page_title: Guru–shishya tradition
section_title: Common characteristics of the guru–shishya relationship
hierarchical_section_title: Guru–shishya tradition / Common characteristics of the guru–shishya relationship
caption_attribution_description: Mahabharata. Published by Geeta Press] in [Gorakhpur . Written in Hindi. Classifications Library of Congress PK3631 A22 G6 ID Numbers Open Library OL23365037M Internet Archive mahabharata01ramauoft
context_page_description: The guru–shishya tradition, or parampara, denotes a succession of teachers and disciples in traditional Vedic culture and religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Each parampara belongs to a specific sampradaya, and may have own akharas and gurukulas. It is the tradition of spiritual relationship and mentoring where teachings are transmitted from a guru "teacher" to a śiṣya "disciple" or chela. Such knowledge, whether it be Vedic, agamic, architectural, musical or spiritual, is imparted through the developing relationship between the guru and the disciple. It is considered that this relationship, based on the genuineness of the guru, and the respect which is not based on age or how old one looks, commitment, devotion and obedience of the student, is the best way for subtle or advanced knowledge to be conveyed. The student eventually masters the knowledge that the guru embodies.
context_section_description: Within the broad spectrum of the Hindu religion, the guru–shishya relationship can be found in numerous variant forms including tantra. Some common elements in this relationship include:
  The establishment of a teacher/student relationship.
  A formal recognition of this relationship, generally in a structured initiation ceremony where the guru accepts the initiate as a shishya and also accepts responsibility for the spiritual well-being and progress of the new shishya.
  Sometimes this initiation process will include the conveying of specific esoteric wisdom and/or meditation techniques.
  Gurudakshina, where the shishya gives a gift to the guru as a token of gratitude, often the only monetary or otherwise fee that the student ever gives. Such tokens can be as simple as a piece of fruit or as serious as a thumb, as in the case of Ekalavya and his guru Dronacharya.
  In some traditions there is never more than one active master at the same time in the same guruparamaparya (lineage).
caption: Ekalavya's dakshina of his right hand thumb to his guru.
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