Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal once
told a gathering that the true meaning of Jagadguru is one who sees all
creation as Guru.
During the visit of Kashi in 1933, Jagadguru Sri
Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal happened to attend a gathering. Swamigal
was then 51 years old.
Some people in crowd thought the Swamigal was too young to
be called as Jagadguru.
As the crowd settled those who were envious of Swamigal put
forth the question - Who is a Jagadguru?
Swamigal said I am a Jagadguru.
So the egoistic person asked you are the Guru of Jagad
(teacher of the world).
Swamigal corrected him by this shloka – ‘jagadaam guru na,
jagathi bandhyamanaa sarve mama guru.’
No guru of the world, I claim. On the other hand all
creatures present in this creation (jagad) are my gurus and hence I am Jagadguru.
The translation of the word depends on the person. Jagadguru
can be Guru of world or for whom the whole world is a Guru.
Swamigal then pointed out to sparrow nests in the holes in
wall of a nearby building.
He said - the limbless sparrows can build such beautiful
houses for themselves that I cannot with the benefit of all my limbs. Blessed
with creativity of this kind, they are my gurus. In all humility I do
veneration to these sparrows.