Judging gurus

The word 'guru' literally means dispeller of darkness. A guru dispels darkness of ignorance from our lives. He is not merely an instructor or disciplinarian. His role is to guide us to the Supreme. People find faults in spiritual masters, too. In the imperfect world, perfection lies only in enlightenment.

Our question with reference to a guru is not whether he has a flaw, but whether he can help remove our ignorance of the Self. According to scriptures, Dattatraya had 24 gurus, including the archer, earth, wind and space.

If we are looking for a perfect spouse or child or business, we may never find it. But we can be grateful for what we have. Similarly, on the spiritual path, as we grow, we are more grateful and less judgemental, less seeking perfection outside and more the Self within.


How would one even define a perfect guru? Vedanta defines perfection in the sense of de-identification with the body, mind and intellect, and identification with the Self. When one identifies with the Self, one finds oneness with all living beings. This is the state of self-realisation or perfection.

Criminals masquerading as gurus must be dealt with sternly according to the law of the land. However, there is no point in judging authentic spiritual masters. Even the most genuine teachers will not live up to our expectations. This error-seeking attitude spoils all our relationships, including the one with the teacher.

Guru Purnima is on July 10