The tradition of Guru-disciple is mentioned in the Vedas and Puranas, from humans to gods and demons also had gurus.

Ved Vaani, Guru Shishya Tradition: The tradition of Guru-disciple is going on even before the Vedic period. The tradition of Guru-Shishya is the step to pass it on to the new generation. The education or knowledge which is taught by the Guru to the disciple. After acquiring that knowledge, the disciple teaches it to his disciples in the form of a guru. This sequence continues and the expansion of education and learning continues through the tradition of Guru-disciple. The knowledge that the disciple receives from the Guru can be anything, music, art, spirituality, study of Vedas, Vastu etc.

The word ‘Gu’ in Guru means darkness and ‘Ru’ means light knowledge. That is, such knowledge that destroys ignorance, which is light in the form of Brahma, is the Guru. That’s why in Indian culture the place of Guru has been considered equal to that of God. Because it is the Guru who makes his disciples a Guru.

Importance of Guru-Shishya Parampara

Yo Guru: S Shiva: Prokta Ya: Shiva: Guru Smrita.
Vikalp Yastu Kurvit Sa Naro Gurutalpag.

the meaning is: The one who is Guru is Shiva, the one who is Shiva is Guru. The one who believes in the difference between the two is as sinful as the one who leaves his teacher’s wife.

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Kabirdas says in his couplets-

Guru Govind two standing, Uncle apply.
Balihari Guru tell your Govind diyas.

the meaning is: Guru and God both are standing in front of me, but Guru has shown the way to know God.

Means, when both Guru and God are present in front of you, then first bow your head at the feet of Guru, because from Guru only we have got the knowledge and way to reach God.

Gururbrahma Gururvishnu Gururdevo Maheshwaraya.
Gurursakshat Parabrahma Tasmai Shri Guruve Namah.

the meaning is: The glory of Guru has been emphasized that if Guru is found then it becomes easy to find God in life and God is attained in the form of Guru.

According to Gita-

In the Gita, Lord Krishna has described the Guru-disciple tradition as ‘Paramparapraptam Yoga’. The basis of the guru-shishya parampara begins with worldly knowledge, but its culmination is the attainment of spiritual eternal bliss, which can also be called God-realization and salvation.

names of ancient gurus

In India, the tradition of Guru Shishya has been going on for centuries. But the gurus were not only of humans. In fact, in mythological times, there were also gurus of gods and demons. Know the names of the gurus from the deities to the demons.

1. Guru of the Gods: Guru Dev Guru of all the gods is Jupiter. However, before Brihaspati, Angira Rishi was the teacher of the deities.
2. Guru of Asuras: Shukracharya is called the teacher of all the demons. Before Shukracharya, Maharishi Bhrigu was the teacher of the Asuras.
3. Guru of Parshuram: The gurus of Lord Parshuram were Lord Shiva and Dattatreya.
4. Guru of Lord Ramji: The gurus of Lord Shri Ram were Rishi Vashishtha and Vishwamitra.
5. Guru of Lord Krishna: The gurus of Lord Krishna were Garg Muni, Sandipani and Maharishi Ved Vyas.
6. Eklavya, the teacher of Pandavas and Kauravas: Guru Drona was the teacher of Eklavya, Pandavas and Kauravas.
7. Guru of Buddha: The Gurus of Lord Buddha were Alara, Kalam, Guru Vishwamitra, Uddhara Ramaputta etc.
8. Guru of Acharya Chanakya: Acharya Chanakya’s teacher was his father Rishi Chanak.
9. Guru of Ramakrishna Paramhansa: Ramakrishna Paramhans was the teacher of Swami Vivekananda. But his Guru was Mahant Naga Baba Totapuri Maharaj, through whom he attained Siddhi and Samadhi.
10. Guru of Sai Baba: Venkusha Baba of Selu was the Guru of Shirdi Sai Baba.

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