The word Guru refers to one who dispels the darkness of spiritual ignorance in several world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.

Origins Guru is a word originally derived from two syllables of Sanskrit script referenced in Verse 16 of the Hindu scripture Advayataraka Upanishad.

Gu: meaning darkness

Roo: meaning dispel

Together the two syllables form the word Guru, meaning one who dispels the darkness.

Meaning

The scriptures of Sikhism written in Gurmukhi script are known as Gurbani, or the word of the Guru. The two components of the word Guru in Sikhism also include:

Gu: dark gooey attachment, or spiritual ignorance

Roo: a ray of light, enlighten, illuminate and liberate

The Sikh definition of Guru is enlightener, or liberator, a spiritual guide. The guru offers salvation and gives spiritual guidance illuminating the path of the soul through darkness into light.

In Sikhism, beginning in the year 1469 A.D. with First Guru Nanak Dev, a succession of ten gurus each embodied jot, or the light of spiritual illumination. The jot passed from each guru to his successor. On October 7, 1708 A.D., the status of Enlightener ultimately was bequeathed by the Tenth Guru Gobind Singh to the sacred scripture ​Siri Guru Granth Sahib and named the sole and everlasting guru of the Sikhs.

In the religion of Sikhism, each and every Sikh is considered to be a spiritual seeker only. The word guru is a component of many Sikh spiritual names beginning with g, but that in no way designates a person bearing such a name to be guru. All Sikhs are regarded merely as disciples of Siri Guru Granth Sahib. No mortal person may dare to assume the title or status of guru, for to do so is considered the ultimate blasphemy.

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The scripture of Siri Guru Granth Sahib provides divine instruction as a guide to dispel the effects of spiritual ignorance and illuminate the darkness of ego which shrouds the soul keeping it in a state of duality. The illumined soul guided by the guru's instruction comes to realize that it is one with Ik Onkar the creator and all of creation. The Sikhs method for realization is to recite Waheguru, their name for the ultimate supreme divine wondrous enlightener.Examples

These examples from the scripture of Siri Guru Granth Sahib explain the concept of Guru in Sikhism.

"Khudee mittee chookaa bholaavaa gur man hee meh pragattaaiaa jeeo ||3||Ego is erased, and doubts dispelled, for the Enlightener is manifest within the mind." ||3|| SGGS||104

"Baajh guroo hai andh gubaaraa ||Without the Enlightener is only pitch darkness." SGGS||116

"Gur giaan deepak oujiaareeaa ||1||

The Guru's spiritual wisdom is a lamp which illuminates and enlightens." ||1|| SGGS||210

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