Guruttama
Guru of All Gurus • Hari • Vayu • Guru Parampara
Meaning of Guruttama
Sri Hari is the Guru of all Gurus. During creation, Narayana gave the first Upadesha to Brahma and entrusted him with the responsibility of creation.
One who gives true knowledge is called Guru. Guru’s Guru is called Poorva Guru. Sri Madhwacharya is worshipped as Poorna Guru.
The Seven Moola Gurus
Guru Parampara
- Sri Vedavyasa
- Sri Bharati
- Sri Saraswati
- Sri Vayu
- Sri Brahma
- Sri Lakshmi
- Sri Narayana
Supreme Guru
Narayana is the original Guru who gave Pranava and Vedic knowledge to Brahma at the beginning of creation.
Guru Smarana / Dhyana
sri gurbhyo nama sri parama gurubhyo namaha
srimadanadhatheertha bagavat padhacharyobhyo namaha
sri vedavyasa namaha
sri barathi namaha
sri saraswathi namaha
sri vayu namaha
sri brahmanay namaha
sri lakshmi namaha
sri naryana namaha
sri srirama namaha
moksha pradha sri vasudevaya namaha
Importance of Guru
Sri Madhwacharya explains that the first sound emerging from Narayana during creation was Pranava. Through Guru Parampara, divine knowledge flows to eligible souls.
Listening to Vedic discourse (Shravana) is declared as the first and greatest Tapas.
Guru Tattwa
Role of Guru
Guru removes ignorance and guides Jeevas towards Sri Hari through correct understanding of scriptures and devotion.
Vayu as Jeeva Guru
Matarishwa Vayu, through Brahma, Bheema and Madhwacharya, guides qualified Jeevas towards Moksha.
Guru Dwara Prasada
All offerings reach Narayana through Vayu Devaru and all divine grace reaches devotees through Him.
Three Debts (Runas)
Every human being is born with three debts:
- Deva Runa
- Rishi Runa
- Pitru Runa
Through these divine connections, we receive body, beauty, material prosperity, Dharma and knowledge.
Popular Gurus in Scriptures
Ancient Gurus
- Mahidasa Aitreya to Lakshmi
- Hayagreeva to Brahma and Vayu
- Kapila to Devahuti
- Rishaba to Bharata
- Narada to Dhruva and Prahlada
Mahabharata Gurus
- Vedavyasa to Yudhishthira
- Dronacharya to Pandavas
- Krishna to Arjuna
- Bheeshmacharya to Yudhishthira
- Rudra and Sukha to Parikshit
Madhwa Guru Parampara
- Jagadguru Sri Madhwacharya
- Sri Padarajaru
- Sri Vyasarajaru
- Sri Vadirajaru
- Sri Raghavendra Swamigalu
Guru Dwara Krishna Arpana
Every Karma offered to Sri Krishna reaches Him through Guru and Vayu Devaru.
Therefore Guru Smarana and Guru Chintana are essential before beginning any sacred action.
Taatparya (Moral)
- Sri Hari is Guruttama.
- Sri Vayu is Jeeva Guru by the grace of Sri Hari.
- There is no substitute to Guru.
- Guru Smarana is essential before any Karma.
- All Karma reaches Sri Krishna through Guru and Vayu.
- One must be a sincere listener and seek Upadesha.
- Guru Prasada alone leads to spiritual upliftment.