  मार्ग   (mārga - path)  to be  followed  by the  शिष्य   (śiṣya - disciple)

3

वाचक   (vācaka - explainer)

He then explains the best ritualistic practices (art) underlying the chosen  मार्ग   (mārga - path)

4

दर्शक   (darśaka - director)

He reveals the esoteric science (wisdom) underlying these practice

5

शीक्षाक   (sīkśaka - preacher)

He preaches the techniques of mastering the same.

6

बोधक   (bhodhaka - illuminator)

Finally, he helps in the final enlightenment the  शिष्य   (śiṣya - disciple)



The next important point to understand is that there could potentially be variations in the maturity levels of  இருவினை ஒப்பு / द्वयकर्मसंय   (iruvinai oppu /dvayakarmasaṃya - neutralizing both karmas) ,   மலபரிபாகம் / मलपरिपाक   (malaparibaagam /malaparipāka – fetter ripening) &  சத்தினிபாதம் /   शक्तिनिपाद ( sattinipādam/ śaktinipāda - downstream flow of grace/energy)   based on the  spiritual quotient  of the  शिष्य   (śiṣya - disciple) . The philosophy of  शैवागम संप्रदाय   (śaivāgama saṃpradāya) ,  for example, refers to a त्रिविधवर्गाः बद्धजीवात्मनस्य ( three-classes of bound corporeal-souls ) viz.


#

कारणचेतनावस्था बद्धजीवात्मनस्य (kāraṇacetanāvasthā baddhajīvātmanasya – causal consciousness state of the bound corporeal soul)

Details

1

केवलात्मन् अवस्था / கேவலாத்மன் அவத்தை (kevalātman avasthā/ k ē val ā tma ṉ avattai– desolate-soul state)

These are the  बद्धात्मनः (baddhātmanaḥ - bound souls) who are  bound (without any operative degrees of freedom) by all the   மும்மலபாசபந்தங்கள் / त्रिमलपाशबन्धाः (mum'malapāsabandaṅgaḷ / trimalapāśabandhāḥ - trifold binding fetters)  viz.

  • ஆணவமலம் / आणवमल (āṇavamalam /āṇavamala – atomic impurity),
  • கன்மமலம் / कर्ममल (kaṉmamalam /karmamala - fatal impurity ) &
  • மாயாமலம் / मायीयमला   (māyāmalam /māyīyamalā - delusive impurity ).   

3

सकलात्मन् अवस्था / சகலாத்மன் அவத்தை (sakalātman avasthā / sakalātmaṉ avattai – mundane / commoner-soul state)

Unlike in the earlier state, these are the  बद्धात्मनः (baddhātmanaḥ - bound souls) who are  bound (with some operative degrees of freedom)  by all the   மும்மலபாசபந்தங்கள் / त्रिमलपाशबन्धाः (mum'malapāsabandaṅgaḷ / trimalapāśabandhāḥ - trifold binding fetters)    

  • ஆணவமலம் / आणवमल (āṇavamalam /āṇavamala – atomic impurity),
  • கன்மமலம் / कर्ममल (kaṉmamalam /karmamala - fatal impurity ) &
  • மாயாமலம் / मायीयमला   (māyāmalam /māyīyamalā - delusive impurity ).   

The operative degrees of freedom bestowed to them here includes तनु (tanu - body), अन्तःकरण (antaḥkaraṇa – inner instrument / mind), भुवन (bhuvana – world) & भोग (bhogi - indulgence).

3

प्रलयात्मन् अवस्था / பிரலயாத்மன் அவத்தை   (pralayātman avasthā / piralayātmaṉ avattai   - annihilation-soul state)

These बद्धात्मनः (baddhātmanaḥ - bound souls) have conquered their   மாயாமலம் / मायीयमला   (māyāmalam /māyīyamalā - delusive impurity )   but are still bound by the remaining two viz . 

  • ஆணவமலம் / आणवमल (āṇavamalam /āṇavamala – atomic impurity) &
  • கன்மமலம் / कर्ममल (kaṉmamalam /karmamala - fatal impurity )

4

विज्ञानकलात्मन्   अवस्था /  விஞானகலாத்மன் அவத்தை (vijñānakalātman avasthā / viñāṉakalātmaṉ avattai - cognitive-soul state)

These are the   बद्धात्मनः (baddhātmanaḥ - bound souls)   who are in the last rung of the spiritual ladder with only one viz.:

  • ஆணவமலம் / आणवमल (āṇavamalam /āṇavamala – atomic impurity)

5

शुद्धात्मन्   अवस्था /  சுத்தாத்மன் அவத்தை (śuddhātman  avasthā / suddātmaṉ avattai - prestine-soul state)

These are the   मुक्तात्मनः (muktātmanaḥ - liberated souls)   who free from the clutches of மும்மலபாசபந்தங்கள் / त्रिमलपाशबन्धाः (mum'malapāsabandaṅgaḷ / trimalapāśabandhāḥ - trifold binding fetters)


Obviously, the  இறை   அருளஂ /  ईश्वर अनुग्रह  (iṛai aruḻ /  īśvara anugraha   – Divine Grace )  bestowed on each   बद्धजीवात्मन् / पशु  ( baddhajīvātman / paśu – bound soul )  varies in accordance with the  लक्षण च संवेग बन्धस्य (lakṣaṇa ca saṃvega bandhasya -  nature and intensity of bondage ), as explained by  திரு   அருள்நந்தி   சிவாச்சாரியார்   (tiru aruḻ nandi sivāccāriyār)  in the following verses of  சிவஞான சித்தியார்  (sivajñānasiddiyār)


Original Transliteration Translation
கருவியால் பொருளால் காட்டால் காலத்தால் கருமந் தன்னால்
உருவினால் அளவால் நூலால் ஒருவரா லுணர்த்த லானும்
அருவனாய் உண்மை தன்னில் அறியாது நிற்ற லானும்
ஒருவனே எல்லாத் தானும் உணர்த்துவன் அருளி னாலே
 		karuviyāl poruḷāl kāṭṭāl kālattāl karuman taṉṉāl
uruviṉāl aḷavāl nūlāl oruvarā luṇartta lāṉum
aruvaṉāy uṇmai taṉṉil aṟiyātu niṟṟa lāṉum
oruvaṉē ellāt tāṉum uṇarttuvaṉ aruḷi ṉālē
The one and only God graciously imparts knowledge to the soul by means of various organs of sense and sensation, by means of luminaries and time, by karma and bodies, by means of books on logic and philosophy and the words of a Guru. The Supreme One after inducing the soul to unite in bodies with senses and undergo pains and pleasures thus make it gather experience, at the right time graciously grants it the higher knowledge.
-Translation by N.Murugesa Mudaliar
Tamil Reference : சிவஞான சித்தியார் (sivajñānasiddiyār)


    Thus, to the  सकलात्मन्  / சகலாத்மன்  (sakalātman /  sakalātman  – mundane / common soul)  who  is fully engrossed in  अशुद्ध माया  ( aśuddha māyā  – impure illusion) , i.e., bound within the  evolutes of  मूल प्रकृति तत्त्व  ( mūla prakṛti tattva  -  gross phenomenal evolutes ), God out of His, infinite compassion, bestows  சாதார   அருளஂ  (sādāra aruḻ  – dependent / supportive grace )  by taking the role of a  गुरु  ( guru -  preceptor )   guiding his  शिष्य  ( śiṣya  -  disciple )   in  படர்கை   உறவு  (paḍarkkai uṛavu  – third person relationship )  - viz. “ He / She / It” .  
     Whereas in the remaining two categories of  जीवात्म  ( jīvātma  –  corporeal souls ) , He offers  நிராதார   அருளஂ  ( niraadhaara aruL  – independent grace )  as  गुरु  ( guru -  preceptor ) in  முனஂனிலை  ( munnilai  –  second person )  &  தனஂமை  ( thanmai  – first person )  capacities respectively. Moreover, there are variations in the modes of  दीक्षा ( dīkṣā -  initiation ) offered by the  गुरु  ( guru -  preceptor ) to his  शिष्य  ( śiṣya  -  disciple )  including the following  प्रकाराः दीक्षस्य ( prakārāḥ dīkṣasya  - modes of initiation )



#

प्रकार दीक्षस्य  (prakāra dīkṣasya – mode of initiation)

1

नयनदीक्षा  (nayanadīkṣā – ocular / visual initiation)

2

  स्रिङ्गारदीक्षा  (sriṅgāradīkṣā)

3

निग्रहदीक्षा  (nigrahadīkṣā)

4

अनुग्रहदीक्षा  (anugrahadīkṣā)

5

स्पर्शदीक्षा  (sparśadīkṣā – initiation by touch)

6

वाचकदीक्षा  (vācakadīkṣā – vocal initiation)

7

मानसदीक्षा  (mānasadīkṣā –  psychic initiation)

8

  शास्त्रदीक्षा  (śāstradīkṣā -  scriptural initiation)

9

होतृ  /   क्रिया दीक्षा  (hotṛ /   kriya dīkṣā – lithurgic / ritualistic initiation)

10

ज्ञानदीक्षा  (jñānadīkṣā – cognitive initiation)  which can be further classified as

·         बीजदीक्षा   (bīja dīkṣā – seeded initiation)

·         निर्बीजदीक्षा   (nirbīja dīkṣā – unseeded initiation)




குருவே   சரணம்  (guruv ē  sara ṇ am -  salutations to preceptor)

Having understood thus, let us sincerely pay our humble salutations to all our  गुरु  ( guru - preceptor)  from the deepest of our hearts. I take this an opportunity to salute these great  गुरु   (guru - preceptor)  with the deepest reverence and respects, for their noble service of helping humanity to understand its spiritual purpose and recommended strategies for achieving the same.



#

वर्ग गुरूनाम्  (varga gurūnām – category of preceptors)

1

  परब्रह्म  (parabrahma - Supreme Divinity / God)

 

2

·Our Beloved Parents

A

हिन्दु सनतनधर्म   (hindu sanatanadharma – eternal hinduism)

3

वेद   मन्त्र   ऋषि   कवि   (veda mantra ṛṣi kavi)

4

ऋषिमुन्यः उपनिषदानाम्  (munyaḥ upaniṣadānām-  sages of upanishads )

5

सप्त ब्रह्मऋष्यः  (sapta brahmaṛṣyaḥ -  seven divine seers )

6

ऋषिमुन्यः षडास्तिकदर्शनानाम्    (ṛṣimunyaḥ ṣaḍāstikadarśanānām  –  seer sages of six orthodox philosophies)

7

गुरुपरंपरा स्मार्तमतसंप्रदायस्य   (guruparaṃparā smārtamatasaṃpradāyasya – preceptor-lineage of Smarta theological tradition)

8

गुरुपरंपरा श्रीवैष्णवमतसंप्रदायस्य   (guruparaṃparā śrīvaiṣṇavamatasaṃpradāyasya – perecptor-lineage of Sri Vaishnava theological tradition)

9

गुरुपरंपर ब्रह्मवैष्णवमतसंप्रदायस्य  (guruparaṃpara brahmavaiṣṇavamatasaṃpradāyasya –  preceptor lineage of brahma vishnava theological tradition )

10

गुरुपरंपर औपाधिकभेदाभेदवेदान्त उत्तरमीमांसदर्शन  ( guruparaṃpara  aupādhikabhedābhedavedānta uttaramīmāṃsadarśana –  preceptor lineage of  deceptive different yet non-different final wisdom posterior inquiry philosophy)

11

गुरुपरंपर कुमारवैष्णवमतसंप्रदायस्य  (guruparaṃpara  kumāravaiṣṇavamata saṃpradāya  sya –  precptor lineage of kumara vishnava theological tradition )

12

गुरुपरंपर रुद्रवैष्णवमत संप्रदायस्य  (guruparaṃpara  rudravaiṣṇavamata saṃpradāya sya –  precptor lineage of rudravishnava theological tradition )

13

गुरुपरंपर गौडियवैष्णवमत संप्रदायस्य  (guruparaṃpara  gauḍiyavaiṣṇavamata  saṃpradāya sya –  precptor lineage of  gaudiya vaishnava  theological tradition )

14

गुरुपरंपर सिद्धान्तशैव संप्रदायस्य  (guruparaṃpara  siddhāntaśaiva saṃpradāyasya  –  precptor lineage of  final accomplishment auspisciousness  theological tradition )

15

गुरुपरंपर वीरशैव संप्रदायस्य  (guruparaṃpara  vīraśaiva saṃpradāyasya  –  precptor lineage of  brave auspisciousness  theological tradition )

16

गुरुपरंपर वेदान्तशैव संप्रदायस्य  (guruparaṃpara  vedāntaśaiva saṃpradāyasya  –  precptor lineage of  final wisdom  auspiecious theological tradition )

17

गुरुपरंपर त्रिकशैवसंप्रदायस्य  (guruparaṃpara  trikaśaivasaṃpradāyasya  –  preceptor lineage of triadic auspicious tradition )

18

நாதசித்த மரபு   /   नाथसिद्ध संप्रदाय   (nātasidda marabu /   nāthasiddha saṃpradāya  - nath siddha tradition)

19

ரசசித்தர்மரபு  /  रससिद्ध संप्रदाय  (rasasiddha marabu / rasasiddha saṃpradāya – rasa siddha traditions)

 

20

மகேஷ்வர சித்தர் மரபு  /  महेश्वरसिद्ध संप्रदाय  (mag ē ṣvara siddar marabu / maheśvarasiddha saṃpradāya – maheshvara siddha tradition)

21

சங்கடசித்தர் சித்தர் மரபு  /   सङ्घटसिद्ध संप्रदाय  (saṅkaṭasiddar marabu  / saṅghaṭasiddha saṃpradāya – maheshvara siddha tradition)

22

தமிழ்  சைவ நாயன்மார்கள்   (tamiḻ  saiva nāyanmārgaḻ -  Tamil saivite leaders)

23

தமிழ் வைணவ   ஆழ்வார்கள்   (tamiḻ  vaiṇava āḻvārgaḷ -  Tamil vaishnavite leaders)

24

கௌமாரமத குருமார்கள்  (kaumāramata kurumārgaḷ - kaumara theology preceptors)

25

दासमार्गसाध्वः कर्णाटक्स्य  ( dāsamārgasādhvaḥ karṇāṭaksya – servitude-path saints of karnataka)

26

मार्गसाध्वः महाराष्ट्रस्य  ( sādhvaḥ mahārāṣṭrasya – servitude-path saints of Maharashtra)

27

साध्वः मार्ग पञ्चापस्य  ( sādhvaḥ mārga pañcāpasya– servitude-path saints of Punjab)

B

जैन  सनतनधर्म   (jaina sanatanadharma – eternal jainism)

28

चतुर्विंशति जैनतीर्तङ्कराः  (c aturviṃśati jainatīrtaṅkarāḥ - twentyfour jain perfected souls)

29

गणधाराः  /  शिष्याः   जैन तीर्तण्कराणाम्   ( gāṇadhārāḥ  /  śiṣyāḥ   tīrtaṇkarāṇām  – attendants / disciples of the jain perfected soul )

C

बौद्धसनतनधर्म   (baudhasanatanadharma – eternal buddhism)

30

दशमुख्यशिष्याः श्री गौतमबुद्धस्य  (daśamukhyaśiṣyāḥ śrī gautamabuddhasya – ten main disciples of Gautaama Buddha)

31

माध्यमकदर्शन महायानबौद्धधर्मस्य  (mādhyamakadarśana mahāyānabauddhadharmasya – middleway philosophy of  Greater Vehicle Buddhism)

32

योगचार/विज्ञानप्तिमात्र दर्शन महायानबौद्धधर्मस्य महायानबौद्धधर्मस्य  (yogacāra/vijñānaptimātra darśana mahāyānabauddhadharmasya – unitive-disciple / consciousness-only philosophy of  Greater Vehicle Buddhism)

D

Sikhism

33

Saints of Sikhism

E

Abrahamic Religions

34

Hebrew Apostles  & Rabbis of Judaism

35

Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity

 

36

12 Direct Apostles of Christ

 

37

Other Christian Saints 

38

Islamic & Sufi Saints

 

F

Theosophical society

39

Theosophists

G

Chinese Saints

40

Saints of Confusianism

41

Saints of Taosim

G

Persian  Saints

42

Saints of Zorastrianism

H

Greek  Saints

43

Greek Philosophers

I

Western Philosophers

44

Medieaval western philosophers

I

Modern Scientists

45

Modern Physcists

46

Modern Biologists

47

Modern Chemists

48

Modern Information technologists

49

Modern Mathematicians

50

Modern Astro-physcists

J

Our own self


·  

    Before proceeding further, I would like to offer my humble servitude to all these Divine souls by reflecting here the unparalleled verses of the Saiva saint  திரு   நம்பி   ஆருரான்  (thiru nambi aarUraan )  better known as  சுந்தரமூர்த்தி   நாயனார் ( sundharamUrththi   naayanaar ) . In his mystic state of  दास   भाव   (dāsa bhāva)  highlighting supreme modesty, outpours his gratitude to the entire of gamut of not only  गुरु   (guru - preceptors ), but to every true  பக்த்தன்  ( bhakthan - devotee).



Original Transliteration Translation
பத்தராய்ப் பணிவார்கள் எல்லார்க்கும் அடியேன்
பரமனையே பாடுவார் அடியார்க்கும் அடியேன்
சித்தத்தைச் சிவன்பாலே வைத்தார்க்கும் அடியேன்
திருவாரூர்ப் பிறந்தார்கள் எல்லார்க்கும் அடியேன்
முப்போதுந் திருமேனி தீண்டுவார்க் கடியேன்
முழுநீறு பூசிய முனிவர்க்கும் அடியேன்
அப்பாலும் அடிச்சார்ந்தார் அடியார்க்கும் அடியேன்
ஆரூரன் ஆரூரில் அம்மானுக் காளே
 		pattarāyp paṇivārkaḷ ellārkkum aṭiyēṉ
paramaṉaiyē pāṭuvār aṭiyārkkum aṭiyēṉ
cittattaic civaṉpālē vaittārkkum aṭiyēṉ
tiruvārūrp piṟantārkaḷ ellārkkum aṭiyēṉ
muppōtun tirumēṉi tīṇṭuvārk kaṭiyēṉ
muḻunīṟu pūciya muṉivarkkum aṭiyēṉ
appālum aṭiccārntār aṭiyārkkum aṭiyēṉ
ārūraṉ ārūril ammāṉuk kāḷē 		Servitor am I to all that bow unto as pious devotees
Servitor am I to servitors that sing the Supreme ONE
Servitor am I to those with their conscious poised in Sivam
Servitor am I to they that get born in all births in Tiruvaaroor
Servitor am I to they do rites propitiatory to the holy mien in all canonical hours
Servitor am I to all sages wearing holy ash all over
Servitor am I to all that reach unto Lord's Feet in all Time beyond
Slave Aarooran am I serving the Fair Lord in Aaroor

translation by S. A. Sankaranarayanan, Kumbakonam
Tamil Reference : சுந்தரர்தேவாரம் (sundarardēvāram)


Interestingly, on an almost similar note, the revered Vaishnava saint  நம்மாழ்வார்  ( nammaazhvaar ) in his magnum opus mystical masterpiece  திருவாய்மொழி  ( thiruvaaimozhi )  also shows his modest respects to all the  பாகவதர்கள்  ( baagavathargaL  -  devotees ) irrespective of class, caste of creed and even to the extent of respecting the devotion of sinners – thereby giving even the devil its rightful due, as testified in the following verses


Original Transliteration Translation
குளம் தாங்கு சாதிகள் நாளிலும் கீழிருந்து எத்தனை
நலம் தான் இல்லத சண்டால சண்டாளர்களாகிலும்
வலம் தாங்கு சக்கரத்து அன்னல் மணிவண்ணற்கு ஆள் என்று
உள்கலத்தார் அடியார் தம் அடியார் எம் அடிகளே
அடி ஆர்ந்த வையும் உண்டு ஆல் இல்லை அன்ன வசம் செய்யும்
படியாதும் இல்குழவிப் படிஎந்தல் பிரான் தனக்கு
அடியார் அடியார்தம் அடியார் அடியார் தமக்கு
அடியார் அடியார்தம் அடியார் அடியோங்களே
 		kulam tāṅgu sādigaḻ nālilum kīḹ iḷndu ettanai
nalamtān ilāda saṇḍāḻa saṇḍāḻargaḻāgilum
valam tāṅgu cakkarattu annal maṇivaṇṇaṛku āḻ enṛu
uḻkalattār aḍiyār tam aḍiyār em aḍigaḻē
aḍi ārnda vaiyam uṇḍu āl ilai anna vasam seiyum
paḍiādum ilkuḹavip paḍi endhai pirān tanakku
aḍiyār aḍiyārtam aḍiyār aḍiyār tamakku
aḍiyār aḍiyārtam aḍiyār aḍiyōṅgaḻē.
They are my masters who are the servants of servants who come together
desiring service to the Lord of saffire-hue with the discus in His right
hand, even if they ar candAlas of candAlas, without any goodness in them, lower than the lowest of the four castes in their lineage. We are the servants of servants of servants etc. of seven counts of the servants of the Chief who lay as a baby of unsurpassed beauty on a banyan leaf, having swallowed the worlds which he trod on (as vAmana)
Tamil Reference : திருவாய்மொழி (thiruvaaimozhi)




Yes, all these Prophets, Messiahs, Preachers and teachers have been directly as well as indirectly influencing the whole of mankind in general, and each of one of us particularly, in one way or the other. They have been kindling the spiritual urge in us; my heartfelt respects to them. Here, I would like to specifically highlight the slow, silent and seemingly insignificant but in reality, very effective role played by the last few roles in the list above. Yes, the important point to understand, appreciate, acknowledge and reflect within each of us is that we were not only being spiritually initiated, lead or guided by the Graceful compassion of all the erstwhile saintly guru's directly from the heavens. But these compassionate Gurus, also reach us indirectly in the guides of many mortal forms of personalities - around us in our day to day lives. There could be no greater example than our own parents who were our first and foremost Gurus. - Friend, philosopher & guides.



சபரிமலை- யாத்திரை  குருசுவாமிகள்    (sabarimalai yāttirai  gurusuvāmigaḷ  - sabarimala-pilgrimage preceptors)

I began to taste the  आनन्द  (ānanda – bliss) of the  சபரிமலை   யாத்திரை  (sabarimalai yāttirai - sabarimala pilgrimage) only after going through the process of immersive experience. From then on ,  I became a great admirer of the system and a regular visitor to  சபரிமலை  (sabarimalai)  joining the group of my brother-in-law and his cousins. Initially, I started going on the pilgrimage at least once a year by  சின்னப்பாதை  (ciṉṉappādai – short trek).

Eventually, my respects for this system increased multi-fold, when I got my first  பெரியப்பாதை   ( periyappādai – long trek)  opportunity, by joining my friend Gopi and his brothers.  பெரியப்பாதை   யாத்திரை  (periyappādai yāttirai - long trek pilgrimage) without doubt is one of my most memorable experiences that has literally made me fall in love with this system. I consider it as one of the most valuable gifts from God. In fact, whenever I think of this, I would melt down, reflecting the following golden verses of the popular song,


Original Transliteration Translation
இந்த ஜீவன் என்பது உள்ளவரை
என் உள்ளம் வணங்கும் சபரிமலை
ஹரிஹர சுதனை பாடும்வரை
வாழினவினில் தோன்றும் சாந்த் நிலை 		inta jīvaṉ eṉpatu uḷḷavarai
eṉ uḷḷam vaṇaṅkum caparimalai
harihara cutaṉai pāṭumvarai
vāḻiṉaviṉil tōṉṟum cānt nilai
Tamil Reference : ஐயப்பன் பஜனைப்பாடல் (aiyappaṉ bajaṉaippāḍal)

   





Later, a few years ago, I came to know that my wife’s cousin brother named Annand happens to visit  சபரிமலை  (sabarimalai) every month without fail. His dedication and devotion further inspired me and I even had the opportunity of joining his group (RBI staff group) once.

From then on, although I could not afford to consistently maintain the similar frequency as my cousin (12 times a year), by God’s Grace, as of now, I at least manage to visit  சபரிமலை  (sabarimalai) regularly, at a minimum of two times a year - viz., typically  சின்னப்பாதை  (ciṉṉappādai – short trek) during June – July time frame and  பெரியப்பாதை   யாத்திரை  (periyappādai yāttirai - long trek pilgrimage) during the Dec – Jan season.
More recently, in the last two years, I was introduced to the  ஐயப்பா   சேவாசங்கம்  (aiyappā sēvāsaṅgam) belonging to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai  through Jayakarna, who was my colleague at HCL and through him, his beloved brother Rukmakanth. As on date, this group happens to be one of the largest and most passionate groups in Chennai pursuing  சபரிமலை   யாத்திரை  (sabarimalai yāttirai - sabarimala pilgrimage) .  I had the Divine blessings of joining this esteemed group. I also consider it a blessing to have met the senior and elderly  குருசுவாமி  (gurusuvāmi)  by name  சுகுமார்   சுவாமி  (sukumār swami), who had even visited  காந்தமலை  (gāndhamalai – magnet mountain)  a couple of times.   
I owe my heart felt, lifetime gratitude to the following persons, who played a critical role in introducing me to this system viz.  My friend Gopi and his brother Sukumar, my elder sister Jayasathya and my brother-in-law, Suresh, my cousins ‘Mahi’ Saravanan, Dhamu and ‘Chumki Saravanan’, my wife’s cousin Anand and above all to my revered  குருசுவாமிகள்   (gurusuvāmigaḷ - preceptor-gods) .



2006 Cousin's team with  குருசுவாமி (gurusuvāmi - preceptor-god)  at the Center

Collage Friend  குருசுவாமிகள்   (gurusuvāmigaḷ - preceptor-gods) : Gopi & Sukumar
Revered IIT  குருசுவாமிகள்   (gurusuvāmigaḷ - preceptor-gods)


सामयिक आचार्यदेवो भवः ( sāmayika ācāryadevo bhavaḥ - salutations to present teachers )

    I would next like to offer my sincere salutations from the deepest of my heart to all my  शास्त्र आचार्याः  (śāstra ācāryāḥ - present teachers)   from whom I am currently learning specific scriptural texts and philosophies.      

#

आचार्य   (ācārya - teacher)

दर्शन  (darśana – philosophy)

1

Acharya Sri. Nallur Saravanan,

शुद्धाद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्तदर्शन  ( śuddhādvaitaśaivasiddhāntadarśana  – prestine non-dualistic auspiscious final accomplishment philosophy )

2

Acharya Srimati. Ranjani Meenakshi Sundaram,

विशिष्टाद्वैतवेदान्तदर्शन  ( viśiṣṭādvaita vedānta darśana – qualified non-dualistic  final-wisdom  philosophy)

न्याय  दर्शन   ( nyāya darśana – philosophy of epistemology/logic )

3

Acharya Sri Motilal Pandit

परमाद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्तदर्शन  ( paramādvaitaśaivasiddhāntadarśana  – supreme non-dualistic auspiscious final accomplishment philosophy )

4

Acharya Sri Sthaneshvar Timalsina

परमाद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्तदर्शन  ( paramādvaitaśaivasiddhāntadarśana  – supreme non-dualistic auspiscious final accomplishment philosophy )

5

Acharya Sri Rangaji, Brahma Vidya,

केवलाद्वैतवेदान्तदर्शन  (kevalādtvaita vedānta darśana – absolute non-dualistic  final-wisdom  philosophy)

6

Acharya Sri Dattanubhava Tengse

न्याय  दर्शन   ( nyāya darśana – philosophy of epistemology/logic )

8

Acharya Ilangai Jayaraj

शुद्धाद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्तदर्शन  ( śuddhādvaitaśaivasiddhāntadarśana  – prestine non-dualistic auspiscious final accomplishment philosophy )

9

Acharya K Sivakumar

शुद्धाद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्तदर्शन  ( śuddhādvaitaśaivasiddhāntadarśana  – prestine non-dualistic auspiscious final accomplishment philosophy )




मातापितृ   देवो   भवः  (mātāpitṛ devo bhava - salutation to parents)

Of course, our beloved parents are naturally our first and best, friend philosopher and guiding gurus  both genetically and otherwise they are constantly transmitting wisdom in various forms – language, morals, love, religion etc.  I am just reminded of the following famous verses


Original Transliteration Translation
தாயிற் சிறந்த கோயிலும் இல்லை
தந்தை சொல்மிக்க மந்திரம் இல்லை
ஆயிரம் உறவில் பெருமைகள் இல்லை
அன்னை தந்தையே அன்பின் எல்லை
தன்னலம் அற்றது தாயின் நெஞ்சம்
தாய்மை நிறைந்தது கடவுளின் நெஞ்சம்
மண்ணுயிர் காப்பவர் மாந்தருள் தெய்வம்
அன்னையும் பிதாவும் முன்னறி தெய்வம் 		tāyir ciṛanda kOyilum illai
tantai solmilla mandiram illai
āyiram uṛavil perumaigaḻ illai
annai tantaiyē anbin ellai.

tannalam aṛṛadu tāyin nenjam
tāimai niṛaindadu kaḍavuin nenjam
maṇṇuyir kāppavar māndaruḻ deivam
annaiyum pitāvum munnaṛi deivam. 		There is no greater God than one’s own mother.
There is no greater mantra than Father's words
There is nothing prideful about having thousand relations
(when) mather and father are the pinnacle of love

unselfish is mother's heart
motherly is God's heart
one who protects life on earth is god among men
mother and father are the first-knowable gods
Tamil Reference : பூவை செங்குட்டுவன் பாடல்(pūvai seṅguṭṭavan pāḍal)



I would like to offer my herefelt salutations to my parents and grandparents 



#

Category

Names

1

Paternal Grandparents

Sri Kumaraswami S.P

2

Sri Parvathi Kumaraswami

3

Maternal Grandparents

Sri Dhanakoti

4

Srimati Ambujam Dhanakoti

5

Parents

Sri Santhamoorthy S.K.

6

Srimati Sivagamasundari

7

Parents-in-Law

Sri Balasubramaniyan

8

Sri Rajini Balasubramaniyan


  

Salutations to peer gurus & social networks

Again, there are various other, what I would like to call as the peer gurus amidst each of us who have been indirectly influencing our spiritual journey one way or the other. If we all honestly turn back and browse through the pages of our own spiritual pilgrimage so far, it would be obviously evident that we have been silently learning from many people - brothers, sisters, relatives, friends, colleagues, co-travelers, enemies etc. Many of spiritual learning, directions we would have received, unexpectedly, unknowingly from such peer gurus in a very casual manner. Many times, it is subconscious influence, and we may fail to recognize it at that point of time but realize it when we self-introspect latter. Interestingly, this is not one-way traffic; we are also silently influencing the other, from our end. Yes, that’s why i call it peer to peer influencing. But unfortunately, many times we fail to appreciate or acknowledge it openly and thank our peers for being a positive influence (a guru) to us. Many a times our stupid fetters called Ego comes in the way to openly acknowledge our learning from our own peers.


  I take my opportunity on this sacred day, to extend my respects to all such direct and indirect peer Gurus, who have helped in my pilgrim’s progress. 


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Category

Names

A

Family & Relations

1

Sisters

Srimati. Jayasatya Suresh

2

Srimati. Nivedita Prabhakar

3

Spouse

Srimati. Vidya Shankar

4

Children

Sri Deepa Kartika

5

Sri Yamuna Shree

6

Brother In Law

Sri Suresh V.S.

7

Sri Prabhakar

8

Other relations

Close cousins

C

Friends

1

Best Friends

Sri. Karthikeyan L

2

Sri. Ramalingam B

3

Sri. Gopi T.K.

4

Sri. Nagarajan V

5

Sri. Nagaraj

6

Good friends at work-places

Govindarajan TML

7

Lakshminarayanan Madhavan

 

Madhusudan Hanumanthrao

 

Venkat

8

Vijay Srinivasan

 

Meenakshi Sundaram Murali



In the heart felt words of the great saint and mystic poet,  திருஅருட்பிரகாச   இராமலிங்க   வள்லலார்   (tiru aruṭpirakāsa irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār), I pay my respects to all of them


Original Transliteration Translation
எவ்வுயிர்க்கும் பொது எனக் கண்டிரங்கி
உபகைகின்றார் யாவர் அதச்
செவ்வியர்தம் செயல் அனைத்தும்
திரு அருளின் செயல் எனவே அத்திருவாளர்
தமக்கேவல் களிப்பால் செய்ய
ஒவ்வைதென் கருத்தவார் சீர் ஓதிட
என் வாய்மிகவும் ஊர்வதலோ 		evvuyirkkum podu enak kaṇḍiraṅgi
ubagarikinḍrār yāvar andac
sevviyartam seyal anaittum
tiru aruḻin seyal enavē attiruvaruḻālar
tamakkēval kaḻippal seiyya
ovvaiten karuttavār sīr ōdiḍa
en vāi migavum ūrvadalō 		Whosoever sees all life as the effulgent abodeof my Lord,
Whosoever is compassionate and relives the suffering and sorrows of living beings,
I have come to know, my Lord that all the activities of those beautiful souls are activities of Divine Grace.
I have come to know too that their blessed souls are free from sorrow and suffering, and they are Thy loving devotees.
My Lord! My mouth earnestly longs to utter the praise of those loving devotees. I yearn to serve them and rejoice.
Tamil Reference :திரு அருட்பா (tiru aruṭpā)



In today’s Digital Age of  Information Technology   revolution , I also would like here to include the virtual non-human gurus - the World Wide Web at large social network platforms  which have been indirectly serving mankind as the most easily reachable source of wisdom


#

Category

1

Facebook Friends

2

Facebook Groups

3

Whasapp Groups

4

Clubhouse

5

Twitter


 I honestly find Facebook for example a very powerful medium for sharing spiritual information among friends. So many friends are sharing content on these social networks which have great spiritual content. There are so many people who learn about sacred scriptures, religion, philosophies, spiritual / religious events etc. from these postings. I am myself a direct beneficiary of it. I am my own greatest proof for that. The beauty of such medium is that it helps like-minded people to collaborate, share and learn from each other. A smart seeker form whom every source is spiritual source, learns from every possible channel. To quote  திருவள்ளுவர்  ( tiruvaḻḻuvar)


Original Transliteration Translation
எப்பொருள் யார் யார் வாய் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள்
மெய்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு 		epporuḻ yār yār vāi keṭpinum apporuḻ
meipporuḻ kāṇbadaṛivu 		From whomsoever one hears about a thing,
it is wisdom to understand the true import of it
Tamil Reference :திருக்குறள் (tirukkuṛaḻ)


Interestingly, such a learner not only learns from it but is also kind enough to share it with the rest of his friends, in the lines of what saint  திருமூலர்   (tirumūlar)  says:


Original Transliteration Translation
யான் பெற்ற இன்பம் பெறுக இவ்வையகம்
வான்பற்றி நின்ற மறை பொருள் சொல்லிடின்
ஊன் பற்றி நின்ற உணர்வுறு மந்திரம்
தான் பற்றப் பற்றத் தலைப்படும் தானே 		yān peṛṛa inbam peruga ivvaiyagam
vānpaṛṛ ninṛa maṛai poruḻ solliḍin
ūn paṛṛi ninṛa uṇarvuṛu mandiram
tān paṛṛa talai paḍum tāṇE 		Bliss To Humanity
All the world may well attain the
Bliss I have;
Who hold firm to the Heavenly
secret the Books impart,
Who chant the hymns that thrill
the flesh
And swell the heart,
They, sure, take their place in
foremost rank.
Translation by Dr. B. Natarajan
Tamil Reference :திருமந்திரம் (tirumandiram)

स्वयमात्म   वन्दनम्  (svayamātma vandanam – salutations to one’s own self)

Last, but (definitely) not the least, I would like to highlight one of the most neglected aspect that we are our own greatest Guru. There can be no greater teacher than your own soul. To quote Swami Vivekananda,

 “ You have to grow from inside out, none can teach, none can make you spiritual, there is no other teacher except your own soul ”. 


In fact, the  Swamiji further declares

 “ What Jesus or Buddha or Mosses did is nothing to us unless we too do it for ourselves. It would not satisfy our hunger to shut ourselves in a room and think what Moses ate nor would what Moses thought would save us My ideas are very radical on these points, sometimes I think I am right when I agree with all the ancient teachers, at other times I think they are right when they agree with me. I believe in thinking independently. I believe in becoming entirely free from the holy teachers. Pay all references to them but look at religion as an independent research; I have to find my light just as they found theirs. Their finding the light will not satisfy us at all. You have to become the Bible and not to follow it except to pay reverence to it as a light on the way as a guide post that’s all the value it has .”


Philosophically speaking, your student and teacher are two sides of the same coin – the one absolute divinity. The  जीवात्म   (jīvātma – corporeal soul)  is a reflection of the  अन्तर्यामि   परमात्म  ( antaryāmi paramātma – indwelling supreme divinity) . The former is the student, the latter is the teacher. Both are two sides of the same coin, as testified by  परमाचार्य   श्री   अभिनवगुप्त  ( paramācārya śrī abhinavagupta )  in his famous work  परात्रिंशिकाविवर्ण   (parātriṁśikāvivarṇa)



Original Transliteration Translation
स्वात्मा सर्व भाव स्वभावः स्वयं प्रकाशमानः स्वात्मानामेव स्वात्मा विभिन्नेन प्रश्नप्रतिविचानात् प्रष्तृ प्रतिवल्टृस्वात्मयेन अहंतयाचमत्कुर्व्न्विमर्शति svātmā sarva bhāva svabhāvaḥ svayaṁ prakāśamānaḥ svātmānāmeva svātmā vibhinnena praśnaprativicānāt praṣtṛ prativalṭṛsvātmayena ahaṁtayācamatkurvnvimarśati The Self which is present in every form and is self-luminous, does both the questioning and answering as if by dividing itself into the questioner and the answerer, both being itself at the same time.
Sanskrit Reference: परात्रिंशिकाविवर्ण (parātriṁśikāvivarṇa)



Thus, there is mutual interdependency between the teacher and student and in fact, a healthy synergy between these two roles is indispensable for effective spiritual education. In fact, the famous  शान्ति   मन्त्र   (śānti mantra – peace mantra)  in the sacred  तैत्तिरीय   उपनिषद्  (taittirīya upaniṣad)  was an integral part of their regular prayers in every  गुरुकुल   (gurukula)


Original Transliteration Translation
ॐ सह नाववतु सह नौ भुनक्तु।
सह वेर्यम् करवावहै।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै।
ॐ सन्तिः सन्तिः सन्तिः॥
 		om saha nāvavatu saha nau bhunaktu|
saha veeryam karavāvahai|
tejasvi nāvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai|
om santiḥ santiḥ santiḥ||
 		May the Eternal guard us both!
May the Eternal rule us both!
May we make a bold attempt!
May our studies become illuminative!
May no differences arise between us!
In the name of the Eternal,
Peace! Peace! Peace!
Sanskrit Reference: तैत्रीय उपनिषद् (taitrīya upaniṣad)


Again,  His Holiness  भगवान्   श्री   रमणमह ऋषि (bhagav ā n  ś ri rama ṇ amaha ṛṣ i) , one of the most enlightened  जीवन्   मुक्त   ब्रह्म   ज्ञानि    (jīvan mukta brahma jñāni )  in recent centuries, very categorically declares thus, as registered by his principle disciple  ஸ்ரீ   முருகநார்   (Sri Mrurganaar)  in his  குரு   கவச   கோவை  (guru kavas a kOvai – garland of Guru’s sayings) :    

“ The Self-Consciousness which shines after the destruction of the [root] thought – the identification with any one of the [three] bodies as ‘I’ – is, the Almighty Power [Akila Para Shakti] who resides as ‘I’ in the hearts of all created beings. This natural Self-Consciousness of mere Existence, without any sense of duality, is the Supreme Silence, which is glorified [by the scriptures] as the perfection of Jnana, and which cannot be known by the ego, the foolish demon-nature. Know and discover that He alone who possesses such Akila Para Shakti [i.e., the Power of Supreme Silence which consumes all by remaining as mere Existence-Self-Consciousness], is the Real Guru who can by His unlimited Grace merge any soul who comes to Him into the non-dual Self, the Jnana beyond all speech. Truly, perfect discipleship – which is the steadfast Supreme Devotion that flares up with the merging of the ego into the Light of Supreme Stillness [i.e. Self-Consciousness] – is alone the right Guruship. Thus, you should know. He who turns you towards Self and reveals to you the knowledge of Self, is the Guru. In truth He is Self and He is God. Cling to Him… Since one does not love to listen to the teaching of the Supreme Self, which is ever going on in the Heart, one comes out with great enthusiastic delusion. Because of this, one needs a Guru outside…  That Self-Consciousness [Sat-Chit] which shines in all, as All, is the Guru ”.





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