Guru and Popular Speaker

People often think that a real guru should be a popular speaker. Unfortunately, it is not true. One becomes popular when he validates the people instead of correcting them. We do not like when someone tells us that we are wrong and tries to correct our conclusions and actions. On the other hand, we are happy when someone acknowledges what we think and do.

The duty of a guru is to point out the mistakes of a shishya and to correct him. He corrects our thoughts and actions based on the teachings of the shastras. Such people seldom become popular.

One who wants validation for his wrong thoughts and actions cannot be a true shishya. A true shishya, on the other hand, should be open to the revelations of the shastras and show readiness to correct himself if he is wrong in his actions as well as in his understanding of the reality. Such shishyas are rare. Hence an earnest teacher of the shastra cannot expect to be popular. A few understand his worth and benefit from his teachings.