The shastras of Sanatan Dharma immensely extol the glory of the spiritual guru. The Guru Gita (32) of the Skand Puran states that ‘gu’ means darkness and ‘ru’ means remover of that darkness: “The guru removes darkness and leads one to enlightenment.”

It is important to understand this role of the guru since one cannot attain spiritual knowledge or enlightenment merely by self-endeavour. The Yogkundalini Upanishad (3.17) states, “Only by listening to the guru’s sermons does one gain knowledge of Parabrahma.”

In the Mundaka Upanishad, the guru is identified as the source for realizing brahmavidya, ‘Tadvignānārtham sa gurumevābhigachchhet’ – ‘In order to realize that brahmavidya, one must go to the guru’ (1.2.12). This statement is the life-line of spiritual endeavour, since it directs one to surrender to the guru. This is the technique for unravelling the profound secrets of all the shastras.

The Katha Upanishad describes the role of a guru,‘Yaha setureejānānāmaksharam Brahma yatparam, abhayam titeershatām pāram Nāchiketam shakemahi’ – ‘For a spiritual aspirant who wishes to escape from the vortex and forceful flow of maya, Aksharbrahma serves as a bridge’ (3.2). Just as a bridge helps one cross over from one side of the river to the other, Aksharbrahma manifests as the guru and serves as a bridge (setu). He saves us from drowning in maya, helps us to cross the ocean of material pleasures and helps us attain Paramatma.

This principle is also stated in the Mundaka Upanishad: ‘Amrutasyaisha setuhu’ – ‘This Aksharbrahma is the bridge to attain the eternal Paramatma’ (2.2.5).

The Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6.23) shows how to serve such a guru:

Yasya deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau,
Tasyaite kathitā hi arthāhā prakāshante mahātmanaha.

“Offer devotion to the guru as one would Paramatma. Therein one attains all there is to attain on the path to realizing Paramatma.”

The Bhagavad Gita (4.34) similarly advises the true aspirant:

Tadviddhi pranipātena pariprashnena sevayā,
Upadekshyanti te gnānam gnāninastattvadarshinah.

“The disciple should prostrate to the guru, humbly pose questions to him and serve him. He will then impart the knowledge of Paramatma, so ordain the wise sages.”

To identify such a guru, the Mundaka Upanishad states that the guru who is worthy of surrendering to should be ‘Shrotriyam Brahmanishtham’ (1.2.12). ‘Shrotriyam’ means that he should not only know the essence of all the shastras, but also live by them. Further, that guru should be ‘Brahma’ – Aksharbrahma himself. That guru should also be ‘nishtham’ – he should have staunch conviction in Paramatma and should be solely engrossed in bhakti (devotion) towards him.

In the Bhagavad Gita, such a guru has been referred to as ‘Upadekshyanti te gnānam gnāninastattvadarshinaha’ – ‘wise and seer of the entities’ (Gita 4.34).

Thus, having identified such a guru who can help us to realize brahmavidya, one should surrender to him and serve him, as exemplified by the following stories of three famous disciples from the ancient shastras – Aruni, Upamanyu and Satyakam Jabala.