The Smartest Mythological Teachers Who Taught Their Students About Bhramastra, War Weapons & Secrets of Vedas!

The ancient scholars procured knowledge through years of penance, meditation, learnings from nature and travel. They taught in gurukuls, where the relationship between the guru and shishya was one of respect and devotion earned naturally over the years. The day of 'Guru Poornima' commemorates this relationship.

Here are some of the most famous teachers of Hindu mythology.

Parshuram :

He is considered the sixth avatar of Vishnu in Hindu mythology. He served as mentor to Bhishm pitamah, Guru Dronacharya and Karna. Parashurama was so impressed by Karan that he taught him the art of launching and controlling the greatest weapon of that time -Brahmastra.

Vishwamitra :

He is one of the most respected teachers and sages of ancient times in India. He wrote the Gayatri Mantra and as a teacher of Lord Ram and Lakshman, taught  them Devastras - the knowledge and use of celestial weapons in war.

Vishwamitra also mentored them in killing of the several demonic characters mentioned in the Ramayana.

Legends speak highly of his teachings, including his concepts of heaven and hell, which is still beyond the reach of scientific discovery.

Ved Vyas

He is regarded as the Guru of Gurus, who taught Dattatreya, the Hindu deity encompassing the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, collectively known as Trimurti. He is most famous as the sage who wrote the epic Maharabharata, but do you know that he was the grandfather of both the Kauravas and Pandavas, (the warring factions in the Kurukshetra war), and appears as advisor at several junctures?

A section of the Mahabharata, called the Vyasa Jaya covers subjects like geography, history, warfare, religion and morality.

Dronacharya

He was the teacher of both the Kauravas and Pandavas. Known for his mastery in the military arts, his favourite student was Arjun.

Vashishta

Known as one of the great Saptrishis, he was the teacher of the four sons of Dashratha, including Lord Rama. The teachings in which he answered Lord Rama's questions and illusions about the universe is known as the Yoga Vashista.

He is supposed to have been born as the result of Brahma’s will-power and knew all the secrets of Vedas.

Valmiki 

Popularly known as the sage who authored Ramayana, he was the teacher of Lord Ram's sons Lav and Kush. Valmiki taught the twins about shastras and the art of using weapons. His life was the example of how the life of a common man gets transformed when he comes in the right company.