Traits Of A Real Guru
Mentors play critical role in one's life. They guide and mould the character, personality of their students. And yes, a guide need not be in a human form. Lord Dattatreya had twenty four gurus like snake, honey bee, earth, air. Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of mentors : (𝙖) 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 : They impart knowledge about the material world, society. They equip their pupils with necessary social etiquettes, qualifications and skills so that they can earn their living. (𝙗) 𝙂𝙪𝙧𝙪𝙨 : They take their students (शिष्य) out of delusions, make them see the real nature of material world. They help them in their pursuit of attaining Supreme Being so that they can remain perpetually blissful. I personally believe that as compared to a teacher, a guru is more venerable, has much important role to play. Goswami Tulsidas ji has explicitly written in Sri Ramcharitamanas : "गुरु बिन भव निधि तरइ न कोई." (Without the help of a guru, no one can free oneself from the wo