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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACHARYA AND GURU Acharya
:
‘Acharya’
is related to the word ‘chara’, meaning to walk, to
go. ‘Charitra’ means walking along a path. They follow
traditional practices strictly. An acharya is one who walks a
noble path, follows an established order and sets an example through
an orderly moral conduct. He exemplifies various common elements
of Hindu dharma, such as ahimsa and truthfulness. There are however
different traditions or sampradayas. An ‘acharya’
is therefore also one who lives according to the sastras of particular
sampradaya. He inquires into and instructs others in the meaning
of sastras. He sets an example and he preaches. This is what we
mean by precept and practice.
One
who lives a disciplined life according the acharas – customs
and practices governed by the sastras and sampradaya to which
he belongs – is an acharya. But, to be an acharya, an acharya
must also have a disciple so that the sampradaya is passed on.
To be able to teach profound concepts also means the acharya himself
should be a scholar and for that purpose instructed by his own
Acharya in a systematic way.
Guru
:
‘Guru’ means ‘weighty’ or ‘big (mahan). they all communicate a sense of greatness about the person. Being a guru is primarily about inward greatness: a guru need not teach or give updesh. One could just be a ‘maun guru’, like the original guru of all, Adiguru Dakshinamurti. An
acharya represents a system. His qualities are outwardly discernible
as a Acharya and a role model. A guru is primarily about being
great. He or she need not have studied sastras, or, be part of
an order, but, nevertheless, be in touch with the ultimate Power,
or, be a yogi who keeps his mind under control. While a guru may
have no disciples at all, people who recognise the force of his
inner light and greatness may seek his grace or wisdom.
People
go to a guru primarily to receive his blessings because of his
greatness and not necessarily for being taught, but, this often
results in a relationship where illumination is sought. This brings
us is to another meaning of the word ‘guru’. ‘Gu’
means darkness and ‘Ru’ denotes that which banishes
(something). ‘Guru’ thus means one who banishes darkness.
Darkness is agyan, or, ignorance. We say ‘tamaso ma jyotir
gamaya’ – lead us from darkness to light, or, from
agyan to gyan. A guru is one who sheds light in particular about
one’s self.
A
guru may be a scholar and impart a mantra or give diksha. Equally
he need not have studied sastras at all but, by virtue of being
‘great’ and through his grace shed light on various
things and dispel darkness. Unlike an acharya who instructs a
disciple systematically and over a period of time, the interaction
with a guru may be a momentary one, with no oral communication
at all but just a side glance. Even such a brief moment can be
like an electric switch being turned on, with the resultant light
burning forever. It is something many have experienced with their
chosen gurus. You live that moment all your life.
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