Guru

Guru literally means 'heavy' (with knowledge) or 'one who removes (ru) darkness (gu)'. In the Vedānta tradition, the guru is indispensable — self-knowledge is not achieved by one's own effort, but through systematic exposure to scriptures by a qualified teacher (śrotriya brahmaniṣṭha). The guru teaches using the traditional method (sampradāya) of analysis and negation.