We get different teachers in our lives at different stages thereof. There are three types of Gurus we get in our lives, if we are ready to receive them. The first ones are the gurus that teach us the ways and means of doing what we are doing presently. the teachers at school teach us different subjects such as languages, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, etc. In the higher standards, teachers tell us more nuanced subjects such as medicine, engineering, accountancy, auditing, law, etc. Rama also got such a teacher in the form of Vishwamitra and skills taught by Vishvamitra helped Rama at every stage of life including while fighting against Rakshasas and when he attacked Lanka to fight a battle against Ravana. The skills taught by these teachers help us at every stage of our lives.
Second are the teachers that teach us to grow within a fixed frame of life. Rama got such a teacher in the form of Vashistha. When Rama was confused about the meaning of life, Vashistha helped him understand the meaning of life. The entire Yoga Vashistha is the reply to questions by Rama and answers by Vashistha. These teachers help us come out of our comfort zone and grow in life. Coming out of our comfort zone requires a certain amount of effort and most people are not ready for that pain. That's why the role of such a teacher is crucial in our lives and can make us realize what will we get after making an effort. These are the teachers like Jitu Bhaiya who help us make that "extra effort" and not give up. We all have our own "Jitu Bhaiya" in the form of a mother, father, elder brother or sister, a cousin, and sometimes a neighbor. Sometimes we get "Jitu Bhaiya" easily and sometimes it takes some time to get one. However, if we have clear intentions, we will get one very soon. If not one single Jitu Bhaiya, we will get many people who will guide us in bits and pieces.
Third are the teachers that change our entire paradigm, or framework of life. Valmiki was one such teacher in the life of Rama. When Rama sent Sita to the forest, after returning back to Ayodhya, Sita was pregnant. Valmiki not only gave shelter to Sita but also took care of her two kids Lava and Kusha and gave education to them. Education that was not bound by any frame. Seeking the truth. Questioning the society and even the king, if required. Full of courage and conviction, Lava and Kusha stopped the horse of the Ashvemegha Yajna of Rama and were ready to fight with even Rama. They sang the Ramayana written by Valmiki in the streets of Ayodhya to wake society up and ask the right questions from King Rama in his own court. Thus Valmiki was a teacher who could look beyond the frame of beliefs, biases, and social norms. He, through Lava and Kusha, not only taught Rama but also the subjects of Ayodhya to break free of their fixed frame.
The third type of teachers who help us break free of our fixed frame of life is the most difficult to get. Most teachers themselves are trapped in the fixed frame of society and do not have the capacity to look beyond. There have been a few teachers like Buddha, J Krishnamurti, Sri Aurobindo, the Mother, Shri S. N. Goenka who have helped us break free of the fixed frame. That is the reason why their words inspire generations and generations. Even after 2500 years, the words of Buddha appear to be equally or even more relevant. Today, the best of the scientists of the West are inspired by the words of Buddha. They try to understand the deeper meanings of his world by carrying out many experiments in the field of consciousness.
It's amazing to see that one of the best intellectual brains today, Yuval Noah Harari practices Vipassana and undertakes a 60-day silent retreat every year and acknowledges that it has a great contribution to his life. The writings of Krishnamurti have guided generations. Life Divine of Sri Aurobindo looks more relevant in today's world of conflicts and confusion than ever. In fact, there are so many organizations trying to disseminate the teachings of Bhagwad Geeta which looks more and more relevant in today's world. Krishna was probably the first teacher to help his student Arjuna, who was caught in the framework of social validation, to come out of that framework and help examine life afresh. It brought a paradigm shift in the life of Arjuna and he could fight the battle of Kurukshetra without any confusion or conflict.
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