Dhyaanamoolam Gurur Moorthihi
Poojamoolam Guroh Padam
Mantramoolam Guror Vaakyam
Moksha Moolam Guru Krupa.

Brahmaanandham Parama Sukhadam
Kevalam Jnaana Murthim
Dhvandhvaa Theetham Gagana Sadhrisham
Tathvam Asyaadi Lakshyam
Ekam Nithyam Vimalam Achalam
Sarvadhee Saakshi Bhutham
Bhavaatheetham Thriguna Rahitham
Sadhgurum Tham Namaami.

Meaning : This sloka tries to describe the qualities of a true Guru.
A real Guru has the following qualities. He experiences the supreme Bliss of Brahmaananda (transcedental divine bliss).
He enjoys and confers changeless supreme happiness. He is beyond space and time (there is nothing higher than him).
He is the embodiment of wisdom which is the basis for all types of knowledge.
He transcends the pair of opposites (such as happiness and sorrow, gain and loss).
He is more Omnipresent than space itself.
He is the very embodiment of the Divine principle,
which is the inner meaning of the four great pronouncements Prajnaanam Brahma, Aham Brahmasmi, Thath Thvam Asi and Ayam Aathma Brahma. He is One without a second (ekam).
He never changes under any circumstances (nithyam). He is without any type of impurity (vimalam).
He is steady and motionless(achalam). He is the witness of everything.
He transcends mental comprehension and verbal explanation. He is beyond the three gunas (sathva, rajas and thamas).
I offer my humble salutations to such a Guru who possesses all these qualities.

Introduction To The Guru Parampara.

This chapter 'Introduction to the guru parampara' defines the 'Guru Parampara' (Disciplic Succession) coming in the line of Lord Krsna to Lord Brahma, the first living entity in creation to whom Vedic knowledge was imparted.

The early traditions of the Upanishads (c. 2000 BC), the guru-shishya relationship has evolved into a fundamental component of Hinduism.

The term "Upanishad" derives from the Sanskrit words "upa" (near), "ni" (down) and "sad" (to sit) — so it means "sitting down near" a spiritual teacher to receive instruction.

The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna,and between Rama and Hanuma.In Upanishads,Gurus and Disciples appear na variety of settings.

In the Vedas,the knowledge of Brahmam(bramhavidya) is communicatedfrom Guruto Shishya by oral lore.

The Significance of Guruswamy in Ayyappa Cult

The common characteristics of the guru-shishya relationship in Sree Ayyappa Swami deeksha.

Within the broad spectrum of Sree Dharma Sastha Vratha vidhanam,the guru-shishya relationship can be found in numerous variant forms including tantra.

The establishment of a Teacher-Student Relationship irrespective of age, profession, designations, possessions and pride during the Deeksha

A formal recognition of this relationship, generally in a structured initiation ceremony where the guru accepts the initiate as a shishya and also accepts responsibility for the spiritual well-being and progress of the new shishya by giving him Vratha Mudra.

The process will include the conveying of specific esoteric wisdom and/or meditation techniques through which Shishya can do the vratham very sincerely. He will teach them the slokas, and ways to perform pooja and bhajans. He shall prepare them for the pilgrimage mentally and physically.

The Guruswamy is usually an elderly person who has undertaken pilgrimage to Sabarimala not less than eighteen times and has travelled by the traditional long route(periya padam or pedda padam) and had darshan of Makara Jothi. Such Guru will enlighten the Shishyas about the austerities to be followed.

The devotees treat the Guruswamy as Ayyappan himself. It is important that pilgrims gain knowledge from the Guru on all the aspect of the Pilgrimage. The pilgrims should give the due respect and reverence which the Guru deserves.

One should serve the Guru physically, mentally and verbally.

All instructions of the Guru should be carried out without fail.

Bhakti Prapatti

In the ego-destroying principle of prapatti (Sanskrit, "Throwing oneself down"), the level of the submission of the will of the shishya to the will of God or the guru is sometimes extreme, and is often coupled with an attitude of personal helplessness, self-effacement and resignation.

This doctrine is perhaps best expressed in the teachings of the four Samayacharya saints,

who shared a profound and mystical love of Siva expressed by:

Deep humility and self-effacement, admission of sin and weakness; Total surrender to God as the only true refuge; and A relationship of lover and beloved known as bridal mysticism, in which the devotee is the bride and Siva the bridegroom.

In its most extreme form it sometimes includes:

The assignment of all or many of the material possessions of the shishya to the guru.

The strict and unconditional adherence by the shishya to all of the commands of the guru.

An example is the legend that Karna silently bore the pain of a wasp stinging his thigh so as not to disturb his guru Parashurama.

A system of various titles of implied superiority or deification which the guru assumes, and often requires the shishya to use whenever addressing the guru.

The requirement that the shishya engage in various forms of physical demonstrations of affection towards the guru, such as bowing, kissing the hands or feet of the guru, and sometimes agreeing to various physical punishments as may sometimes be ordered by the guru.

Sometimes the authority of the guru will extend to all aspects of the shishya's life, including sexuality, livelihood, social life, etc.

Often a guru will assert that he or she is capable of leading a shishya directly to the highest possible state of spirituality or consciousness, sometimes referred to within Hinduism as moksha. In the bhakti guru-shishya relationship the guru is often believed to have supernatural powers, leading to the deification of the guru.

Gurudakshina

Gurudakshina, where the shishya gives a gift to the guru as a token of gratitude, often the only monetary or otherwise fee that the student ever gives. Such tokens can be as simple as a piece of fruit

But not like as serious as a thumb, as in the case of Ekalavya and his guru Dronacharya; here the whole process will be done only to attain the Divya Darshanam of Lord sree Darma Sastha

Which can be said as Bhakti Yoga

Guruswamy will lead the pilgrims safely and comfortably to Sabarimala