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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Role and duties of eminent teachers

 

CHENNAI, OCT. 6. Anyone who aspires to gain liberation by

slipping out of the clutches of the worldly pulls should approach

a qualified teacher who will impart deep knowledge about our

religious tradition and the steps that he should adopt to realise

God. A sincere student in need of spiritual knowledge should seek

such a scholar of repute with all humility and request him to

teach as to how to tread the correct path.

 

Such knowledge can be obtained from any genuine source unmindful

of age or any other consideration of the person who spreads it.

He should have mastered the Vedas and should have gone through

rigorous training and should be duly empowered to teach the

lessons to interested disciples. It is well known that while a

king will be revered in his kingdom, a scholar will be honoured

and respected wherever he goes. Such a teacher will not be a mere

mercenary, but will transmit the Vedic truths to all. Students

who hailed from wealthy families used to repay their debt of

gratitude in kind and cash while the poor attended on his

comforts and were of service to him.

 

The role and duties of such eminent teachers of the past were

explained by the Sakatapuram Sankaracharya in a discourse. A

master, adept in Vedic knowledge, will light up the imperishable

lamp of spiritual tradition in deserving disciples who have been

tested and found fit. For, such luminaries who were engaged in

providing knowledge about the Upanishads and other branches did

not undertake such a task on a commercial basis, i.e. for profit

alone.

 

The Vedic injunctions were conveyed to students who had faith,

who were virtuous and who remained grateful for the help

rendered. The Gurus were full of compassionate grace and these

methods of instruction created in the disciples noble qualities.

But the service that the students do for their teachers should

spring from love. A poor student was always eager to please his

master and was requesting him to visit his house. Once,

unexpectedly and surprisingly the Guru stepped into his house.

Admiring his keenness to serve, the Guru left with him his golden

Padukas for careful custody and for return at a later stage. The

disciple, however, sold it and when the master returned, honoured

him with good lunch and gifts. When the Padukas were asked to be

returned the disciple said he had sold them only to please the

Guru. That should not be the type of service. Even as the teacher

should be fully equipped with scriptural knowledge, the disciple

too should have certain qualifications. If asked to jump into a

river, he should do so without any hesitation. Obedience must be

his hallmark.

 

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