The Teacher's Parting Words: Matru Devo Bhava

The first part of the Taittiriya is called the 'Shiksha Valli', the chapter on learning. In the ancient gurukul, students lived with their teacher for years, studying the Vedas. When the studies were over and the student was about to return home, the teacher gave him advice for life. These words are still read today at the convocation ceremonies of many universities.

The teacher says: speak the truth. Practise dharma. Never neglect svadhyaya, your own study and reflection. Do not stray from truth, do not stray from dharma, do not miss a chance to do good. Imagine: on the very day studies end, the teacher says, 'Don't stop studying.' Learning never really ends.

Then come the famous words: let your mother be as a god to you. Let your father be as a god to you. Let your teacher be as a god to you. Let your guest be as a god to you. 'Atithi devo bhava' is today the message of India's tourism too. It means that those who give us life, values, knowledge and company all deserve deep respect.

The teacher also says something very honest: 'Follow only those of our ways that are good, not the others.' The teacher admits he is not perfect; the student must choose the good and adopt it, not copy blindly. And if he is ever in doubt about how to act, he should act as thoughtful, devoted and gentle wise people would act.

There is lovely advice on giving too: give with faith; do not give without faith. Give generously, give with humility, give with understanding. This same Upanishad contains the well-known peace mantra 'Om saha navavatu', in which teacher and student pray together: may we study together, may our learning shine, and may we never feel ill-will towards each other.