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There are three types of teachers:
1. One who knows the shAstra-s and is also firmly established
in that knowledge, i.e. a shrotriya and a brahma niShThA.
2. One who does not know the shAstra-s but is firmly established
in the knowledge, i.e. only a brahma niShThA.
3. One who knows the shAstra-s but is not firmly established
in the knowledge, i.e. only a shrotriya.
Of these, the first one is the best and the scriptures advise
one to approach such a teacher.
The second is a problem since, although he may be a brahma niShThA,
he is not a teacher. Shankara says that one should avoid such
a teacher. He may inspire one to inquire but he cannot guide
others.
The third one is the second best, since at least one can learn
from that teacher.
Now the problem is that a brahma niShThA alone will know that
he is a brahma niShThA - no one else can know. One can only guess
by studying the person’s behavior for a prolonged length
of time; observing that he does not get excited, for example,
as Krishna describes.
This means that the student can never know if his teacher is
a brahma niShThA or not but he can find out if his teacher has
studied the scriptures or not.
Since one needs shraddhA or faith in the words of the teacher,
it is imperative for the student to assume that his teacher is
realized (irrespective of whether the teacher is realized or
not). Then, if he learns, the student can realize since he has
faith in the teaching.
Ultimately, a teacher is one who directs the disciple to the
scriptures and not to himself as the authority, since the scriptures
ultimately form the means of knowledge.
Now the question is: why do we need a teacher or guide? Why cannot
just a book or tape recorder or CD player be a teacher?
Firstly, this is a subjective science involving non-objectifiable
truths. The preconceived notions of the seeker form impediments
to knowledge. If we cannot do a PhD without a guide, as stipulated
by any university rules, it is even more imperative to have a
guide for this more subtle inquiry. Furthermore, simply having
a PhD does not mean that one can guide another student. Either
one has to have both a PhD and be involved in continuing inquiry
or research or one may be well established in research but not
actually have a PhD. The same thing applies to this more subtle
inquiry.
Hence the Vedic instruction is that we should always approach
a teacher for the knowledge.
Ultimately, it is due to the merits of many lives that one can
find a proper teacher who can guide us to salvation.
Hence, the vivekachUDAmaNi says:
manushyatvam mumukShutvam mahApurushasamsrayam - dulabham -
daiva anugraham
Being born as human being with discriminative
faculty,
having a desire to become free from bondage
and
having the acquaintance of a great soul.
All these three are rare indeed – and
it is only due to the grace of God that it can
happen.
A student has to discover his teacher for himself;
no teacher will come and say ‘I am your
teacher’. A student will discover his teacher
when he has full faith in the teaching. Without
that full faith, no teaching can takes place.
ShraddhAvan labhate j~nAnam says Krishna.
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