Guru
(गुरु)Literal Meaning
One who dispels darkness
Etymology & Sanskrit Root
From Sanskrit 'gu' (darkness/ignorance) and 'ru' (that which dispels) — a spiritual teacher who leads a student from ignorance toward knowledge.
Spiritual Insight & Context
Central to nearly every Indian spiritual tradition, the guru-shishya (teacher-disciple) relationship is considered the primary channel through which scriptural knowledge and lived realization are transmitted, distinct from merely reading a text alone.