THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE IN HINDUISM

Refers to a personal spiritual teacher or guide

Guru plays a central role in Hinduism, often acting as the intermediary between the soul and the Supreme.

The guru is required in order to properly understand scripture, and it is for this reason many schools of Hindu philosophy such as Advaita Vedanta and Bhakti claim that God-realisation without spiritual mentorship is impossible.

They are seen as “beings who walk with God and hold truth in the palm of their hand, who seem to know everything, because they do, because they have discovered the source of all knowing.”[1]

Many Hindus accept diksha, initiation from a spiritual teacher, thus becoming a formal disciple.

Principle of disciplic succession (sampradaya) is central to the transmission of spiritual knowledge[2]

Sampradaya serves as a spiritual channel, and provides a delicate network of relationships that lends stability to a religious identity

Guideline to how one should act in the presence of guru

Should one eat food without first mentally offering it their satguru, it becomes impure

One should not approach him empty-handed