Many stories in the Upanishads, the Puranas and the epics highlight the essence of the guru-sishya relationship which forms the bedrock of spiritual tradition. The role of a guru goes beyond mere transmission of the essence of the scriptures, for he also imparts the essence of living a disciplined and principled life; and the ideal disciple trains himself to have unshakable faith in the guru.
The story of Sage Daumya and his disciples related in the Mahabharata shows the many ways in which disciples have been tested and accredited for their guru bhakti, pointed out Sri Sankararama Dikshitar in a discourse. One of Daumya’s disciples, Aruni is tested in the following manner. Once during heavy rains, Aruni is given the responsibility of preventing the fields from getting flooded. Aruni tries putting up mud packs, but this does not work. So he lays himself on the moat to keep the water away. When Daumya sees this sincere and selfless effort that is also efficacious, he is pleased and confers on Aruni the knowledge of the Vedas and above all, enlightenment.
Another disciple Upamanyu is tested in a different manner. He is asked to tend the cattle. He tries to appease his hunger in certain simple ways, like taking alms, or having some milk from the cattle he tends. But the guru points out that the means he adopts are not acceptable. So when he suffers pangs of hunger, he eats the leaves of a plant that makes him blind. The guru asks him to invoke the Aswini Gods to cure his blindness. He is given a piece of sweetmeat as an antidote, but he refuses to have it without his guru’s permission. Upamanyu’s guru bhakti is recognised and endorsed by Daumya.
Adherence to certain rules of conduct is essential to a disciple at all times, even when engaged in difficult assignments given by the preceptor.
