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The Distinction Between a Guru and a Teacher

Last Updated on July 29, 2013 by

In honor of our Gurus, the devotees of the Devi Mandir would like to share this lovely poem, which describes the difference between a Guru and a Teacher. This serves as a reminder of how lucky we are – we don’t have just one Guru, but two!

Thank you Shree Maa and Swamiji for all that You do!

A teacher takes responsibility of your growth
A Guru makes you responsible for your growth

A teacher gives you things you do not have and require
A Guru takes away things you have and do not require

A teacher answers your questions
A Guru questions your answers

A teacher helps you get out of the maze
A Guru destroys the maze

A teacher requires obedience and discipline from the pupil
A Guru requires trust and humility from the pupil

A teacher clothes you and prepares you for the outer journey
A Guru strips you naked and prepares you for the inner journey

A teacher is a guide on the path
A Guru is a pointer to the way

A teacher sends you on the road to success
A Guru sends you on the road to freedom

A teacher explains the world and its nature to you
A Guru explains yourself and your nature to you

A teacher makes you understand how to move about in the world
A Guru shows you where you stand in relation to the world

A teacher gives you knowledge and boosts your ego
A Guru takes away your knowledge and punctures your ego

A teacher instructs you
A Guru constructs you

A teacher explains the world and its nature to you
A Guru explains yourself and your nature to you

A teacher sharpens your mind
A Guru opens your mind

A teacher shows you the way to prosperity
A Guru shows the way to serenity

A teacher reaches your mind
A Guru touches your soul

A teacher gives you knowledge
A Guru makes you wise

A teacher gives you maturity
A Guru returns you to innocence

A teacher instructs you on how to solve problems
A Guru shows you how to resolve issues

A teacher is a systematic thinker
A Guru is a lateral thinker

A teacher will punish you with a stick
A Guru will punish you with compassion

A teacher is to pupil what a father is to son
A Guru is to pupil what mother is to her child

One can always find a teacher
But a Guru has to find and accept you

A teacher leads you by the hand
A Guru leads you by example

When a teacher finishes with you, you graduate
When a Guru finishes with you, you celebrate

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Jai Maa!

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  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Shree Maa
    • Meet Swami Satyananda Saraswati
    • Gurus of Our Lineage
      • Shiva
      • Ramakrishna
      • Trailinga Swami
      • Ramprasad Sen
      • Shirdi Sai Baba
      • Adi Shankaracharya
      • Sir John Woodroffe
    • Mission and Goals
    • Who We Are
    • Our Pujas
    • In the Media-Exploring Spiritual Wisdom: A Journey Through Books, Articles, and Media
    • Testimonials
  • What’s New
  • Ways to Worship
    • Goddesses
      • Annapurna
      • Chandi
      • Durga
      • Gayatri
      • Kali
      • Lakshmi
      • Lalita
      • Saraswati
    • Gods
      • Ganesh
      • Hanuman
      • Krishna
      • Navagraha
      • Rama
      • Shiva
      • Vishnu
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  • Practices
    • Free Classes
    • Mantras
    • Philosophy
    • Yoga
  • Spiritual Life
    • Astrology
    • Cooking
    • FAQs & Video Excerpts
      • Deities
      • General Philosophy
      • Scriptures
      • Worship and Practices
    • Poetry
    • Presentations
      • Cosmic Puja
      • Dasnami Sannyasins
      • Das Mahavidyas Presentation
      • Family Wealth
      • Generals of the Chandi
      • Jyotirlingams Mantra
      • Kashyap Sutras
      • Nine Steps of Devotion
      • Panchang Tutorial
      • Tattva Jnana: A Comprehensive Overview of the Principles
      • Mudras used for Puja
      • Sadhana Panchakam
      • The Yamas in Devi Gita
    • Sanskrit
    • Spiritual Business
    • Stories and Articles
    • Travel
    • Wisdom on Relationships
  • Free Classes
    • Current Class
    • Video Excerpts
    • Video Classes
      • Introductory
        • Durga Puja
        • Ganesha Puja
        • Guru Gita Class
        • Ramakrishna: The Nectar of Eternal Bliss
        • Shiva Puja for Beginners
        • Swami Purana
        • Tattva Jnana
      • Intermediate
        • Annapurna Sahasranama
        • Bhagavad Gita
        • Gayatri Sahasranam
        • Hanuman Puja
        • Kashyapa Sutra
        • Lakshmi Puja
        • Lalita Trishati
        • Pronunciation and the Chandi Samputs
        • Satyanarayan Vrat Katha
        • Sundar Kanda
      • Advanced
        • Chandi Path
        • Cosmic Puja
        • From Birth to Death: Sixteen Initiations
        • Devi Gita
        • Kali Puja
        • Rudrashtadhyayi
        • Shiva Puja and Advanced Yajna Class
    • Podcast Commentaries
      • Introductory
        • About Worship
        • Bhuta Shuddhi
        • Ramakrishna Series
        • Sadhu Stories
        • Sandhi Puja
        • Shree Maa on Gurus
      • Intermediate
        • Bhagavad Gita
        • Guru Gita
        • Lalita Trishati Stotram
        • Shiva Sankalpa Stotram
      • Advanced
        • Chandi Path
        • Cosmic Puja
        • Devi Gita
        • Devi Yajna
        • Five Fires Sadhana
        • Kali Puja
        • Rudrashtadhyayi
        • Sahasra Chandi Yajna
    • Podcast Chanting
      • Introductory
        • Durga Mantra
        • Ganesha Mantra
        • Mahamrtyunjaya Mantra Chanting
      • Intermediate
        • Hanuman Puja
        • Lalita Trishati Stotram
      • Advanced
        • Advanced Shiva Puja
        • Chandi Path
        • Cosmic Puja
        • Rudrashtadhyayi
        • Sundar Kanda
    • Swamiji Bhava Videos
      • Puja and Worship
      • Sahib Sadhu
      • Swami Ramkripalu Visits
      • Two Men and the Prostitute
  • Shree Maa Sings
    • Shree Maa Sings (Audio)
      • Individual Songs
        • Ganga Stotram
        • Guru Bhajare
        • Guru Bina Rahana Jai
        • I Am That
        • I Love You All
        • Jago Jana Mohana
        • Jaya Jaya Kali
        • Kali Thanksgiving
        • Maa
        • Pratah Smarami
        • Sakali Korecho Dur
        • Shree Maa on Gurus
      • Mantras
        • 32 Names of Durga
        • 108 Names of Durga
        • Annapurna Stotram
        • Devi Prapannarti
        • Mahalaksmi Astakam
        • Ramakrishna Mantra
        • Sarva Baddha
        • Sharanagatadinartha
      • Songs from CDs/Albums
        • Bara Aka Kori
        • Bhava Bhakti
        • Jago Maa
        • Krishna
        • Matanga Vadana
        • Oh Dark Night Mother
        • Satyam Shivam Sundaram
    • Shree Maa Sings (Video)
      • Abhay Pade
      • Hari Nam
      • Jaya Jaya Dekho
      • Kali Kali
      • Madhu Bane Base
      • Om Namah Shivaya
      • Premer Jishu
      • Ramachandra
      • Sakali Tomar Iccha
      • Song For Ramakrishna
    • Shree Maa Bhava Videos
      • A Day in the Life of Shree Maa
      • Across the States
      • Interview with Shree Maa in Sedona
  • Our Store
  • Sponsor/Donate
  • Daily Calendar
  • Contact Us
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