Global Hindu Heritage Foundation started with a mission to preserve, protect and promote the richness of Sanatana Dharma. To accomplish this goal, we felt that it is the utmost of the hour to teach about our culture, traditions, mantras, rituals, morals, and our national heroes. This week, learned about the importance of a Guru in one’s life and learned to chant two slokas from Guru Stotram.
Akhand-Mandalakaram vyaptam yena characharam.
Tatpadam darshitam yena tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Meaning: My Salutations to that Guru who revealed to me that Truth, which is
unfragmented, infinite, timeless divinity, and which pervades the entire
universe – movable or unmovable.
 Agyan timir-andhasya Gyananjan Shalakaya.
Chakshur-oonmeelitam yena tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
My Salutations to that reverential teacher, who opened my eyes, by
applying the divine collyrium of self-knowledge in my eyes, which had got
blinded by the cataract of ignorance.
In Sanatana Dharma, we are taught to respect our parents, teachers and the guests. Hindus remember these verses – Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru devo bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava and Atithi Devo Bhava. That means, Mother is God, Father is God, Teacher is Gid and Guest is God. 
The concept of Guru is one of the pillars of Sanatana Dharma that preserved and protected the very essence of human existence. The Sanskrit root "Gu" means darkness or ignorance, "Ru" denotes the remove or dispel. Therefore, one who removes our ignorance is considered a Guru. A Sadguru is the one who teaches the TRUTH to dispel darkness. Truth hurts. Truth may be harsh and painful. 
Tulasidas observes in Ramayana:
 “Sadguru infuses the power in the disciple to distinguish between the eternal and the perishable. He makes such arrangements that the disciple is able to feel the insignificance of the sensual experiences. As when properly instigated, a piece of coal turns radiant and hot, the human soul in the disciple can also unite with the absolute when the Sadguru destroys the indomitable self.”
The Guru is the embodiment of the Trinity. Like Brahma he inculcates knowledge in us, like Vishnu he protects us, like Shiva he destroys ignorance and also explains good and evil and teaches us how to acquire humane values and virtues.
That is why we remember the greatness of the Guru by saying “Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshwarah Guru Sakshat Parabrahma Tasmaishri Guruve Namah” every day.

There is an ancient saying – “Guru bina gathi nahi” which means, there is no progress in life without a Guru. In the ancient times, a person without a Guru was called ‘anaatha’, which also means an orphan. Having a spiritual master is synonymous to having a definite progress in life. Life gets filled with zeal and enthusiasm and becomes more fulfilling. An unshakable attitude with an undying smile is a definite side effect of having a spiritual master.
Gurudev often says that once a person has come to a spiritual master, knowledge flourishes, sorrow diminishes, joy wells up without any reason, abundance dawns and all talents manifest. This has been the experience of many who are on the spiritual path with a master. With all these definite things that can help achieve success in life, can happen easily by having a spiritual master in one’s life, who would not wish to have one?
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