Guru

The letter 'gu (गु)' in the word 'Guru (गुरु)' refers to darkness (ignorance) while the letter 'ru (रु)' refers to light (spiritual knowledge). Thus undoubtedly, the Guru is Brahman who alleviates this ignorance.

Venkata Kavi is said to have expressed his deep desire to learn music formally from a locally well known musician, Shri Krishna Yogi. But he returned dejected as Krishna Yogi refused to be his Guru. Subsequently, he was advised by his mother to seek the grace of Lord Krshna himself. It is believed that Venkata Kavi beseeched the Lord's grace at the Kalinga Narttana temple in Oottukkadu. According to legend his prayers were answered by the Lord himself. Many compositions lend credence to this fact when we study the lyrics of his compositions extolling his Guru.

 

parama yoga yaagam vedam padittilen padittadu pol nadittilen

paarvai onrile vilainda bhaagyamidu yaarkkumidu aridaanadu

parimala sad (guru padaaravinda komalam)

 

"I have neither formally studied the scriptures and yoga nor have I pretended to possess a mastery over them. I was singularly fortunate to obtain all the knowledge and insights through the benevolent glance of my guru."

 

Sholli mudiyumo (Surati) is another example of this.

 

sholli mudiyumo engal tooya gurunaathan endan sondamenna sondamenru

 

aayiram aayiram vedangal sholvadai arul kadaikann onru shollume

naan sheida aananda tavamellam vellume

poyidai yaaridamum shonnaalum puriyaadu

purindavar yaar enru shollume

anda punniya sangattil ennai tallume

 

As many as 15-20 compositions have been found so far.  Some of these also suggest that he may have had a human pedagogue too. The composer's devotion to the Guru comes across in a telling manner in these compositions.