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Guru by Arushi Ramaka

Guru

Does the corruption of an idea count as an injustice?
Perhaps it isn’t a bloody, gritty, gory death
Rather, a torturous mockery of cultural memory
A spark stolen for a torch of fake wood

But isn’t it harmless to croon “beauty guru” or “business guru”
To those successful among us?
To those who amass riches quickly or master the art of Instagram filters?
After all, it’s just a word!

My friend, you fail to respect the power of speech

Ironic that a title for those who reject the superficial and accept the human spirit
Is stuck, like old, tacky glue, to shiny, hollow trophies

There’s an old proverb: everyone’s first guru is their mom
It isn’t flashed upon billboards
It’s remembered, treasured, in the heart
An oral legacy that traveled time and the seas

My grandmother, who only studied until the sixth grade, encouraged my mom to get a Masters
She is a guru
My mom taught me kindness and humility, and how to be an assertive, confident woman
She is a guru
My dance teacher crafted my potential and molded me into an artist
She is a guru
Devi, the ultimate feminine, the shakti in all mothers and their children,
She is my guru

Tell me, is it not an injustice to deny the soul of this beautiful legacy?

Explanation of poem:

Guru means “one who dispels ignorance” in Hindu dharma. Gurus can be teachers, parents, elders, or anyone who helps one pursue dharma and become closer to the Divine. Ironically, Western uses of the term “guru” often laud people for materialistic reasons, which is ironic, since in Hindu dharma, Gurus are often those who dispel Maya/illusion to help one walk the path to the Divine.

About the Author:
Arushi Ramaka is the Executive Director of HEAT (Education and Awareness Team) and has been involved in HSC since she started a chapter at her high school in 2019. She is a junior at UNC Chapel Hill and passionate about healthcare equity, integrative and preventative medicine, classical dance, and inspiring youth to pursue dharma.