In the Vedic literature, the teacher has been given an exalted position in society. The discourse analysis of Vedic literature reveals that the teacher then was called 'Guru', which means the one who 'leads students from darkness to light'.
The discursive data from the literature revolves around the phrases like:
(i) The dispeller of darkness of ignorance;
(ii) The developer of cognitive and spiritual potentials of pupils;
(iii) The guide to self realization;
(iv) The liberator from the bondage of life and knowledge;
(v) A second mother - the one giving a second lease of life;
(vi) A role model of simple, frugal and self-satisfied living;
(vii) The transformer of society; - a social leader and a wise opinion leader
(viii) The imparter of self-knowledge;
(ix) Divinity personified.
The assumptions and perceptions of society about the teacher during the Vedic period were idealistic and the teachers tried to live up to those perceptions.
The inset visual describes guru through a sentence acrostic.
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