New Delhi: The guru-shishya relationship in India is considered the most sacred as it’s beyond learning lessons. This tradition focuses on a deeper bonding, a spiritual transmission that goes beyond words and textbooks. The guru acts as a guide, mentor, and even a mirror, reflecting the shishya’s true capabilities. While in ancient India, shishyas paid tribute to gurus through acts of deep devotion, service, and the gift of gurudakshina, a voluntary token of gratitude rather than a fixed fee, in modern India, we celebrate Teacher’s Day on September 5 every year to pay tribute.
On this day, while we remember our favourite teachers from our school and college days who have influenced our futures in some ways, here we will look back at the all-time famous Indian gurus and shishyas. These most popular guru-shishya bonds have not only impacted many lives of their era in a great way, but have also changed the fate of India.
India’s most popular guru-shishya bonds of all time
Here are the names of India’s most revered gurus and shishyas.
1. Guru Dronacharya and Arjun
The relationship between Guru Dronacharya and Arjun from the grand epic Mahabharata is etched in our hearts. Dronacharya was a legendary archer and a teacher to the Pandavas and the Kauravas. He was particularly fond of Arjun because of his deep respect for his guru and exceptional talent, unwavering focus, and dedication shown by correctly identifying only the bird’s eye during a test.
2. Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya
Chanakya was a brilliant strategist, teacher, and chief advisor to the Maurya Empire’s founder, Chandragupta Maurya. Chanakya was the one who brought the concept of Akhand Bharat or United India and was instrumental in guiding Chandragupta to overthrow the Nanda dynasty, providing the military and political strategy. This relationship was significant for setting up the Maurya dynasty and ensuring its successful governance. Chanakya continued to advise him even after Chandragupta’s ascension to the throne.
3. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was a saint and spiritual master from 19th-century India, while his foremost disciple, Swami Vivekananda, spread his master’s teachings worldwide. Founding the Ramakrishna Mission to combine spiritual renewal with social service, education, and welfare, Vivekananda synthesised Ramakrishna’s focus on the divine in all people and religions into a powerful call for India’s cultural and national revival. He focused on self-reliance and duty to the downtrodden.
4. Swami Virajananda and Dayanand Saraswati
Swami Virajananda was a blind but scholarly guru in Mathura who trained Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Dayanand Saraswati’s interest in spiritual development led him to Virajananda, who was a master of Vedic knowledge and the Upanishads. Virajananda inspired Dayanand to devote his life to spreading true Vedic knowledge, opposing superstitions, and fighting social evils.
5. Ramanujacharya and Kanchipurna
Ramanujacharya and Kanchipurna’s bonding is a special one, as the Brahmin Ramanuja pursued the Shudra Kanchipurna as his guru. This action transcended caste to accentuate equality before God. Though Kanchipurna initially refused due to social barriers, Ramanuja insisted, and Kanchipurna eventually agreed, displaying a symbol of pure devotion. Kanchipurna later returned from a pilgrimage and conveyed that the deity Varadaraja wished Ramanuja to go to Srirangam to study under Mahapurna.
The bonding of guru-shishya goes above caste or religion. It is the invisible thread of guidance, respect, and transformation whether Guru Dronacharya moulds Arjun into a great archer, or Kanchipurna nurtures Ramanujacharya’s genius. The core truth remains the same as a guru invests in a shishya with sincerity. This Teacher’s Day, as we honour modern educators, coaches, and mentors, we also pay tribute to an age-old tradition of shaping India’s past, present, and future.