The Indian tradition has always held the Guru with deep reverence. Gurus are enlightened masters, who impart knowledge and wisdom in a desired domain to their students, and mentor them to ensure that the student obtains proficiency, without the desire for any reciprocal gain, material or otherwise. The Guru was the single-most important link for the transmission of tradition and knowledge throughout the history of this civilization, and therefore has been given effusive praise in Dharmic literature. The Upanishads laud the Guru as the “dispeller of darkness” and holds that his grace is necessary for a student to obtain success or spiritual realization.
