What is a chela? Disciple; from Sanskrit verb root, “to serve.” (1)
Chela is similar to a student, except that it implies more loyalty and closeness to the teacher and teachings. (2) In Hinduism, the bond between a chela and a guru (teacher) is considered sacred. It is more like the bond between a parent and child than a teacher and student. (3)
References
- ↩ Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda. Chapter 12, “Years in My Master’s Hermitage.”
- ↩ Mahatmas and Chelas, Leoline L. Wright. Chapter 5, “Chelas and the Chela Life.”
- ↩ A Handbook on Discipleship, Swami Kriyananda. Lesson 3, “Attunement with the Guru.”
