Shivaya gurave namaha. When Shiva answered Parvatis questions throughout the Shiva sutras, he was doing us all a great favor by explaining the nature of existence, the nature of the self and the nature of the divine. Without this knowledge we wouldn’t know anything. For example, the slokam everyone is aware of from the Vishnu Sahasranamam is a result of the question Mother Parvati asks Shiva if there was an easier way for those who couldn’t chant the entire Vishnu Sahasranama. Shiva responds to her and gives the ultimate mantra in the form of a slokam
Srirama rama rameti rame raame manorame Sahasranama tattulyam rama nama varaanane
Shiva is considered the prime Guru in many traditions, not only in the Vaishnava and Skanda traditions but also in the Shakta including the SriVidya tradition. Indeed, the title of this post, Guroh Adhikam na is part of the slokam in the Guru Gita of the Skanda Purana.
Na guroradhikam na guroradhikam na guroradhikam Shiva shasanatah
It means that Shiva is commanding that there is none greater than the Guru, the dispeller of ignorance (called Avidya or un-knowledge). This is emphasized by mentioning the statement ‘Na Guroradhikam’ three times. The benefit of Shiva’s command about the Guru is that one who knows this to be true, will open doors to the land of self-knowledge aka tatva gyana. One’s mind becomes ready (qualified) to experience self-knowledge.
The word Guru has an etymological origin in Sanskrit (one of many etymological meanings) : Gukaarastaditi proktah rushadbo gyanavaachakah brahmagyanaikya rupatvaat gururityabhidhiyate
Gu is a sound that dispels darkness (ignorance) and ru sound provides gyana (self-knowledge) therefore the combination Guru sound provides the ultimate knowledge (knowing which, everything becomes known).
There is also a school of thought which says that when the student is ready, a Guru appears before him. When the student is really ready, the Guru leaves. This goes to say that a Guru is necessary to plant the seed of wisdom inside you, but when the seed becomes a tree, his job is done. The nature of a Guru sishya relation is very unique and highly spiritual. Only the sishya knows how his Gurus teachings are transforming him and only the Guru can feel his transformation. A sincere student with a pure heart and dedication towards the words of the Guru is bound to receive pure knowledge because he became a vessel free from impurities. This is called patra shuddhi. Only the milk poured in a clean bowl becomes fit for consumption. Similarly, only once we free our mind from the waves of thoughts and still it, we become eligible for the vast ocean of self knowledge. Be that student who is thirsty for knowledge and has the sincerity to pursue a Guru’s knowledge. Then you will understand the true meaning of Na Guroradhikam.
Fortunate are those who have a Guru to guide them in their spiritual journey.
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