Guru

Guru Gita commences with the question of Parvati to Siva with reference to Guru Mahatmyam:

केन मार्गेण भो स्वामिन् देही ब्रह्ममयो भवेत् ।

तत्कृपां कुरु मे स्वामिन् नमामि चरणौ तव ॥ (१:६)

“O Swami (Lord)! Which is the path that leads the jiva imprisoned in body to the state of Brahman? Please be gracious enough to tell me about that. I prostrate at your feet.” (1:6)

Siva replies:

मम रूपासि देवि त्वं त्वद्-भक्त्यर्थं वदाम्यहम् ।

लोकोपकारकः प्रश्नो न केनापि कृतः पुरा ॥ (१:७)

“O Devi! You are of my form. In view of your devotion I shall tell you. The question you have asked is for the benefit of mankind and not asked by anyone before.” Siva now expounds on the greatness of Guru. (1:7)

Who is Guru?

गुकारश्चा-न्धकारस्तु रुकारस्-तन्-निरोध-कृत् ।

अन्धकार-विनाशित्वाद्-गुरुरित्य्-अभिधीयते ॥ (१:३३)

“The letter ‘Gu’ means darkness and ‘Ru’ stands for its remover. Guru is so called because he destroys darkness (of ignorance).” (1:33)

गुकारश्च गुणातीतो रूपातीतो रुकारकः ।

गुण-रूप-विहीनत्वाद्-गुरुरित्य्-अभिधीयते ॥ (१:३४)

“The letter ‘Gu’ refers to attaining the state beyond Gunas (the three Gunas of Satva, Rajas and Tamas). The letter ‘Ru’ denotes the state beyond forms (Rupa). Guru is so called because he is devoid of Gunas and Rupa (attributes and forms). (1:34)

गुकारः प्रथमो वर्णॊ मायादि-गुण-भासकः ।

रुकारोऽस्ति परं ब्रह्म माया-भ्रान्ति-विमोचकम् ॥ (१:३५)

“The first letter ‘Gu’ explains the attributes of Maya etc. The letter ‘Ru’ is the Supreme Brahman, which removes delusion of Maya.” (1:35)

The first of these three verses describes Guru as the Light dispelling the darkness of Agnana; the second refers to his guiding the disciple beyond the world of names, forms and attributes; the third praises Guru as the ultimate remover of the veil of Maya and its subtle effects.

करुणा खड्ग-पातेन छित्वा पाशाष्टकं शिशोः ।

सम्यग्-आनन्द-जनकः सद्गुरुः सोऽभिधीयते ॥ (२:२१)

“One who rends asunder the eightfold bond with the sword of compassion and delivers the baby of Supreme Bliss is called Sadguru.” (2:21)