The Myth of the Modern Guru: Why Today's Teachers Aren't Gods

Have you ever wondered why the reverence we once held for our teachers seems to be fading? The tradition of equating teachers with gods has deep roots in India, where the English term "Guru" originates from the Sanskrit word "Guru," which literally means Teacher, Big, Jupiter, and the God Guru, considered the deity of all Devas (who themselves are viewed as gods).

There are even traditions of touching the feet of teachers as a sign of respect. Moreover, there is a saying in Gujarati "સોટી વાગે ચમચમ, વિદ્યા આવે ધમધમ," which translates to "the more the teacher beats the students, the more knowledge the students gain." This indicates that, in Indian tradition, teachers are even given the right to discipline students physically.

There's even a well-known shloka in Sanskrit that equates the Guru with the three main deities of Hinduism—Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva):

गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।
गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः ॥
gururbrahmā gururviṣṇuḥ gururdevo maheśvaraḥ .
guruḥ sākṣāt parabrahma tasmai śrī gurave namaḥ ..

The translation goes:
"The guru is Brahmā, the guru is Vişņu, the guru is Maheśvara (Śiva), the guru is the self-revealing limitless Brahman. Salutations to that revered guru."

But the question we must ask ourselves today is: Are modern teachers still equivalent to gods? Let’s break this down into three key points:

1. Teachers Are Professionals, Not Gods

Unlike in ancient times, today’s teachers aren’t teaching because they’re god-like figures or have a divine duty to uplift the earth. Instead, they are teaching because it's their profession, and they are paid to do so. Even in ancient times, teachers weren’t always noble. Take Dronacharya, for instance—he denied education to Eklavya due to his caste and even demanded that Eklavya cut off his thumb as "Guru Dakshina." This act of caste discrimination makes it clear that teachers were never truly "gods," not in the past and certainly not today.

A modern example can be seen in instances where students are denied access to quality education simply because they can't afford it. This is particularly prevalent in rural India, where teachers often neglect government schools to focus on lucrative private tuitions.

2. Teachers Have Become Greedy

The profession of teaching has, unfortunately, evolved into an "education mafia." Many teachers deliberately refrain from teaching effectively in schools so they can funnel students into their private coaching or tuition classes. If they provided quality education in schools, who would pay for their private lessons? Moreover, private schools have become prohibitively expensive, making quality education accessible only to the wealthy.

According to a report, the private coaching industry in India is worth over $45 billion, and it’s growing rapidly. This means that education, which should be a noble cause, has become a thriving business, catering primarily to those who can afford it. This commercial approach, despite being illegal in many cases, continues to exploit students and parents who feel they have no other choice.

3. Many Teachers Are Duffers

For many, teaching is a career choice made out of desperation, not passion. They didn’t aspire to become teachers when they chose Science or Commerce. Who dreams of becoming a teacher instead of pursuing fields like Engineering, Medicine, or Accountancy (CA/CS) when choosing Science or Commerce in 11th grade?? The sad reality is that many resort to teaching only after failing to succeed in these professional fields, which raises questions about their expertise and dedication.

This lack of passion often reflects in their teaching quality. Many teachers end up in this profession because it was their last option, not because they have a genuine interest in educating others. As a result, students suffer from substandard teaching, further undermining the concept of teachers as "gurus."

Recognizing the Exceptions

It’s important to acknowledge that not all teachers fit this mold. There are still many who are passionate, dedicated, and genuinely care about the well-being and growth of their students. They are the ones who remind us of the true essence of teaching and education, even though they are increasingly rare in today’s profit-driven system.

Conclusion

• Teachers today have largely shifted from being revered figures to sellers, and students have become their customers.
• The commercialization of education has stripped away the respect once associated with the teaching profession.

To reclaim the sanctity of education, we must move beyond this profit-driven model. Parents, students, and society must start valuing teachers who genuinely care about imparting knowledge over those who are merely in it for the money. Stricter regulations and awareness can help curb this educational greed, but the change must start with how we view and value education itself.