Guru Brahma

           In Sanatana Dharma, a teacher is given the status of God. The sloka “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwaraha, Guru Sakshat Para Brahma,  Tasmaishree Gurave Nahamha”  means Guru is the representative of Brahma, the Creator of knowledge,  Vishnu, the Sustainer of wisdom and Shiva, the Destroyer of darkness, Guru is the Almighty to whom we bow before, the Para Brahma.  In the Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva tells Maa Gauri that enlightenment is possible only with the help of a Guru thereby pupil is shown as dependent on Guru and in Bhagvata Purana, Krishna says that Guru is one who provokes insight indicating the independence of the student. Both these highlight the importance of a teacher in our life for attaining knowledge that provokes thinking.

In today’s context, Guru could be a school teacher, university professor, sports coach, dance or music teacher, fitness trainer or coordinator in a short or medium term courses. He could be a teacher just for an occasion. Still, he/she deserves respect and devotion. Following incident from Ramayana clearly brings out how a student need to conduct himself with a teacher.

Lord Rama, after hitting Ravana with the arrow, asked Lakshamana to go to Ravana and obtain as much knowledge possible from him before he finally breathes. Ravana, son of a Rishi, is a well educated person and is a scholar of the Vedas and is considered as an expert in astrology and a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Obeying the orders of Lord Rama, Lakshmana visited Ravana standing near his head said “Oh Ravana! Before you leave for heaven, please share your knowledge”. But Ravana did not even look at him. Lakshman returned to his brother and said Ravana was not interested in sharing anything. After learning that Lakshmana stood near Ravana’s head, Rama told Lakshmana “If you want Ravana to teach, you better behave like a student”. Looking at the hesitant Lakshmana, Rama accompanied him to fatally wounded Ravana. Standing at his feet with folded hands, Rama said “Hey Brahmana Putra and King of Asuras, I have no ill feelings towards you. I fought with you to release my life partner from your custody as it is my royal, personal and moral duty to do so. I know you are a great scholar and have great regard for your wisdom and it would be my privilege and blessing if you could teach me and my brother something before you depart for heaven”. Enormously impressed with the conduct of Rama, Ravana proceeded to teach the brothers importance of avoiding things which are inherently bad, but attractive and of avoiding procrastination to do good things which are unattractive. Saying this, Ravana breathed his last. Rama dutifully bowed to his teacher.

This story underlines the importance of giving due respect to a teacher, even if he/she is bad for you. A teacher is the highest contributor in making us better human beings, helping us grow out mentally and socially. It is a teacher who guides and nurtures our talent.  Parents look up to the support of a teacher for shaping the future of their child. It is a great responsibility on the part of the teacher and they should do justice to this honorable position. Hitting and scolding of children in front of their friends should be avoided. New and improved methods of teaching should be adopted by them for the purpose of seeing better results.

Some people think that teaching is an easy and appealing job. However, a teacher’s actual effort, most of the time, is unseen to most of us. Sincere teachers prepare for hours together for taking an hour’s class despite their ease with the subject. Setting exam papers, evaluating them and then grading require lots of time and effort. While doing these things, they need to upgrade and update with the current happenings in their field so as to give the best and latest information on the topic to students. Dealing with rebel students and complaining parents is another headache and in higher educational institutions the menace of consumption of drugs and alcohol is adding to the woes of the teaching community. Lack of respect from students and the absence of support of managements make their jobs horrific at times. Talk to a teacher, they tell you how taxing the profession is.

Children, parents and society at large have a duty to keep this noble profession in high esteem. This is possible only when we suitably recognize and respect teachers so that their motivation levels remain high and continue to contribute meaningfully nurturing the destinies of our children at the schooling stage and focus on research at the university level. Motivated teachers can do wonders for the nation building.

Teachers’ Day is celebrated world over on October 5. However, we in India celebrate it on September 5, the birthday of a renowned scholar, teacher, writer, administrator, the first Vice President and the second President of the country and above all a great man Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. A teacher of philosophy, when his friends approached him to celebrate his birthday after his appointment as the second President of India in 1962, he advised them that “Rather than celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if 5^th September is observed as Teachers’ Day”. He wanted this to pay tribute to the greatest teachers who made a remarkable contribution in the field of education. Dr. Radhakrishnan is born in a Telugu family. He studied at the University of Madras, taught at the University of Mysore and the University of Calcutta. He served as Vice Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi and my alma mater Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. He authorized several seminal works on philosophy and religions. He is the brightest luminaries of Hindu philosophy and a champion of Sanata Dharma. He is the earliest recipient of our country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 1954. It is indeed a great privilege for all of us to celebrate his birthday as Teacher’s Day.

Happy Teacher’s Day!