In traditions of Sri Vidyā worship, Sri Guru has a pivotal role and is the most venerated one at all times.
Bhavanopanishad in its opening statement says
श्रीगुरुः सर्वकारण भूता शक्तिः “-śrīguruḥ sarvakāraṇa bhūtā śaktiḥ.
In some traditions we find adjectives given to the guru, parama guru and parameshti guru lineage in the initiated Guru paduka.
For Sva Guru it is-
स्वरूप निरूपण हेतवे स्वगुरु-svarūpa nirūpaṇa hetave svaguru- ஸ்வரூப நிரூபண ஹேதவே ஸ்வகுரு
svarupa = The identity of the self, the reality of this existence can be understood only if you know the true nature. That nature is explained here as sva-rūpa.
nirūpaṇa = reveals, defines. The one to one interaction between Guru and shishya, it is the guru who reveals or defines using the Vedas, Upanishads this above reality.
Hetave = cause of, means. This is managed and guided by Sri Guru and this he is the cause and means for this knowledge.
On a whole this will point at the ‘’tat” in the upadeśa mahā vākya “tattvamasi”, which relates to the knowledge of self and its clarity
For Parama guru it is
-स्वच्छ प्रकाश विमर्श हेतवे परमगुरु- svaccha prakāśa vimarśa hetave paramaguru
– ஸ்வச்ச ப்ரகாஶ விமர்ஶ ஹேதவே பரமகுரு
svaccha = blemish less, unstained, pure. The Brahman or Atma is referred here.
prakāśa = Light, here it means knowledge of the Atma, which is given some light by his words and actions, this he had got from his guru , hence this is seen as the parama guru’s aspect.
vimarśa – The experiential knowledge. After knowing the texts , the practical aspect is seen in the tantric approach as the upāsanā and its related japa , pooja homa etc. This also is from tradition, hence the parama guru is related in this aspect
Hetave = cause of , means. The whole of above is managed and guided by Sri Parama Guru and he is the cause and means for this knowledge and actions.
On a whole this will point at the ‘’tvam” in the upadeśa mahā vākya “tattvamasi”, which relates to the practical aspect done by the individual on the initiation.
For parameshti guru it is
-स्वात्माराम पञ्जरविलीन तेजसे परमेष्ठि गुरु- svātmārām pañjaravilīna tejase parameṣṭhi guru -ஸ்வாத்மாராம பஞ்ஜரவிலீந தேஜஸே பரமேஷ்டி குரு
Svātmārāma= Having the pleasure of residing in own self. On continuous diligent practise one gets established in the self. Having set up the tradition, now the sadhaka will indulge in deeper meditation and realise the bliss of residing in self, this is the ideal state seen as parameshti guru’s aspect.
Pañjara= The cage, this physical body which is the basis of the sadhana
vilīna = the bliss is imbibed and is soaked in every cell of the body.
Tejase = The effulgence. The light showing the path to attaining this state of bliss.
On a whole this will point at the ‘’asi” in the upadeśa mahā vākya “tattvamasi”, which relates to the realisation of bliss in the present- Body level itself.
