how do you feel that role of ancient guru has changed in present society ? which qualitys of ancient guru you would like to about as a teacher? why ?
Answers
Ancient gurus had their own ashrams. They had discipline established. They taught morals and the good ways of life at their schools. Great gurus were very knowledgeable. They learnt a lot through their mediation and tapas.
The gurus were unselfish and lived for the good of the world. But this is difficult to follow these days. Gurus were respected very well. They taught students in the middle of nature. There were practical teaching and tests too. Some Gurus were appreciated by the kings and were sponsored by them.
Gurus had powers to command their students and disciples. They could judge the real life situations well and were able to give good advices to kings or people. Some gurus were able to foresee the future. They could summon the deities through their meditative power.
Many gurus were independent of Kings. They lived on their own. They had their own cattle, fields , houses in the forests. There was no rule of kings in those areas. Often the gurus, sages lived in the middle of two kingdoms. No direct relation with any one country.
The disciples (shishyas) had to serve their gurus. They had to live a simple life. They had to collect wood from forest, flowers from plants, and fruits from the trees.. They maintained the cleanliness of ashrams. They cohabited with the gurus and gurus' families. They had to sleep on the floor.
After teaching for years, the gurus took tests in the expertise of the children. Gurus taught the shastras from Vedas, and whatever knowledge they gained from their gurus. Very few disciples dared to disrespect or play foul with their gurus.
It was less commercial educational environment. The teachings were suitable to those times. There was less pressure on the Gurus. Their ashrams were generally ecofriendly. They had many harmless birds and animals moving freely around them making their ashram more beautiful.