Who is an acharya?
The simple meaning is teacher.
With the prefix 'a'
(Sanskrit)
a char
'a' means in the front (Sanskrit)
'chara' means to move or to demonstrate.
So one who is showing in the front or demonstrating in the front.
The simple meaning is acharya.
But this is not the real meaning.
There are two beautiful definitions of acharya.
One comes from acharana.
'Acharya' which is 'acharana siddha' means behaviour or conduct.
One who is perfect in behaviour or conduct is an acharya or the teacher.
The definition given in the scriptures:
(Sanskrit)
What is the meaning?
(Sanskrit) one who picks up the proper meaning of the scriptures.
The same book, for example the Gita.
If you want to know how many commentaries, how many glosses,
how many other explanations in this world, you will find many.
Many explanations, many commentaries, why?
Because each teacher or acharya is finding out some other meaning other experience,
so it is a different way of explanation.
(Sanskrit) One who is picking up the meaning of the scripture
or experiencing the meaning of the scripture.
(Sanskrit) One knows the meaning or the understanding.
But it is not enough.
If one is not utilizing the same meaning in one’s own life is not a teacher.
Gurudev told: Teach, T, E, A, C, H, cheat C, H, E, A, T
the same letters whether you are a teacher or a cheater.
Teach, cheat.
(Sanskrit) One who is understanding the scriptures and living with that understanding.
We discussed in the morning the teacher said do not be angry.
The student is trying to practise but the teacher himself is losing his temper.
(Sanskrit) One is practising then teaching.
(Sanskrit) As one is practising by himself or herself
(Sanskrit) so that person is known as acharya
who understands the meaning, practises himself
and through his own example teaches the same message to others.
Jesus said: Be aware of false prophets.
Be aware of false prophets, of false teachers.
Those who put on sheeps clothing and inside them hide ferocious wolves.
Outside they look like sheep, innocent, beautiful.
Inside they are hiding ferocious wolves.
The meaning is: What we appear to be, are we that?
We might appear to be very humble, loving.
In reality?
What is inside? What is outside?
Acharya is one who should be crystal clear.
Inside and outside.
Nothing to hide.