Science values doubt over faith
science, accusing them of defaming traditional and alternative medical practices.
Most people confuse science with logic. Anyone can be logical, even analytical, in establishing causality. But science is about stepping outside the human mind, relying on measurement, comparison and evidence.
The Latin definition of science is 'nullius in verba' which means 'on the word of no one'. This is the opposite of 'shabda-praman', unconditional acceptance of the guru's word.
Acharya or guru
An organiser (shastri), an expert (upadhyay), a teacher (adhyapak) or a coach (acharya) gives you knowledge and skills, and in exchange gets a fee (daksina). But a guru demands complete submission.
To him, or her, you outsource all your decision-making. In prayers, guru is eulogised as someone greater than parents, greater than gods even. The guru becomes the master; the student becomes the willing slave.
Such a relationship is widespread in the art world — in music and dance circles.
It is also seen in spiritual circles. Nothing moves without the guru's permission or approval. Of course, the student insists the submission is voluntary.
This guru parampara, contrary to popular belief, did not always exist in India.
Challenging Vedic teachers
Two forms of Yajur Veda, black and white, exist due to a dispute between a teacher and a student. Yagnavalkya refused to do what his teacher Vaisampayana asked him to do. So the teacher asked his student to regurgitate all that he had learnt.
What was regurgitated out became the black Yajur Veda. Later, what was rediscovered, with the help of the sun god, and organised systematically, became the white Yajur Veda.
In the Prashna Upanishad, six students ask a teacher questions on spirituality. Answers are
