A request and a disclaimer: Before you begin to read this blog, request you to first read the 3 parts of ‘Stroke in the canvas called ‘The Value of Values’. You may also choose to read the blogs on the values of amAnitvam, adambhitvam and ahimsA (the value of ahimsA is in three parts) kshAntiH and Arjavam though they are not a prerequisite to reading this value. The language and explanations used by pUjya swAmiji is so profound, that I wish I do justice by aligning my understanding to his explanation, as I parallelly try to relate it to day to day living.. Any error in the way I have blogged upon these values, is due to an error in my understanding alone.

The value of AchAryopAsanam is interesting in terms of the different perspectives that it has –

– AchAryopAsanam means service to the teacher, a value that holds significance in the Indian culture and in the Hindu scriptures

– AchAryopAsanam also indicates a few aspects to the student – teacher relationship

  • AchAryA means teacher and upAsanA means meditation, which actually means meditation upon the teachings by the keeping the vision of the AchAryA (teacher) in heart (I wanted to put in ‘in mind’ but pUjya SwAmiji .would have had a reason to say ‘in heart’. I don’t know the reason for it but when I do, I would perhaps put it in the comments:-)). In the olden days, in the Hindu tradition we used to have the GurukulavAsA, where the student lived with the teacher for a certain period and study from the teacher..
  • The other meaning of AchAryopAsanam is ‘Service and Surrender’. It is important to choose the right teacher to whom we will serve. If adequate care and discrimination is not taken to choose the teacher, then the student can be exploited. This has its own ramifications on the student who then may find it difficult to trust anyone to be their teacher

What is the meaning of Service and Surrender?

As I read up on this value, I can feel its importance growing in me, from the perspective of both the student and the teacher. In my view, the teacher could be a teacher of any discipline who imparts knowledge to the student and the student can be any one of us who specifically seek the teacher to impart knowledge to us. We as students may not live in  gurukulavAsA, to gain the teaching but we go to the teacher in a particular time frequency, to learn. This is the context with which I would like to proceed further on this value.

Let me first elaborate from the perspective of the student..

 

How should a student be with respect to service and surrender?

– focused frame of mind on the teacher wherein personal ego of the student should not come in the way of the learning that the student takes from the teacher.

–  to be able to minimize his / her own likes and dislikes

– willingly give without demanding anything in return

– having an attitude of respect and devotion

– being unquestioning

Hmmmmn… Tall order it seems to be.

Is this possible at all?

Can there be students who possess some or all of these qualities?

The answer to both the questions is a resounding yes. I have seen many people having some or all of these qualities. Personally I lived these qualities for 12 years of my life. Was it easy? No, it was not. There was always the need to question (not from the perspective of interrogating but with the need to know why I should do what I was being asked to do), equally tough were following the other qualities but somehow I was able to do it. It was surrender to the teacher. I indeed benefited immensely as I learnt a lot. In a way, it sometimes seems to me like I was in a gurukulavAsA.

People who have learnt art forms from their teacher, for many years may agree with me. Many people who have worked under the tutelage of a teacher, in organizations, may echo me. I have seen many people with these qualities in the Ashrams of pUjya swAmiji and have always been struck by wonder at this.

Personally I find humility grows internally with service and surrender. There is also the thought that ‘You are in the safe hands of the teacher’ and that thought brings in space within.

How should a teacher be?

– as one who has no need for the service and surrender

– one who the student knows, will not exploit him / her

– a person of integrity and freedom, that ONLY the student will benefit by the service and surrender and NOT the teacher

My first meeting with pUjya swAmiji happened about 7 years back and to me, he is the embodiment of a teacher. With a teacher who is compassionate and who unfolds teachings in such a way that one cannot but understand oneself, service and surrender seems a natural result. When one has the opportunity to learn from such a teacher (even if it is mainly thru CD’s and books and also thru a handful of meetings), it is easy to take the broom and sweep or take the mop and wipe a part of the room in the ashram; because it is serving the teacher with respect and devotion, giving but expecting nothing in return and with no questions asked – I remember this afternoon in 2012 when I had been to the ashram in Coimbatore and all of pUjya swAmiji’s students who were studying in the ashram were cleaning the ashram premises. This was my first visit there and I knew no one. The only person I knew was Pujya swAmiji (I had met him a few times and every time for just a few seconds – so the ‘knowing him was just knowing him but not knowing him – you know what I mean :-)). To me, he is my AchAryA or as I say it, ‘he is my guru’, and to do service (no matter how small) is a blessing. Those moments of service I still cherish and moments that always brings a smile in my heart.  Moments which makes me feel really humble and the world suddenly seemed to be a beautiful place

Reading on this value and writing this blog, makes me ask myself, “My 12 years of a seeming gurukulavAsA, was it also because of the teacher I had?” 🙂

I have heard many people talking about their ‘AchAryopAsanam’ experiences. Experiences of them being a ‘student’ to their ‘teacher’, living a life of service and surrender. If you have had a similar experience, pls do share as a comment.

As I come to the end of this blog post, i cannot help but be taken over by the profundity of this value; and think of how blessed we are to be born in this rich culture and Vedic heritage.