The socio-cultural dimension of man's existence is not inherited genetically, but acquired in the course of social living. It is culture and social awareness that distinguishes man from the animal.
The process of acquiring this culture is education. The person who helps the transmission of culture is called Guru. Culture is a wide term which includes a vision of life, corresponding values, behavior patterns, goals and expectations in life. It sets the standards by which success or failure is measured. To some success is the increase in the quantity of desires entertained and fulfilled, whereas to others success is freedom from wants and enjoyments thereof.
The Hindu Vision of life remain unchanged from what it was 5000 years ago, say in the times of Sage Vyasa, Sage Yajnavalkya, Gargi, Sri Rama or Sri Krishna - the yearning for the limitless, love for renunciation, a happy acceptance of one's lot in life, and a deep respect for others living and non-living.
Culture is a question of attitude, not of mere material advancement, of harmony with nature not of conflict and strife. Such an attitude can be imparted only by those who live that ideal. No amount of theorizing and pamphleteering can achieve it. Hence the need of a teacher who live by his convictions. His life and conduct is the teaching. The Hindu tradition is supremely fortunate in having a succession of teachers like Sri Vyasa, Acarya Sankara, Swami Tapovanam et.al.
July 17th we celebrate Vyasa Jayanti as world Teachers day. Krishna Dvaipayana, alias Veda Vyasa was the greatest of all Hindu teachers. He collected all Vedas, edited and published them. He devised a method of teaching and is the first spring of Guru Sisya Parampara, whose blessings we enjoy through our teachers.
Our salutations to Sage Veda Vyasa, and Poojya Gurudev who blazes our path towards peace and Godhood.