Guru as Trinity - #Thread
This sloka is taught to all of us in early childhood. This is very popular sloka. This sloka can be recited in front of any Guru. The widely prevalent meaning of this sloka is to
worship Guru as the form of Trinity & hence Parabrahma.
But, there is more profound & philosophical purport for this sloka. There is not an iota of doubt that a Guru is always the embodiment of Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva as they do creation, sustenance & dissolution (not destruction) respectively.
In other words, a Guru is Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva to a disciple by His actions. A Guru gives birth like Brahma,
sustains like Vishnu & finally leads to merger with the Supreme like Shiva. Though parents give birth to the body, Guru gives Dīkṣā Janma i.e. new life ..
i.e. new life after initiation into spiritual life. Cycle of births & deaths is still possible after this worldly birth, but there is no worldly birth after Guru gives dīkṣā (initiation).
Thus, He is Brahma
Later, Guru holds the disciple steadfast in this resolution,
sustains this knowledge in the disciple, protects in this mundane life and preserves disciple’s spiritual practices.
Hence, He is Vishnu.