By Ashmi Sheth
Guru Purnima is celebrated in India by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists as a mark of respect for all spiritual and academic gurus, who have guided us through the right path. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha, between June and July.
The word Guru is derived from two words, ‘gu’ and ‘ru’. The Sanskrit root ‘gu’ means darkness or ignorance, and ‘ru’ denotes the remover of that darkness. Thus, a Guru is one who removes the darkness of our ignorance.
A guru is a Master, teacher, or guide who teaches and enlightens the student along the right path. Indian mothers, however stereotypical it may sound, have been responsible for guiding their children on the path of life, while instilling the appropriate ‘sanskaars’ in them since childhood. As a matter of fact, the onus of rearing a child up until adolescence has been historically burdened on the female; with other worldly aspects of guiding on the
career path and money making being the father’s responsibility. Thus, our first and noblest guru is our mother -who starts influencing us ever since we were relaxing in her womb.
We learn through observation, and a mother is someone we look up to as a child and try to emulate. Perhaps the first lessons we learn, the first titbits of knowledge that wipe out our innocent ignorance and curiosity is received from our mother. Even as adults, the first person who surfaces in our minds, when in doubt, is the mother. The grandma’s tales, which most Indians from generation X and Y would be nostalgic about today, taught us life lessons that perhaps no school did. These unnoticed, neglected and forgotten first gurus of our life need to be acknowledged and remembered on this special day. Irrespective of their religions, this day is celebrated across Indian academia as students thank their teachers and seek blessings from them. Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, music, art and aesthetics is worshipped by all students alike – dancers, artists, doctors, musicians, and teachers themselves.
Women, perhaps, have used the tool of education the most to empower and educate their students, disciples or followers – shaping their line of thought and leading their way. We cannot miss out Savitribai Phule, who made it possible for girls to be formally educated, which has been responsible for improving the status and situation of women today. There have been numerous women educators who have changed the world for the better with their innovative ideas, humanitarian philosophies and leadership qualities. Although patriarchy reveals itself in executive, administrative and managerial positions, women dominate the teaching positions in creative streams. You hear the word ‘teacher,’ and you picture a kind and caring woman, who perhaps has had a massive influence on your academic as well as emotional life. Many professors we meet in college turn out to be our best mentors as well – they advice, guide, counsel and warn about different aspects of life.
“If you educate a man you educate an individual but if you educate a woman you educate a whole nation,” this quote by Dr James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey probably explains why women can be some of the most effective gurus in the world.
As noted in the Encyclopedia of Women in Today’s World Volume 1, the presence of women in the role of guru can be traced back to ancient India, such as Devi Leilama in the 5th century, Dhanwantari, a woman who was knowledgeable about the Ayurvedic system of medicine, Karriakal Ammeiyar in the 6th century, and so on. A lesser-known fact; it was a woman guru, Leelavati, who established ‘mathematical lore’ in India in 6000
B.C.E., which eventually led to the formulation of the decimal system in later centuries.
However, the origin of Manusmriti and other Puranas brought about a decline in the status of women, resulting in the corruption of religion, rise in blind beliefs and establishment of rigid caste and gender hierarchies.
The twentieth century was an era in which the phenomenon of female gurus became widespread. Female gurus were appointed in a number of distinct traditions in Hinduism and they played various public leadership roles.
Globalisation along with the influence of Western cultures has also played a significant role in the evolution of modern Hindu women. Susan Starr Sered, in her ‘Priestess, Mother, Sacred Sister,’ identifies the characteristics of women leaders in women-dominated religions. We have numerous stories of women, who along with performing their roles as mothers and wives, function as teachers, orators and activists, spreading awareness for a cause and lifting the dark blanket of patriarchy.
Thus, we need to widen our perspectives and realise the true meaning of guru in today’s world. A guru is someone who dispels darkness of ignorance, by imparting knowledge and wisdom. This necessarily need not be done by people who have given up all worldly desires – but in fact, can be done no better than a woman, who has the experience of family, society, and child rearing combined with values of humanity and empathy. Here’s to all women who strive in their own ways to educate themselves and the world, lighting up the spark within and making this world a brighter place –
A very happy and blessed Guru Purnima!
A Woman – A Guru. Re-visualising the Guru: From A Man In A Loincloth To Simply – A Woman
