गुरु
Guru
(guru)One who removes darkness; a spiritual teacher who leads from ignorance to knowledge
Full Meaning
A guru is not merely a teacher — the word itself contains the entire relationship. Gu means darkness; ru means remover. A guru is the one who dissolves your ignorance. In Vedic tradition, the guru-shishya (teacher-student) relationship is the primary vehicle for transmitting spiritual knowledge. The guru does not just teach content — they transmit a living understanding.
Etymology
Gu (darkness, ignorance) + ru (remover, dispeller). One who removes darkness. Also means "heavy, weighty" — someone of great substance.
Usage in Sanskrit Texts
The Guru Gita (from the Skanda Purana) says: "Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is the Lord Shiva. Guru is verily the Para-Brahman. To that Sri Guru I offer my salutations."
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। गुरुः साक्षात्परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः॥ (Guru Gita)
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