The Indian tradition holds the Guru in high esteem as enlightened masters who impart knowledge and wisdom in a specific domain to their students, without any expectation of material or other gains. Throughout history, the Guru has been the primary conduit for transmitting knowledge and tradition, and has received abundant praise in Dharmic literature. The Upanishads refer to the Guru as the “dispeller of darkness” and assert that their grace is necessary for students to achieve success or spiritual realization.
