Qualities of True Guru

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Jaya Guru Datta

 

http://www.sadguruseva.org/sss/sssMain.html

 

Guru Ð The Remover of Ignorance

The dispeller of ignorance is called Guru. In this two-lettered word, ÔguÕ

stands for

darkness, and ÕruÕ means, the remover of darkness. It is the ignorance of oneÕs

own self

that causes all misery and suffering. This ignorance can be removed only by a

person who

himself has known or realized the Self.

 

According to Sri Vedanta Desika, the chief characteristics of a Guru are: He

must be Siddha

(Perfect), and have complete knowledge of the parampara (tradition); well-versed

in

scriptures (shaastras), firmly rooted in Brahman (the Supreme Self); truthful

and saatvik

(Godly and pure); should have unblemished conduct, and be free from vanity and

jealousy;

a master of the sense-organs and a dependable friend; compassionate and ready to

punish a student, when he goes astray, and dedicated to the spiritual welfare of

himself

and others.

 

Those, sincerely desirous of obtaining the knowledge of the ÔSelfÓ and the

consequent

liberation from samsaara (worldy bondage) i.e, the cycle of births and deaths,

should

aspire for and approach such a ÔGuruÕ.

 

Sri Guru Datta