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YAJNESHWAR S. SHASTRI
SAMBODHI
H a a sfat Praśna.I.2). In Chăndogya Upanisad it is said that, UpakosalaKamalayana lived with Satyakama Jabala for twelve years (उपकोसलो ह वै कामलायन: HET Ja dare pe GIG?lauferit fiqari Chhāndogya. IV.X.1). In the Upanisads, we find, time and again, gods, men and demons approach Prajāpati as a guru. When Indra approached Prajāpati in order to receive an instruction, he stayed thirty-two years in his house before the latter would ask him : "what do you want, since you have lived thirty-two years in my company ?" (Chhändogya. VIII.VII.3). Then they speak a bit about the self and after this, Indra waits another thirty-two years before asking second question. At the end of a hundred and one years he succeeds at last in attaining the supreme teaching (Chhā. Upa. - VIII.IX.3; VIII-X.4; VIII-XI.3)
In several places in the Upanisads it is found that the Guru does not hesitate to tell his disciple that he asks too many questions. In Praśnopanisad, Āśvalāyana puts series of questions to sage Pippalāda. The Pippalāda says, you are asking too many questions, at a time. But, I will answer all of them, because, you are devoted to Brahman. ( ETCE 3 fayyar Yooft, afegtsfagfa SE af Praśna. III.2). Yājñavalkya was the great Vedantic teacher. When Brahmavādini Gārgi asks him too many questions in the debate, Yājñavalkya says, O Gārgi, do not ask too many questions, regarding the supreme reality or Brahman, about whom one cannot ask anything more. If you ask more questions, your head will fall apart. (A stare for ensfasteit: ut quf auda, haupati u taarifay zofa, f, Atsfagreitfefa Brhadāranyaka Up. III.VI.1).
It is important to note that, though, Upanisadic Gurus are mainly teachers of Brahmavidyā, to highly qualified students, they never neglected, other learned disciples in Gurukula. They guided them to lead good worldly life and achieve highest goal in life, after completion of their study in gurukula. In Taittiriyopanişad, Ācārya, advises, his students, who have completed their study and ready to enter the stage of house-holder in the following way : "Speak the truth, do your duty, do not obtain from your studies, give fees for what you have learnt, do not cut off the line of descendent in your family. Never over-look your welfare, never neglect your own prosperity. Never neglect the study and propagation of truth. Regard your mother, father and teacher as gods. Good outstands you find among us that you follow. Honour those who are great. Be charitable. When there is a doubt about code of conduct, consult seniors and knowledgeable persons." (Taittiriyopanişad, 1.9.1-4). Here, the guru asks his disciples to practice, what he has learnt in gurukula, the values of life. The guru
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